HOT OFF THE PRESS – Recent news results in the same conclusions as the old news: chiropractic is the most effective tool for neck pain! According to a recent study1, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, chiropractic is still head and
shoulders above medical options when it comes to the treatment of neck pain.  To read more of this months issue click here

What if you knew that jumbo jets, each one carrying 300 passengers, were going to start falling out of the sky? What if you were told that this was going to happen twice a day, for the next 365 days, each time killing all 300 passengers on board? Would that alarm you? Would you maybe hesitate a bit before deciding to get on the next airplane? To read more of this issue click here

If you want your child to do better in school, you should make sure your son or daughter gets plenty of exercise. Research indicates physical activity can impact a child’s brain as much as the body.

In a review of exercise studies published last month in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, researchers uncovered compelling evidence in 12 studies that children who participated in regular physical exercise achieved better academic performance.

To continue reading Issue 2 of the Wellness Express download here.

As springtime approaches, weather warms up and leaves turn green, many people will spend more time outside planting bulbs, mowing the lawn and pulling weeds. Gardening can provide a great workout, but with all the bending, twisting, reaching and pulling, your body may not be ready for exercise of the garden variety.

Gardening can be enjoyable, but it is important to stretch your muscles before reaching for your gardening tools. The back, upper legs, shoulders, and wrists are all major muscle groups affected when using your green thumb.

A warm-up and cool-down period is as important in gardening as it is for any other physical activity,” said Dr. Scott Bautch of the American Chiropractic Association’s (ACA) Council on Occupational Health. “Performing simple stretches during these periods will help alleviate injuries, pain and stiffness.”

To make gardening as fun and enjoyable as possible, it is important to prepare your body for this type of physical activity. The following stretches will help to alleviate muscle pain after a day spent in your garden.

Garden Fitness Stretches

• Before stretching for any activity, breathe in and out, slowly and rythmically; do not bounce or jerk your body, and stretch as far and as comfortably as you can. Do not follow the no pain, no gain rule. Stretching should not be painful. While sitting, prop your heel on a stool or step, keeping the knees straight. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of the thigh, or the hamstring muscle. Hold this position for 15 seconds. Do this once more and repeat with the other leg.
• Stand up, balance yourself, and grab the front of your ankle from behind. Pull your heel towards your buttocks and hold the position for 15 seconds. Do this again and repeat with the other leg.
• While standing, weave your fingers together above your head with the palms up. Lean to one side for 10 seconds, then to the other. Repeat this stretch three times.
• Do the “Hug your best friend.” Wrap your arms around yourself and rotate to one side, stretching as far as you can comfortably go. Hold for 10 seconds and reverse. Repeat two or three times.

Finally, be aware of your body technique, body form and correct posture while gardening. Kneel, don’t bend, and alternate your stance and movements as often as possible to keep the muscles and body balanced.

When the Bulbs Are Planted…
If you already feel muscle aches and pains and did not complete the warm-up and cool-down stretches, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort. Apply a cold pack on the area of pain for the first 48 hours or apply a heat pack after 48 hours, and consider chiropractic care.

2012 American Chiropractic Association

When snow, ice and frigid weather blast into town, watch out! Winter recreational activities and chores can pose problems for the outdoor enthusiast whose body is not in condition. Winter sports like skating, skiing and sledding can cause painful muscle spasms, strains or tears if you’re not in shape. Even shoveling snow the wrong way, clambering awkwardly over snow banks, slipping on sidewalks and wearing the wrong kinds of clothing can all pose the potential for spasms, strains and sprains.

Simply walking outside in the freezing weather without layers of warm clothing can intensify older joint problems and cause a great deal of pain. As muscles and blood vessels contract to conserve the body’s heat, the blood supply to extremities is reduced. This lowers the functional capacity of many muscles, particularly among the physically unfit. Preparation for an outdoor winter activity, including conditioning the areas of the body that are most vulnerable, can help avoid injury.

It is suggested that you start with some light aerobic activity (jogging, biking, fast walking) for about 7-10 minutes. Then follow these tips to help you fight back the winter weather:

• Skiing – do 10 to 15 squats. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, knees aligned over your feet. Slowly lower your buttocks as you bend your knees over your feet. Stand up straight again.
• Skating – do several lunges. Take a moderately advanced step with one foot. Let your back knee come down to the floor while keeping your shoulders in position over your hips. Repeat the process with your other foot.
• Sledding/tobogganing – do knee-to-chest stretches to fight compression injuries caused by repetitive bouncing over the snow. Either sitting or lying on your back, pull your knees to your chest and hold for up to 30 seconds.

Don’t forget cool-down stretching for all of these sports – At the bottom of the sledding hill, for instance, before trudging back up, do some more knees-to-chest stretches, or repetitive squatting movements to restore flexibility.

Shoveling snow can also wreak havoc on the musculoskeletal system. If you must shovel snow, be careful. Listen to weather forecasts so you can rise early and have time to shovel before work.  The following simple tips can help prevent any injuries during the winter months.

• Layer clothing to keep your muscles warm and flexible.
• Shoveling can strain “de-conditioned” muscles between your shoulders, in your upper back, lower back, buttocks and legs. So, do some warm-up stretching before you grab that shovel.
• When you do shovel, push the snow straight ahead. Don’t try to throw it. Walk it to the snow bank. Avoid sudden twisting and turning motions.
• Bend your knees to lift when shoveling. Let the muscles of your legs and arms do the work, not your back.
• Take frequent rest breaks to take the strain off your muscles. A fatigued body asks for injury.
• Stop if you feel chest pain, or get really tired or have shortness of breath. You may need immediate professional help.

After any of these activities, if you are sore, apply an ice bag to the affected area for 20 minutes, then take it off for a couple of hours. Repeat a couple of times each day over the next day or two.

Dr. Landry - Lifeforce Proactive Health Center

Lifeforce Proactive Health Center is pleased to announce our weekly health talks every Tuesday from 6:45pm to 7:30pm.  All new patients and any Chiropractic curious individuals are invited to attend these FREE weekly talks.

The themed night, “Life to a 100” is hosted by Dr. Kenneth Mikkelsen and Dr. Sean Landry who share their insights and educate the audience on how living a healthy lifestyle can lead to a long life.

Not only will you learn about Chiropractic Care and its benefits,  you will also discover what other services our clinic has to offer like; Massage Therapy, Laser Care Therapy, Orthotics, Kinesiology and Shockwave Therapy.

Space is limited, so if you would like to be a part of these interactive and educational health talks please call the office (604-530-6227) and speak to a receptionist to reserve your seat.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you lead yourself to a long and healthy life!

We are commited to promoting health and wellness for all, by providing outstanding patient care, empathetic support, and ongoing education. Our objective is to increase individual health awareness and provide those patients serious about improving their health with the means to do so.

Reaching your healthcare goals is as simple as forming a partnership with our clinical team. Think of our team members (Langley chiropractors, Langley massage therapists, Langley laser therapists, Langley foot orthotics specialists, and Langley shockwave therapists), as health care coaches that specialize in providing the knowledge you need in the healing environment you desire to help you reach your personal goals quickly. Whether you’re simply interested in temporarily dealing with your current symptoms, seeking a more permanent resolution to your health concerns or wanting to enhance your performance in the competitive arena, our team will tailor your program of care to fit your needs.

Our website is updated regularly as we add new services and practitioners to our staff. Check back often. Book an appointment today with our Langley chiropractors, massage therapists, shockwave therapists, laser therapists, kinesiologist, or foot orthotic specialists!

Have you started your ski/snowboard season and are now feeling sore??

A massage from a Langley Massage Therapist at our clinic is a great way to relieve your sore and tired muscles whether you are a first time skier or a professional. Sports Massage is great after a day of skiing and it can also facilitate your body to prepare for a big ski weekend.

You tune up and wax your skis, why not be proactive with your body too for optimal performance and to enjoy skiing for years to come? Book an appointment with a Langley Massage Therapist at Lifeforce Proactive today!