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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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What Does a Physiotherapist Do? | physiotherapy victoria bc

What Does a Physiotherapist Do? | physiotherapy victoria bc – With more moving parts than any other machine, it is not surprising that our body occasionally feels pain.  There are hundreds of different muscles and joints that can go wrong.  Physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques to help your muscles and joints work to their full potential.  Physiotherapy is used to reduce pain with various methods to make it possible for the patient to lead a normal life again.

Many people first encounter a physiotherapist following orthopedic surgery. An exercise regime and other treatments can greatly assist following a fracture or joint replacement.

People suffering with other musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, spinal problems, joint or muscle pain, arthritis, etc. are treated with exercises, mobilizations, manipulation, acupuncture, ultrasound and numerous other modalities.

What Does a Physiotherapist Do? | physiotherapy victoria bc

Diversified Health Clinic - Rehab Gym

Can­adian researchers at the University of Western Ontario published a landmark study showing that physiotherapy combined with medication was just as effective as arthroscopic surgery in treating osteo-­arthritic knees. “Many arthritic joints are helped by work on flexibility and strength,” says study co-author Dr. Robert Litchfield, an orthopedic surgeon and the medical director of the university’s Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic.

Particularly beneficial for sufferers of lower back pain, physiotherapy is used to release tension and so reduce pain in the back. Various tactics are used such as exercise, traction, massage, acupuncture and spinal decompression – The program of physiotherapy can ease chronic pain by strengthening the muscles that surround painful joints or muscles. Treatment will depend on the source of the problem, using a three-fold approach: weight management (to reduce stress on joints), muscle strengthening (to improve mobility and reduce recurrence) and “re-patterning” of muscles.

One fast-growing area of practice uses physiotherapy techniques to address pelvic floor disorders, which can occur when pelvic muscles tighten, shorten or fall into spasm after pregnancy, childbirth or abdominal surgery. The pelvic floor muscles help support the spine and abdominal organs.

Stretches and strengthening exercises done at home are crucial to treating most problems. It takes time and practice to stretch or retrain muscles that have a long-established bad habit.  For more information on What Does a Physiotherapist Do? | physiotherapy victoria bc – please contact our Physiotherapists and book a consultation.

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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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Victoria Clinic Offers Tips on How to Reduce Yoga Injuries

Our Victoria clinic offers tips on how to reduce yoga injuries, starting with how yoga offers great health benefits by enabling you to develop your flexibility, strength, and balance. For most healthy people yoga is a safe form of exercise, however yoga injuries can occur.

Most yoga injuries result from overstretching and strain from repetition; certain types of poses can increase your likelihood of being injured if you have the following conditions such as severe osteoporosis, high or low blood pressure or being pregnant.

Victoria Clinic Offers Tips on How to Reduce Yoga Injuries

Yoga

Here are some tips to help you reduce your risk of injury from yoga.

– Don’t learn yoga on your own. Work with an experienced yoga instructor to learn the proper way to perform the poses.

– There are many different types of yoga so before beginning any new type of yoga, ask about its physical demands. Talk with the instructor and others who do that type of yoga.

– Remember to learn the basics, such as proper breathing and how to maintain balance, before attempting more ambitious poses.

– As with any exercise, warming up is essential: cold muscles can increase the chance of an injury, also if you don’t understand a particular pose, ask to see it again and don’t feel embarrassed if you need to ask further questions.

– Stay hydrated during your sessions, especially if you are practicing Hot Yoga, which is done in a warm, humid room.

– Yoga should never hurt, so if you start to feel dizzy, faint or any type of pain, stop the pose immediately. You can then ask your instructor for a modified pose.

Consult with your health care provider before starting a yoga program if you are pregnant or have a pre-existing health condition. Your health care provider can help you decide what type yoga exercise is safe for you.

Our Victoria clinic offers tips on how to reduce yoga injuries, and we would like to leave you with this thought. Yoga is a perfect exercising routine in itself; it pacifies the mind, and keeps the body healthy.

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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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Natural Health Practitioner Encourages a Diet For Change

Natural health practitioner encourages a diet for change and a transition diet is helpful when a person has regularly eaten meat, sugar, salt, white flour products, and very few grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, sprouts, seeds or nuts. In other words, a transition diet helps with the change from an unhealthy diet to a healthy diet. If a person has regularly eaten natural food, a cleansing program is much easier to follow.

Changing eating habits is very hard to do, and few people are willing to undergo this change until they are forced to in order to save their lives. How much easier it would be if a change took place before serious illness. Meat, chocolate and caffeine drinks are stimulants. Sugar also creates a stimulant feeling but is often followed by low blood sugar, which can lead to depression.

Natural Health Practitioner Encourages a Diet For Change

Diet For Change

In order to re-balance the body the cells need to be cleansed of food residue that has collected through the years

Changing our diet after years of bad habits and unhealthy eating is very difficult. We like the food we are used to eating, and many of them are “comfort foods”. It is hard to change, but it can be done. Any change in your diet needs to be undertaken gradually, eliminating one food at a time. Start by eliminating red meat and salt from the diet. This will begin the cleansing process. Any time a food that has been eaten regularly is given up, the body will began to cleanse. As foods are eliminated from the diet, our taste for those foods will diminish. At the same time, as a more natural food diet is eaten regularly, those nutritious foods will become very satisfying. When salt is given up, the taste buds will change and natural food will be enjoyed more. Adding more brown rice and whole grain will help the transition when eliminating red meat.

Suggested Transition Diet Menu

Before breakfast you can use supplements that are needed for whatever condition you have. If you have candida, take acidophilus first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach) and use appropriate nutrients, foods and herbs that go along with candida. If you have hypoglycemia, eat the appropriate diet, along with supplements and herbs to strengthen the body and overcome this condition.

Breakfast, first thing in the morning, should consist of fruits such as cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches, grapes, pears, apricots, apples or citrus fruit. After an hour you can eat a hot cereal, millet or a brown rice dish or a protein drink. Fresh fruit juices or vegetable juices can also be used, and they should always be diluted with half pure water.

Lunch should consist of salads using sprouts of all kinds, grain soups, steamed and raw vegetables. Use brown rice and millet dishes. You can also drink fresh tomato-vegetable juices.

Dinner should be lighter than breakfast and lunch. You can drink fresh vegetables juices, steamed vegetables, baked potatoes, brown rice and millet dishes along with fresh salads.

Our natural health practitioner encourages a diet for change, but there are more changes you can incorporate into your daily life that will promote better overall health, such as exercise and getting enough rest. Our health care practitioners at Diversified Health are always available to discuss any health questions you may have.

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Take Victoria Health Services Health Quiz & Myths

In our constant quest to live better and longer, we seek out and devour every morsel of “how-to-health” news we find; so take Victoria health services health quiz & myths and see how you score!

The challenge lies in finding the truth that is obscured by all the hype. Health myths are as stubborn as ink stains.Passed down from generation to generation or created anew, they refuse to fade away. We have heard them so often we just assume they are true; “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, “The sun causes skin cancer”, “Milk does a body good”, “Fish is good for you.”

Take Victoria Health Services Health Quiz & Myths

Photo credit: students.ubc.ca

Test your myth knowledge and take our quiz. Then read on to find out about some of the biggest myths in health news today. (True or False)

  1. Sea salt healthier than ordinary salt.
  2. Bananas are more fattening than other fruit.
  3. Butter has more calories than margarine.
  4. Brown bread has more fiber than white bread.

Answers to this quiz:

  1. False, but sea salt contains more iodine.
  2. False, the amount of fat in bananas is the same as other fruits, but they do contain high levels of carbohydrates, so watch the size.
  3. False, butter has the same caloric value.
  4. It depends on whether it is “brown” dyed flour or wholemeal. Only whole meal has more fiber.

MYTH: Sun Causes Skin Cancer

Experts and the media bombard us about the “dangers” of the sun. This is one of the most inaccurate myths that persist among most Canadians. Unfortunately, this myth has contributed to massive amounts of disease and illness in our society because we all need sunshine to stay healthy.

Can sun exposure cause skin cancer? Absolutely. An appropriate amount of sunlight exposure actually prevents cancer. Exposure to the sun provides many benefits such as promoting the formation of vitamin D. There is also strong evidence that sunlight is protective against MS, colon, ovarian and breast cancers.

This does not mean that we should all go out and get as much sun as we want. You must exercise caution. At the beginning of the season, go out gradually and limit your exposure to as little as 10 minutes a day. Progressively increase your time in the sun so that in a few weeks, you will be able to have normal sun exposure with little risk of skin cancer.

REMEMBER TO NEVER BURN, THAT IS THE KEY.

Using sunscreen is not a good way to limit your sun exposure, in fact, sunscreen is the LAST thing you want to put on your body, and sunscreen does not stop skin cancer. Sunscreen is a toxic chemical that can cause problems in your system and increase your risk of disease. A far more logical solution is to consume large quantities of whole vegetables will increase antioxidant levels in the body and will provide protection against any sun-induced radiation damage.

MYTH: Whole Grains are good for you

Whole grains are better for you than refined grains, but whole grains are still not something that most people should be eating. Well over 50% of Canadians could benefit from severely limiting or eliminating all grains – refined, whole, sprouted or otherwise—from their diets. This is because nearly everyone with high insulin levels benefit from avoiding grains. People in this group would be anyone who has or is overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

The majority of Canadians fall into one or more of these categories. If you are purchasing whole grain, organic sprouted bread, more than likely, it will not move your body toward health, and you are better off avoiding it. The higher your insulin levels and the more prominent your signs of insulin overload are, the more ambitious your grain elimination should be.

Grains to eliminate include: Wheat, Rice, Spelt, Rye, Barley, Oats, Corn, Potatoes (they digest more like a grain)

Highly processed grain products are not recommended, and these would include:  Breads, Chips, Pasta, Pretzels, Cereal, Waffles, Bagels, Pancakes, French Fries, Baked goods

The next time you have a health question,  you can re-take Victoria health services health quiz & myths, or you can ask the practitioners at DHC, for a trusted source for health information that you can rely on.

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Natural Health Practitioner Promotes Reflexology

Natural health practitioner promotes reflexology as part of an overall health program.  Reflexology is the study of activating reflex points, usually on the feet, which correlate with specific anatomy parts that are divided into ten zones through the body.

The techniques used in reflexology are designed to dissipate energy blocks, stimulate the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems, and release toxins. Reflexology encourages and supports the body’s self-healing capabilities, and is used in conjunction with chiropractic, therapeutic massage and physiotherapy programs of health care.

Natural Health Practitioner Promotes Reflexology
Reflexology

The underlying theory behind reflexology is that there are “reflex” areas on the feet that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body. For example:

  • the tips of the toes reflect the head
  • the heart and chest are around the ball of the foot
  • the liver, pancreas and kidney are in the arch of the foot
  • low back and intestines are towards the heel

Practitioners believe that applying pressure to these reflex areas can promote health in the corresponding organs through energetic pathways.  A scientific explanation is that the pressure may send signals that balance the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce pain and stress.

Reflexology stimulates ‘qi’ energy flow (the body’s natural energy) thereby increasing vital energy throughout the body.  It works with the peripheral nervous system, by improving internal communication between organs, glands and muscles in the body.

Natural health practitioner promotes reflexology as a part of a wellness plan that  follows the holistic principle – balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components of the individual.

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Vancouver Island Health Clinic Endorses Lifestyle Changes to Control High Blood Pressure

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down; our Vancouver island health clinic endorses lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure.

Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Vancouver Island Health Clinic Endorses Lifestyle Changes to Control High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle Changes to Control High Blood Pressure

Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.

  • Make sure your blood pressure is under 140/90mm Hg. If your systolic pressure (the top number) is over 140, ask you doctor what you can do to lower it.
  • Take your high blood pressure medicine, if prescribed, every day. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
  • Aim for a healthy weight. If you are overweight, carrying this extra weight increases your risk of high blood pressure.
  • Increase your physical activity. Do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, most days of the week. You can do 30 minutes in three 10 minute segments.
  • Choose foods low in salt and sodium. Most Canadians should consume no more than 2.4 grams of sodium a day. That’s about one teaspoon of table salt a day. For someone with high blood pressure, your doctor may advise less.
  • Read nutrition labels. Almost all packaged foods contain sodium. Every time you prepare or eat a packaged food, know how much sodium is in one serving. Keep a sodium diary. You may be surprised at how much sodium you consume each day.
  • Use spices and herbs instead of salt to season the food you prepare at home.
  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods.
  • Make sure that you incorporate a small amount of “down time” each and every day.

Not only does our Vancouver island health clinic endorse lifestyle changes to control high blood press, but also encourages patient to incorporate massage and acupuncture as part of their new healthy lifestyles.

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