chiropractic + acupuncture + active release techniques + orthotics

• back + neck pain . sciatica . headaches
• tennis / golfer's elbow . carpal tunnel . tmj dysfunction
• plantar fasciitis . tendonitis . sprains . strains
• shoulder . arm . wrist . hip . knee . ankle pain
• pediatric . pre/post natal care
  
  

About Chiropractic

C hiropractic is a hands on health care discipline that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems.  Chiropractic offers a complementary and alternative therapy to the use of drugs or surgery.

Decreased joint motion, (called joint restrictions or vertebral subluxations) causes inflammation, pain, muscle tension, biomechanical changes and may interfere in the function of the nervous system.  Joint restrictions occur as a result of the stresses and strains of everyday living;  such as poor or prolonged postures, repetitive movements, falls, accidents (especially car accidents), and sports activities.  In children, muscle and joint dysfunction may occur as a result of in-utero constraint, the birth process, postural imbalances, learning to crawl and walk, and childhood activities.  Animals may experience joint restrictions from slips, trauma, poor fitting harnesses and collars, poor leash habits, quick changes in direction, confinement, advancing age and post surgery.  Pain, headaches, stiffness or tension, decreased range of motion, weakness, numbness and tingling are the most common signs of muscle and joint dysfunction.  Most patients (including people and animals) have dysfunction in the muscles and joints long before they notice any symptoms. 

A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) will evaluate the joint motion in the spine and extremities and then correct these joint restrictions by highly skilled adjustments (quick, gentle thrusts).  The chiropractic adjustment has been proven to increase motion, coordination, and circulation and to reduce swelling, muscle spasm and pain.  Many chiropractors will offer soft tissue therapy, modalities and rehabilitation exercises as part of the treatment plan.  In addition, acupuncture, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, physiotherapy and massage therapy are a great complement to chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic can benefit the following:

• Headaches, including migraine
• Neck pain
• Upper, middle or low back pain
• Shoulder, elbow and wrist pain
• Pelvis, hip, knee and ankle pain
• TMJ Dysfunction
• Sports Injuries
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Sciatica
• Rotator cuff strain
• Tennis/Golfer’s elbow
• Carpal Tunnel syndrome
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Sprains/Strains
• Arthritis
• Pre/post natal related pain

 

About Pre and Post Natal Care

Chiropractic and massage therapy are safe, effective treatments that can be beneficial during pregnancy and post delivery. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause a stretching of the ligaments and connective tissues in the body leading to increased joint mobility. This can lead to increased muscular tension to help stabilize the joints of the pelvis. Back, hip and pubic symphysis pain are very common during and after pregnancy. Weight gain, postural changes, breastfeeding and carrying the baby are just a few causes.

A chiropractor who is certified in Webster technique uses specific chiropractic adjustments to the pelvis and soft tissue therapy to the tight ligaments in order to reduce in-utero constraint. This allows the baby room to develop, allows the pelvis to open during delivery and can help reduce pain and the length of labour.

Ideally, chiropractic and massage therapy treatments should begin early in the pregnancy. Your doctor or therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan that will increase in care before and after delivery.

 

About Pediatric Care

Chiropractic treatments can be very helpful for infants to teenagers. The delivery process, learning how to hold up their head, roll over, sit up, crawl, stand and walk, all places strain on their muscles and joints. As children get older, carrying backpacks, prolonged sitting, stress from school and sports injuries can cause muscular tension and may lead to restrictions in the joints and discomfort.

A check-up by a chiropractor who is certified in pediatrics can help to diagnose muscle and joint dysfunction before it becomes a bigger problem. Ideally, check-ups should be performed immediately after birth, and then at the major milestones during the first year (holding up their head, sitting up, standing up and walking). After the first year, maintenance care should be performed regularly at the discretion of the chiropractor.

Chiropractors use a variety of techniques unique to treating children including fingertip pressure, soft tissue therapy, and traction. Traditional chiropractic adjustments will not be performed until the child is approximately eight years of age.

 

About Orthotics

Orthotics are custom-made inserts designed to support the arches of feet. These arch supports help to improve the biomechanics of the ankles, knees, hips and low back. This can help reduce pain and discomfort in the feet, lower limbs and the back. Some of these conditions are: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, ankle sprain, knee sprain, iliotibial band syndrome, hip problems and low back dysfunction.

 

About Active Release Techniques

Active Release Techniques (ART®) is a soft tissue therapy that focuses on the muscles, tendons, fascia and nerves.  When injury occurs through trauma or repetitive strain, adhesions (AKA scar tissue) form in the muscles as a result of healing.  These adhesions cause the muscle to become tighter, weaker and more pain sensitive and predisposes the patient to further injury.  Active Release Techniques has the patient perform active movements while tension is applied to break up adhesions in the muscle.  This technique is therefore more aggressive than massage therapy and is used for repetitive strain injuries, muscle adhesions, nerve entrapments and joint dysfunction. 

This technique is most commonly recognized to help athletes improve performance but can also help with chronic neck and back pain, headaches, shoulder injuries, tennis/golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, muscle strains and other nerve entrapments.

 

About Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction and to prevent homeostatic disturbances.  It is a very safe and effective method of treatment.  Acupuncture is often used in place of medications and surgery or as an adjunct to chiropractic care and physiotherapy. 

Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to put the body’s natural mechanisms of healing into action.  Very fine needles are inserted at specific points in the body along lines called meridians.  Most patients only feel minimal discomfort as the needles are inserted.  Insertion of the needles causes local tissue changes as well as multi-system responses by stimulating the body to produce pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins.
 
Acupuncture decreases pain and inflammation, promotes tissue healing and neurological balance, restores range of motion, and muscle strength.  Some musculoskeletal conditions that acupuncture can be used for include:  back and neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, tennis/golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel, sciatica, hip pain, knee pain, tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis and ankle sprain.  Other common uses include addictions, digestive, respiratory, menstrual, and reproductive disorders.