Pain
Guest post: Shoulder and arm pain?
17/04/12 17:26
Guest post by Rubina Tahir, DC
Perhaps one day you noticed a twinge occurs with a specific movement? Or an exercise session at the gym suddenly makes your shoulder, neck and arm feel stiff. Maybe you woke up one morning with your head in an odd position. Perhaps the simple task of brushing your hair caused pain. Does this sound like you? This description is more common than you think. In many cases the causes of these symptoms reside in the neck and upper back regions along with the surrounding shoulder muscles. When we ignore our symptoms thinking they will get better on their own, the irritation and inflammation continues to grow, causing the pain to become worse. And, as the pain becomes worse, the arm and shoulder motion becomes less and less. What should you do to help this injury heal? The most effective treatments will focus on alleviating pain in the joint, muscles and tendons. A shoulder exam will help the practitioner identify specifically which muscles have been irritated. Your individual treatment plan will focus on these areas. You will be given range of motion exercises in the first part of your rehabilitation. These are important to do daily to maintain full range of movement of the shoulder joint. Icing at home for 15min helps to control inflammation. Chiropractic soft tissue therapy helps to calm the irritated muscles and break up trigger points or “knots” in the muscles which cause pain and limit our movements. Finally shoulder, mid back and neck adjustments will correct mis-alignments and joint restrictions. What exactly is an adjustment? An adjustment involves the use of the chiropractor’s hands to apply a force to a specific joint of the spine or extremities. This adjustment helps to restore proper motion to the joint and to optimize function. This helps to eliminate nerve irritation and the body will be better able to heal itself.
You don’t have to live with pain! Treatment plans can keep you pain free and active.
Comments
Total body detox - a few spots available!
04/04/12 14:52
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
There are still a few spots available at both clinics for my Total Body Detox Spring Program! Register by Friday, April 6th 2012. Call the practice location that best suits you.
The program offers a total body, 360 degree detox that is safe, effective, and supported. Each patient receives a personalized detox protocol as well as a diet program incorporating liver detoxification support. On top of that, each week we provide an educational session on a different aspect of detox!
This is a great opportunity to jump-start your journey to better health or re-motivate you in keeping your health goals for 2012! It’s also a fun program to do with your friends and family!
Detoxification can be part of an overall treatment plan to help you:
Package includes:
1. 3 naturopathic visits
2. 5 group sessions (Tuesdays
Package price:
Register by Friday, April 6th 2012, space is limited. Call the clinic location that best suits you:
Mahaya Forest Hill Integrative Health
73 Warren Road, Suite 102
Phone: 416-792-4400
Kew Beach Natural Health Clinic
2010 Queen St. East, 2nd floor
Phone: 416-690-6168
There are still a few spots available at both clinics for my Total Body Detox Spring Program! Register by Friday, April 6th 2012. Call the practice location that best suits you.
The program offers a total body, 360 degree detox that is safe, effective, and supported. Each patient receives a personalized detox protocol as well as a diet program incorporating liver detoxification support. On top of that, each week we provide an educational session on a different aspect of detox!
This is a great opportunity to jump-start your journey to better health or re-motivate you in keeping your health goals for 2012! It’s also a fun program to do with your friends and family!
Detoxification can be part of an overall treatment plan to help you:
- Lose weight
- Improve energy and vitality
- Reduce and prevent seasonal allergies
- Address digestive issues
- Ease hormonal symptoms
- Heal skin issues
- Ease pain and inflammation
Package includes:
1. 3 naturopathic visits
2. 5 group sessions (Tuesdays
- Weekly focus on a different aspect of detox, including digestion, liver and kidney detox, skin health, lymphatic system, exercise, and stress management
- Group sessions Tuesdays 7 to 8pm, April 17 through May 15 held at Mahaya Forest Hill Integrative Health
- Group sessions Thursdays 7 to 8pm, April 19 through May 17 held at Kew Beach Natural Health Clinic
- Hypoallergenic protein source plus nutrients to support liver detoxification
- Biotherapeutic drainage remedies chosen specifically to address your health concerns and detox needs
Package price:
- $430 for new patients, $360 for existing patients (savings of 20% off regular price!)
Register by Friday, April 6th 2012, space is limited. Call the clinic location that best suits you:
Mahaya Forest Hill Integrative Health
73 Warren Road, Suite 102
Phone: 416-792-4400
Kew Beach Natural Health Clinic
2010 Queen St. East, 2nd floor
Phone: 416-690-6168
Total body detox spring program 2012
07/03/12 09:35
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
Spring is fast approaching and many people benefit from a cleanse or detox to shake off the winter sluggishness and get well for the warmer weather! With this in mind, I am organizing a spring detox program at both my practice locations!
Symptoms that may indicate the need for detoxification:
Detoxification can be part of an overall treatment plan to help you:
The program is designed to offer a total body, 360 degree detox that is safe, effective, and supported through both individual visits and group sessions. Each patient will receive a personalized detox protocol as well as a diet program incorporating liver detoxification support.
This is a great opportunity to jump-start your journey to better health or re-motivate you in keeping your health goals for 2012! It’s also a fun program to do with your friends and family!
Package includes:
1. 3 individual naturopathic visits
Package price:
Register by Friday, April 6th 2012, space is limited
Call the clinic location that best suits you:
Mahaya Forest Hill Integrative Health
73 Warren Road, Suite 102
Phone: 416-792-4400
Package details:
3 individual naturopathic visits by appointment:
Kew Beach Natural Health Clinic
2010 Queen St. East, 2nd floor
Phone: 416-690-6168
Package details:
3 individual naturopathic visits by appointment
Group sessions Thursdays 7 to 8pm, April 19 through May 17 held at Kew Beach Natural Health Clinic
Spring is fast approaching and many people benefit from a cleanse or detox to shake off the winter sluggishness and get well for the warmer weather! With this in mind, I am organizing a spring detox program at both my practice locations!
Symptoms that may indicate the need for detoxification:
- Excessively dry or oily skin, or skin itching
- Allergic reactions
- Chronic digestive issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, IBS, bloating, and gas
- Chronic fatigue (despite sufficient sleep)
- Chronic pain (not due to injury or overuse)
- Frequent infections
Detoxification can be part of an overall treatment plan to help you:
- Lose weight
- Improve overall energy and vitality
- Reduce and prevent seasonal allergies
- Address digestive issues
- Ease hormonal symptoms
- Heal skin issues
- Ease pain and inflammation
The program is designed to offer a total body, 360 degree detox that is safe, effective, and supported through both individual visits and group sessions. Each patient will receive a personalized detox protocol as well as a diet program incorporating liver detoxification support.
This is a great opportunity to jump-start your journey to better health or re-motivate you in keeping your health goals for 2012! It’s also a fun program to do with your friends and family!
Package includes:
1. 3 individual naturopathic visits
- See below for specifics for each practice location
- Weekly focus on a different aspect of detox, including digestion, liver and kidney detox, skin health, lymphatic system, exercise, and stress management (mental/emotional detox)
- Coaching, support, and discussion for entire program duration
- Hypoallergenic protein source plus nutrients to support liver detoxification
- Biotherapeutic drainage remedies chosen specifically to address your health concerns and detox needs
Package price:
- $430 for new patients, $360 for existing patients (savings of 20% off regular price!)
- This is an amazing price for a complete, personalized, supported, and supervised detox program!
Register by Friday, April 6th 2012, space is limited
Call the clinic location that best suits you:
Mahaya Forest Hill Integrative Health
73 Warren Road, Suite 102
Phone: 416-792-4400
Package details:
3 individual naturopathic visits by appointment:
- New patients: initial visit (90 minutes) and two follow-up visits (45 and 30 minutes)
- Existing patients: three follow-up visits (two 45 and one 30 minutes)
Kew Beach Natural Health Clinic
2010 Queen St. East, 2nd floor
Phone: 416-690-6168
Package details:
3 individual naturopathic visits by appointment
- New patients: initial visit (90 minutes) and two follow-up visits (30 minutes)
- Existing patients: three follow-up visits (one 45 and two 30 minutes)
Group sessions Thursdays 7 to 8pm, April 19 through May 17 held at Kew Beach Natural Health Clinic
Guest post: Sex as medicine
27/10/11 11:44
Guest post originally published by Shelly Reitkop, ND
How many people think about the benefits of sex before they jump into the sack? Chances are, you don’t. Believe it or not, sex does more than just satisfy; it boosts your immune system, facilitates weight loss and even protects against cancer. I can easily give you 10 good reasons why you should maintain a healthy sex life.
1. Sex reduces stress
Sexual intercourse leads to the release of “happy hormones” called endorphins and a reduction in cortisol levels, the hormone released in response to stress. Prolonged elevation in cortisol levels lead to high blood pressure, suppressed thyroid function, impaired cognitive performance, increased abdominal fat and lowered immune function. Sex enhance the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “happy hormone.” Endorphins act as opiods and work to reduce pain, improve mood and aid with sleep.
2. Sex supports immune functioning
Yup, you heard me! Sex helps to prevent cold’s and flu’s by increasing the production of IgA, an antibody known to fight off infections. Don’t get too excited though, studies found that the optimal number of times a couple should engage in sexual intercourse is 1-2x/week. Sex also increases body temperature creating a suboptimal environment for bacteria and viruses to survive and propagate. Yay to free natural treatments to preventing cold’s and flu’s!
3. Sex can be slimming
Did you know that 35 minutes of sex burns an average of 85 calories? Sex is also one form of exercise that can include both cardiovascular and strength training! Physical activity, especially endurance training, increases Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) – the amount of calories your body burns at rest. It is an extra form of physical activity you can incorporate into your weight wellness program.
4. Sex saves the heart!
Being a form of physical activity, sex helps to increase blood and lymphatic circulation throughout the body. It helps to exercise the heart muscle. Researchers found that engaging in sexual intercourse 2x +/week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by 50% for men.
5. Sex increases self-esteem
According to sex therapists, one of the reasons people have sex is to improve their self-esteem. One therapist found that people who already have a healthy self-esteem feel even better when engaging in regular sex with their partner. Great sex begins with self-esteem; if the sex is genuine, loving and with someone you feel connected with, a persons’ self-esteem will be further enhanced.
6. Sex enhances intimacy
The act of sex causes the release of a hormone called oxytocin. This naturally occurring chemical has been notoriously called “the love hormone” because it helps a person bond and build trust (it’s true – there are studies that prove this!!). The more physical contact a person has with another individual, the greater the level of oxytocin.
7. Sex subsides pain
Oxytocin is not the only chemical released during sex; intercourse results in the release of another substance: endorphins (refer to point 1!). Recall: Endorphins work to reduce pain while simultaneously improving mood.
8. Sex reduces prostate cancer risk
Frequent ejaculation (5+/week) during a male’s mid-20′s has been correlated with a reduced risk of developing hormone-related cancers such as prostate cancer. Who would have known, right?
9. Sex strengthens the pelvic floor
Many women have heard or even tried Kegel exercises to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles as a way to improve the sensations experienced during sex; however, if you exercise your pelvic floor muscles DURING sex you’ll both notice a difference. Strong pelvic floor muscles are important to prevent conditions such as incontinence in later years.
Don’t know what a kegal exercise is?!? TRY THIS: tighten the muscles of your pelvic floor as though you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Count to 3 and release.
10. Sex helps you sleep
Remember our friend oxytocin? I forgot to mention that rising oxytocin levels also promote sleep, according to the latest research. The body requires a minimum of 8 hours sleep per night and good quality sleep is known to also result in healthier food choices, healthier body weight and a reduced incidence of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure.
If you aren’t sold on the benefits of sex and are in a committed relationship, my best piece of advice is this: The proof is in the pudding – try it for yourself!
Got pain?
12/09/11 13:47
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
This post started as a blog about my current running program, but has morphed into my own story of aches and pains! I think this is a good place to start, stay tuned for more on running injury- and pain-free!
Pain is a major problem faced by all kinds of patients. Inevitably, if pain is on a patient’s list of concerns, it is at the top! That’s because living with chronic pain is consuming and impacts all other areas of health. Pain relief is therefore a major industry. With so many options, how do you know what to try? I have definitely not tried everything, but I thought that sharing my own experiences might be helpful.
My story
When I moved to Toronto in 2003, I started running. A few months in, I started to have knee pain, so I signed up for a Learn to Run clinic at the Running Room with the hopes of improving my form and eliminating pain. When I started the clinic, I suddenly had much more pain and had to pull-out until the winter. I saw a sports medicine doctor and physiotherapist at Athlete’s Care and was treated for iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral syndrome. With the help of exercises and stretches prescribed to me, I did my Learn to Run clinic at the start of 2004 and successfully completed a 5km race! However, I was hardly running effortlessly and pain free...
In 2006, I still had pain while running, so I saw a chiropractor and got orthotics, which helped me run with less pain. However, I still struggled and in the fall I started having hip pain that made walking, sitting, and running incredibly difficult! I saw another physiotherapist, Danny Kuzmich. In my first session, Danny adjusted my sacroilliac joint and eliminated my hip pain! Working with Danny got back to being able to run regularly. However, I was still limited in the distance I could run without pain.
After preceptoring with osteopath Robert Taylor and hearing about osteopath Carla Delange from him and several other people, I sought osteopathic treatment in 2008. After just one session, I was able to increase my running time without pain by 10 minutes! After the next session, I added another 10 minutes, and within a couple more sessions I was up to running for 60 minutes without pain! These results also LASTED which was encouraging to me. I can’t speak highly enough of osteopathy from my own experience and I’ve seen equally great results with patients I’ve referred for osteopathic treatment. I now see osteopath Ben Besse-Bergier and I highly recommend him.
Most recently, I have been implementing Chi Running in preparation for running the 10km Zoo Run on September 24, 2011. I’m going to write more about this in a separate blog post... And, next up on my reading list is The Mindbody Prescription by John Sarno.
What to do about pain?
Look inside your body
I cannot count the number of patients with pain that have seen remarkable results from naturopathic treatment! Nutrition, supplements, herbs, and homeopathy are all powerful resources to reduce and heal pain. Everything going on inside your body (digestion, inflammation, hormones, neurotransmitters, etc) affects how you feel! Naturopathic medicine is a fantastic choice whatever kind or source of pain you feel because it is deep, gentle, personalized, and addresses the CAUSE. Wouldn’t you love to eliminate and prevent pain naturally?
Look inside your mind
Have you been told “it’s all in your head”? Well, whoever told you that may have meant that you aren’t really feeling pain, which is incredibly UN-helpful when you ARE in pain! However, there is value in using your head to treat pain. Mind-body medicine isn’t just a trend, it is the key to truly holistic treatment. Did you know that mood disorders like depression and anxiety can actually cause you physical pain? That’s just one example of how your mind interacts with your body. Meditation, stress reduction, affirmations, and lots of other treatments exist to get your mind and your body working together to help you feel better. For some great reading, check out my reading list under Mind-Body.
Seek a second (and third, and fourth...) opinion
There are so many practitioners that can help you with pain, don’t be afraid to seek more opinions! Naturopathic doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can all offer you a different perspective. Empower yourself with information, it’s worth it!
Surgery is a last-resort option
Surgery is something you can’t undo and I see so many patients who have had surgery and regret it. Surgery is always there as an option, just make it your last option. Explore the full range of health care available to you first!
This post started as a blog about my current running program, but has morphed into my own story of aches and pains! I think this is a good place to start, stay tuned for more on running injury- and pain-free!
Pain is a major problem faced by all kinds of patients. Inevitably, if pain is on a patient’s list of concerns, it is at the top! That’s because living with chronic pain is consuming and impacts all other areas of health. Pain relief is therefore a major industry. With so many options, how do you know what to try? I have definitely not tried everything, but I thought that sharing my own experiences might be helpful.
My story
When I moved to Toronto in 2003, I started running. A few months in, I started to have knee pain, so I signed up for a Learn to Run clinic at the Running Room with the hopes of improving my form and eliminating pain. When I started the clinic, I suddenly had much more pain and had to pull-out until the winter. I saw a sports medicine doctor and physiotherapist at Athlete’s Care and was treated for iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral syndrome. With the help of exercises and stretches prescribed to me, I did my Learn to Run clinic at the start of 2004 and successfully completed a 5km race! However, I was hardly running effortlessly and pain free...
In 2006, I still had pain while running, so I saw a chiropractor and got orthotics, which helped me run with less pain. However, I still struggled and in the fall I started having hip pain that made walking, sitting, and running incredibly difficult! I saw another physiotherapist, Danny Kuzmich. In my first session, Danny adjusted my sacroilliac joint and eliminated my hip pain! Working with Danny got back to being able to run regularly. However, I was still limited in the distance I could run without pain.
After preceptoring with osteopath Robert Taylor and hearing about osteopath Carla Delange from him and several other people, I sought osteopathic treatment in 2008. After just one session, I was able to increase my running time without pain by 10 minutes! After the next session, I added another 10 minutes, and within a couple more sessions I was up to running for 60 minutes without pain! These results also LASTED which was encouraging to me. I can’t speak highly enough of osteopathy from my own experience and I’ve seen equally great results with patients I’ve referred for osteopathic treatment. I now see osteopath Ben Besse-Bergier and I highly recommend him.
Most recently, I have been implementing Chi Running in preparation for running the 10km Zoo Run on September 24, 2011. I’m going to write more about this in a separate blog post... And, next up on my reading list is The Mindbody Prescription by John Sarno.
What to do about pain?
Look inside your body
I cannot count the number of patients with pain that have seen remarkable results from naturopathic treatment! Nutrition, supplements, herbs, and homeopathy are all powerful resources to reduce and heal pain. Everything going on inside your body (digestion, inflammation, hormones, neurotransmitters, etc) affects how you feel! Naturopathic medicine is a fantastic choice whatever kind or source of pain you feel because it is deep, gentle, personalized, and addresses the CAUSE. Wouldn’t you love to eliminate and prevent pain naturally?
Look inside your mind
Have you been told “it’s all in your head”? Well, whoever told you that may have meant that you aren’t really feeling pain, which is incredibly UN-helpful when you ARE in pain! However, there is value in using your head to treat pain. Mind-body medicine isn’t just a trend, it is the key to truly holistic treatment. Did you know that mood disorders like depression and anxiety can actually cause you physical pain? That’s just one example of how your mind interacts with your body. Meditation, stress reduction, affirmations, and lots of other treatments exist to get your mind and your body working together to help you feel better. For some great reading, check out my reading list under Mind-Body.
Seek a second (and third, and fourth...) opinion
There are so many practitioners that can help you with pain, don’t be afraid to seek more opinions! Naturopathic doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can all offer you a different perspective. Empower yourself with information, it’s worth it!
Surgery is a last-resort option
Surgery is something you can’t undo and I see so many patients who have had surgery and regret it. Surgery is always there as an option, just make it your last option. Explore the full range of health care available to you first!
