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What Triggers your Migraine? | health clinic victoria bc

What Triggers your Migraine | health clinic victoria bcIn her book, The Women’s Migraine Survival Guide, Christina Peterson, M.D., offers some advice on an array of migraine triggers that women (and men too!) with chronic migraines should learn about and avoid. Here are the most common:

Stress -Stress may be a trigger, says Peterson. When you’re under stress, take periodic breaks from difficult activities, alternating tough tasks that require brainpower with other jobs that are more physically oriented. For example, switch from analyzing problems to picking up  office supplies or to another activity that’s a no-brainer.

Bright Lights – Bright lights and glare can cause migraines in some people. If you’re outside in bright sunlight, always wear a protective hat and sunglasses, or move to a shady area. If the sun is streaming into the room, and you’re susceptible to migraines, it’s best to put the blinds down to limit glare. You can always put on your sunglasses or slap a ball cap on your head! (Yes, even though you’re indoors.)

Odors – Some people are very sensitive to odors, particularly those from heavy perfume or some cleaning items. You may find that strong aromas can trigger a migraine within several hours. If someone at work drenches herself (or himself) in cologne, tell your colleague you’re hypersensitive to aromas. Consider saying that you’re allergic to strong perfume, which is more likely to obtain the reaction you want, less heavy-handedness with the spray bottle.

Cigarette and Cigar Smoke – The odor of cigarette smoke is also a migraine trigger for some people. Fortunately, few workplaces allow smoking, but people do smoke in other locations. If you eat out, always sit in the “non-smoking” section.

Loud Noises – Loud noises can trigger migraines in some people, and if you’re one of them, you may wish to carry earplugs with you.

Foods – Foods are a migraine trigger for some people, especially caffeine, chocolate, aged cheese, onions and garlic. Also, stay away from monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common food additive.

NOTE: Some people limit their migraines by using white noise machines at work. These devices make a “SSSSH” sound, and help block out noise chaos. Ongoing white noise will still enable you to hear your boss and other key sounds. If you avoid migraine triggers as best you can, but you still feel a migraine coming on, try icing the pain away. Also, give us a call; we will fit you in for an immediate appointment. Be sure to explain that it’s a migraine attack that’s coming on. Chiropractic adjustments may be able to stop a migraine “dead in its tracks.”

Finally, please remember, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. We’re here to help, and enjoy  participating in your good health!

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Do I Have Bursitis or Something Else? | Bursitis Treatment Victoria

Bursitis Treatment Victoria – Bursitis is an inflammation of one of the body’s bursae (the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints). This painful condition can be caused by a mild injury, repeated use (such as prolonged kneeling on a hard surface), arthritis, or infection. Commonly affected joints are the shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip.

Do I Have Bursitis or Something Else? | Bursitis Treatment Victoria Bursitis is typically identified by localized pain or swelling. Bursitis occurs when the small sac (bursa) found inside joints becomes inflamed. The fluid-filled sac helps to lubricate and cushion the joint. When it is inflamed, movement can be painful. Usually bursitis occurs in larger joints such as shoulders and hips.

Without seeing your health care provider, you usually can’t tell the difference between bursitis and pain caused by a strain or arthritis.  Often just resting and elevating the joint can help.  Applying ice may help relieve pain and swelling. Once the joint is no longer painful, you can work to strengthen the muscles around the joint and prevent further flare-ups.  Symptoms of bursitis may include swelling, redness, a warm joint area, aching or stiffness in the joint that gets worse with movement.

Chiropractic  and Physiotherapy treatments can help most people with musculoskeletal disorders such as bursitis. Chiropractic treatments can include  manipulations,  or modalities such as cold lasers, ultrasound, decompression table, and  joint supplements  such as Glucosamine.

Contact Diversified Health and speak with one of our health care practitioners for more information on bursitis and what options would be right for you.

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Cold Laser Therapy used in Health Care Victoria

Cold Laser Therapy used in Health Care Victoria, uses laser light to speed the healing process, and is finding widespread use among pain management specialists, including the practitioners at Diversified Health Clinic.

Heath Care Victoria

Photo Credit: handleychiropractic.com

The name LASER is made from an acronym. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is a very pure form of light energy, of a single wavelength. Laser light therapy works by penetrating the laser light deeply into the skin, which stimulates cellular activity, helps to reduce inflammation, repairs tissue and accelerate the healing process.

The treatment involves the application of red and near infra-red light over injuries. Laser and LED beams of light are used to stimulate the cells in the body that repair tissue, reduce inflammation and reduce pain. It is a highly effective treatment for acute soft tissue injuries and chronic pain.

Laser therapy has been proven to be remarkably safe, painless and effective in treating both acute injuries and chronic pain of various kinds.  It has been particularly helpful in stubborn and persistent conditions, such as chronic neck and back pain, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and other joint and muscle pains. The treatments are pain free, non invasive and there is no recovery time. The treatment time is any where from 10 – 20 minutes, with the majority of patients feeling nothing during the treatment; with a small percentage of our patients feeling a slight tingling or warmth.

The benefits of laser therapy include:

  • Decreased inflammation & decreased pain
  • Increased blood flow to the injured site
  • Minimized formation of scar tissue & growth of new, healthy tissues
  • Speeds up recovery time

The results will depend on the individual’s over all health and condition and the length of time that the condition has existed.  Please contact one of our knowledgeable practitioners to find out more information on Cold Laser Therapy used in Health Care Victoria.

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Myofacial Pain Syndrome

When we first met her, Laurie came into our office very upset, fed up and feeling like nobody could help her, and that we probably couldn’t do anything much for her either. Her doctors had told her to learn to live with the constant pain she’d been experiencing for several years, and were apparently baffled by her condition.

Laurie told us that the pain had taken over her life. She could no longer work, and her marriage was not doing well. Her relationship with her teenage daughter was also very bad. Laurie said she knew adolescent girls were tough to cope with, but she also knew that they needed some attention, and Laurie was unable to interact with her daughter on most days because of the pain. She felt guilty and inadequate because she felt like a failure, both at work and in her family life.

A friend had suggested that maybe we would pay some actual attention to her symptoms and would help her to attain some level of health and freedom from pain. She was hesitant because she’d never been to a chiropractor, and wasn’t quite sure what the experience would be like.

We took a complete medical history to determine if there were any obvious or subtler areas of trauma. The evidence suggested that Laurie was suffering from myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a painful problem characterized by “trigger points” of pain, and a limited range of motion in the affected area. It’s also a condition that is exacerbated by stress. Ironically, in her worry and fear over finding a way to pain relief, Laurie was inadvertently worsening the condition.

Laurie could point out where the pain spots of her myofascial pain syndrome were located, and we were also able to readily identify the knobby points of muscle tissue in each place where she said she was hurting so badly. A trained and experienced doctor of chiropractic can find these trigger points by touch.

We devised a Recommended Action Plan, including regular chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy and some good lifestyle changes that Laurie needed to commit to, such as some simple exercises she could perform and a regular plan of walking for at least three times each week. We cautioned Laurie not to expect an instant cure, but instead to look for steady improvement if she followed our recommendations.

After several weeks, and to her obvious amazement, Laurie said the pain was starting to disappear. It wasn’t totally gone, and she still had some bad days. But she also had some good days too, something she hadn’t seen for years! We slightly increased the time and the distance that Laurie should walk and told her to continue the simple exercises. We also reduced the care as scheduled to twice a week. Laurie agreed to this plan.

Laurie’s situation has improved markedly since then, and soon we may even go to once a month should her progress continue at this level.

In other news, Laurie’s relationship with her husband and daughter has greatly improved. For example, now that her pain has diminished so much, she’s been able to pay attention to her husband. (Much to their mutual delight!) Also, instead of fixating on her pain alone, she can listen to what troubles him as well as share the joy he experienced with a recent promotion on the job. She even went out to dinner with him and his colleagues, something she hadn’t done for years! Her daughter is still a teenager, and teenagers can be quite a handful. But now that Laurie can respond to what her daughter needs (not always giving her what she wants, of course!), her relationship with her daughter has also improved.

The pain has abated so much that Laurie has been able to return to work part-time, which has been good for her pocketbook and for her self-esteem. Laurie reports that she, her husband, and her daughter are all very grateful for the chiropractic care that she received in our office, and it has given her back her life, all because her friend referred her to our office. Who do you know that may be living needlessly in pain?

(We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay, feel better and look younger! Don’t be a stranger. Call us and we will assist you in putting together a custom maintenance plan.

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Finding the right Health or Medical Clinics Victoria BC

Finding the right Health or Medical Clinics Victoria BC means you need to choose a clinic that is best suited for your needs.  You have a responsibility and right to check therapists, physicians, massage therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors and any practitioner out very carefully before going to their office.

Health & Medical Clinics Victoria BC

Health & Medical Clinics Victoria BC

Here is a list of questions to get you started.

  • Make sure to pick a clinic that is convenient to your schedule, including access to parking.
  • Is the clinic staff friendly and helpful and are they good about returning calls?
  • How easy is it to reach the practitioner?
  • Will the clinic make exceptions for emergencies, and will they take walk in appointments?
  • Can the clinic take care of your needs in a timely manner?

You should feel comfortable with your practitioner and the office staff.  Also think about how you are treated once you are in the treatment room.

  • Is the practitioner present and really listen to you?
  • Is the practitioner asking questions and do they have the information and knowledge to help you?
  • Does the practitioner invite you to be involved in your care?
  • Do you usually feel better and more hopeful after each session?

Diversified Health Clinic is leading the way in aesthetically functional design, combined with cutting edge technology for a non-clinical, compassionate experience for practitioners, patients, visitors and staff; so finding the right Health or Medical Clinics Victoria BC has never been easier.

Please call 250-382-0018 to book a tour of the clinic or to book an appointment.

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More golf play, means more swings, and more injuries!

Are you ready for some spring golf?  Time to dust off your golf clubs, clean out your golf bag, and tee it up!  As most golf injuries are due to overuse, proper warmup is essential for peak performance.

Here are some of the most common golfing injuries:

Low Back Pain

The rotational stresses of the back swing can place a tremendous amount of pressure or strain on the spine, discs and muscles of the lower back.  Because the swing is one direction, overtime  this can lead to more serious problems of sciatica (pain down the leg) , disc  injuries, and degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis.

Regular chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression,and  myofascial release  are all treatments that work well to stabilize the lower back and maintain a healthy spine and allow pain free range of motion.

Golfer’s Elbow

This injury also known as medial epicondylitis  occurs when there is inflammation of the tendons on the inside of your elbow.  Repetitive motion leads to pain and point  tenderness at the elbow, and pain when striking the ball.  Strengthening and stretching the forearm muscles, and slowing down your swing can help take some of the strain away.  Try squeezing a tennis ball, or doing simple wrist curls and reverse wrist curls with a small hand weight.  Shockwave and myofascial release are treatments that are fast and effective in helping heal up the tissues in that area.

Bursitis

Bursitis is a common injury in the elbow as well as the shoulder.  The bursa is a fluid filled sac that acts as a cushion between the bone and skin.  With overuse, it can become inflamed and swell, making range of motion very painful. RICE, rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation is a common the treatment for bursitis, as well as lase r and ultrasound to decrease the inflammation.  Many people get bursitis and tendonitis mixed up and are unsure of the diagnosis.  Dr. Crowle can evaluate the area and effective come up with a treatment plan for you.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

The shoulder is often affected in golf.  People often experience pain when the arm is lifted away and overhead.  Overtime  tendonitis at the shoulder can make regular golfing very difficult.  Some people with chronic shoulder issues develop Frozen Shoulder, where their range of motion is very painful and they are not able to lift their arm in the full range of motion above their head.  Frozen shoulder is a long process and can take up to a year to regain full range of motion. Chiropractic adjustments, Shockwave and moyofascial release are all affective  in relieving pain, and helping you to continue golfing as you are healing .

Other Repetitive Injuries

Many golfers experience knee  pain due to the twisting of the swing, and the sideways force at the knee.  Meniscus injuries, as well as osteoarthritis over time can cause problems  in the knees.

Carpal Tunnel  is inflammation of the nerves and soft tissue of the wrist and  Dequervain’s tendonitis of the base of the the thumb are also prominent injuries in golf.

Tips on how to prevent these types of injuries:

Get to the course early. You need enough time to take care of your business in the golf shop, use the restroom, change your shoes, etc.  Remember, your warmup routine sets the tempo for the day, so move slowly and relax.

Begin warming up on the putting green. Putting is 40-percent of golf and the putting stroke is the slowest and smoothest of all strokes in golf, and then spend the next 10 minutes hitting chips around the green with a tee as a target.

Begin your full swing warmup with stretching. Stretching can improve your range of motion and light calisthenics such as jogging or jumping jacks will help get the body prepared.  Use your club to stretch your arms, shoulders and spine side to side and twisting.

Keep hydrated (water) on the course, and don’t ignore the early warning signs of pain and tenderness in these areas of your body.  Overtime they can get worse and become chronic issues, and lead to arthritis and degeneration.  Remember if you fail to warm up properly you are setting yourself up to fail when you play.

Having regular chiropractic adjustments and assessing the spine and extremities for weakness and imbalances can keep golfers injury free and back in the game.

Guest Article

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Headache Free is Possible says a Natural Health Practitioner

Headache Free is Possible says Natural Health Practitioner

Headache Free is Possible

Headaches are common, but they are not normal;and being headache free is possible says a natural health practitioner. By finding the cause of your pain, chiropractic care can give you relief to a discomfort that disrupts your life and often makes everyday tasks unbearable.

Headaches are one of the most common problems/symptoms that affect us. Headaches are also one of the most common symptoms, and there are numerous types of headaches such as tension headaches, migraines, trauma headaches, sinus headaches and rebound headaches.

Other common problems that induce headaches are infections, hangovers, stress, fatigue, physical or emotional trauma, problems in the pelvis and lower back, and a malfunction in the upper spinal bones in the neck, affecting nerves, muscles, and blood supply to the head.

On the surface, headaches seem to come in a variety of forms – throbbing, pounding or stabbing. Chiropractors believe that most headaches are ultimately caused by the overloading of the nervous system.
There are an estimated 4.5 million Canadians spending upwards of $60 million dollars each year on over-the-counter and prescription drugs in search for a permanent solution. For some, the medication works, but for many the relief obtained is temporary.

Powerful drugs numb the nervous system so pain doesn’t register and can cause adverse effects on the stomach, liver, and kidneys. For anyone who is suffering from a recurring headache (two-three times a week), it is important to recognize it as a serious sign that something is wrong. Please remember that the headache itself is not the problem.  However, the headache is only a symptom that something else is wrong. Although a quick relief to the pain, drugs provide only a short-term solution to the problem, while the underlying cause of the headache goes untreated.

Migraines are one of the more painful types of headaches often leaving the sufferer in bed and immobilized. Most migraine sufferers notice symptoms that occur before the headache actually hits, such as visual changes, dizziness, muscle contraction, nausea, etc. The headache itself may last from a few minutes to a few days.

The chiropractic approach to headaches, especially repetitive headaches, is to take a good case history. Through the case history and consultation, we can determine patterns and possible causes. A good example would be a headache that begins several weeks after a car accident. In the majority of cases, we will find the problem is usually caused by one or more subluxations (misalignment of the vertebrae) in the neck.

It is important to know that a headache is a warning sign. The more frequent or more severe the headache, the greater the warning sign. Headaches that happen every day or almost every day are called rebound headaches and are caused by overuse of pain medicines. Often these headaches begin early in the morning. The location and severity of the headache may change from day to day. People who have rebound headaches also may have nausea, anxiety, irritability, depression, or problems sleeping.

Talk to your healthcare practitioner about the medicines you are taking. You can safely stop taking some medicines right away; while other kinds of medicine have to be slowly reduced. After stopping the headache medicine, it is common for your headaches to get worse for a few days. Do not make changes to your drug plan without talking with your doctor.

Make an appointment for an assessment or to discuss any questions you might have regarding headaches; and imagine what your life would be like pain free! Remember that headache free is possible says a natural health practitioner.

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Find Relief from a Herniated Disc with A Natural Health Practitioner

Your spine is made up of vertebrae and discs, so finding relief from a herniated disc with a natural health practitioner like a doctor of chiropractic makes sense.

Discs are like soft cushions between the bones of the spine. The discs in the spine let you move your backbone. When a disc between two bones in the spine presses on the nerves around the backbone, it’s called a herniated disc. The word “herniate” means to bulge or to stick out. Sometimes this is called a ruptured or slipped disc.

Find Relief from a Herniated Disc with A Natural Health Practitioner

Find Relief from a Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are most common in the lower part of your spine referred to as the lumbar spine. This area is constantly absorbing the impact of bearing the weight of the upper body.  The lower back is also critically involved in our body’s movements throughout the day, as we twist the torso in rotating side to side and as we hinge the back in flexion and extension while bending or lifting.

When part of a disc presses on a nerve, it can cause pain in the back and the legs. How bad the pain is depends on how much of the disc is pressing on the nerve. In most people with herniated discs, the pain spreads over the buttocks and radiates down the back of one thigh and into the calf. This is known as sciatica because the pain travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. Some people have pain in both legs, and will feel numb or a tingly sensation in their the legs or feet.

Here are some signs  If you have a herniated disc, the painful symptoms will worsen:

  • After you have been sitting down or standing for a long period.
  • During the night.
  • When you laugh, cough or sneeze
  • When you walk, even a short distance.
  • When you bend over backward

Becoming active as soon as possible is very important. Exercises can be helpful. The goal of exercise is to make your back and stomach muscles stronger. This will ease the pressure on your disc and make you hurt less. Ask your practitioner about safe exercises for your back, and start these exercises after your back is a little stronger and doesn’t hurt as much.

Spinal Decompression is painless, drug-free, non-surgical  treatment that has numerous published scientific studies reporting its’ effectiveness at 86% to 94%, and most people who have a herniated disc are better in about 4 – 6 weeks.

Spinal Decompression provides relief to severe back and neck pain sufferers by gently reducing the pressure within spinal discs. The bones of the spine are slowly and methodically separated and as the vertebrae are separated pressure is slowly reduced within the disc until a vacuum is formed. This vacuum “sucks” the gelatinous center of the disc back inside thereby reducing the disc bulge or disc herniation. Significant disc bulge reduction removes pressure off the spinal nerves and drastically reduces pain and disability. This “sucking” vacuum also pulls much-needed oxygen, nutrients and fluid into injured and degenerated discs allowing the healing to begin.

What can you do to help prevent a herniated disc?

Good posture (standing up straight, sitting straight, lifting with your back straight) can help your back by reducing the pressure on your discs.

  1. Bend your knees and hips when you lift something, and keep your back straight.
  2. Hold an object close to your body when you carry it.
  3. If you stand for a long time, put one foot on a small stool or box for a while.
  4. If you sit for a long time, put your feet on a small stool so your knees are higher than your hips.
  5. Don’t wear high-heeled shoes.
  6. Don’t sleep on your stomach.

If you or someone you know needs to find relief from a herniated disc with a natural health practitioner, please call Diversified Health Clinic for a free consultation.

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Natural Health Practitioner take a Close Look at Foot Problems

Natural health practitioner take a close look at foot problems, understanding that your feet are extremely complex structures composed of bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and skin. They are subject to injuries and other problems caused by normal wear and tear over years of supporting the weight of your body and making it possible for you to stand, walk, run, and jump.

Natural Health Practitioner take a close look at foot problems

foot problems

The most obvious symptoms of foot trouble are pain and dysfunction (limping, favouring one foot or the other, inability to put weight on the heel and/or the toes). Foot pain can be due to ill-fitting, inappropriate footwear that cramps your feet; injuries that keep you from walking well–or at all; sprains which stretch or tear ligaments (which connect bones); and stress fractures of bones in the foot, which can result from accidents or overuse while engaging in sports or exercise.

Foot pain and dysfunction can force you to modify the way you walk and create significant stresses on the joints of your legs, hips, and lower spine. Your feet are the foundation for your entire body. Even without pain, foot dysfunction can cause your whole body to overcompensate, which can lead to back pain and even headaches.

No one is safe from foot problems. But older or overweight individuals, diabetics, and serious athletes and dancers who place great demands on their feet are more prone to foot disorders than others are.

The most common foot problem though is Pronation. In pronation, some of the bones of the foot drop to a less stable position because the foot arches are too weak to keep them in proper alignment. The arches themselves may be unnaturally stretched (“flat feet”), and stress on the entire foot increases. Another common problem — one that is often found along with pronation — is Plantar Fascitis, a stress irritation of the sheath of elastic tissues running nearly the entire length of the foot. If not treated, either condition can lead to progressive development of foot malfunction and discomfort.

Chiropractic or Physiotherapy can help overcome foot and ankle problems that can cause additional problems in other structures such as in your legs, hips, lower back. The practitioners can use a number of diagnostic tests, including examining your gait and foot function.  They will palpate (move) your feet and ankles to measure any limitations in range of motion to identify what is causing your pain, and determine the best course of treatment.

In addition, your practitioner may use Shockwave therapy, and recommend orthotics to help solve some of your foot problems. When your natural health practitioner take a close look at foot problems they can provide lifestyle counseling that can help reduce biological and psychological stresses on your body as a whole.

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