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Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick: Start with a Healthier, Happier Body!

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Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick: Start with a Healthier, Happier Body!

As the New Year approaches, many of us start jotting down those classic resolutions: get active, lose weight, make more money, or spend more quality time with family. But here’s the thing—if you’re not feeling your best physically, even the best-laid plans can fall by the wayside. It’s hard to stay active or fully enjoy time with family when you’re dealing with an aching back, tight shoulders, or chronic stress.

So, what if this year, instead of just making a resolution to be healthier, you actually start with a resolution to take care of your body? We’re talking about real self-care—like chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and manual osteopathy—that helps you feel good from the inside out. This year, let’s set you up to thrive in every resolution you make!

1. Chiropractic Care: Align Your Spine, Align Your Life

Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, stay active, or simply feel better, chiropractic care is like hitting the “reset” button for your body. Regular chiropractic adjustments can relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce the everyday stresses your body endures. Many people don’t realize the impact that even small spinal misalignments can have on overall wellness. Imagine starting each week aligned and balanced, ready to take on those 2024 goals with confidence.

2. Massage Therapy: For Relaxation and Recovery

While many associate massage with relaxation, it offers benefits that go far beyond that. Regular massage therapy can reduce stress, improve circulation, and relieve tension—making it the perfect way to recharge. Not only will massage help you relax, but it can also improve muscle recovery, support better posture, and even aid in reducing chronic pain. So, for all those resolutions about being more active or reducing stress, massage might just be your secret weapon.

3. Acupuncture: Restore Balance, Reduce Pain

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, yet many people are still discovering its benefits. It’s a powerful tool for relieving pain, reducing stress, and supporting overall wellness. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture helps to promote balance and energy flow. It’s a fantastic option for those looking to address chronic pain, improve sleep, or simply stay grounded through life’s busy seasons.

4. Manual Osteopathy: Movement Made Easy

If you’re unfamiliar with manual osteopathy, think of it as a holistic approach to the body’s mechanics. Osteopathic practitioners use gentle techniques to help improve mobility, reduce pain, and increase overall body function. If you’re resolving to be more active this year, osteopathy can help keep your joints and muscles feeling their best, so you can enjoy every hike, run, or yoga class with ease.

5. Therapeutic Care: A Long-Term Approach to Wellness

Let’s face it: chronic issues don’t resolve overnight. If you’ve been living with a nagging injury or long-term discomfort, a commitment to therapeutic care could be the best New Year’s gift you give yourself. From physiotherapy to specialized manual therapies, our clinic offers tailored approaches that target the root of your pain, helping you find lasting relief and regain control of your health.

Make 2024 the Year of You!

This New Year, why not add a resolution that supports all the others: to take care of your body with regular, preventive wellness care? Chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and manual osteopathy can all help keep you balanced, strong, and ready to take on life’s challenges.

At Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic, our team of skilled professionals is here to guide you on your wellness journey. Whether it’s through chiropractic care, massage, or one of our other holistic therapies, we’ll work with you to create a plan that meets your unique needs.

Ready to start your healthiest year yet? Visit our website to learn more and book your first appointment. Your body—and your New Year’s resolutions—will thank you!

What Chiropractic Patients Want to Know About TMJ Disorders

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Asking questions is the best way to learn, of course, and chiropractic patients often ask questions about some of the health issues they face. Some chiropractic patients are curious about back problems, for example, because chiropractors are well known for being extremely knowledgeable when it comes to spine health and the musculoskeletal system. A few chiropractic patients want to know about TMJ disorders.

Chiropractic Patients Most Frequently Asked Questions about TMJ Disorders

What is a TMJ disorder?

A TMJ disorder affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint where the jawbone connects to the head, just in front of the ear. The bones and muscles of the TMJ allow the jaw to move up and down, and side to side, enabling a person to talk, chew and yawn.

TMJ disorders (TMDs) can cause pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control the movement of the jaw.

How common are TMJ problems?

About 12 percent of the population experiences symptoms of TMJ at any given time, according to the TMJ Association.

What causes TMJ disorders?

There are several known causes of TMJ disorders, including:

  • Trauma to the jaw or temporomandibular joint
  • Infections
  • Dental procedures, especially those that require the mouth be open for a long time
  • Insertion of a breathing tube prior to surgery
  • Arthritis
  • Misalignments of the jaw

Grinding teeth, known as bruxism, may cause TMJ disorders but not everyone who grinds their teeth develops a TMD.

Medical professionals may not be able to determine the underlying cause of TMJ disorders in many cases but chiropractors can treat TMJ disorders even if the cause cannot be determined.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

Many people with TMD describe their symptoms as a dull, aching pain that comes and goes in their jaw joint and in nearby areas. Some people with TMJ disorders do not experience pain, but have trouble moving their jaws.

Other common symptoms of TMJ disorders include:

  • Pain or stiffness in the jaw muscles
  • Chronic headaches
  • Neck, shoulder pain
  • Clicking, popping or grating of the jaw joint when the individual opens or closes his or her mouth
  • Limited movement of the jaw
  • “Locking” of the jaw
  • Tinnitus, which includes ear pain, fullness, pressure and ringing in the ears
  • Dizziness, vision problems
  • A bite that feels “off” when the person closes his or her mouth

What is the treatment for TMJ disorders?

The best way to treat TMJ disorders is to eat soft foods, ice the affected area with ice packs to ease pain and try to avoid extreme jaw movements, such as chewing gum or yawning.

Can a chiropractor treat TMJ disorders?

Yes, chiropractic safely and effective treats TMJ disorders. A chiropractor will perform a full evaluation of the patient’s temporomandibular joint and surrounding bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments to assess the full scope of the TMJ problem and determine its underlying causes. The chiropractor can then suggest a range of treatment that can include stretches and exercises that alleviate pain and melt stiffness in the jaw joint. The chiropractor can also detect and address any misalignments that may be contributing to TMJ pain.

To learn more about our clinic, click here. To book an appointment, give us a call @ 780-455-2112. Take care.

Bulging Disc vs. Herniated Disc: What’s the Difference? Can Chiropractic Help?

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Discs are the cushioning in your spine that act as shock absorbers and prevent vertebrae from rubbing together. Discs consist of cartilage. The outer layer is tough cartilage, while the interior of discs is softer. Your vertebral discs wear out over time. Injuries can cause a disc to bulge or become herniated. The cartilage can become stiff and dehydrated, giving you less cushion and shrinking the space between your vertebrae. If the space between vertebrae narrows, you might experience pain, stiffness or poor range of motion in the area.

When You Have a Bulging Disc

A bulging disc occurs when the outer layer of your disc becomes compressed, and the disc becomes more flattened. The whole structure doesn’t have to be impacted, but the bulge tends to be fairly even throughout the disc. While damage can occur if you have a bulging disc, decompression strategies to open up the area with chiropractic care can reduce pain and inflammation in the area.

Understanding a Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are different from a bulging disc. When you have a herniated disc, there is damage to the tough outer layer of cartilage and the inner layer is protruding out from the tear. Your doctor might also call a herniated disc a ruptured or slipped disc. It means you have damage to the outer layer of your disc, and you are more likely to experience pain. Herniated discs tend to reach nerve endings more readily than bulging discs, resulting in nerve pain that can be difficult to treat.

Chiropractic Assessments For Disc Problems

Chiropractic care looks at the overall function of your spine to determine what can be done about areas that are out of alignment. You can find pain relief by working with a chiropractor, but it’s important to work with your chiropractor on a consistent basis. Chiropractic treatment begins with a careful assessment of what is going on in your spine to cause pain, stiffness or inflammation.  Your chiropractor will want to look at any imaging that has been done on your spine to see what your discs look like. Once problem areas are identified, your chiropractor creates a treatment plan to address these areas.

Treatment for Bulging and Herniated Discs

If you are in pain , chiropractic treatment can ease some pressure on your disc. Decompression strategies such as stretching and traction are used to open up the space between your vertebrae. You will be taught strengthening exercises to keep your spine in alignment. You might find relief after one appointment, but it is important to keep seeking care from your chiropractor when you are trying to get help for a bulging or herniated disc.

Chiropractic care is a safe, holistic way to treat pain, stiffness and swelling. If you have been told that surgery is your only option, it’s time to seek the services of a chiropractor first. You might discover that you can decrease your pain and begin moving about easier again. Some people are able to prolong their need for surgery, while others avoid surgery completely.’

You deserve a healthy spine. We are here to help you get what you deserve. To learn more about our office check out our website here.  Call 780-455-2112 to contact our us to learn more about how we can help you with postural issues and other joint issues through chiropractic care. We look forward to hearing from you!

Finding Hope: How Shockwave Therapy Rescues Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Sufferers

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Plantar fasciitis can be a debilitating condition, characterized by excruciating heel pain that can disrupt daily activities and diminish quality of life. For individuals who have tried various treatment methods with little success, the search for effective relief can feel like an endless journey. However, amidst the frustration and despair, there’s a glimmer of hope: shockwave therapy. Let’s explore how this innovative treatment modality is offering newfound hope and healing for chronic plantar fasciitis sufferers who have exhausted all other options.

Understanding Chronic Plantar Fasciitis:

This common foot ailment that occurs when the thick band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs across the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed or irritated. This inflammation can result from various factors, including overuse, improper footwear, biomechanical issues, or underlying conditions such as flat feet or high arches. While many individuals experience temporary relief with conservative treatments such as rest, ice, stretching, orthotics, and physical therapy, chronic plantar fasciitis persists despite these interventions, posing significant challenges for those affected.

The Role of Shockwave Therapy:

Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with chronic plantar fasciitis resistant to conventional treatments. This non-invasive treatment modality utilizes high-energy acoustic waves to target the affected area, stimulating the body’s natural healing response and promoting tissue regeneration. Unlike other interventions that merely mask symptoms or provide temporary relief, shockwave therapy addresses the underlying pathology of plantar fasciitis, offering a long-lasting solution for those in need.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis:

Pain Reduction: 

The hallmark symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain, which can range from mild discomfort to debilitating agony. Shockwave therapy offers significant pain relief by targeting the underlying sources of inflammation and irritation. By modulating pain pathways and promoting tissue healing, shockwave therapy alleviates pain, enabling individuals to walk, stand, and move with greater comfort and ease.

Tissue Regeneration: 

Chronic plantar fasciitis often involves degeneration or microtears within the plantar fascia, impairing its ability to function properly. Shockwave therapy stimulates tissue regeneration by enhancing blood flow, promoting cell proliferation, and triggering the production of collagen, a key protein involved in tissue repair. As a result, damaged tissues are replaced with healthier, more resilient tissue, restoring the structural integrity of the plantar fascia and reducing the risk of recurrence.

Improved Functionality: 

The persistent pain and discomfort of chronic plantar fasciitis can significantly impact one’s ability to perform daily activities and participate in recreational pursuits. Shockwave therapy improves functionality by addressing the root cause of the condition and promoting healing from within. As pain diminishes and tissue integrity is restored, individuals experience improved mobility, flexibility, and overall function, allowing them to resume their normal routines with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

Non-Invasive and Safe: 

Unlike surgical interventions or invasive procedures, shockwave therapy is non-invasive and carries minimal risk of complications. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, typically without the need for anesthesia or sedation. With its excellent safety profile and minimal side effects, shockwave therapy offers a gentle yet effective alternative for individuals seeking relief from chronic plantar fasciitis without the risks and downtime associated with surgical interventions.

Long-Term Relief: 

For many chronic plantar fasciitis sufferers, the prospect of long-term relief seems like a distant dream. However, shockwave therapy offers the promise of lasting results. By addressing the underlying pathology of the condition and promoting tissue healing, shockwave therapy provides a sustainable solution for individuals who have tried all other treatment methods without success. With proper care and follow-up, the benefits of shockwave therapy can endure, allowing individuals to reclaim their lives free from the shackles of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Chronic plantar fasciitis can be a formidable adversary, but with the advent of shockwave therapy, relief is within reach. By targeting pain, promoting tissue regeneration, and restoring functionality, shockwave therapy offers a transformative solution for individuals who have exhausted all other treatment options. Whether you’re struggling with persistent heel pain or grappling with the limitations of chronic plantar fasciitis, shockwave therapy holds the potential to reshape your experience and offer newfound hope and healing. 

Consult with one of our qualified healthcare providers to explore whether shockwave therapy is right for you and take the first step towards reclaiming your life from the grips of chronic plantar fasciitis. Give us a call @ 780-455-2112 to get started. Check out our clinic @ ocwc.ca. 

Lower Back Pain chiropractic benefits

How Chiropractic Can Improve Your Sleep

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Most people know that a chiropractor can help with musculoskeletal problems, such as backaches and slipped discs, but many people do not realize that chiropractic can do much more. In fact, chiropractic can even improve your sleep.

Getting enough quality sleep each night is good for your health. Not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of developing obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious conditions, according to Harvard Medical School.

But what if you allow yourself plenty of time but still have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

Chiropractic can help you sleep. In fact, one-third of people who undergo chiropractic adjustment report sleeping better immediately, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

3 Ways Chiropractic Might Improve Your Sleep

1. Pain relief

Pain can prevent you from getting a decent night’s sleep, especially if you have chronic pain that lasts for three or more months. In fact, one study shows that 20 percent of people with chronic pain experience at least one symptom of insomnia, compared with only 7.4 percent of people without chronic pain. Chiropractic can alleviate pain associated with backaches, headaches, whiplash, migraines and more to help you get the sleep you need.

Chiropractic can also help you sleep by providing a drug-free approach to pain relief. Many prescription pain relievers, such as those containing morphine, oxycodone and opioids, can make you drowsy throughout the day. Daytime drowsiness might cause you to take naps throughout the day, which can interfere with your ability to sleep at night. The drug-free approach of chiropractic allows you to stay alert all day and sleep well at night.

Extensive research presented by the National Institutes of Health shows that chiropractic is as effective as other treatments, such as drugs, at relieving pain. Perhaps the best part of chiropractic is that the research shows that the pain relief lasts up to 18 months of treatment – which means you can remain pain-free without using drugs for a year and a half.

2. Relieves muscle tension and stress

Stress can prevent you from falling asleep or sleeping well. Stress can also cause uncomfortable muscle tension that interferes with sleep. The National Sleep Foundation lists muscle tension as one of the three signs that you are under too much stress to sleep. Tension and poor sleep can be a vicious cycle, as tension can cause poor sleep and poor sleep can cause tension.

Chiropractic often includes massage to melt away painful muscle spasms. These therapeutic massages are relaxing, which helps you unwind enough to fall asleep. Chiropractic also stimulates blood flow, which helps bring oxygen to your brain and other parts of your body.

Your chiropractor may also be able to suggest gentle exercises, stretches and relaxation techniques to help you relax tense muscles and quiet your stressed-out mind.

3. Suggested sleeping positions

Your chiropractor may offer suggestions on sleeping positions and other ideas about how you can sleep better. Your chiropractor may discourage you from sleeping on your stomach if you are having back pain, for example, or be able to recommend a particular pillow or mattress to help you sleep better at night.

For more information on how chiropractic can improve your sleep, talk with your chiropractor.  Check out our website @ ocwc.ca to learn more about our office. You may start sleeping better as soon as your first visit.

How to Take Care of Your Posture While Working From Home

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More people are working from home than ever before. While there are definitely some advantages that come from such an arrangement, there are also some challenges. One of those challenges is maintaining good posture. Your workplace likely had a variety of measures in place to encourage good posture and reduce strain at your desk – but most people don’t have the same resources at home.

Here are a few ways you can help your posture and your overall health while working from home.

Working from Home? Simple Ways to Protect Your Posture

1. Stretching

There are numerous muscles and soft tissues supporting the spine – and your entire skeletal system, for that matter. Those muscles can become tight and tense as you spend time at your desk. If they become tight enough, they can pull your spine out of alignment and leave you feeling worse for wear. Fortunately, you can do some occasional stretches to help relieve some of the tension.

A quick search online will show you numerous stretches, but a few you can consider include:

  • Child’s Pose. Begin on hands and knees. Push your hips back over your calves and stretch your arms out in front of your body. Relax your head on the ground and take five to ten deep breaths.
  • Standing Forward Fold. Stand with feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees and exhale as you fold forward at the hips. Bend your elbows and grasp each elbow with a hand. Pull your shoulders up to lengthen your neck. Relax here and breathe deeply five to ten times.

2. Use a standup desk.

If you have one available or can construct one, a standup desk can do a lot to help you maintain good posture. Standing is not only good for your overall health, but it also makes it easier to keep your spine aligned. You already know how to stand straight, which is generally an improvement over the slouch that tends to develop at your desk.

If you don’t have access to a standing desk, at least get up every half hour or so and walk around for a few minutes. The walking and standing will help to reset your spinal alignment.

3. Eat a healthy diet.

It may seem weird to focus on your diet when considering postural correction, but you’d be surprised just how much of an impact your diet has on your spinal health. Proper nutrition – including plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins – is necessary to rebuild your joints as they wear down each day through use. It helps increase circulation as well. Your back will be healthier if you eat a nutritious diet.

4. Stay hydrated.

Here is another tip you might not have been expecting. Sufficient hydration is necessary to get nutrition to your discs and to keep them hydrated. They need to be hydrated to provide the cushioning necessary to protect your spine and keep you mobile. You can get hydration from most liquids, but your best bet is still water. Try to drink water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated. You may find it easier to get your water in if you purchase a reusable water bottle and keep it with you as you go about your day to day tasks.

Contact Us to Learn More About Posture and Spinal Health

You deserve a healthy spine. We are here to help you get what you deserve. To learn more about our office check out our website here.  Call 780-455-2112 to contact our us to learn more about how we can help you with postural issues and other joint issues through chiropractic care. We look forward to hearing from you!

High-Intensity Interval Training

How Chiropractic Keeps Spinal Joints Healthy

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Healthy joints have obvious benefits, including aiding in movement, keeping you flexible and allowing you to stay active. The health of some of your joints is readily apparent—you only have to bend your knees, ankles, elbows or wrists to see how they are functioning at any given moment. But there are some joints in your body that are even more important, although you may not be as aware of them. The joints in your spine, where each vertebra connects to another, are vital to the normal, healthy function of your body. Without healthy spinal joints, you can expect pain and loss of mobility, among other unpleasant symptoms.

Fortunately, keeping your spinal joints healthy is made much easier with regular chiropractic care. Periodic visits to your chiropractor will help you keep your spine operating as well as it possibly can, year in and year out!

Ways that Chiropractic Aids Spinal Joint Health

1. Increasing circulation.

Stiffness in the spine can be caused by a variety of issues, including trauma and degenerative disc disease. While chiropractic cannot prevent the wear and tear that life often brings, it can do a lot to heal that damage. One way that adjustments aid in healing is by increasing circulation to your spinal discs and surrounding tissues. Increased circulation brings in healthy nutrients and removes undesirable material, making it possible for your spine to heal more thoroughly than without good circulation.

2. Reducing or eliminating pain.

Back pain can make living a normal life difficult if not impossible. Depending on the frequency and severity of the pain, you may find yourself unable to do many of the things you once enjoyed. Even if you do not lose mobility, back pain can distract and upset you every time it shows up.

The pain in your back can most likely be alleviated through chiropractic care. By returning your spine to proper alignment, your chiropractor can ease pressure on the nerves in your back and encourage muscles and other soft tissue to release. Over time spinal adjustments can greatly reduce or even eliminate back pain, which will help you stay active and improve the health of your spinal joints.

3. Increasing mobility.

Pain in your spine and/or neck is usually accompanied by a loss of mobility. Your muscles may seize up in an effort to protect your spine, which can make it impossible to move normally. Even if you are not suffering from muscle spasms, consistent back and neck pain can make you hesitant to move in ways that will trigger pain. Over time, the lack of movement can cause the body to stiffen and weaken. The longer this goes on, the less likely you are to get the physical activity you need to keep your joints mobile and your body strong.

Chiropractic adjustments are capable of breaking up the stiffness that holds you back. By returning your spine to proper alignment, circulation is increased, pain is decreased, muscles release and mobility returns. It can take time to get back to the way you want to be, but it is time well spent.

Joint Health Requires Consistency

The best way to keep your spinal joints healthy over the long-term is to make regular visits to your chiropractor while also maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Every individual is different, which is why it is important to get customized treatment from your chiropractor. By establishing a relationship with your chiropractor, you can ensure that you are always on the right track for spinal joint health.

Check out our website @ www.ocwc.ca. Or contact us today @ 780-952-2312 to schedule an appointment with our team.

How the Armed Forces Benefit From Chiropractic

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Members of the military put their bodies through tremendous stress every day, both physical and emotional. Add to that injuries that gamut from minor to serious trauma and you have a strong case for chronic pain. Often, this pain affects our veterans and soldiers on a daily basis, interfering with their normal activities and impacting their ability to perform their regular daily tasks. All too often, doctors will dismiss the pain as “something you just have to live with” and write prescriptions for narcotics that impair and incapacitate the patient. There are better ways to manage a good bit of the chronic pain that members of the military live with each day. We’ll explore one way, mainly chiropractic, in today’s article.

Chronic pain and members of the military

The regular demands of being a soldier, coupled with the stress that is prevalent, particularly among active duty military personnel, can create a perfect storm of sorts for chronic pain. When they are advised to tough it out or arrive at that option on their own, they usually do not get the medical attention they need. This can lead to exacerbation of the issue, compelling the soldier to seek treatment only when the pain is severe, or the condition is serious.

Single event trauma is all too common in this arena and plays a large part in the pain they experience, as does surgeries to correct injuries or trauma. However, the cumulative stress can have a detrimental effect on not just the condition and the pain, but the patient’s perception of the pain. In other words, it can cause them to experience the pain more acutely and have greater difficulty in managing it.

These issues are a part of the military and they aren’t likely to change. A chiropractor can help military personnel manage their pain, prevent injury, and regain flexibility and range of motion. It can be the solution that makes all the difference.

Using alternative treatments to combat an epidemic

Right now, opioid abuse has become an epidemic, yet doctors can rarely find viable alternatives that don’t have the dangerous and uncomfortable side effects – and that are not addictive. In truth, painkiller use is a growing problem with veterans and active military alike, mainly due to issues with substance abuse.

While their medications do relieve pain, the cost is just too great in many cases. Many people who take these pain pills report that they would live from pill to pill, their lives revolving around their next dose. That is why chiropractic is such an attractive option.

Chiropractic care for chronic pain

Chiropractic care is a highly effective way to manage chronic pain and help speed healing from injuries. It is safe, non-invasive, and does not require any medication.

The chiropractor will use specific spinal adjustments and other techniques to bring the body back into alignment. A balanced body heals faster and experiences less pain.

The patient may also receive recommendations regarding lifestyle changes and dietary advice from their chiropractor which can help speed up the results and bring them to a place of less pain or no pain much faster.

To learn more about our office, check out ocwc.ca.
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What’s the Difference Between Osteopenia and Osteoporosis?

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Osteopenia and osteoporosis are two very similar conditions, but one is more severe than the other. Both conditions are decreased bone density, but osteopenia is to a lesser degree than osteoporosis. Osteopenia is still a problem though because it can increase a person’s chances of breaking a bone due to bone fragility.

What are the symptoms?

Osteopenia usually doesn’t cause symptoms unless a bone is broken. However, some patients who present with osteopenia complain of dull back pain.

Symptoms associated with osteoporosis include the following:

  • Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
  • Loss of height over time
  • A stooped posture
  • A bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected

What are the causes and who is at risk?

Women (primarily small-boned Caucasian and Asian) are most at risk for both conditions, primarily those who are age 65 or older as well as women who are postmenopausal. However, men can also be affected.

Anyone who meets any of the criteria for being at risk for either of the bone conditions should be evaluated. Often, catching the conditions early can make a significant difference in the effects that they have on the body and in some cases, can even be arrested so that they don’t progress.

Some of the common causes of both conditions include:

  • Lifestyle habits
    • Smoking
    • Insufficient calcium
    • Sedentary lifestyle
    • Excessive alcohol consumption
    • Vitamin D deficiency
    • Carbonated beverages
  • Medical situations
    • Bulimia, anorexia, and other eating disorders
    • Estrogen deficiency in women
    • Certain hormone imbalances
    • Overactive thyroid
    • Certain treatments including radiation and chemotherapy
    • Low testosterone in men
    • Medications including anti-seizure, hydrocortisone, and steroids
  • Health issues
    • Tumors
    • Cystic fibrosis
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Digestive issues

It should also be noted that certain types of diets, particularly those that advocate extremely low fat, or no fat can also cause problems. Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption in the body, but vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin meaning the body requires some fat in order to make use of it. When there is inadequate fat, the vitamin cannot be absorbed and in turn calcium cannot be absorbed.

A family history of osteopenia, osteoporosis, or low bone mass can increase a person risk by 50% to 85%.

How is it diagnosed?

Bone mineral density (BMD) tests are used to diagnose both osteopenia and osteoporosis by measuring the calcium levels in bone. This type of test can also provide an estimate of how much at risk a person is for bone fractures.

This test is painless and non-invasive. It is usually performed on the heel, shin bone, wrist, spine, finger, or hip.

Two common types of these tests are radiographs, a common diagnostic tool for osteopenia, and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). A DEXA scan is essentially a low energy x-ray so patients are not exposed to as much radiation as they would be if they had a regular x-ray. The results are attained by comparing the score (measurements taken) to scans of individuals who do not have the condition.

Once the score is measured and compared, it is assessed using a chart that identifies the level or risk:

  • +1.0 to -1.0  –  Normal bone density
  • -1.0 to -2.5  –  Low bone density
  • -2.5 or higher  –  At risk for osteoporosis

What are the treatments?

As with most conditions, prevention is the most effective treatment. If you have a family history or fall under any of the risk factors, there are things you can do to minimize the effects or prevent the conditions completely.

Your chiropractor can talk to you about lifestyle changes, exercise, and diet as well as supplements that you can take. Chiropractic adjustments can also be effective for many patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis as long as the choose technique is a low force technique like Activator.

Many patients find these natural treatments preferable to any medications that may be prescribed. The most important thing you should do, though, is get a bone density test if you are in an at-risk category, are a woman who is postmenopausal or age 65 or older.

To learn more about our office, check out our website @ ocwc.ca
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3 Abnormalities of the Spine that Benefit from Consistent Chiropractic Care

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The spine are comprised of vertebrae, small bones that are stacked on top of each other with impact cushioning discs between each one. These bones act as joints, allowing the spine to bend and twist in a variety of ways. However, it is not intended to be naturally bent, twisted, or curved. The natural state of a healthy spine is somewhat straight with slight curves running front to back so that a side view would reveal them. They gently curve, sloping slightly inward at the small of the back, and again slightly at the neck. The pull of gravity, combined with body movement, can put a great deal of stress on the spine and these slight curves help absorb some of the impact.

Viewing the spine from the back, you should see something completely different – a spine that runs straight down, top to bottom with no side to side curves. This doesn’t always happen though. Sometimes there are abnormalities of the spine and it causes a misalignment of the natural curvatures or some curvatures may be exaggerated. These unnatural curvatures of the spine are characterized by three health conditions called lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis.

Three different conditions for three different types of spinal curvatures

Each of these three spinal curvature disorders affects a certain area of the spine in a very specific way.

  • Hyper or Hypo Lordosis – This spinal curvature disorder affects the lower back, causing the spine to curve inwards or outwards significantly.
  • Hyper or Hypo Kyphosis – This spinal curvature disorder affects the upper back, causing the spine to bow, resulting in that area rounding or flattening abnormally.
  • Scoliosis – This spinal curvature disorder can affect the entire spine, causing it to curve sideways, forming a C or S shape.

What are the symptoms of spinal curvature disorders?

Each type of curvature exhibits its own set of symptoms. While some symptoms may overlap, many are unique to the specific curvature disorder.

  • Lordosis
    • A “swayback” appearance where the buttocks stick out or are more pronounced.
    • Discomfort in the back, typically in the lumbar region
    • When lying on a hard surface on the back, the lower back area does not touch the surface, even when attempting to tuck the pelvis and straighten the lower back.
    • Difficulty with certain movements
    • Back pain
  • Kyphosis
    • A curve or hump to the upper back
    • Upper back pain and fatigue after sitting or standing for long periods (Scheuermann’s kyphosis)
    • Leg or back fatigue
    • The head bends far forward instead of being more upright
  • Scoliosis
    • Hips or waist are uneven
    • One shoulder blade is higher than the other
    • Person leans to one side

What are the causes of spinal curvature disorders?

Many different health issues can cause the spine to become misaligned or to form a spinal curvature. Each of the spinal conditions mentioned is affected by different conditions and situations.

  • Lordosis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Achondroplasia
    • Discitis
    • Obesity
    • Spondylolisthesis
    • Kyphosis
  • Kyphosis
    • Arthritis
    • Tumors on or in the spine
    • Congenital kyphosis (abnormal development of the vertebrae while the person is in utero)
    • Spina bifida
    • Scheurmanns disease
    • Spine infections
    • Osteoporosis
    • Habitual slouching or poor posture

Scoliosis is still a bit of a mystery to doctors. They are not certain what exactly causes the most common form of scoliosis that is typically seen in children and adolescents. Some of the causes that they have pinpointed include:

  • Hereditary, it has a tendency to run in families
  • Infection
  • Birth defect
  • Injury

Chiropractic for spinal curvature disorders

Spinal manipulations for spinal curvature disorders have been shown to be very effective. Chiropractic helps restore the spine’s natural balance even if the patient has one of these types of conditions.

There are screenings available for both children and adults to identify any spinal curvatures in their early stages through your chiropractor. Early detection of these disorders is crucial in identifying them before they become too serious.

To learn more about our office, check out www.ocwc.ca