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The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy Treatments

The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy Treatments

Do you suffer from chronic pain or an old injury that interferes with your range of motion and the activities you enjoy? If so, physiotherapy accompanied by shockwave therapy treatments may be ideal for you. Shockwave therapy has been shown in studies to effectively reduce pain, break down old scar tissue and stimulate healing in stubborn injuries and joint pain without the cost or downtime of surgery. Continue reading to learn more about shockwave therapy’s many benefits.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure whereby mechanical pulses of acoustic energy stimulate tissue repair, increase circulation, and help relieve pain where the treatment is applied. Physiotherapists may incorporate shockwave therapy as part of a patient’s injury rehabilitation treatment plan to help provide natural relief for acute or chronic pain and to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. In addition, shockwave therapy can be an excellent treatment for stubborn conditions or old injuries that haven’t responded well to other alternatives.

Conditions That Shockwave Therapy Treats

Shockwave therapy can be beneficial in many different applications but is especially helpful for treating muscle, ligament, tendon, bone and joint-related injuries and pain commonly associated with conditions including but not limited to:

  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Stress fractures
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
  • Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)
  • Calcified tendonitis
  • Trigger finger
  • Bursitis of the hip, knee, or shoulder
  • TMJ disorders
  • Shin splints
  • Back pain
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Shoulder/rotator cuff tendinitis
  • Overuse strains and sprains
  • Injuries caused by accidents
  • Chronic muscle tension and pain

What to Expect From Shockwave Therapy Treatments

After assessing your condition and devising a treatment plan, your physiotherapist will start your treatment by applying a cool conductive gel (similar to ultrasound jelly) to the area being treated so that the handpiece used to deliver the acoustic energy pulses can easily be maneuvered. Treatments usually take around 15 minutes and are typically carried out a week apart.

What does it feel like?

Topical numbing agents, painkillers and anti-inflammatories are not required during shockwave therapy and are discouraged because they can interfere with shockwave therapy’s inflammatory response, which initiates tissue regeneration and healing. Shockwave therapy treatments typically feel like dull pulsing sensations in the tissues being treated. Treatment discomfort depends on the intensity of the treatment and the tenderness of the area being treated but is usually tolerable, and your physiotherapist can adjust the intensity to ensure your comfort. You may feel slight tingly sensations, warmth or tenderness in the treated area for up to a few days following treatment while the tissue’s healing response occurs.

Is there any downtime?

The beauty of undergoing non-invasive shockwave therapy treatments is how you can resume light activity following your treatments. Your physiotherapist will, however, ask you to avoid any rigorous or strenuous activity for two or more days following treatment, depending on your condition. You may also experience slight swelling or tenderness in the area treated for a few days following your procedure. Inflammation following your shockwave treatments is normal and indicative of the healing process taking place.

How many treatments will I need to see results?

Some patients notice pain reduction following their first treatment, with improved healing and pain relief as treatments progress. Shockwave treatment plans typically consist of 3 to 6 sessions spaced one or more weeks apart. Your physiotherapist will tailor a treatment plan ideal for your specific condition and requirements.

Find Out Whether Shockwave Therapy Is Right for You!

Don’t ignore pain. Start the healing process today by booking your appointment with one of our expert physiotherapists. Call Diversified Health Clinic at (250) 382-0018 or book an appointment online.

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Searching for a Personal Trainer in Victoria to Help You Achieve Your Goals?

Searching for a Personal Trainer in Victoria to Help You Achieve Your Goals?

Are you on the search for a personal trainer in Victoria? Whether you’re a gym novice who needs help designing a fitness program or a seasoned athlete who is aiming to improve performance or rehabilitate following an injury, here’s how our personal trainer and certified kinesiologist, Angelina Schaaf, can help you get on track, stay the course and achieve your optimal fitness and performance goals this year.

How to Choose the Right Personal Trainer in Victoria for You

There are a lot of personal trainers in Victoria to choose from, and selecting the right one for your specific needs can be a challenge. People often ask their friends for recommendations, but that doesn’t always result in a good match because what works for one person may not lead to a successful outcome for another. Fitness training isn’t one-size-fits-all. You need a trainer with the right experience to understand where you are in your fitness journey now, what tweaks and adjustments may be required to avoid injury, and the specific volume and stimulus required to ensure continual progress. For example, here are just a few of the main reasons people choose Diversified Health Clinic’s personal training services:

  • Certified kinesiologist: Angelina Schaff is an experienced personal trainer and a certified kinesiologist. Her in-depth knowledge enables her to identify, correct and ensure optimal lifting techniques, posture and movement patterns that avoid injury and effectively isolate the right muscles. Angelina also knows what each fitness program requires to balance muscle groups for optimal results and performance. 
  • Injury Rehabilitation: When embarking on a new fitness routine or exercise, the last thing you want is to compromise an old injury. Personal training at Diversified Health Clinic can be tailored for safe and effective injury rehabilitation and improved strength and mobility. 
  • Sports conditioning and training: On-season and off-season, Angelina Schaaf offers bespoke fitness programs that improve speed, strength and performance while correcting suboptimal movement patterns to avoid muscle imbalances or injury. Our programs can be tailored to each sport, including pre and post-season conditioning. 
  • Goal Specific: Angelina will design your fitness programs according to your immediate and long-term goals. A client whose goal is to lose weight and build lean muscle will require a program that is vastly different from a client whose goal is to increase power, combustive strength and muscle mass. Personal training at Diversified Health Clinic starts with a thorough health assessment to clarify your goals, followed by a physical evaluation to determine your current conditioning before custom-designing an effective program just for you.

Fitness programming isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach — it has to be tailored.

Ensuring Good Habits Stick

It’s no coincidence that the post-holiday period between January and February brings many people to the gym, full of enthusiasm about improving their fitness. While getting started is half the battle, the real challenge is making new habits stick. Consider how many resolutions you’ve made in the past that fell to the wayside when other things got in the way. Working with a personal trainer gives you an accountability partner and helps motivate you long after your natural enthusiasm has worn off. 

Focus and Privacy

Diversified Health Clinic has a private gym space with everything needed for a comprehensive training program. Clients appreciate the one-on-one focus they receive from our personal trainer, and our safe and uncrowded gym space is ideal for injury rehabilitation programs and sports conditioning. 

Building Optimal Outcomes

How to choose the right personal trainer in Victoria.

Why hire a personal trainer when you can show up to the gym and simply “wing it” as you go? As the old adage goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail.” While it’s true that you can still benefit from working out without a program, if your goal is to make improvements and other changes, you’ll likely require a plan to see results. Fitness programming is crucial because our body always seeks homeostasis and the path of least resistance. Training without a plan can often result in a lot of time spent exercising with few physiological changes to show for it. It can also result in performance plateaus due to the body becoming accustomed to stimulus. 

An experienced personal trainer such as Angelina will know which exercises are best suited to your current situation and goals and how much volume, intensity and change are required to deliver ongoing and progressive results. And let’s face it, a few things are more motivating than noticing a positive change from the time and effort you put in at the gym. 

Take the First Step Towards a Happier, Healthier and Fitter You This Year!

Call Diversified Health Clinic today at (250) 382-0018 to book with Angelina Schaaf, our kinesiologist and personal trainer in Victoria, BC., or book an appointment online.

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Are Winter Blues + Holiday Stress Making You Feel Grinchy? 

Are Winter Blues + Holiday Stress Making You Feel Grinchy? 

It’s the time of the year that is supposed to be very merry and bright. Still, for many of us, winter blues and holiday preparations add extra tasks to our never-ending to-do lists, resulting in compounding holiday stress that leaves us feeling more tense than jolly. Luckily, there are things you can do to salvage your energy and save your spirits this holiday season.

Beating The Winter Blues (Hello, Darkness My Old Friend)

Using light therapy to help offset holiday stress and tension.

When Simon & Garfunkel sang this lyric in their famous song The Sound of Silence, they weren’t referring to west coast winters marked by dark skies before your 5 o’clock drive home from work, but they could have been. Shorter daylight hours can put a damper on anyone’s mood and energy, leaving little left in the proverbial tank for holiday socials, decorating, baking, shopping and more. To help offset dark weather doldrums, some people find relief from investing in light therapy lamps that replicate daylight. The trick is to sit within 12 to 15 inches of your lamp for at least 20 to 30 minutes per day — ideally in the morning after rising. When shopping for the best light therapy lamp, look for one that:

  • Radiates a brightness level of at least 10,000 lux of white light;
  • Is 100% UV Free;
  • Has a design that will make it easy to place where you’ll remember to use it each day (at least on days when you’re starved of natural sunlight). 

Offsetting Barometric Pressure + Hibernation Mode

Does winter chill and rain make you wish you could just stay home? Obligatory social engagements and ugly sweater parties can add enough pressure and holiday stress when all you want to do is hibernate. In addition, barometric pressure changes and decreased physical activity can trigger headaches, joint pain and fluid retention. If you’re noticing more general achiness than usual, a light walk or warm Epsom salt bath can help. If your joint pain is isolated to one or two areas, you can also try these simple, at-home ways to help reduce winter aches and joint pain. If joint pain becomes persistent or interferes with your favourite activities, booking a consultation and treatment with a trusted physiotherapist can help relieve pain and encourage healing without delay.

Preventing and Treating Holiday Tension and Burnout

The holidays can be an incredibly stressful time, especially if you’re planning on doing some holiday hosting at your home. It can be hard to turn down social invitations and give engagements a miss, but sometimes, bowing out or saying no to that baking swap opportunity is the best gift you can give yourself to prevent burnout. It’s also a great time to practice delegating, which can be especially challenging for traditionalists and perfectionists. Finally, it helps to remember what the holidays are all about — being with the people you love and having fun. If turkey feasts with all the trimmings result in more work than pleasure, it may be time to tweak traditions by dining out or ordering pizza — who doesn’t love pizza?

Even if you’re brimming with the holiday spirit, the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations (and even happy stress) can create muscle tension and tightness that can interfere with relaxation and fun. In this case, booking a massage therapy treatment or two (or more) can be the perfect proactive measure to prevent and treat holiday muscle tension and tightness. Besides, a therapeutic massage can feel incredibly good — it’s the easiest thing to prioritize once you realize how great you feel afterwards.

Get Ahead of Holiday Stress and Tension

Give our team of practitioners a call at Diversified Health Clinic today at (250) 382-0018 or book an appointment online. If you need help deciding who to book your appointment with, ask us when you call. Our diversified approach and initial consultation process ensure you’ll be placed in the best care possible, with a practitioner and plan tailored to your specific situation and needs.

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Pelvic Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum Workshop

Pelvic Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum Workshop

Are you pregnant, planning a pregnancy or know someone who is? If so, join us for this informative session on postpartum pelvic health!

When: October 9th, 2022 at 10:00am – 12:00pm

Where: Mothering Touch Centre, (new location) 733 Johnson Street – Suite 112, Victoria, BC.Mothering Touch Logo

Meet Diversified Health’s physiotherapist, Jennifer Mildon, at the Mothering Touch Centre for an informative workshop about pelvic health during pregnancy and postpartum. This class is intended for pregnant people (at any stage in their pregnancy) and is designed to provide you with tools and tips to stay active during pregnancy and to optimize your postpartum physical recovery. You will leave this class feeling confident and prepared for the fourth trimester.

Topics Covered

  • Anatomy and function of the pelvic floor
  • Physical changes to the pregnant and postpartum body
  • Exercise during pregnancy and postpartum
  • Safe body mechanics

View, download, print and share the event PDF here: Pelvic Health Workshop Poster

Pelvic Health Workshop Poster

Mothering Touch Centre Banner

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Is Personal Training for You?

Is Personal Training for You?

Yes! Personal training is for everyone! At Diversified Health Clinic, our Personal Trainer and Certified Kinesiologist, Angelina Schaaf, works with individuals at all levels and different goals to help you achieve your best self. With our private gym space, Angelina will work one-on-one with you on strength training, cardio training, mobility, or whatever your own personal goals may be. 

What Personal Training Can Assist With

  • Helping you lose weight
  • Learn new skills
  • Train for sports
  • Rehab of an injury
  • Strength training
  • How to safely perform exercises 
  • Improve balance and mobility

There’s a difference between being fit versus being active. No one, not even elite athletes, is born knowing which specific exercises their bodies will respond most favourably to — let alone how to design a complete program that can deliver results within a realistic schedule. Different people have different needs and priorities, and because of this, fitness has never been a one-size-fits-all endeavour. A personal trainer takes the guesswork out of how to obtain your fitness goals by custom-designing an action plan for you (from beginner to advanced), taking into account your personal fitness status now versus your personal fitness goals.

A Personal Trainer Can Help You Start With the Basics

  • Suggesting activities that will work for your body, schedule, and available equipment
  • Showing you how to choose exercises, weights, reps and sets
  • Help teach you how to get the most out of your workouts
  • Help you to figure out how hard to work and how to monitor your intensity

Even if you are a more experienced exerciser, a personal trainer can be the element that takes your workouts to a whole new level, by:

  • Providing a fresh perspective and identifying key areas in your current exercise program that could be adjusted to increase the intensity, effectiveness and fun
  • Challenging you and helping you push harder through plateaus safely and with good form
  • Generating new ideas and uses for the fitness equipment you have access to

We believe everyone benefits from living a more active and healthier lifestyle, and we work with individuals of all fitness levels and ages. In addition, we can work with your schedule to provide you with a customized workout plan to meet your goals.

Suffering from Chronic Health Problems?

For most chronic health problems, exercise can often help people manage the condition and reduce symptoms. For example, chronic conditions that cause pain or other aggravating symptoms may make you less inclined to exercise. However, movement and strengthening specific parts of the body may help alleviate those symptoms in the long run. For example, people with different types of arthritis benefit from learning how to increase strength and joint stability while remaining mindful not to cause further damage to cartilage and joints.

A significant role of personal trainers is to help reduce the risk of injury, regardless of who they are working with or what training they are providing. Acute and overuse injuries commonly occur when people follow a one-size-fits-all program that is not tailored to their needs. Personal trainers are experts in human physiology who tailor specific exercises to people’s varying physical abilities and limitations.

What Are the Mental Health Benefits?

Exercise is beneficial for everyone’s mental health, whether you suffer from a diagnosis or not. Exercise promotes all kinds of positive changes in the brain, including releasing endorphins, which are powerful chemicals that energize your spirit and make you feel good. In addition, exercising can help to relax muscles, relieve tension, and boost the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which affect mood, focus, and attention. Other mental health benefits include:

  • Sharper memory and thinking
  • Higher self-esteem
  • Better sleep
  • More energy
  • Stronger resilience
  • Uplifted mood

What You Can Expect at Your Appointments

During your first visit: 

A complete health assessment will be taken to understand where you currently are, what you would like to improve on, and any injuries or issues you are currently experiencing. Next, we will do a physical assessment to get a baseline of where you are to create a customized training program for you. 

During subsequent appointments: 

We will work one-on-one with you through your customized training program in our private gym space. Angelina will focus on ensuring that you have the correct posture, form, and ability so she can modify any exercises as needed. 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Contact the clinic for more information on Personal Training or to book with Angelina Schaaf. Call us at 250-382-0018 or book your appointment online today!

#personaltraining #fitness #victoriabc #kinesiology #physiotherapy #gym #healthandwellness #training #mobility #strengthtraining #loseweight #rehabexercise #stressmanagement #stronger #self-esteem

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Fall in Love With Fitness Again. The Right Personal Trainer Makes It Possible

Whether you’ve taken a long hiatus from your fitness routine or you’re questioning the effectiveness of your current exercise program, there are a few common barriers that may be hindering your results and souring your relationship with fitness. The good news is that the right personal trainer can make a difference. Here’s how:

Common Fitness Barrier #1: You Don’t Know What You’re Doing

A personal trainer takes the guesswork out of your workout routine.

Perhaps it’s your first time visiting a gym, or maybe it’s been so long since you’ve picked up weights that you can’t remember what to do and how to do it properly. You know how that saying goes: when you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Winging it at the gym may feel productive, and it’s certainly better than doing nothing, but for your relationship with fitness to really stick, it needs repetition and consistency. But first, you need to familiarize yourself with the exercises you’ll be doing and why you’ll be doing them — you need a plan! Personal training takes the guesswork out of your workouts with a formula for success. 

Common Fitness Barrier #2: Your Workout Routine Is Painful, Boring, or Both!

The right personal trainer will identify what your workouts need to deliver results.

If your current workouts feel like a slog:

Something needs to change fast before boredom makes you part ways with your gym and question your commitment to fitness. There are several ways to get to your goal without suffering through workouts that make you feel like a hamster on a wheel (hey, hour-long treadmill sessions, I’m talking about you). If you hate what it takes to see results, heading to the gym won’t stand a chance at competing with other, more pleasure-inducing priorities such as Netflix. 

Even worse, pain puts the brakes on activity and progress faster than boredom:

When something hurts, your body screams, “stop!” And often for a good reason. Past or impending injuries, including your general health, should always be assessed before starting a new activity. And, if something hurts, have it checked out by a practitioner before proceeding. One of the key roles a good personal trainer plays in your relationship with fitness is to help you avoid injury by ensuring proper form and addressing any muscle imbalances.

A good personal trainer will also help you know how hard to push and how long to rest, which helps you feel less sore between workouts. While pain means “stop,” muscle soreness is part and parcel of muscle growth, but the right balance of personal training and rest can make delayed onset muscle soreness less severe and more manageable.

Common Fitness Barrier #3: You Stopped Seeing Results

Let’s face it, relationships stick when needs are met, and if your current workout routine is making you feel stuck, it’s time for an intervention. Time, after all, is your most precious commodity, so it makes sense to want to get something out of all the time you invest in the gym and your workouts. 

A good personal trainer and exercise plan takes into account your level of fitness now and what needs to be done to achieve your attainable goals. Personal training is more than jotting down a series of exercises.

The right personal trainer is a skilled strategist that considers:

  • Your current fitness level and abilities
  • Your lifestyle and time constraints
  • Your rest and nutrition 
  • Habits and attitudes towards food and activity that sabotage progress
  • Whether your goals are realistically attainable for your physiology
  • What exercises are best suited to your abilities and goals
  • Exercise frequency, duration, and intensity needed to achieve your goals within the time you can allot to fitness
  • How often your exercise plan needs to change to warrant progressive results
  • How to do each exercise safely and effectively, with proper form that takes into account your body’s dynamics, past injuries, and range of motion – slight adjustments can make a world of difference

Ready to Fall in Love With Fitness Again?

It’s easy to put off making changes, but the sooner you do, the closer you’ll be to attaining your goals (and enjoying your workouts). Our Personal Trainer and Kinesiologist, Angelina Schaaf, is here to help. Imagine how great you’ll feel seeing results from a customized workout plan designed specifically for you and your goals. 

Take the next step:

Book a consultation with our personal trainer and kinesiologist, Angelina Schaaf. Call our clinic today at (250) 382-0018 or book your appointment online.

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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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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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The Ins and Outs of Acupuncture

The Ins and Outs of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a safe and gentle treatment suitable for all ages. It has been used for several thousand years as part of a complete system of medicine that originated in China, known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Treatments include: TCM examination, diagnosis, and acupuncture, and may also incorporate lifestyle counseling, fire cupping, Gua Sha, and Chinese massage techniques known as Tui Na. 

Afraid of Needles?

Acupressure can be used for patients who have a fear of needles or a tendency to faint.

How Acupunture Works and What It Treats

Acupuncture works on both mental/emotional and physical levels. It can help with a wide range of issues including, but not limited to, the following:   

  • Acute and chronic pain (osteoarthritis; injuries, including sprains and strains; headaches/migraines; body pain e.g. neck, frozen shoulder, back, knee sciatica; fibromyalgia; facial pain including TMJ; surgery preparation/recovery
  • Mental health (including depression, stress, grief, anxiety, and addiction)
  • Gynecological concerns (such as heavy bleeding, painful cycles, PMS, fertility, symptoms of menopause)
  • Skin conditions (rashes, hives, acne, eczema)
  • Neurological disorders (MS, neuralgias, stroke, palsy)
  • Respiratory disorders (asthma, bronchitis, allergies)
  • Digestive disorders
  • Sleep (insomnia, fatigue, lethargy)

Acupuncture can also be used on an ongoing basis to maintain health and well-being and enhance/support physical and mental performance. 

How Many Treatments Should I Expect to Have?

The number of acupuncture treatments required depends on the condition. Most acute issues will need a minimum of 3-4 treatments; whereas, chronic conditions will require more. It is recommended that you start with treatments once or twice a week until symptoms improve.  

Take the Next Step!

Our registered acupuncturists are here to answer any questions you might have. Initial appointments are 60 minutes and follow-up appointments are 45-60 minutes. Book your first acupuncture allergy treatment at Diversified Health Clinic today, or contact our clinic to learn more.

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TMJ Symptoms (You Should Never Ignore)

TMJ Symptoms (You Should Never Ignore)

“Snap, crackle, and pop” may be desirable attributes in cereal but are concerning when they describe the sound and sensation your jaw makes when you open and close your mouth or chew. Worse still, if those sounds and sensations are accompanied by facial tension and jaw pain, you may be dealing with a TMJ disorder that warrants professional assessment and prompt treatment before it gets worse. Please continue reading to learn about the most common TMJ symptoms to watch out for, why you should never ignore them, and effective non-surgical TMJ disorder treatments offered in Victoria, B.C. 

What Does TMJ Refer To?

TMJ is an acronym used to describe your temporomandibular joint. Let’s face it, “temporomandibular joint” is a mouthful to remember, and so TMJ is more commonly used. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a ball in socket joint located on each side of your face, anterior to your ears. Your TMJ is surrounded by strong jaw muscles and ligaments that connect your lower jaw (mandible) to your upper jaw (maxilla) and facilitate the movement of your jaw when you chew, speak, open and close your mouth. TMJ disorder refers to any pain, tension, interruption, or inflammation of your temporomandibular joint that may have a known or unknown cause. 

TMJ Symptoms

The most common TMJ symptoms are pain and tension on one or both sides of your lower jaw and areas surrounding your ears. Pain can be persistent or intermittent, with occasional flare-ups triggered during times of stress or after enjoying your favourite, extra-crunchy or chewy foods. Sometimes, TMJ symptoms can occur without any apparent causes. Following are several other TMJ signs and symptoms to watch out for.

  • Persistent or recurring pain or tenderness on one or both sides of jaw / temporomandibular joints (pain may either be persistent or occur when opening and closing mouth or chewing)
  • Aching pain in or around the ears
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Pain, discomfort, or difficulty opening and closing mouth or chewing
  • Pain, fatigue, or muscle spasms in the face, neck, and sometimes shoulders
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sensation when opening and closing mouth or chewing accompanied by pain, discomfort, and tension, or limited movement
  • Inability to open or close your jaw completely
  • Swelling on one or booths sides of cheeks or jaw
  • Dizziness and fatigue
  • Frequent headaches
  • Toothaches
  • Changes in bite
  • Facial tension and tenderness
  • Locking of your jaw interfering with your ability to open or close your mouth

Summary of Contributing Factors to TMJ

What causes the onset of TMJ symptoms may or may not be obvious. However, the following includes examples of potential situations and conditions that may be causing or contributing to the onset or progression of TMJ disorder.

  • Arthritis and other autoimmune/connective tissue disorders
  • Jaw injury (dislocation, whiplash, direct injuries, trauma)
  • Long-term (chronic) clenching and grinding of teeth (bruxism)
  • Hormonal changes
  • Strain from forceful or excessive biting and chewing / hard to chew foods
  • Misaligned bite
  • Poor posture, resulting in the forward jutting of your mandible
  • Nutritional deficiencies and dehydration
  • Stress and anxiety

Potential Complications if TMJ Disorder Is Left Untreated

  • Increased loss of jaw mobility
  • Worsening of pain and symptoms
  • Bite issues resulting in damage to teeth and mandibular joint
  • Recurring headaches
  • Sleep apnea

Things You Can Do to Help Prevent TM

  • If nocturnal teeth grinding (bruxism) or a misaligned bite are determined to be the cause, a nightguard or retainer may be issued to mitigate teeth grinding and correct jaw alignment
  • Wearing protective mouth guards during contact sports and weightlifting (activities when jaw clenching is likely to occur)
  • Identifying and correcting suboptimal posture
  • Guided stretching (following proper instruction and demonstration by a health practitioner)
  • Stress management and mindful relaxing of facial muscles
  • Applying a cool pack or moist heat for up to 10 minutes at a time, throughout the day and after activity or when jaw muscles feel tight

Most Importantly

Pay attention to any signs your body sends you, signaling something isn’t quite right, and never ignore pain! While TMJ disorder can be treated at any stage, it is ideal to address any TMJ symptoms early on to prevent worsening symptoms and potential damage to your teeth and mandibular joint. 

If you suspect you may be suffering from TMJ issues, book a professional assessment with one of our registered massage therapists or physiotherapists to identify and help correct any TMJ alignment issues and chronic muscle tension. 

Effective Treatments for TMJ in Victoria, B.C.

How We Treat TMJ Symptoms

Because TMJ symptoms can be caused by a variety of contributing factors, at Diversified Health Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to treating TMJ disorders. Depending on the severity and cause of your TMJ symptoms (and how long you’ve been experiencing them), successfully treating TMJ disorder may require a combined approach that involves targeted treatments, including:

  • Class VI K-Laser Therapy 
  • TENS Therapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Therapeutic Massage
  • Physical Therapy
  • Intramuscular IMS

One of the advantages offered by Diversified Health Clinic is how our integrated health team provides you access to all the above treatments and highly trained and collaborative health practitioners, all under one roof. In addition, we carefully customize a treatment plan that specifically addresses your needs, delivering immediate relief and fast-tracking your healing and recovery.

The first step in proper treatment is to book an appointment with one of our registered massage therapists or physiotherapists at Diversified Health Clinic. If you’re not sure who to book with first, give our clinic a call at (250) 382-0018. Our clinic concierges will help you book your initial assessment with the best practitioner for your specific concerns.  

What to Expect During Your First Visit

When we meet with you, we’ll start with a thorough initial consultation before tailoring a treatment plan for you that relieves pain while specifically addressing your condition. 

A health practitioner will assess and identify suboptimal posture and bite issues as well as sounds or interruptions in the range of motion you have when opening and closing your mouth. They will also gently palpate your face and jaw to determine areas of discomfort you experience when chewing or otherwise using your jaw.

Our goal is to help you return to the activities you love and enjoy without the interference of pain or risk of injury. 

If You Suffer From TMJ Symptoms:

Give our team of practitioners a call at Diversified Health Clinic today at (250) 382-0018 or book an appointment online. We’re happy to help answer your questions, address the cause of your pain and discomfort, and get you on the road to recovery.

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