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Foot Pain? Your Flip-Flops May Be the Culprit!

Foot Pain? Your Flip-Flops May Be the Culprit!

Ah, summertime splendour. Nearly everyone’s favourite time of year in Victoria is met by longer days, lighter clothing and more casual footwear — namely, the all-too-common flip-flops. Unfortunately, while flip-flops may seem like a comfortable choice at first step, they can cause foot pain and exacerbate the following conditions. So, if you’re noticing aches and pains this time of year, and if flip-flops are part of your summertime routine, here’s what you need to know.

Why Flip-Flops Cause Foot Pain and ProblemsFoot Pain Caused By Poor-Fitting Foorwear

Flip-flops lack support: and even if you don’t realize it, wearing flip-flops creates tension in the muscles of your feet and toes as the foot grips the flip-flop to prevent it from sliding off when walking. 

Absent elevation: In addition, the lack of a slight heel elevation can cause excessive strain on your foot, calf muscles, and Achilles tendon. While, depending on your feet, not everyone requires a lot of support in their footwear, flip-flops’ complete lack of arch support and cushioning means your whole body absorbs the shock each time your feet strike the ground. 

Standing and walking for long periods in flip-flops can cause or exacerbate underlying foot and postural conditions and cause pain that can interfere with your usual activities. 

The Most Common Conditions Exacerbated by Flip-Flop Wearing

Plantar Fasciitis: Quite possibly the most common condition triggered by prolonged flip flop wearing, plantar fasciitis pain is often described as a burning or stabbing pain that’s felt in the heel or midsole of your foot. Plantar fasciitis pain results from inflammation of the plantar fascia, which can be caused by footwear lacking adequate arch support.

Flexor and Extensor Tendonitis: When you walk in flip-flops, your feet tense the muscles of your toes to stabilize the sole of the flip-flop. In addition, it’s also common to push off the ground from your big toe when walking in flip-flops. Over time, this can lead to strain and inflammation of the tendons responsible for flexing and extending your toes. The first signs and symptoms of flexor tendonitis and extensor tendonitis include pain along the top of the foot, under the big toe, or under your inner ankle when you walk, run, bend or straighten your toes. 

Bunion Pain: If you have bunions, you know they can make a lot of different footwear off limits. And while flip flops appear as though they’d offer a reprieve from bunion pain caused by friction from narrow and enclosed footwear, the lack of cushioning under the big toe joint and ball of your foot can lead to inflammation, redness and pain. 

Achilles Tendonitis Pain: Achilles tendonitis is caused when the tendon that runs between the back of your ankle and heel becomes strained, which can be triggered by wearing flat footwear without a slight heel elevation.

Knee, Hip or Lower Back Pain: Footwear that lacks adequate cushioning and support places unnecessary strain and impact on your ligaments and joints, which can cause inflammation and pain most commonly felt in the knees, hips and lower back. 

Gait Issues, Postural Issues and Muscle Imbalances: Gait issues are prevalent and often go unnoticed until body aches and pains (or a sports injury) bring someone in for an assessment. Unaddressed gait issues can lead to muscle imbalances such as glute tightness that can cause an uneven tilt to the pelvis resulting in lower back and hip pain, nerve pain and joint issues. In addition, flat footwear such as flip-flops can interfere with the natural biomechanics of your feet, which, when unimpeded, help protect the body by absorbing shock, ensuring balance and maintaining body alignment.

Perhaps You Could Use a Little Support

Proper body alignment starts from the ground up: and sometimes something as minor as adjusting heel elevation and providing adequate arch support can make a big difference in helping to improve posture, relieve pain and correct movement patterns. 

You don’t necessarily have to ditch your flip-flops altogether: reserve them for beach or short strolls in the yard. Even your most expensive running shoes or workboots may need a little tweaking to best support your feet and prevent foot pain and other complications. 

Custom orthotics that are tailored to your specific needs following a thorough GAIT analysis: can be easily inserted into different types of footwear. Adding orthotics to your everyday shoes and boots can help alleviate foot pain and correct gait issues by giving your feet the right amount of support where it’s needed. Custom orthotics can make a big difference in relieving foot pain and body aches caused by gait issues and suboptimal body alignment, resulting in more comfortable days on your feet.

If Foot Pain Persists

How Orthotics are Made

It never hurts to have things checked out by a health professional, and addressing the cause of foot pain early can prevent further injury and result in better overall outcomes.

At Diversified Health Clinic, we use state-of-the-art GaitScan technology to accurately assess foot function and identify any imbalances, biomechanical issues and causes of pain. If faulty foot mechanics are found to be the cause of your pain, our practitioners can fit you with custom orthotic inserts that are specifically tailored for your feet. You can learn more about our comprehensive process here.

Take The Next Step Towards Happy, Healthy Feet

If foot pain, body aches or gait issues are slowing you down, our practitioners at Diversified Health can help. Take the first step on your road to recovery by booking an appointment with one of our practitioners today.

Call (250) 382-0018 or book an appointment online. We offer direct billing and weekday and weekend appointments. Please view our hours of operation and location details here.

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Is Your Lower Back and Hip Pain Caused By SI Joint Dysfunction?

Experiencing lower back and hip pain is quite common and can affect anyone at any age. Sometimes back pain can be easily mistaken for hip pain and discomfort because the joint of your hip is located near your spine. Injuries can resemble or be the cause of your back pain. Some other symptoms you may experience in addition to hip and low back pain are:

  • Groin pain
  • Pain while moving/walking
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Stiffness

Common causes of lower back and hip pain include:Lower Back and Hip Pain Causes

  1. Pinched nerve: is an uncomfortable condition that can cause shooting pain, tingling and discomfort. It occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding bones, muscles, and tissues. This pressure interrupts proper nerve function, pain, numbness, and weakness. 
  2. Muscle strain: caused by stretching and possibly tearing of your tendons and muscles. The immediate reaction is a pain in your back; however, you may also experience dull aches or discomfort in your hip. 
  3. Herniated disc: also referred to as a ruptured or slipped disc, occurs when the “jelly” inside your spinal disc is pushed through the harder exterior of the disc causing the nearby nerves to become irritated, often causing pain and numbness.
  4. Arthritis: is the inflammation of one or more of your joints, often a result of aging. Some common symptoms are pain, swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion and numbness. 
  5. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: also referred to as the SI joint, which connects your hip bone to your sacrum (the triangular bone between the lumbar spine and tailbone). The SI Joint is meant to absorb shock between your upper body, pelvis, and legs. Strain or injury to this joint can cause radiating pain in your back, hip, and groin area. 

The primary mechanisms of SI joint dysfunction are:SI Joint Dysfunction

  • Too little movement (hypomobility): can cause pain, muscle tension and may inhibit your mobility. Pain is typically felt on one side of the low back and can radiate down the back of the legs (similar to sciatic pain).
  • Too much movement (hypermobility): can cause the pelvis to feel unstable and may lead to pain. Pain is usually felt in lower back/hip and may radiate into the groin area.

Treatment for SI Joint Dysfunction

  • Spinal manipulation (adjustment)

Adjustments involve a thrust that can result in an audible release, called cavitation, which is created by a change in pressure in the joint. Although, it is not necessary for the adjustment to be effective. 

Some patients do not want this spinal manipulation and may prefer a more gentle approach which could involve:Lower Back and Hip Pain Treatment

  1. Flexion-distraction technique: is a specialized table is used that gently stretches or distracts the spine.
  2. Activator or Neuromechanical instrument: is a spring-loaded instrument that specifically targets locations along the spine with low-force impulses.
  3. “Drop” approach: involves the use of a special chiro table where sections of the table can be raised or dropped simultaneously with gentle thrusts. This allows gravity to help with the adjustments. 

In addition to adjustments, treatments may also include mobilizations, soft tissue therapy, and rehab exercises. Your chiropractor may also recommend getting a biomechanical assessment of your feet and gait scan to see if a pair of customized orthotics would be beneficial for the SI joint dysfunction.  

For Relief From Lower Back and Hip Pain in Victoria, BC

Contact the clinic for more information on low back/hip pain-related treatments or to book with our Chiropractors Dr. Krisjan Gustavson or Dr. Caitlin Sellan. Please contact us at 250-382-0018 or online at www.diversifiedhealth.janeapp.com

#chiropractor #victoriaBC #SIjointpain #hippain #lowbackpain #adjustment #healthclinic #sciaticapain

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What Causes Vertigo?

What Causes Vertigo?

“What Causes Vertigo?” It’s a question we receive a lot at our clinic. The dizzy, spinny and falling symptoms can feel nauseating and interfere with your sleep and daily activities. The good news is that benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV (the most common type), can be easily assessed and treated, resulting in immediate and lasting relief. 

First, What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the term used to describe the sensation of moving or spinning when you are stationary. Vertigo is the symptom of an inner ear condition that results when tiny calcium carbonate crystals (canaliths) located in the utricle portion of your inner ear (that help control balance) shift out of place, causing the sensation of dizziness or motion. 

Vertigo symptoms can range from slight to severe and be fleeting, quickly resolving withoutWhat Causes Vertigo intervention, or more persistent, requiring help from a health practitioner. Vertigo symptoms can also be intermittent, with many people experiencing what they refer to as “vertigo attacks” that come and go following activity or illness. 

There are two primary types of vertigo as follows, and while they share things in common, each may have different causative factors and require different treatment approaches. 

Central Vertigo

Central vertigo is caused by an underlying condition such as Meniere’s disease, infection, or brain injury that affects the central vestibular structures (brainstem cerebellum, vestibular apparatus). 

Central vertigo typically presents as more pronounced and prolonged or as recurrent vertigo attacks that can last for several hours and are accompanied by other symptoms, including migraine headaches, nausea, tinnitus, hearing loss and the sensation of one or both ears feeling blocked. Central vertigo can also be so severe that suffers cannot walk or balance themselves. Treatment depends on causative factors. 

Peripheral Vertigo

Otherwise known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), peripheral vertigo is the most common type, accounting for over 90% of all causes of vertigo. Peripheral vertigo occurs when activities and head movement disrupt the crystals of the inner ear (the peripheral vestibular system). 

Peripheral vertigo symptoms can be slight or severe and last only a few seconds, a few days, several weeks, or be recurrent. Recurrent and prolonged episodes of vertigo can be triggered by several factors, some of which are similar to central vertigo. However, peripheral vertigo is when the cause of vertigo is isolated to disruption of the inner ear instead of being related to another underlying condition or head injury. 

When Vertigo Requires Emergency Attention

Vertigo symptoms accompanied by fever, pain, confusion, slurred speech, vision changes, or stupor require immediate medical attention to rule out potentially serious conditions.

What Causes Vertigo? Common Triggers

Sudden, recurrent and prolonged episodes of peripheral vertigo can be triggered by a number of factors, some of which are similar to central vertigo. The most common vertigo triggers include:

  • Shifts in head movement that can be as simple as rolling over in bed or tilting your head back and forward (head banging movements at rock concerts is one extreme example of head movements that can trigger a vertigo episode)
  • Following exposure to irregular movements, including being on a boat in rilling waves or following a ride at the fair
  • Head movements during leisure and athletic activities
  • A sudden blow to the head or a sudden shift in head movement due to impact
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Direct injury or infection of the vestibular system of the inner ear
  • Certain medications
  • Migraines
  • Age and hereditary factors
  • Fluctuation hormones, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy
  • Viral ear infections
  • Metabolic changes or nutrient deficiencies, including a lack of Vitamin D and calcium
  • (Aural vertigo) Cold water entering the ears when swimming or diving
  • (Alternobaric vertigo) Imbalanced ear pressure when ascending or descending while scuba diving
  • Allergies 
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Anxiety
  • Neurological disorders
  • Viral infections
  • Vestibular dysfunction
  • Vascular conditions
  • Multiple Sclerosis

What Causes Vertigo to Go Away on Its Own?

For some people, vertigo episodes that are slight and fleeting often disappear as quickly as they appear and resolve without medical treatment. Vertigo that resolves on its own can be a bout of motion sickness or a movement that causes the previously disrupted crystals of the inner ear to shift back into place. 

When Vertigo Doesn’t Resolve on Its Own

When vertigo symptoms become more bothersome, severe, recurrent or lingers, treatment is sought and sometimes necessary to relieve vertigo symptoms and prevent them from interfering with daily life and leisure. Treatment often involves specific head positioning maneuvers and exercises that help the calcium carbonate crystals of the inner ear to readjust and move back to their proper position. 

What to Do When Vertigo Symptoms Arise

While vertigo may not be entirely preventable, there are things you can do to manage the severity of vertigo symptoms when they occur. 

  • Immediately sit or lay down when you feel dizzy.
  • Sleep and nap with head slightly elevated.
  • Avoid stretching your neck when reaching for something.
  • Avoid tilting your head forward when bending over to pick things up — keep your head aligned as you squat to pick items up instead.
  • Move your head slowly during activity.
  • When getting up from laying down, rise slowly and stabilize yourself with something if you feel dizzy.
  • Always use handrails when taking stairs and escalators.
  • Utilize calming breathing techniques to avoid anxiousness.
  • Make an appointment with your GP if severe symptoms are accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, vision changes, confusion or fever.
  • Seek vertigo treatment with a local health practitioner such as our physiotherapist Jennifer Mildon and our chiropractor Doctor Caitlan Sellan at Diversified Health Clinic, located in downtown Victoria.

Effective Treatments for Relieving Vertigo in Victoria, B.C.

When vertigo symptoms strike, treatment can help. At Diversified Health Clinic, one our Physiotherapists, Jennifer Mildon, and one of our Chiropractors, Dr. Cailtan Sellan, both have a special interest and training in vestibular rehabilitation and vertigo treatments. You’ll be happy to know that benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is easy to assess and treat, often with only a few vestibular rehab sessions that can be performed whether or not you’re immediately experiencing vertigo symptoms. 

What to Expect from Vestibular Rehab Treatments

Your first session will include a thorough assessment followed by a series of manual repositioning techniques that help the crystals of your inner ear settle into their proper position. You’ll also be given personalized vestibular exercises you can perform at home between treatments to improve your balance and decrease vertigo symptoms when they occur.

Book Your Vertigo Assessment and Treatment Today

To arrange for an assessment and vertigo treatment, please call our clinic at (250) 382-0018 and request a vestibular session with Jennifer Mildon or Dr. Caitlan Sellan. You can also book online here. 

If you have questions about whether our vestibular rehab treatments are right for you, contact our clinic to request a free, no-obligation, 5-minute consultation. 

Important

On the day of your treatment, we kindly ask that you arrange travel plans so that you will not have to drive home after your session, and you are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment. 

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Don’t Let Running-Related Pain and Injury Stop You 

Don’t Let Running-Related Pain and Injury Stop You 

It’s running season again, with several running events happening in Victoria between May and October. Significant upcoming running events like the Oak Bay Half-Marathon and the Victoria Goddess Run have many running enthusiasts ramping up their conditioning and noticing running-related pain as a result.

Addressing Pain and Preventing Injury Will Take You Far

While most running-related pain can be alleviated with rest, it’s never a good idea to ignore pain, especially if it persists and interferes with the activities you love. Addressing suspicious pain early on can prevent more serious damage and permanent injury. 

A Few of the Most Common Causes of Running-Related Pain and Injuries

Runners Knee: (otherwise known as patellofemoral pain syndrome) is an umbrella term used to describe one or more causes of knee pain. One of the leading causes of runner’s knee occurs when the cartilage of the kneecap is compromised, resulting in an aching pain that’s often accompanied by stiffness and a popping or grinding feeling when the knee is bent. Runner’s knee can also be caused by strained tendons from overuse or direct trauma due to a hit or bad fall. In addition, gait issues and muscle imbalances are contributing and aggravating factors. 

IT Band Syndrome: (which is often associated with runner’s knee), is experienced as a sharp, burning, clicking, or aching pain on the outside of the knee. IT Band Syndrome is caused by inflammation and irritation of the iliotibial band that runs down the outer part of your thigh, connecting your pelvis to your knee. Gait issues, muscle imbalances, overuse, and running downhill or on irregular surfaces are all contributing factors.

Shin Splints: describes that hard to mistake aching and burning pain at the front of your lower leg, which is caused by repetitive strain of the tibia and its connecting tendons. Contributing factors include gait issues that affect ankle alignment, weight, and running downhill or on irregular surfaces.

Nerve Pain with Sciatica: often experienced as a sharp pinching or shooting pain in the lower back and upper glutes that can radiate down the back of the thigh. Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, pinched or compressed due to a herniated spinal disc or tight lower back or glute muscles.

Plantar Fasciitis: a common running injury that results in burning or stabbing pain in the heel or midsole of the foot due to inflammation of the plantar fascia that runs from your toes to your heel bone.

Stress Fractures: a common cause of running-related pain and injury. Stress fractures from running occur when muscles become strained and cannot sufficiently absorb the impact of a runner’s feet striking the ground, resulting in small cracks in a bone. Symptoms include sharp pain and swelling that worsens during activity and often persists at rest. The contributing factors are running on hard surfaces, unresolved gait issues, poor footwear, and muscle overuse. In runners, the bones of the shins, ankles, and feet are most commonly affected.

Achilles Tendonitis: experienced as pain, tension, and stiffness of the back of the ankle and heel caused by inflammation of the Achilles tendon due to tight calf muscles, bone spurs, and overuse. Achilles tendonitis typically occurs when running distance and intensity increase.

Muscle Strains and Sprains: includes muscle tears and pulls that cause pain that persists despite rest, which can be accompanied by swelling, bruising, redness, weakness, and obstructed mobility of the affected muscles. Hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, and groin are the most common muscles affected by tears and pulls from running. 

Sore Hips: burning or aching pain and stiffness of the hip joints and surrounding area is often caused by muscle tension, overuse, muscle imbalances, and unresolved gait issues. In some cases, hip pain may be caused by stress fractures or cartilage tears.

Bursitis: caused by inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that protect the joints. Bursitis pain typically manifests as intermittent (flare-ups) of sharp, shooting, or aching pain, stiffness, swelling, and redness of the affected joints and is often a result of overuse injury.

There Are Several Things You Can Do Now to Prevent Running-Related Pain and Injury While Training

  • Take time to warm up, hydrate, and stretch before more strenuous activity.
  • Adequate rest
  • Proper footwear
  • Vary running surfaces (running on turf or softer trails versus road running to reduce shock on your joints).
  • Addressing possible gait issues, pain, past injuries, and muscle imbalances.
  • R.I.C.E.

How to R.I.C.E. Away Running-Related Pain

At the first indication of pain and swelling, follow the RICE method to help alleviate pain, swelling, and further injury:

Rest: Immediately stop the activity to prevent further damage.

Ice: If swelling is present, apply a cold pack in 10-20 minute increments (wrap cold pack in a towel to avoid causing ice burns to skin).

Compression: Painful joints can be carefully wrapped in a compression bandage to help with pain and swelling. Ensure you don’t wrap the area too tightly! Numbness, coldness, a change in colour, or swelling in the area below the wrap indicates your bandage is too tight, negatively affecting circulation. Compression should not be used over broken skin, while sleeping, or by people with diabetes or compromised arterial circulation without direction from a physician or health practitioner.  

Elevation: To help reduce swelling, use pillows to elevate the affected limb above the level of your heart. 

If Pain Persists

It never hurts to have things checked out by a health professional. Consider that catching concerns early and the right course of treatment can alleviate pain, prevent further injury, and improve your performance.

Treating running-related pain and injuries may include a combination of

  • Physiotherapy, 
  • Chiropractic care, 
  • Gait analysis and Customer Orthotics, 
  • Massage Therapy, 
  • Kinesiology and Athletic Therapy 

The proper course of treatment depends on the nature of the injury and what’s needed to alleviate pain, address muscle imbalances, and correct movement patterns to prevent recurrence and further damage. 

Take the Next Step towards Running Without Pain and Injury

Whether you are a seasoned athlete or a novice runner, when pain or injury slows you down, our practitioners at Diversified Health can help. Take the first step on your road to recovery by booking an appointment with one of our practitioners today. Call (250) 382-0018 or book an appointment online. We offer direct billing and weekday and weekend appointments. Please view our hours of operation and location details here.

Adopting the right approach to your overall health and wellbeing helps ensure you’ll be able to participate in running events for years to come!

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Vertigo, BPPV and the Vestibular System

Vertigo, BPPV and the Vestibular System

Do you find yourself losing your balance, feeling dizzy or nauseous? You may be experiencing vertigo caused by issues with your vestibular system. You would also benefit from a targeted assessment to determine the causes of your symptoms using specific techniques and exercises to improve symptoms and get you feeling back to normal. 

The Vestibular System is found inside your inner ear and sends signals primarily to your brain stem. It is responsible for integrating sensory stimuli and movement and for keeping objects in visual focus as the body moves.

Issues With Your Vestibular System Can Cause Symptoms Such As:

  • Dizziness
  • Spinning sensation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Lightheadedness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Double vision
  • Impaired balance

Vertigo and dizziness are symptoms rather than a disease. Vertigo refers to the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs due to a disturbance in your balance system. In addition, vertigo is used to describe feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, and unsteadiness. Vertigo usually occurs because of a disorder in the vestibular system. The vestibular system is the structures of the inner ear, vestibular nerve, brainstem, and cerebellum. 

The Vestibular System

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common vestibular conditions. BPPV is rarely serious except for the possible increase in the chances of falling. BPPV is caused by the crystals in the inner ear becoming unstuck from their usual place and freely moving in one or more of the three ear canals that make up the inner ear. These ear canals are filled with fluid and tiny hair cells, and they tell our brain and eyes about the speed and direction we are moving. When the crystals get into these canals, they disrupt the fluids’ normal movement past the hairs, sending our brain confusing information that makes us feel the spins (vertigo). You may also feel your eyes moving funny as they vibrate side to side, referred to as nystagmus. 

Anyone can experience this in their lifetime; however, it is more common in people over the age of 50 and more common in women. Injuries to the balance organs of the inner ear, head trauma or whiplash can also cause BPPV. In addition to vertigo, other symptoms may include:

  • Dizziness
  • Imbalance
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

BPPV is typically unilateral, which means it occurs either in the left or right ear. Although, in more rare cases, it is bilateral, causing both ears to be affected. BPPV may be experienced for a very short duration, or it may last a lifetime, with symptoms occurring in intermittent patterns that vary by frequency, duration, and intensity. The most common cause of BPPV in people under the age of 50 is head injury and is presumed to result from a concussive force that displaces the otoconia. In people over 50 years of age, BPPV is primarily idiopathic, meaning it occurs for no known reason but is usually linked to natural age-related degeneration of the otolithic membrane. 

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Treatment

Sometimes, BPPV will go away on its own within a few weeks or months; However, the symptoms can be debilitating. At Diversified Health, our Vestibular Experts, Chiropractor, Dr. Caitlin Sellan and Physiotherapist, Jennifer Mildon, can treat you with an in-office particle repositioning procedure. This procedure consists of several simple and slow maneuvers for positioning your head. The goal of these movements is to move the particles from the fluid-filled semicircular canals of your inner ear into a tiny bag-like open area that houses one of the otolith organs where these particles don’t cause trouble and are more easily resorbed. You will also be given home repositioning exercises to help maintain your treatment effect. In many cases, only 1-2 treatments are needed to resolve symptoms. 

What to Expect During Your BPPV Treatment

The procedure involves holding four positions for about 30 seconds each or for as long as you experience symptoms in that hold position. Once symptoms have stopped, your Vestibular Clinician will get you to stay in the position for an additional 30 seconds while watching your eyes for abnormal movements. The procedure may be repeated more than once within one treatment session. They may teach you how to perform the procedure yourself so that you can perform it at home as needed, although nearly 80% of people experience relief after the initial treatment. 

Contact our clinic today for more information on Vertigo-related treatments or to book with our Physiotherapist Jennifer Mildon or with our Chiropractor Dr. Caitlin Sellan who specializes in Vestibular treatments. Please contact us at 250-382-0018 or book online at www.diversifiedhealth.janeapp.com.

 

#physiotherapy #vertigo #balance #dizzy #chiropractor #victoriabc #balance #health #multidisciplinaryclinic #vestibular

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Extended Benefit Plans and Direct Billing: What You Need to Know

Extended Benefit Plans and Direct Billing: What You Need to Know

Extended Benefit Plans allow you to receive treatments that are covered under your plan, which can be directly billed at the time of service.

Depending on your coverage, you may have to pay a percentage of the treatment cost or nothing at all. As every benefit plan is different, it is imperative that you reach out directly to your employer or insurance company to get an understanding of your plan and what may or may not be required.

While our clinic is pleased to offer direct billing, our administrative team cannot investigate extended benefit plans on behalf of patients to determine what treatments are covered, how many visits you have used, or how many visits you have left. 

Deductibles

Many extended benefit plans have an annual deductible that is applicable at the start of each new year. A deductible is a dollar amount that you have to pay out of pocket until that dollar amount is reached, and then your extended benefits coverage takes effect. You do not have to pay the entire deductible at your first visit, but instead, each visit will go against the deductible until it reaches the maximum. Generally, the lower the deductible or no deductible, the more expensive the policy is and vice versa.

Please note that we cannot see what your annual deductible is or how much is remaining; we can only view the amount placed against the deductible each time we process a direct billing. To find out the annual deductible amount in your plan, please check with your extended benefits company.

What services are eligible for direct billing? 

Our clinic can bill directly for chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and registered massage therapy.

Athletic Therapy is not a direct billable service yet; however, many plans will reimburse you if you submit yourself. Check with your extended benefits plan to see if Athletic Therapy is covered.

Kinesiology is only directly billable to ICBC. Always check your benefit plan to see what treatments they deem eligible for direct billing.

What cannot be direct billed?

  1. Missed appointment fees are not billable to most extended benefit plans.
  2. Orthotics are not direct billable; however, many benefit plans cover orthotics up to a specific dollar amount. For more information on orthotics and orthotic billing, please click here. 
  3. Depending on your specific plan, each of our treatment services may or may not be a direct billable service for you. Please refer to your extended benefits guide for what is directly billable under your plan.

What Insurance companies can we direct bill?

Our clinic can direct bill most extended benefits companies, including but not limited to:

  • Manulife 
  • Sunlife 
  • Canada Life (Formally, Great West Life) 
  • Greenshield
  • Pacific Blue Cross
  • Veterans, RCMP, CAF 
  • Desjardins
  • Group Health/ Group Source
  • People’s Corporation
  • Empire Life
  • ClaimSecure
  • Johnston Group
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Maximum Benefits
  • Group Medical Service 

Partner/Spousal coverage or secondary policy coverage

We can directly bill your primary benefits provider and your secondary provider at the same time of service with a few exceptions. For example, we generally require your partner’s date of birth and full legal name along with policy information.

Suppose we are unable to bill directly to the secondary coverage due to benefit rules or other restrictions. In that case, we will still direct bill your primary coverage and then only collect the remaining amount from you. We can then provide you with a receipt to send to the secondary coverage for reimbursement. 

For more information or to book a treatment:

Contact our clinic to find out more about extended benefits or to book an appointment at 250-382-0018 or book online at www.diversifiedhealth.janeapp.com

#extendedbenefits #physiotherapy #chiropractic #registeredmassagetherapy #acupuncture #victoriaBC #injury #mva #multidisciplinary #healthandwellness

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Been in a Car Accident? Diversified Health Clinic Is Here to Help!

Been in a Car Accident? Diversified Health Clinic Is Here to Help!

Being in a car accident can be a scary and overwhelming experience that can cause lasting injuries. This is why it is important to understand what your injuries are and what treatments are available to you. One result of trauma when you are involved in an accident is the release of endorphins that can act as a painkiller to mask your injuries and pain.  Most muscle pain and stiffness will typically occur in the first 24 hours but can take as long as 7-10 days to present. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention within the first 24 hours of your accident.

car accident injuries

After seeking medical attention, the next step is to contact ICBC to report the accident and start your claim. ICBC will assign you a claim number and a care team to help assist with your recovery. For more information on how to report a claim to ICBC, please click here. 

With your approved ICBC claim number, you will have access to several pre-approved treatments that will assess and treat any injuries from your accident under the new Enhanced Care Program. 

 

ICBC Enhanced Care Program

ICBC recently moved to their enhanced care program in 2021, which gives drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists enhanced recovery benefits. You will have access to pre-approved treatments within the first 12 weeks of the accident date for chiropractic, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, kinesiology and acupuncture without the requirement of a doctor referral. This means ICBC will be directly billed for treatments with little to no out-of-pocket expense to you. At the end of the 12 weeks or the pre-approved treatments, our practitioners can complete a treatment plan to request additional pre-approved treatments if needed. 

Recovering From Your Injuries: How many pre-approved treatments do you get?

The number of pre-approved treatments will vary depending on the treatment modality. Within the first 12 weeks of the accident date, you are pre-approved for 25 chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments, and for 12 registered massage therapy, kinesiology, and acupuncture treatments.  

What can our team at Diversified Health Clinic do?

Treatment of your auto-collision injuriesOur multi-disciplinary team will work with you, with the ability to collaborate across treatment modalities to ensure you are getting the best treatment results. Our Diversified Health Team can evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions and injuries including:

  • Headaches, concussion
  • Whiplash and neck pain
  • Back pain
  • Chronic pain
  • Numbness, tingling and nerve damage
  • Muscle spasms or weakness
  • Surgical recovery
  • Disc herniation and bulging
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Hip, knee and/or joint pain
  • Sprains, strains, and fractures

Our valued team of practitioners will assess and create a personalized treatment plan to get you back to your pre-accident self. Our talented Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Acupuncturists, Registered Massage Therapists, and Kinesiologist have a vast array of treatment knowledge at their disposal along with state-of-the-art technology such as:

Contact our clinic to find out more about ICBC related treatments at 250-382-0018 or book online today.

#ICBC #caraccident #accidentrecovery #physiotherapy #kinesiology #chiropractor #acupuncture #registeredmassagetherapy #victoriabc #whiplash #carinjury #mva

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Spinal Decompression Therapy Explained

Spinal Decompression Therapy Explained

If you have been struggling with chronic back, neck or sciatic pain, you do not have to live with the pain! spinal decompression therapy is a painless, non-surgical, drug-free way to help relieve chronic back, neck and sciatic pain. Continue reading to learn how spinal decompression works and why it’s an option worth exploring. 

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy utilizes a type of motorized traction that involves stretching the spine with the goal of relieving back pain and/or leg pain. The bones of the spine are slowly separated, and pressure is slowly reduced within the disc until a vacuum is formed. This vacuum creates negative pressure and space within the disc to allow disc fluid to move back into place. This reduces the bulge or herniation of the disc and creates an environment where the disc can receive more nutrients and therefore be able to heal more effectively.

Spinal Compression Is Used to Treat:

  • Back, neck or sciatica pain
  • Bulging or herniated disks
  • Degenerative disk disease
  • Worn Spinal Joints (posterior facet syndrome)
  • Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots

When Do You Use Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is for patients looking for a non-surgical and non-drug approach to relieving chronic back pain, sciatica, and spinal stenosis. Spinal decompression is also used for patients that present with an MRI that confirms herniated discs causing nerve pressure. However, spinal decompression treatments cannot be used for patients who are pregnant or suffering from spinal fractures, tumours of the spine, abdominal aortic aneurysm, severe osteoporotic disease, or metal implantations in their spine. 

What Are Spinal Decompression Treatments Like?Spinal Decompression Therapy Table

During spinal decompression treatments, fully clothed patients are secured into a harness that is attached to the motorized table. The practitioner will program the table for your treatment and the amount of traction your spine will go through. Depending on the treatment, you will be lying either face-up or face down. Each session lasts no longer than 15-20 minutes. You will feel pressure applied to your lower back and will feel as though you are being “stretched out.” You should not feel any pain during spinal decompression therapy.

How Long Until You See Results?

Before and After Spinal Decompression Therapy

Individual results vary; however, most patients notice a difference within their first 5-6 spinal decompression therapy treatments and experience pain relief within as few as 6-10 treatments.

Not only is spinal decompression painless – patients often enjoy the relief they feel from their symptoms when they are on the table being decompressed. Most patients will need to come in for treatment three times a week for one month, transitioning from passive to active treatments as their bodies respond and will also be prescribed a customized exercise program to target the areas that require more stabilization.

Clinical results show that spinal decompression has been effective in over 75% of patients treated. In addition, most patients found long-term relief or effective management of pain when they completed their spinal decompression treatments. Your practitioner may also recommend additional treatment modalities such as heat/cold therapy, electric stimulation, K-Laser and home exercises.

Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

  1. Provides pain relief by relieving tension in tight, spasming or injured muscles. Spinal decompression helps to stimulate the nervous system to release neuro-chemical signals that have an analgesic effect on the body. 
  2. Promotes the healing of spinal disc tissues by imposing a vacuum-like force on the spinal discs, which helps to draw healing fluids, cells, and other substances toward the damaged tissue. 
  3. Helps restore normal spinal joint and disc alignment with the same vacuum-like force. That vacuum-like force helps to align the joints and discs which prevents further pain, inflammation, impaired mobility, and dysfunction.
  4. Relieves pressure on spinal nerves by increasing the space around the nerves which allows them to begin healing.

For More Information on Spinal Decompression Therapy (and Whether It’s Right for You):

Contact Diversified Health Clinic at 250-382-0018 to find out more about spinal decompression treatments, or book with our practitioners online at www.diversifiedhealth.janeapp.com

#physiotherapy #chiropractic #backpain #chronicbackpain #victoriabc #sciatica #degenerativedisc

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Step Into The New Year With Less Foot Pain

Step Into The New Year With Less Foot Pain

Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes, but even the cushiest shoes can feel like bricks at the end of a long day on your feet (especially if you’re already prone to foot pain). While you can’t always put your feet up when you want to, the good news is that there are things you can do to prevent and alleviate foot pain. Continue reading to learn about the most common causes of foot pain and what can be done to treat your feet. 

Common Causes of Foot Pain 

Everyone will experience sore feet at some point, but what happens when foot pain is recurring or, worse yet, persistent? Recurring or constant foot pain often comes down to one or more of the following:

  • Poor-fitting or uncomfortable footwear
  • Wearing inappropriate footwear for an activity 
  • Strained foot muscles caused by occupation, prolonged activity, or excessive body weight
  • Untreated gait issues resulting in excessive supination (rolling outward of the ankles and raising of the arch), pronation (rolling inwards of the ankles and collapsing of the arches) and other biomechanical faults
  • Hereditary conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis that affect the bones and joints of your feet and ankles 
  • Arch pain from fallen arches and poor arch support 
  • Heel spurs, hammertoes and bunions 
  • Past injuries to your feet, ankles, knees or hips that displace more weight to one foot, reducing foot flexibility or causing pain during certain activities
  • Heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon pain caused by Achilles tendinopathy
  • Metatarsalgia, causing pain and inflammation in the bottom balls of (one or both) feet, triggered by poor arch support or shock absorption
  • Shin splints pain caused by training on hard surfaces and footwear with poor shock absorption
  • Gait issues that negatively affect your body’s alignment and posture, resulting in knee, hip or lower back pain

Choosing the Right Shoes

Foot Pain Caused By Poor-Fitting Foorwear

In our efforts to be fashionable, we often make footwear choices based on form over function by paying more attention to a style than whether or not our footwear choices properly support our feet. Common blunders include toe boxes that are too tight, heels that are too high or soles that are too flat, resulting in constrained feet and overtaxed foot muscles after a few hours of wear. The ideal footwear considers the activity you’re performing and supports your feet by helping to distribute your weight as evenly as possible and absorbing some of the shock when your feet strike the ground. 

Proper Footwear for Your Occupation and Sport

If your occupation has you on your feet all day, your footwear needs to be more shock-absorbing and offer good stability and arch support to prevent muscle strain and inflammation. 

Selecting the proper footwear for your sport is just as important (if not more) as choosing the rest of your equipment. For example, a good weightlifting shoe will offer drastically different types of support than the ideal shoe for hiking, trail running, CrossFit or field lacrosse. So carefully consider what kind of support your feet and ankles need during the activities you perform. 

Some Feet Need a Little Extra Support

Some feet require extra TLC, and that’s okay! When we consider how much our feet support us every day, it only makes sense to return the favour. 

Some Feet Need a Little Extra Support

Did you know? 

Besides causing pain, improper footwear and unaddressed gait issues can have a detrimental and compounding effect on the rest of your body. For example, Shin pain, knee pain, hip joint pain and lower back pain are sometimes caused and exacerbated by issues that start in your feet. 

Protecting your health from the ground up!

If we compare our bodies to a tower, the strength of a tower’s architecture significantly depends on a solid foundation. The same is true about our bodies. The optimal alignment of our joints (and posture) starts at our feet – our foundation. This is where custom orthotics come in.

How custom orthotics mitigate foot pain

Most foot pain is caused by biomechanical faults of the feet that can be corrected using custom-made orthotics. Even foot pain caused by genetic factors can benefit from having custom orthotics that help reduce foot strain. Custom orthotics are tailored to the exact ergonomics of your foot, taking into account any pain and biomechanical faults caused by foot malformations, fallen arches and other foot muscle imbalances. Properly fitted orthotics improve how your body’s weight is distributed to your feet, improving overall body alignment and shock absorption while standing and during activities.

Custom orthotics add an instant upgrade to almost any pair of shoes

Custom orthotics are made to fit neatly into most types of footwear, and depending on your lifestyle, can be tailored to suit the activities you partake in most. For example, it’s not uncommon for athletes to have more than one pair of custom orthotics – one that is specifically designed to be used during training. 

Custom-made orthotics support your feet where they need it most

Custom Orthotics and Gait AnalysisUnlike off-the-shelf insoles and inserts, custom orthotics are created from exact molds of your feet that are taken after a thorough biomechanical assessment and Gait Analysis that examines your feet and posture when standing and walking. Making orthotics from an exact mold ensures the correction offered by your orthotics is just enough, providing support specifically where your feet need it without interfering with the healthy dynamics of your feet.

Click here to learn more about our Gait Scan Analysis or visit our article on Custom Foot Orthotics to learn more about our Custom Orthotics process at Diversified Health Clinic in Victoria, BC.

Take the Next Step in Treating Foot Pain

Book a private appointment with one of our chiropractors or physiotherapists at Diversified Health Clinic today at (250) 382-0018 to discuss whether orthotics are right for you, or contact our clinic to learn more.

We’re happy to answer your questions, address the cause of your pain and discomfort, and help you step into the new year with happy, healthy feet!

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Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom Foot Orthotics

Many foot problems can be directly attributed to collapsed/fallen arches or other biomechanical issues such as pronation (rolling in and collapsing of the arches) or supination (rolling outward of the ankles and raising of the arch). Many of these biomechanical faults can be genetic in origin and many patients do not know there is a problem, usually until pain manifests. Orthotics can help to provide relief from conditions of the foot, ankle, knee, hips and lower back including, but not limited to:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bunions
  • Ankle sprains
  • Achilles’ tendinopathy
  • Shin Splints
  • Low back pain

How are custom orthotics made?

If you are an existing patient, you will come in for the first appointment, a biomechanical assessment that includes a gait scan analysis, that looks at your feet when standing, and walking. Next, the practitioner will take a foam cast of your feet, in the proper “neutral position” which allows the orthotic lab to customize the orthotic to your feet. Then we send out the gait scan analysis along with the foam cast to The Orthotic Group’s lab and in about 2-3 weeks, your orthotics will be delivered to the clinic. 

If you are a new or existing patient, you will need to check with your extended benefit company to get an understanding of the requirements they may have for your orthotics to be reimbursed before booking in for the first orthotic appointment, the Biomechanical assessment.

You would then book a fitting appointment roughly 2-3 weeks after the biomechanical assessment. In this appointment you will receive your new orthotics and will be able to try them in your shoes and the practitioner will ensure they are fitting correctly. They will also be able to discuss how often you should start wearing your orthotics for and holding up to wear and tear. After this, you can book in maintenance/checkup appointments if you have any concerns or issues with the custom orthotics. 

If you are a new patient to the clinic, we would have you book an initial appointment first so that your practitioner can get your health history, do a proper assessment and be able to recommend a treatment plan. If the practitioner believes custom orthotics would benefit your treatment and condition, then they would book you the biomechanical assessment.

How Orthotics are Made

Orthotic Fees

At the first biomechanical appointment, along with your appointment fee we will also collect a non-refundable deposit that goes towards the cost of the orthotics (50% orthotic cost). At the fitting appointment, you will pay your appointment fee and the remaining 50% of the orthotic cost. You will also be given your Orthotic package that will include receipt of payment, biomechanical paperwork, proof of manufacturing and if applicable any paperwork that is required by your extended benefit plan. 

Adjustment Period

There is an adjustment period after you receive your orthotics for your body to readjust to the correct position, generally about two weeks. Your body will have adapted to the ground in a certain way when you did not have orthotics, and now must re-learn the correct position. Accompanying your orthotics, our practitioners will provide you with an instruction sheet that suggests the length of time that orthotics should be worn each day until your body has had the chance to readjust. It is important, once you have gone through the adjustment period, to wear your orthotics as prescribed and on a continuous basis to ensure that your body maintains that correct position and to help alleviate pain. 

Shoes

The importance of shoes cannot be over-emphasized here. The best custom orthotics will be ineffective if you wear them with shoes that are not stable. Custom orthotics can be transferred into different shoes that you may wear, however there may be certain shoe types that do not comfortably accommodate your orthotics. A good quality shoe will provide adequate support for only about 8 months if you wear the shoes daily. While the shoes may appear in good condition, the foams in the mid-sole lose their ability to “bounce back”. Replacing your shoes on a regular basis is on the most important things you can do for your foot health. 

Placing Orthotics in the shoe

The most important thing to do when inserting your custom orthotics, is to remove the insole that is already in the shoe. Most insoles have a lip on the back, and this will prevent the custom orthotics from sitting all the way back in the shoe and may lead to arch or heel irritation. After you have placed your custom orthotic into your shoe, you want to make sure that the heel sits all the way back against the heel of the shoe. If there is a gap between the orthotic and the shoe, this is an indication that the shoe is too narrow for your orthotic and your foot. 

How long can I expect the custom orthotics to last?

No orthotics are not indestructible and will wear out eventually or you may even outgrow them. Generally, custom orthotics last 1 to 5 years and determining if they need to be replaced comes down to appearance and how they are used.  Some of the most relevant factors are:

  1. How they are used: if you do a lot of high impact activities, they will wear out faster
  2. How often they are worn: It is recommended to wear your orthotics everyday, and many people choose to get more than one pair to accommodate for dress shoes, running shoes etc
  3. Getting older: Your feet will not be the exact same size and shape, as they will continue to grow and flatten as you get older. 
  4. Signs of damage: scratches and scuffs are fine, but if you notice cracks, creases or breaks in the orthotics, they need to be replaced.
  5. Pain: If your orthotics are working you should experience minimal to no pain.  Any kind of pain is the best indicator that your orthotics need replacing
  6. Lifestyle changes: any kind of significant transformation such as pregnancy, knee surgery, weight gain or weight loss can cause you to need new orthotics. 

If You’re Interested in Orthotics

Contact the clinic to find out more about custom orthotics or to book your biomechanical assessment with Dr. Caitlin Sellan at 250-382-0018 or book online at www.diversifiedhealth.janeapp.com

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