Free Low Back Pain Prevention Seminar

Injury Prevention Tips For Hockey Players

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

Hockey is a popular recreational sport enjoyed by individual's of all ages and abilities.  Due to the high speed and aggressive play involved, hockey can put players at risk for injury.  Although sticks, pucks, and skate blades can do damage, most hockey-related injuries occur due to collisions with other players and the boards.  Fatigue and low energy of participants due to poor endurance, insufficient rest, or too much ice time can also make them more likely to get hurt.

Most hockey injuries involve the upper body, and can include fractures, sprains and strains of the collarbones, hands, arms, and shoulders.  Low back, groin, hip, knee, and ankle injuries also occur frequently.  Concussions are the most common type of head injury and are often accompanied by neck injury/pain.

Included below are some tips to help players avoid and/or minimize the chances of muscle and joint injuries.

1.    Proper training is important.  A good training program should involve cardiovascular, stretching, and strengthening exercises.

• Cardiovascular training will increase endurance and decrease fatigue, which has been linked to injuries.
• A comprehensive stretching program for the back, arms, shoulders, thighs, and legs should be performed both before and after games to keep muscles limber and prevent stiffness and soreness.
• Strengthening programs improve a muscle’s ability to contract and perform joint movement.  Muscles also act as important shock absorbers and help prevent sprains and strains of vulnerable regions such as the back and neck, along with the shoulder, hip and groin regions.

2.    Get enough rest and hydration.  Since fatigue is one of the most common causes of injury, even the fittest players should often take breaks to rest.  Dehydration affects your energy level and your physical functioning.  Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after play.

3.    Use the right equipment.  Properly fitting gear can make a world of difference when it comes to avoiding injury.  Replace worn out equipment.  Helmets have a life span of three to five years, depending on how often they are used.  Helmets with face shields have been proven to reduce the severity of concussions regardless of the player's experience level and position when compared to visors alone.

4.    Respect the rules.  Promote sportsmanship and fair play.  Support a zero tolerance rule for illegal checks and maneuvers.

5.    Take care of injuries before returning to play.  This will ensure top physical functioning and help prevent further injury and chronic pain.

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of hockey-related injuries.  In the event that you suffer a muscle or joint injury while playing hockey that does not subside,  consider chiropractic care.  For more information, visit www.nhwc.ca.  The author credits the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) 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.

Acupuncture Confirmed Helpful for Chronic Pain
By Dr. Mercola

Story at-a-glance

• A recent analysis of the most robust studies available concluded that acupuncture has a clear effect in reducing chronic pain, more so than standard pain treatment
• Study participants receiving acupuncture reported an average 50 percent reduction in pain, compared to a 28 percent pain reduction for standard pain treatment without acupuncture
• Other treatment modalities for pain include massage, chiropractic, energy psychology tools, and neuro-structural integration technique (NST)
• Alternatives to over-the-counter and prescription pain medications include astaxanthin, ginger, curcumin, boswellia, cayenne cream, bromelaine, Cetyl Myristoleate, and evening primrose, black currant, and borage oils

Read the full article here:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/09/29/acupuncture-reduces-chronic-pain.aspx

For more information on Medical Acupuncture offered at the New Hamburg Wellness Centre, visit our website:  http://nhwc.ca/so_acupuncture.html

WE'RE HIRING!

 

Part-Time Receptionist/Clinical Assistant 

 

Busy Wellness Clinic (Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Naturopath) in New Hamburg is looking for a part-time Receptionist/Clinical Assistant to start immediately.

 

Job Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Booking appointments, collecting fees, processing patients
• Answering telephone and greeting patients in a professional manner
• Filing and office administration tasks
• Balancing daily transactions
• Appointment confirmation calls
• Clinical assisting
• Cleaning

 

Qualifications:

• Experience in a multidisciplinary health clinic (or similar customer service environment)
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
• Detail-oriented and efficient
• Proven ability to multi-task and work within a fast-paced environment
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Office; experience using PMP software program is an asset
• Punctual, reliable, responsible, and organized
• Professional and health-minded with an interest in health and wellness
• Available to work evening and flexible hours

 

Qualified applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume nhwc@bellnet.ca. Only qualified applicants will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Repetitive Strain Injury

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

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a type of disorder that primarily affects muscles, nerves and joints.  This includes conditions such as rotator cuff and achilles tendonitis, carpel tunnel syndrome, neck tension syndrome, bursitis, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, and plantar fasciitis.  Symptoms of RSI may include restricted mobility, weakness, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, swelling, redness, sharp and/or aching pain.  In its severest form, RSI can significantly limit physical functioning and render people incapable of carrying out even simple tasks.

RSI can affect anyone involved in activities that require rapid and/or repetitive motion of muscles and joints in work, sport, or leisure activities.  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.  Physical deconditioning can also make individual's susceptible to RSI.  As a result, RSI 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.  Video gaming, computer use, holding one's phone between the neck and shoulder, and even hobbies like knitting and playing a musical instrument are associated with RSI.

While most cases of RSI are treatable, it can recur and may become chronic without appropriate management.  Pain in one area of the body may also spread to other areas as the body tries to compensate.  For example, pain in the wrist can move to the forearm, shoulder joint and neck muscles as an individual attempts to avoid pain and symptoms while continuing to perform the offending activities.  Therefore, prevention is key to managing RSI.  This is accomplished through identifying and then altering or eliminating the situations that contribute to the cause of RSI.  This may include making changes to a work station, using the correct tools/equipment, taking breaks to relax overworked muscles and joints, and performing exercises to relieve stress and strengthen the affected parts of your body.

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals skilled in evaluating, maintaining and restoring physical function.  They can provide education to help prevent RSI and offer effective therapy to help relieve symptoms that have already developed.  This may include treatment options such as joint mobilizations, specialized soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy.  In addition, a chiropractor can advise you on modifications to your work environment as well as assist you in improving work habits and postures.  Specific rehabilitative exercise prescription that includes strengthening and stretching exercises, combined with aerobic conditioning, may also be part of your treatment plan to prevent recurrence of RSI.

If RSI is affecting your ability to get through the day and 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.

Understanding Medical Acupuncture Treatment
By:  Dr. John A. Papa, DC, FCCPOR(C)

Acupuncture is a 2000-year-old Chinese treatment in which needles are inserted into specific points on the body.  The World Health Organization (WHO) lists approximately four-dozen different conditions that can legitimately be treated by acupuncture.   Acupuncture treatments can be particularly helpful for pain complaints such as:  muscular strains, arthritic pain, neck and low back pain, rotator cuff tendonitis, tennis elbow, migraine and tension headaches.

The term "Medical Acupuncture" refers to acupuncture performed by a licensed health care professional who has training in the health sciences.  Practitioners of Medical Acupuncture derive the concepts of disease, dysfunction, and healing from the western biomedical understanding of pathology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.  Under this model, the act of inserting an acupuncture needle into the body is believed to result in the following:

·         Pain Control - Pain-blocking substances are released locally and by the central nervous system to suppress the transmission of pain.

·        Inflammation Control - Natural anti-inflammatory chemicals are released locally, and inflammation control centers are stimulated in other parts of the body.

·         Blood and Lymphatic Flow - Enhancement of blood and lymphatic flow locally and throughout the body allows for the delivery of fresh oxygen and the removal of injury debris from the injury site.

The needles used for acupuncture are much smaller than a standard hypodermic needle.  These needles are solid, not hollow, and have a finely tapered point as opposed to a bevelled cutting-edge point.  The sensations felt during needle insertion range from feeling nothing at all, to mild tingling, to slight numbness/achiness, to small electrical pulsations distant to the site of insertion.  All these sensations typically subside once the needles are removed.  It is common practice nowadays for practitioners to use sterile disposable needles that are discarded following treatment.

As with any health intervention, there is always a potential for side effects and adverse reactions.  The good news is that acupuncture performed by an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner is relatively safe and infrequently yields minor side effects.  These may include but are not limited to: a slight discoloration at the acupuncture site that is temporary and not dangerous; minor bleeding; nausea; short-term fatigue or drowsiness; or a short-term increase in pain before relief sets in.  An experienced and knowledgeable acupuncturist aims to avoid treatment of certain points during pregnancy, over wounded or infectious areas, to individuals who are hemophiliacs, and to individuals who have needle phobia.

Medical Acupuncture treatments can be safely and successfully employed to help promote healing and recovery from pain complaints including muscle and joint injuries.  Acupuncture treatments can also be utilized in conjunction with other rehabilitative strategies such as exercise prescription, manual adjusting and mobilization techniques, and soft tissue therapy.  For more information visit www.nhwc.ca.

Dr. John A. Papa is a graduate of the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program.  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.

Sleep, Baby, Sleep!

Everyone knows there’s nothing like a good night’s sleep for feeling refreshed and alert in the morning. On the other hand, not getting the six to eight hours of sleep that you need may leave you feeling grumpy and tired all day. But here’s something you may not know: You have far more control over the quality of your sleep than you think.

Choose a good mattress
Your mattress should be flexible enough to adapt to your body’s shape, but firm enough to support your spine. If you share your bed, look for one that provides independent support for each sleeper.

Test your pillow
Your pillow should help keep your head and neck in line with your spine. Try out a variety of pillows in the store to find the one that feels comfortable and works best for you. Different types include memory foam, fibre, feather and buckwheat.

Don’t sleep on your stomach
Canada’s chiropractors recommend sleeping on your back or side. These positions allow your head, neck and spine to relax into their natural alignment. This reduces stress and strain on your muscles and joints that can disrupt your sleep and lead to aches in the morning.

Low Back Pain?
If you have low back pain and sleep on your back, put a pillow under your knees to take some of the pressure off your back. Side-sleepers should put a pillow between their knees for support.

Get to bed on time
Try to go to bed at the same time every night – even on weekends – to keep your sleep cycle in a regular rhythm. Avoid naps, but if you must, limit naps to less than 30 minutes, and be sure to have your siesta before 3p.m.

Help your body wind down
Avoid caffeinated beverages, heavy meals, alcohol and vigorous exercise within two hours of bedtime – they can all disrupt sleep.

Bedtime rituals act as relaxation cues
Some people like a hot shower before bed while others like to listen to relaxing music, watch TV or read. These cues let your body know it’s time to prepare for sleep.

Light up your life!
In the morning, open the curtains or blinds soon after you wake up. Bright light helps to regulate your natural biological clock.

Still having a sleepless night?If you can’t fall asleep after 30 minutes of tossing and turning, get up and do something boring in dim light until you feel sleepy. Try not to look at the clock – it may only make you feel anxious.

Sleep is an important aspect of your overall health – both your body and mind rest and refresh while sleeping. If you have continued difficulty getting a good night’s rest, consult a health professional such as a chiropractor who can help identify the problem and find solutions.