Can Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) treat______________?

YES!  NDs are primary health care practitioners, which means that they can treat the same conditions as a family doctor, including both acute concerns and chronic health conditions.  In the event that an ND is unable to treat your condition, they will refer appropriately.

Examples of health conditions that naturopathic medicine is effective in treating include:

·        Allergies & Environmental Sensitivities

·        Arthritis, Chronic Pain

·        Digestive Disorders, Constipation, IBS

·        Skin Disorders (Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne)

·        Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), High Cholesterol

·        Heart Problems

·        Diabetes, Insulin Resistance

·        Immune Disorders

·        Colds, Flu, Sinusitis, Tonsillitis

·        Ear and Throat Infections

·        Menopausal Problems

·        PMS, Menstrual Disorders

·        Insomnia

·        Detoxification

·        Weight Management

·        Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Peter Klassen, ND is currently accepting new patients at the New Hamburg Wellness Centre.  Call 519-662-4441 to book an appointment, or
visit http://www.nhwc.ca/so_naturopathic.html for more information.

The Path to Optimal Nutrition: Nourishing Your Body

What we choose to nourish our bodies with is fundamental to the foundation of our health. The following tips will help get you on a path towards optimal nutrition.

• Fruit: Full of essential vitamins and minerals, fruit is an integral part of a well rounded diet. Aim for having 2 to 4 servings of fruit per day and incorporating different kinds rather than sticking to the same ones.
  
• Vegetables: A great source both of vital nutrients and fibre and are lower in sugar than fruit, vegetables should be a mainstay of both lunch and supper. A rule of thumb to ensuring you are getting approximately 6 servings a day is to make half your plate at lunch and supper vegetables.
  
• “Whole foods”: Foods should be as close to their natural state as possible, thereby minimizing additives and preservatives.
  
• To get the most nutrition from your food and ensure healthy soil, local, seasonal and organic food is always the best choice.
  
• Avoid drinking liquids with meals. There are enzymes hard at work in your saliva, stomach and pancreas and drinking liquids with meals dilutes the concentration of the enzymes and reduces their effectiveness. This can contribute to bloating and gas associated with meal times.
  
• Eat protein with every meal. Protein helps maintain your body’s lean muscle mass, regulates your blood sugar, and helps prevent burn out/ fatigue during times of stress.
  
• Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. If you don’t have an appetite in the morning try blending together frozen berries, hemp protein powder, 2 tbsp of ground flax and some almond milk. Sipping this throughout the morning will ensure you’re starting your day right by getting adequate protein, vitamins and fibre.

The Pain Drain

Back pain, neck pain and headaches: these three common pain conditions affect millions of Canadians every day, draining our energy and ability to function at normal levels. Sometimes pain may be the result of chronic underlying medical conditions, and requires a health professional’s care. But in many cases, you can help manage energy-draining pain by taking a few simple steps in your daily life.

Powerful posture
If you could do just one thing to reduce the aches you may experience daily, it would be to improve your posture both when standing and seated. Strengthening your core muscles will help support your spine and minimize the physical stresses and strains that create back, neck and shoulder pain.

Soothing Sleep
Many of us get less than seven hours of sleep each weeknight, but sleep provides vital rejuvenation for sore muscles and joints. If you are not getting enough restful sleep, look at two things: your mattress and your sleep position.

• A good mattress supports the natural contours of the body, letting your muscles and joints fully relax.
• Sleep on your back or side. If you sleep on your side, put a pillow between your knees. If you’re on your back, place it under your knees. Better sleep positioning with the help of pillow support can ease pain by easing pressure on your spine.

Exercise
Exercise can help ease many types of pain, from arthritis to low back pain. A pain-reduction exercise program should include both flexibility and strength training. The stronger and more flexible you are, the better your body can distribute the physical forces of movement and prevent painful imbalances. And of course, exercising regularly may help you reduce body weight, which can significantly decrease pain – particularly in the joints of your hip, knee, and ankle, and in your lower back.

Stress
Stress and pain are often closely linked. Each one can have an impact on the other, creating a vicious cycle that sets the stage for chronic pain and chronic stress. Managing stress can lead to pain relief. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, guided imagery and meditation can teach your body to relax and decrease stress levels.

These tips may not completely eliminate pain from your life -- but try them for a few weeks, and you’ll likely feel less discomfort. Recurrent pain can affect your quality of life, but learning how to cope with it can help you manage its harmful impact. A chiropractor can diagnose the causes of your pain and develop a treatment plan to reduce your “pain drain” and get you moving again.

Reprinted from Chatelaine Back Health with permission from the Ontario Chiropractic Association

NYC Marathon includes chiropractic in its ‘10 tips to kick off your marathon training’

NYC Marathon includes chiropractic in its '10 tips to kick off your marathon training'

June 1, 2012 — The ING New York City Marathon is still a ways away, but for those brave enough to train and tackle the grueling November race, you'll want to make sure you’re prepared.

A recent released titled “10 tips to kick off your marathon training” includes among many things chiropractic care.  The tip encourages racers to “stay loose,” and says “a massage and/or chiropractic adjustment shouldn’t just be an occasional treat — regular treatments can help keep you healthy as you train.  Don’t let minor aches and pains turn into major injuries.”

Click here to see the list in its entirety.  Source: New York Road Runners, nyrr.org

PREPARING YOUR BODY FOR GOLF SEASON

By Dr. John A. Papa, DC, FCCPOR(C)

Warmer weather signals the start of summer and golfers can’t wait to get on the course to start their season.  Good preparation can go a long way in helping to avoid and/or minimize the chances of suffering a muscle or joint injury while playing golf.  Included below are some tips to improve your game and prevent the pain!

1.      Prepare physically by including flexibility and strengthening exercises as part of your training and practice routine.  Muscles act as important shock absorbers and help prevent strains and sprains of vulnerable regions such as the back, along with the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, and knee joints.

2.      Warm-up and cool-down both before and after your game.  Include gentle stretching and range of motion exercises, as well as a brisk walk or gentle jog to loosen the muscles and joints.

3.      Nourish your body by staying hydrated.  Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after your game and steer clear of caffeine and alcohol as they further dehydrate you.  Dehydration affects your energy level and your physical functioning.  Consider bringing nutritious snacks to help maintain your blood sugar levels during play.

4.      Use a wheeled golf cart for carrying heavy clubs.  Alternate every hole by pushing or pulling your golf cart to help prevent cumulative strain on your body.  If you must carry your golf bag, use both shoulders straps.  This will spread the weight across a greater area.  If there is only one strap, alternate sides frequently.  If you find that your bag is getting too heavy, put it down and take a break.

5.      Prepare for the elements.  Golf requires long periods of standing.  Choose a golf shoe that fits comfortably while providing adequate support.  This may help prevent knee, hip, and lower back pain.  To protect from sun exposure, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brim hat.  Wear loose and comfortable clothing.  Know your physical limits.  Playing too much too soon is one of the most common causes of golf injuries, so build your tolerance and pace yourself.

6.      Whether it is your golf clubs or your golf swing, golf can be a very technical sport.  Ensure that your clubs are the right height and grip.  Select irons with large heads and graphite shafts to lessen vibration.  Adopting a golf swing based on your physical and biomechanical capacity is important.  Take lessons to learn the correct swing technique and avoid unnecessary injuries.  A golf professional can help you with club selection and technique.

In the event that you suffer a muscle or joint injury while golfing that does not subside, you should contact a licensed health professional.  For more information, visit www.nhwc.ca.  The author credits the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) in the preparation of this educational information for use by its members and the public.

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.

2012 NEW HAMBURG CLASSIC RACES

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's New Hamburg Classic Races! 
Click here for the results: http://www.chiptimeresults.com/results/

The New Hamburg Classic Races is a fundraiser for five local charity groups:  Aldaview Services, New Hamburg's volunteer Firefighters, the Wilmot Family Resource Centre, Interfaith Community Counselling Centre and the Wilmot Recreation Complex.

The Neil Dunford 5K Race was held this year in memory of one of the founding members of the New Hamburg Classic Races.  Neil Dunford was a long-time supporter of the event, an avid runner and athlete who lost his battle with cancer last year.

The New Hamburg Wellness Centre is proud to once again be a sponsor of this event.  Our team was on-site to provide post-race massages for all the athletes.

Photos from this year's race: 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.291044710987035.64439.264342590323914&type=3

AN INTRODUCTION TO CHIROPRACTIC CARE

By Dr. John A. Papa, DC, FCCPOR(C)

Chiropractic is one of the largest primary contact health professions in Canada.  Approximately four and a half million Canadians use the services of a chiropractor each year.  Despite the professions growing popularity, there are still many in the public who don’t exactly know what services a chiropractor performs or what qualifications and training they possess.  This article is the first of a two part series introducing the chiropractic health discipline and the profession’s role in the health care system.

A large majority of patients who seek chiropractic care do so for complaints of the musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles, tendons, nerves and bones).  Chiropractors provide diagnosis, treatment and management of these complaints which may include but are not limited to:  back pain, neck pain, sciatica, whiplash, osteoarthritis, migraine and tension headaches, upper and lower extremity complaints, along with repetitive strain, sport, work and motor vehicle injuries.

 

Chiropractic practitioners undergo a rigorous course of study similar to that of other health professionals.  Training involves a minimum of three years undergraduate university education, followed by another four years of intensive academic and clinical education at an accredited chiropractic college.  Becoming licensed to practice chiropractic requires all eligible candidates to pass national and provincial examinations before applying to the Licensing Board.  Specialized post-graduate training enables the chiropractors of today to offer their patients additional treatment options.

Chiropractic in Canada is regulated by provincial statute in all provinces (The Chiropractic Act, 1991), created in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA, 1991).  Chiropractors along with medical doctors, dentists, psychologists, and optometrists have the legislated right and obligation to communicate a diagnosis and to use the title doctor.  The College of Chiropractors of Ontario, like the colleges in each of the other provinces, is similar to the regulatory bodies for other health professions.  It is responsible for protecting the public, standards of practice, disciplinary issues, quality assurance and maintenance of competency.

 

Chiropractic is well recognized within the health care system.  Chiropractic care is covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for occupational injuries, by automobile insurance in the event of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) injury, and by many Extended Health Care (EHC) plans.  A medical referral is not necessary to access chiropractic care.  Chiropractic adjustments are just one mode of therapy utilized by chiropractors today (but not with every patient).  Some chiropractors are also trained to employ other forms of physical therapy such as acupuncture, electrotherapy, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitative exercises.  If your complaint is not something that would respond favorably to chiropractic care, a referral is made to the appropriate health professional.

 

Additional chiropractic resources can be found at: (www.nhwc.ca), (www.chiropractic.on.ca), and (www.ccachiro.org).  Join us next month for the second part of this series on chiropractic where you will learn about the chiropractic experience from a patient’s perspective.

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.