Most injuries get better. Certain injuries take a very long time to get better due to a multitude of different factors, not all of which are in our control. My goal as a chiropractor in Kanata is to help my patients get better as quickly as possible by optimizing the recovery process and making positive changes to the things we can control.

Here are three tips to help with a speedy and sustained recovery.

With the Holiday’s around the corner, I thought this would be a fitting blog to post!

We’re discussing a relatively new acronym that helps us manage soft-tissue injuries such as muscle strains and joint sprains. Most people are familiar with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for injuries, but in the past few years we have been seeing a trend toward a more nuanced approach to injuries that encompasses many different factors that can improve healing.

Injury management is always changing as our research improves, but lately the acronym PEACE & LOVE has been making the rounds in healthcare and chiropractic care.

Cindy is an accountant, and when it comes to tax season she always ends up with pain across her shoulders and neck. Spending long hours at her computer without breaks really takes its toll. She has tried her best to keep “good” posture, but it doesn’t seem to help.

By the end of tax season, Cindy usually feels like someone has poured concrete between her shoulder blades and it causes a stiff and achy sensation when trying to move her neck or raise her arms.

This article will provide education on achy upper back muscles and how to begin treating them.

They say the best learning comes from experience, and I have definitely been taught many lessons in the last two weeks. For this blog, I’m going to focus on the things I’ve learned that might be related to health (we won’t talk about my first time changing a diaper or honing the ability to wolf down a full meal in under 90 seconds).

PS I’m back working as a chiropractor at OCSI clinic, online, and offering house calls in Kanata, Stittsville, and Carleton Place.

During acute pain our body’s nervous system is activated to protect us against real or perceived threats to our tissues (muscles, joints, ligaments etc.). One of the effects of this protective nervous system is to dramatically change our motor outputs and movement patterns. Most of the time these changes are subconscious, so it can be hard to control how we’re moving differently.

It’s no secret that it’s good for our health to stay active. Fitness is important to longevity, it’s good for our hearts, and reduces our risk of cancer and diabetes. A missing component of many of my patient’s fitness plans is a strength component.

This blog will make the case for why the strength component is crucial, and arguably has the largest impact not just on our longevity but on our quality of life in our later years.

Chiropractors practice primarily using their hands, providing diagnosis, treatment and preventive care for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system, muscles and joints. Modern chiropractors use a combination of treatments such as joint manipulation, various soft tissue therapies, acupuncture, strengthening and mobilizing exercises and more depending on each patient’s specific needs.

When I saw Sue it had been about 10 days since the onset of her back pain. The pain was improving slowly, but Sue was getting antsy about exercising again - she wanted to get back in the gym but was worried about exercising with pain. Sue asked me what she should do.

Today’s blog will cover some of the main points that Sue and I discussed in our conversation about pain and exercise.

Most of my patients first come to see me because they have a new injury or a nagging pain and they need a push in the right direction. The most common conditions are back pain, sciatica, neck pain, rolled ankles, achy knees and tweaked shoulders. Many of these issues resolve with 4-8 sessions of active chiropractic care.

Check this blog out to learn why and when it can be helpful to go back to your chiropractor.