Welcome Dr. Melissa Hamilton, Chiropractor!

We are excited to welcome Dr. Melissa Hamilton to the Chiropractic division of the New Hamburg Wellness

Centre Team!

Dr. Melissa is now accepting new patients and offers early morning, afternoon and evening hours.

519-662-4441 or

info.nhwc@bellnet.ca

Read more about Melissa below:

Melissa Hamilton

• Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

• Master of Science (MSc) in Human Health and Nutritional Science

• Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Candidate

• Resident of the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada)

Dr. Hamilton completed her undergraduate Human Kinetics degree at the University of Guelph with Honours before continuing to pursue her Master of Science degree in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences. She successfully defended her thesis at the University of Guelph in 2015. While completing these two degrees, she worked in the fitness industry as a weight room supervisor, personal trainer and health coach. She continued to work full time in the fitness industry for two years following her studies before she made the decision to pursue Chiropractic as her final career choice.

Dr. Hamilton attended the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) and graduated in 2021 with clinical honours. Upon graduation she was accepted into the Sports Residency program of the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences where she will continue to learn about fitness and sport, conduct research on pregnancy in sport, and work with elite athletes. She has also completed post-graduate training in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University and postpartum rehabilitation with GrowCo. She is a certified Functional Range and Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRCms), and Graston Soft Tissue Therapy provider. She also holds certifications in muscle activation and palpation techniques, and Sportside Medical EFR.

Dr. Hamilton’s extensive education has given her the tools to provide exceptional patient centred care. She uses an evidence-based approach in diagnosing muscle and joint conditions, along with developing a plan of management and treatment plan. Her clinical experiences have ranged from injury prevention, to working with chronic pain patients at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto. She is well equipped to deal with a wide range of conditions such as back pain, neck pain, hip and shoulder pain, ankle sprains, carpel tunnel and more. She also has a special interest in treating Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (jaw pain). Her treatment style includes a combination of manual therapy involving chiropractic joint manipulation, joint mobilizations, and a variety of soft tissue therapy techniques. She puts a large emphasis on patient empowerment through self management techniques such as progressive stretches and strengthening exercises. She is also capable of utilizing acupuncture, electro-therapeutic modalities, and custom orthotics when indicated.

#chiropractor #chiropractic #newhamburgchiropractic #newhamburgwellness #manualtherapy #exercise #sportsinjuries #rehabilitativeexercise #wecanhelp #newpatientswelcome #newhamburg #wilmot

Understanding Tennis And Golfer's Elbow

 By Dr. John A. Papa, DC, FCCPOR(C) - New Hamburg Wellness Centre

The elbow is a complex joint that allows movements of flexion, extension, and rotation.  Most daily activities require a combination of these actions to produce motion in the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand.  Two common elbow injuries include Tennis Elbow (TE) and Golfer's Elbow (GE).  Both of these elbow conditions can cause pain and weakness which results in functional limitations with gripping, pushing, pulling, and lifting activities of the affected arm.

Tennis Elbow (TE) is medically known as lateral epicondylitis and causes the outer part of the elbow to become sore and tender.  This typically affects the muscles and tendons that extend the fingers and wrist, and roll the forearm outwards.

Golfer's Elbow (GE) is medically known as medial epicondylitis and causes the inner part of the elbow to become sore and tender.  This typically affects the muscles and tendons that flex the fingers and wrist, and roll the forearm inwards.

TE and GE can affect anyone involved in activities that require rapid and/or repetitive motion of muscles and joints in the forearm, wrist, and hand.  It is more likely to happen if these movements are combined with awkward posture(s), excessive force, poor technique, and using the wrong equipment or tool.  Occasionally, a direct blow to the elbow may be a causative factor.  Physical deconditioning can also make individuals susceptible to these conditions.

As a result, TE and GE can affect a broad variety of people including:  trade workers such as electricians, painters, and carpenters; recreational athletes such as tennis players and golfers; and labourers such as cleaners and assembly line workers.  Computer use, and even hobbies like gardening and knitting can be associated with TE and GE.

It is important to establish an accurate diagnosis of TE or GE.  This can be accomplished by performing a proper medical history, along with a physical examination.  Other causes of elbow pain may include: fractures, bursitis, arthritis, sprains, nerve irritation, or referred pain from the neck and/or shoulder region. 

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals skilled in diagnosing and treating muscle and joint conditions such as TE and GE.  Initially, relative rest and altering or eliminating the conditions that contributed to the injury is important.  This may include making changes to a work station, using the correct tools/equipment, and taking breaks to relax overworked muscles and joints.  Treatment options include laser therapy, acupuncture, electrotherapy, taping, bracing, specialized soft tissue therapy, and manual joint mobilization.  In addition, a comprehensive rehabilitation program should also include stretching and strengthening exercises that target the muscles of the forearm, upper arm, shoulder and upper back.

If elbow pain is keeping you away from your favourite activities, consider chiropractic care.  A chiropractor will assess your symptoms, diagnose your condition, and recommend a treatment plan to put you on the road to recovery.  For more information, visit www.nhwc.ca. 

This article is a basic summary for educational purposes only.  It is not intended, and should not be considered, as a replacement for consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a duly licensed health practitioner.

How Changing Your Exercise Routine Can Help Your Overall Joint Health 🌟

If you're experiencing discomfort when exercising, switching to a low impact routine can help give your joints a break.

❓ What is the difference between low impact exercise and high impact exercise?

🦶 A workout is low impact if at least one of your feet remains in contact with the ground at all times.

🚶‍♀️🕺 Walking, hiking, rollerblading and most step aerobics and cardio dance workouts are low impact.

🏊‍♂️ Water aerobics, swimming, cycling and using an elliptical machine, put even less stress on your joints because both feet stay on the ground at all times and your body is supported during movement.

🦶🦶 A workout is considered high impact if both feet leave the ground at the same time.

🏃‍♂️ Some high impact workouts include: running, jumping rope, skipping, jumping jacks and plyometric based workouts.

❓ How might a low Impact exercise help with joint pain?

✅ A low impact exercise routine is less jarring on the body and joints, and less intense overall.

❌ With a high impact routine your body and joints must absorb the impact of your high impact movement. If your joints aren’t prepared to handle the stress, it could mean pain for any interconnected joint in your body.

❓ How do I know if I should switch to a low impact routine?

🧓 Low impact exercises are best for beginners, people with arthritis or osteoporosis, older adults, pregnant women and those affected with bone, joint and connective tissue injuries. 🤰

If you are currently engaging in a high impact exercise routine and aren’t experiencing any associated pain, great. 👍 Those who have a baseline of fitness and are not at risk for joint problems are able to handle the stress that comes with high impact exercise.

⌚ It’s also a good idea though to also mix in some low impact activities as all that high impact activity could add up over time and eventually cause an over-use injury.

❓ What can I do if I’ve already injured myself exercising?

Seeing a chiropractor is a great place to start. Chiropractors are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the musculoskeletal system (the body’s bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and connective tissue).

✅ Visits to your chiropractor can identify potential dysfunction that may be occurring to ensure your bones, muscles, joints and nerves are working together properly, which reduces stress placed on ligaments. Your chiropractor can tell you what type of exercise best suits you before you embark on a new exercise regimen.

They can also help work with you to identify areas of weakness to work on and activities you should avoid, to keep yourself strong and healthy. 😃

#lowimpactexercise #exercise #highimpactexercise #jointhealth #chiropractor #chiropracticcare #newhamburgchiropractic #rehabilitation #wecanhelp #2020recordreadawards #newpatientswelcome #newhamburg #wilmot

9 Benefits Of Getting Your Exercise In The Pool, Lake, or Ocean

Summer is well underway and water activities are in full-swing. Whether it’s at a nearby lake, beach, or swimming pool, it’s time to talk about water exercises and why they’re good for you.

Here are nine benefits of exercising (particularly swimming) in water:

1.    There’s low impact on your joints: Water gives you buoyancy—i.e., you float! This decreases the impact on your joints, so when you swim or exercise in the water, you have a lower risk of injury.

 

2.    It does a better job at keeping you cool: Working out can cause you to overheat, especially in the summer. Exercising in the water helps the body cool off faster and reduces the risk of overheating. If the water is warm, it may not help keep you cool, but it does help increase blood circulation, which is a plus when exercising.

 

3.    Water has built-in resistance: Because you’re moving your body through water instead of through air, you’re working harder. This resistance is great for building all-around strength and endurance.

 

4.    You can adjust the resistance: Depending on your speed, position, or form in the water, the resistance you face is dynamic. For example, the more streamlined your swim stroke, the faster you’ll travel with less resistance. If you’re jogging or running in water, particularly if it goes higher than your waist, you’re getting much more resistance (this is often done if you’re training to improve your running speed, strength, and endurance when you’re on land).

 

5.    It gets easier over time: The more knowledge and skill you have with respect to swimming, the more efficient your body becomes when moving through the water. This translates to less energy and effort exerted, and greater speed. The good news is that the more you learn, practice, and condition your body, the easier swimming will be.

 

6.    You can incorporate rest: You don’t have to stop exercising in the water to give your body a rest during a workout. If you’re swimming, you can add resting strokes like sidestroke or elementary backstroke for a minute or two (or a lap or two in the pool) until you recover.

 

7.    You can increase intensity slowly: The benefit of swimming is that you can make gradual changes to your routine without much effort. Simply increase the time spent swimming continuously and take shorter rest breaks—or replace your breaks with rest strokes (see tip #6) as you build up your swimming regime.

 

8.    It’s great for keeping joints limber and toning muscles: Since exercising in the water is so low impact, your joints stay nimble. With the built-in resistance of the water, swimming is great for keeping your muscles toned.

 

9.    It offers support for the whole body: Not only is exercising in the water low-impact, it’s also excellent for support. Bonus: it supports your back! You don’t have to worry about the weight of your body on your spine or your posture when you move your body through water. If you’re not a swimmer, you can still use the water for gentle exercise: do some walking workouts waist-deep in a swimming pool to take the pressure off your joints and back while still getting movement.

 

So, take the pressure off, hit up your local beach or pool, and go for a swim!

Always remember to stay hydrated when you exercise. If you’re swimming outdoors this summer, be sure to remember to be safe in the sun and heat.

Talk to your family chiropractor to find out what types of exercises are right for you.

#swimming #exercise #summer #wateractivities #chiropractor #chiropracticcare #musculoskeletal #newhamburgchiropractic #newhamburgmassage #newhamburgphysiotherapy #newhamburgorthotics #newhamburgwellness #chiropractic #massage #physiotherapy #customorthotics #exercise #rehabilitativeexercise #wecanhelp #recordreaderaward2020 #newpatientswelcome #newhamburg #wilmot