Do you always feel tired in the afternoon, wake up groggy, or feel flattened by exercise? You might suffer from a common condition called adrenal fatigue, in which the body can’t respond properly to life’s stresses. Some other signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

• Overwhelming fatigue
• Insomnia, especially between 2 and 4 a.m.
• The afternoon ‘blahs’
• Cravings for salt, sugar or stimulants, especially in the afternoon
• Lightheadedness upon standing
• Chronic low blood pressure
• Irritability and jitters when hungry

Thankfully, certain lifestyle habits are highly effective in helping restore your energy and healthy adrenal function.

Below are eight lifestyle habits that can go a long way in supporting adrenal health.

1. Sleep. Regular, plentiful sleep is one of the best supporters of adrenal health. Even if you experience midnight insomnia or trouble falling asleep, it’s possible to create better sleep by sticking to these good habits:

• Go to bed at the same time every night, no later than 10 p.m.
• Try to get 9–11 hours of sleep every night; do it on weekends if it’s not possible on weekdays.
• Avoid computer, TV, and phone screens for the hour before bed; this allows the brain waves to shift gears in preparation for sleep. (If that’s impossible wear orange glasses that block the blue lights these screens emits. Blue light suppresses sleep hormones and can cause insomnia and a disrupted sleep cycle.)
• Eat a small snack just before bed that is strong in protein and healthy fat and low in carbs.
• Avoid sugar, stimulants, and high-carb foods before bed.

2. Relaxation Exercises. Think relaxation exercises are ineffective? Think again! Create at least ten minutes of quiet, stress-relieving activity for yourself every day, such as lying with your feet up, meditating, or breathing slowly. In addition, when you feel tired, respect the message your body is trying to send, and lay down for a few minutes.

3. Avoid junk food and excess sugar. Whether donuts or fruit, junk foods and excess sugar put the adrenal glands in overdrive, effectively sending them into energetic bankruptcy.

4. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants. Yes, that means coffee. Stimulants are one of your adrenals’ worst enemies! Like sugars, they drive the adrenals to work too hard, driving you into deeper exhaustion.

5. Gentle exercise only. With adrenal fatigue, prolonged, rigorous exercise will only drive you deeper into exhaustion. Try gentle exercise such as walking, yoga, or swimming. No matter what, avoid prolonged aerobic exercise. Caution: If you are exhausted after your workout, you overdid it.

6. Eat a breakfast strong in protein and fat, with no sugar or stimulants. Adrenal function, blood sugar, and energy levels are closely related. Eating a breakfast strong in protein and fat while avoiding sugars and stimulants allows the adrenals to get a strong start and remain steadier throughout the day. This can help you avoid the afternoon blahs and sleep better, too!

7. Take the stress out. Take a close look at what causes you stress, whether complaining friends, nagging bosses, or a crazy schedule. What stressors can you eliminate or minimize? Reducing stress is a huge factor in adrenal healing. And did you know that chiropractic adjustment can greatly alleviate you feeling stressed out?

8. Avoid sugars and stimulants when you’re tired. When you hit the afternoon blahs, the first thing you might think of is a frothy cappuccino. However, that only serves to further bankrupt your adrenals. Instead, nourish your body with protein, healthy fats, and minimal carbs to support healthy blood sugar and brain function, which is what you really need to kick the blahs. Be prepared by having a healthy snack ready to go for the afternoon.

The bigger picture

Adrenal fatigue typically happens secondary to another issue, such as anemia, poor diet, hormone imbalance, autoimmune disease, inflammation, or micronutrient deficiencies. It’s important to determine the cause of your adrenal fatigue and include these lifestyle habits as part of your adrenal treatment plan –- with them, you will move much faster toward optimum health and energy.

For natural ways to uplift your chronic fatigue, please see a nutritionist or a chiropractor in our office.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

What is Intramuscular Stimulation

Intramuscular stimulation, also known as dry needling, is an effective therapy technique used to treat pain that comes from muscles and/or nerves. IMS was developed by Dr. Chan Gunn in the 1970s when he was the clinic physician at the Worker’s Compensation Board of British Columbia. This treatment utilizes acupuncture needles to penetrate deep into the muscle tissue and it specifically targets muscles shortened due to abnormal stimulation from the nervous system. This is to produce a reflex relaxation and lengthening of the muscle. There is no use of electricity and no substances are injected. Rather, it is the mechanical stimulation of the insertion of the needle into the affected muscles that provides the therapeutic effect and allows for healing.

The effect is threefold:

1) Stretch receptors in the muscle are stimulated and this will produce a reflex relaxation and lengthening of the muscle;

2) The needle creates a minor therapeutic injury to the area to increase local blood flow and initiate the body’s natural healing process;

3) It creates an electrical potential in the muscle, causing the nerve to function normally again.

Only disposable (single-use), stainless steel needles are used so there is no risk of infection from this treatment. Overall, intramuscular stimulation is a safe form of therapy.

A wide range of musculoskeletal injuries can be treated with IMS including:

• Shin splints
• Plantar fasciitis
• Upper back pain
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain and whiplash
• Shoulder pain
• Tennis or Golfer’s elbow

This type of treatment is very effective for chronic pain and recurring injuries because it gets to the root of the problem. Healthy muscles require electrical nerve stimulation. If a nerve becomes damaged, the muscles that are stimulated by that nerve become hypersensitive. This results in tightness of the muscles and the formation of trigger points, which can develop into chronic pain. Trigger points are irritable knots within a muscle that are painful when pressure is placed on them and can produce a significant amount of pain, making everyday tasks difficult.

How is IMS different from acupuncture?

Although the same needles are used, IMS and acupuncture are different forms of therapy treatment. IMS involve inserting and withdrawing the fine needles immediately whereas in acupuncture the needles remain inserted for a few minutes. With IMS, the needles are inserted directly into the trigger points to release pressure off irritated nerves. With acupuncture, needles are inserted along meridians to help the body restore ‘Qi’, the flow of the body’s energy.

Is IMS painless?

During an IMS treatment, thin acupuncture needles are inserted into the affected muscles. If the muscle is functioning normally, insertion of the needle will be painless. However, in a shortened supersensitive muscle due to nerve damage, it will ‘grasp’ the needle and the patient will feel discomfort and a cramping sensation. This, however, is a good reaction because it indicates that a tight muscle has been located and that muscle relaxation will soon follow.

What can I expect after getting IMS?

It is common and normal to feel some post-treatment soreness in the areas that were treated, similar to the feeling after a hard workout at the gym. This achy feeling may last for 24-48 hours following treatment and it is completely normal and considered a good reaction to the treatment.

How often are IMS treatments?

In order to allow time for the body to heal itself between treatments, it is recommended to have IMS treatment once a week. The number of treatments required depends on factors such as the patient’s condition, how much scar tissue is present, and how quickly the body can heal itself. The effects of IMS are cumulative.

Is IMS right for me?

Special assessment is done with the physiotherapist in order to determine if this modality is appropriate for your pain and injury. IMS is not recommended if you are pregnant or a hemophiliac. Also, please inform the physiotherapist is you are taking an anti-coagulant medication.

At PRI, most therapy services are covered by most extended health insurance companies and in some cases Veterans Affairs and Medicare – such as OHIP (Ontario). Not sure if you’re covered? No problem. We can help you find out (and usually within the hour). Just call us (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

The general guidelines for the anti-aging diet are: keep your calorie consumption and saturated fat intake down; eat plenty of wholegrain, fresh fruits and vegetables; and cut down on salt and sugar. In addition to these general guidelines, there are specific foods that have a roll in anti-aging and that you should regularly include in your diet.

1 Avocado:

This fruit, which is usually eaten as a vegetable, is a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat that may help to reduce level of a bad type of cholesterol in body. Avocado is a good source of vitamin E and can help to maintain healthy skin and prevent skin aging (vitamin E may also help alleviate menopausal hot flushes). It is rich in potassium which helps prevent fluid retention and high blood pressure.

2 Ginger:

This spicy root can boost the digestive and circulatory systems, which can be useful for older people. Ginger may also help to alleviate rheumatic aches and pains.

3 Cruciferous vegetables:

The family of Cruciferous vegetables includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, turnip, brussels sprouts, radish and watercress. Cruciferous vegetables assist the body in its fight against toxins and cancer. You should try to consume at least 115g/40z(of any one or a combination) of these vegetables on a daily basis. If possible, eat them row or very lightly cooked so that the important enzymes remain intact.

4 Whole meal pasta and rice:

Complex carbohydrates provide a consistent supply of energy throughout the day and should make up the bulk of your diet. Wholemeal pasta is an excellent complex carbohydrate. It is high in fibre and contains twice the amount of iron as normal pasta. Brown rice is another recommended complex carbohydrate, which is high in fibre and B vitamins.

5 Soya:

Menopausal women might find that soya helps to maintain oestrogen levels. Soya may alleviate menopausal hot flush and protect against Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and heart disease. Look out for fermented soya products, which are more easily digested, therefore more nutritional, and do not generally cause food intolerances. You may want to check that soya products have not been genetically modified. Soya should not be confused with soya sauce, which is full of salt and should be used sparingly, if at all.

6 Garlic:

Eating a clove of garlic a day (row or cooked) helps to protect the body against cancer and heart disease. The cardioprotective effects of garlic are well recorded. One 1994 study in Iowa, USA, of 41,837 women between the age of 55 and 69 suggested that women who ate a clove of garlic at least once a week were 50 percent less likely to develop colon cancer. Another study at Tasgore Medical college in India suggested that garlic reduced cholesterol levels and assisted blood thinning more effectively than aspirin, thus helping to reduce the risk of heart disease.

7 Nuts:

Most varieties of nuts are good sources of minerals, particularly walnuts and brazi nuts. Walnuts, although high in calories, are rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium. Adding nuts to your diet (sprinkle them on salads and desserts) can enhance the functioning of your digestive and immune systems, improve your skin help control prevent cancer. Nuts may also help control cholesterol levels. Never eat rancid nuts, however, as they have been linked to a high incidence of free radicals.

8 Berries:

All black and blue berries such as blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants and black grapes contain phytochemicals known as flavonoids-powerful antioxidants which help to protect the body against damage caused by free radicals and aging.

9 Water:

Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day in order to remain healthy. Water helps us to get rid of the toxins and unwanted waste materials from your body.

Don’t rely on thirst; this sensation diminishes with age. Drink often and choose from nutritious liquids, including 100% fruit and vegetable juices, skim or low fat milk, broths, sparkling water, and teas. You can also get fluids from foods, especially those that are liquid at room temperature. Try gelatin, frozen yogurt, soups, watermelon, pickles, oranges, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.

10 Watermelon:

Both the flesh and seeds of the watermelon are nutritious so try blending them together in a food processor and drinking as a juice. The flesh contain vitamin A, B and C ; the seeds contain selenium, essential fats, zinc and vitamin E, all of which help against free radical damage and aging.

For more anti-aging tips, ask the nutritionist in our office how we can help.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

A study recently published in a scientific periodical, the Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, showed that chiropractic helped pregnant woman suffering with lower back pain. The research was conducted in Switzerland, and compiled at the Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Orthopedic University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zürich, in Zürich, Switzerland.

Study authors begin by noting that lower back pain in pregnant women is so common that it is almost considered a normal part of the process. They estimate that between 50% and 80% of pregnant women will suffer back pain during their pregnancy, and this pain does have an effect on their quality of life.

In this study, pregnant women over the age of 18 with low back pain, pelvic pain, or both of any duration who had not undergone chiropractic, or any form of manual therapy in the prior 3 months were recruited from chiropractic practices in Switzerland.

Data was collected on a total of 115 women who participated in the study and received chiropractic care during their pregnancy. The data included a numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain, where “0” means no pain, and “10” would be the worst pain imaginable. Additionally the patient’s global impression of change (PGIC) scale was used so the women could rate their own overall progress from chiropractic care.

Data was obtained using accepted standardized questionnaires after chiropractic care was started at intervals of one week, one month, three months, six months, and finally one year after the initiation of chiropractic care.

The study results showed that all groups at all timeframes showed positive results from their chiropractic care. The results also improved as chiropractic care continued. The data showed that 52% of the pregnant women with back pain were improved at 1 week. The percentage of pregnant women with a improvement in their back pain increased to 70% at 1 month, and 85% at 3 months. At 6 months, 90% reported improvement, and, after a full year, that percent was statistically the same with 88% saying they were improved.

In their discussion, the researchers point out that the results of this study add to the growing body of evidence from prior studies showing that chiropractic is beneficial for pregnant women suffering from back pain. “The results of this current study which showed that a high proportion of pregnant patients with LBP undergoing chiropractic treatment reported clinically relevant improvement support those published in a recent cohort study as well as the recent randomized clinical trial (RCT) looking at chiropractic treatment for pregnant patients with low back or pelvic pain.”

For more info on how chiropractic can help you if you are pregnant, please contact our office at

(416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

Parkinson’s disease, which involves the malfunction and death of nerve cells in the brain, may originate in the gut, new research suggests, adding to a growing body of evidence supporting the idea.

The new study shows that a protein in nerve cells that becomes corrupted and then forms clumps in the brains of people with Parkinson’s can also be found in cells that line the small intestine. The research was done in both mice and human cells.

The finding supports the idea that this protein first becomes altered in the gut and then travels to the brain, where it causes the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The protein, called alpha-synuclein, is abundant in the brain. And in healthy nerve cells, it dissolves in the fluid within the cell. But in Parkinson’s patients, alpha-synuclein folds abnormally. The misfolded protein can then spread through the nervous system to the brain as a prion, or infectious protein. In the brain, the misfolded protein molecules stick to each other and clump up, damaging neurons.

In 2005, researchers reported that people with Parkinson’s disease who had these clumps in their brains also had the clumps in their guts. Other research published this year looked at people who had ulcers and who underwent a surgery that removed the base of the vagus nerve, which connects the brain stem to the abdomen. These patients had a 40 percent lower risk of developing Parkinson’s later in life compared with people who didn’t have their vagus nerve removed.

Both findings suggested the prion may originate in the gut.

While the medical community is searching for therapies to target both the root of this condition, as well as the side effects of it, a recent technological breakthrough has allowed patients with PD to achieve a remarkable improvement in their lifestyle. Without the Keego^TM device, patients walked slowly, had to stop when taking stairs from exhaustion, had a difficult time picking up objects from the floor, exerted strenuous effort, when getting up from a chair to walk down the hall. Patients with PD wearing a Keego^TM device were able to achieve healthy movement patterns during several clinical trials. The same patients were able to walk about quickly, had no trouble walking up or down the stairs, picked up objects from the floor with little effort, and were able to easily sit down, and get up from the seat without propping themselves up with their hands.

If you suffer from Parkinsons Disease, please see a specialist at the PRI clinic. They are specifically trained to properly introduce your body to the Keego^TM device, which will allow your body to achieve a remarkable improvement in your lifestyle. To book an appointment, please call or follow these links.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

So, What is IMS?

IMS, or Intramuscular Stimulation, is an innovative treatment for when life literally gets on your nerves. In the 1970s, physician Dr. Gunn became curious about his patients at the British Columbia Workers Compensation Board: why were some people still experiencing pain even though the actual injury to the tissue was long gone?

Through his research, Dr. Gunn discovered that supersensitivity in the nerves and the resulting shortened muscle fibres were behind his patient’s chronic aches and pains. Changes to the function of these nerves were not visible by X-ray or MRI, painkillers merely masked the pain, and surgery was not an option.

Inspired by this research, IMS practitioners today use acupuncture-style needles to release this tension and soothe overly irritated nerves. Tennis elbow, chronic low back pain, headaches, stiff necks and tendonitis can all respond well to this treatment.

Understanding the Process

IMS is a simple and direct approach to pain relief. A well trained physiotherapist has extensive knowledge of biomechanics, posture, movement and muscle tone.

In your first IMS session, the physiotherapist performs a thorough evaluation of your movement, strength and function. Various tests are done including muscle strength, range of motion and reflex testing. Hands on examination of the skin and muscles is completed both at the area of pain as well as along the spine to evaluate changes brought about by unhealthy nerves.

The achey and tight muscles that you feel when you have ongoing pain has a physical basis because every muscle in your body is wired up to a network of nerves, but when nerve flow becomes blocked the nerve can behave erratically and causes changes in the muscle. The result can include muscle weakness and most often knotty and tight muscles that cause pain.

The physiotherapist uses fine acupuncture needles to get into the irritated muscle bands. The needle which is housed in a plastic tube is pressed and tapped gently against the skin by the physiotherapist, allowing the needle to enter the muscle.

Next, the physiotherapist uses the fine art of touch – healthy and relaxed muscles yield easily; unhappy ones provide increased resistance. An aggravated muscle contracts and twitches when stimulated by the needle, causing an ache that can last a few seconds.

There are a number of changes that take place when the needle is inserted into an aggravated muscle. First off,  special receptors in the tendons are activated by the muscle contraction and these receptors send messages to the muscle to relax again. What’s more, this tiny “injury” created by the needle boosts healing blood flow to the area bringing many healing chemicals to the area. Ultimately, inserting the needle also creates what’s called an “electric potential” which acts almost like a reset switch for your nerves to function normally again.

How Does it Feel?

The experience of an IMS treatment greatly varies from person to person. Irritated muscles respond to a needle by cramping, aching or contracting – though it is not the needle causing the pain, but the muscles response to it. This response can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful for people, but it’s temporary. Your level of discomfort is in some ways dictated by the level of nerve dysfunction and decreases as the nerve returns to normal function.

It’s understandable if you might be a little anxious about your first session, but our IMS trained physiotherapists work with you to help minimize any potential discomfort.  The most common side effect of the treatment is soreness to the treated areas-not unlike being sore from a work-out at the gym. By placing heat on the affected areas can help to reduce that discomfort. Some may experience bruising from the treatment but this tends to heal in a couple of days. If you have a medical condition or take medications that increase your risk of bruising and bleeding please let us know during the assessment.

Is IMS the Same as Acupuncture?

While it’s true that IMS uses acupuncture needles, the two techniques are actually quite different. IMS was developed from an evidence based, Western model of medicine. By looking at an individual’s nerve functioning, a therapist can identify areas of hypersensitivity and work directly to release tension. Neuropathy, or dysfunction of the nerves, has been found to cause a whole range of muscle based problems otherwise known as myofascial pain syndromes.

Acupuncture, on the other hand, is much older and based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). By seeing the human body in terms of energy meridians, acupuncture practitioners manipulate chi and blood flow to restore and heal the body.

While an acupuncturist will insert needles into pre-defined points along these energy channels, an IMS practitioner will examine you thoroughly to find out your unique biomechanical patterns of nerve and muscle functioning.

 Could You Benefit from IMS?

IMS is perfect for those nagging aches that just don’t seem to go away, even when the injury that originally caused them is no longer there. Some clues that you may be experiencing muscle shortening or over-sensitive nerves include:

• Stiffness and a decreased range of movement
• Shortened muscles with tender “trigger points”
• A feeling of heat and burning in the area
• Deep aches
• Occasional short, sharp bursts of pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch

One of our experienced IMS trained physiotherapists will be able to examine you thoroughly and determine exactly what is behind your chronic pain. By targeting several muscles at once, and over the course of a few sessions, the pain signals can be “switched off” and the muscles given the chance to release and return to normal.

For further info, please call or follow these links:

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

Are you in chronic pain? Go to the root cause

Chronic pain can drain you of energy, joy, and hope and make everyday activities seem like insurmountable obstacles. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, prescription pain meds, and steroids may bring temporary relief, but they come with complications and do not address the underlying causes of chronic pain. For more genuine and permanent relief, it’s important to address what is causing the pain to be chronic.

Is inflammation causing your chronic pain?

One of the most common causes of chronic pain is inflammation. Inflammation is the result of an immune response to remove harmful compounds, including damaged cells. It is necessary for healing and protecting the body, however runaway inflammation keeps the immune system on red alert and can cause chronic pain anywhere (or everywhere) in the body. One of the most important things to address if you suffer from chronic pain is inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory diet for pain

Following an anti-inflammatory diet is foundational to dampening inflammation. Many everyday foods are actually very inflammatory and people can experience considerable relief by removing these foods from their diet. For instance, two of the most common pro-inflammatory foods are gluten and dairy, something most people eat at almost every meal. Many people have found considerable pain relief simply by eliminating these foods from their diet. You can find out which foods are inflammatory for you through a food sensitivity panel or simply by following the anti-inflammatory diet for about a month and then reintroducing foods one at a time every 72 hours and monitoring for reactions.

Some people find a group of vegetables called “nightshades” cause pain and inflammation in their joints. Nightshades include eggplant, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, tomatillos, and hot pepper products (cayenne, Tabasco, etc.). Simply removing nightshades from the diet has brought relief from joint pain for many.

However, don’t ditch vegetables completely. Ample vegetable consumption, including veggies that are cultured, is a key component to a pain-busting diet.

Ditch the sugar to tame chronic pain

In conjunction with removing anti-inflammatory foods, it’s also important the diet work to stabilize blood sugar. Blood sugar that is too low, too high, or that swings between the two will contribute to inflammation. One of the best ways to stabilize blood sugar is to ditch the sugar and refined carbohydrates. Not only does the sweet stuff destabilize blood sugar, it also directly causes inflammation. Eliminating or minimizing sweets is vital to taming chronic pain.

Unwinding vicious cycles of pain

The problem with chronic pain is it can create vicious cycles both in the immune system and in the brain that perpetuate pain. In other words, the pain itself stimulates the body to create more pain. Fortunately, certain nutritional compounds have been shown to help unwind these vicious cycles. They include therapeutic doses of emulsified and highly absorbable vitamin D3, omega 3 fatty acids, turmeric, and resveratrol. Other natural compounds and therapies can also help with pain relief while you work on bringing down inflammation naturally.

Ask the nutritionist in our office for more information on alleviating your chronic pain by addressing the underlying cause.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

Why Chiropractic Care is Great for Cyclists

Toronto is a great place for cyclists. It’s an active city, and the weather, the layout, and the demographics make it a great place to break out the bike. But unless you’ve been riding for awhile already, you may find picking up cycling a bit of a challenge … or at least more challenging than you remember. If you want to get active and start riding, take a look at why adding chiropractic care may be a great idea.

Chiropractic Care Can Ease Joint Pain

Many people who take up cycling do so to ease pain in the joints anyway, especially in the knees and hips. But sometimes cycling can put a little bit of strain on these areas. It’s tough to balance cycling and healthy joints. But with chiropractic care, the balance is easier. While cycling can loosen up and strengthen these joints, chiropractic care can further enhance their health by keeping restrictions removed. This helps keep pain away, which is crucial for enjoying the ride.

Chiropractic Care Can Boost General Mobility

It’s not enough to simply keep pain away from the body. While this is a great place to start, it’s also important to use that pain relief to improve mobility. As chiropractors remove restrictions from the spine, pain is often removed as well, but as a result, general mobility is improved. And this is very important for a cyclist. The more mobility you have, the more you can enjoy riding, which means the more you’ll actually do it.

Chiropractic Care Can Enhance Overall Health

It doesn’t matter which athletic event you’re involved in — cycling, running, boxing — improved health is really important. Chiropractic care may help you stay stronger, more flexible, better focused, and suffer from less illness. And in turn, the more active you are, the healthier you’re likely to be. When you engage in both, you’re likely to be and stay healthier than ever before.

If you would like to try chiropractic care, check out PRI. If you love to ride your bike, do so with greater comfort and better health by visiting PRI as soon as today.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

Groin injuries are a common injury amongst active people, as well as those unlucky enough to strain the area by falling, tripping, or getting their leg caught on something. It is usually characterized by pain along the inner thigh where the muscles are thought to have been over-stretched. It also has a reputation for being a “difficult” injury to recover from, although this reputation is somewhat undeserved. Sometimes the nature of the injury is incorrectly assumed from the beginning, which can lead to ineffective treatments and prolonged pain. Groin pain following a strain can result from several different injury mechanisms, each of which requires a different management approach.

Groin or inner thigh pain can be a manifestation of a hip joint problem. The hip is a ball and socket joint that is lined with cartilage and surrounded by other supportive soft tissue for protection. Sometimes when the groin is “strained”, the soft tissue can become pinched and cause pain. The resulting pain comes from compression of this tissue by normal hip movements. Usually, though, the hip can be “unlocked” by moving it in the proper direction, which can be found under the supervision of a well-trained physiotherapist, and relief of pain will quickly follow.

Another possibility is that the ligaments and tendons of the groin take the majority of the force rather than the muscles themselves. These tissues have notoriously poor blood supplies and so don’t receive the nutrients and support needed for good quality healing. Therefore, they can remain painful for weeks or even months if the proper intervention is not undertaken. However, they are quite responsive to tension or resistive forces, and with a specific exercise program, they can be remodeled slowly to decrease the pain and regain the strength. This does require discipline, as the changes will occur slowly over a number of weeks, but should ultimately result in recovery.

When a groin strain primarily affects the muscular tissues, which is what most people assume groin injuries to be, healing will usually proceed over a number of weeks, because of the aforementioned good blood supply. As long as the muscles are not over-stressed during this healing period, and movement and strength are gradually regained as the symptoms allow, the recovery will proceed uneventfully.

For all the different injury mechanisms listed above, once full movement and strength of the area have been attained, treatment will focus on recovering a level of function required by the person’s work or athletic activities. For example, a physiotherapist can guide a tennis player to safely progress and return to running, cutting, lateral movements, and lunging, all of which are necessary components of the sport.

In summary, the crux of the matter with groin injuries is to determine what kind of problem it is. To say you have a “groin injury” on its own does not say enough for a healthcare professional to be able to treat it effectively; they have to be able to understand it on a deeper level to direct the appropriate treatment. The physiotherapists at PRI possess the assessment skills necessary to diagnose such injuries and help you to recover as efficiently and effectively as possible.

If you have a groin injury and would like to get back to healthy, pain-free living, please call or visit

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

No one can be blamed for wanting relief, especially when acid reflux makes it feel like molten lava is shooting up through your esophagus. Antacids can bring quick relief, but their long-term use can also bring lasting problems. It’s better to identify and address the underlying causes of acid reflux than simply to squelch the symptoms.

Acid reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach backwash into the esophagus. These contents can include stomach acid, bile, food, or sour liquid. Although the lining of the stomach is designed to handle such an acidic environment, the more delicate tissue of the esophagus is not. As a result, symptoms include indigestion, a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), and tasting regurgitated food or liquid in the back of your mouth.

Many factors can cause acid reflux, including overeating, obesity, or the types of foods you eat. Spicy foods, fried foods, coffee, chocolate, and citrus are frequently cited as triggering acid reflux. When the reflux becomes constant, it’s worth exploring some of the common underlying conditions.

Possible underlying causes of acid reflux

H. pylori overgrowth: An H. pylori infection occurs in the stomach and is the most common chronic bacterial infection, affecting more than 50 percent of the world’s population. An H. pylori infection may promote acid reflux by decreasing stomach acid. Although acid reflux is associated with too much acidity, the truth is in many cases too little stomach acid causes acid reflux, which I’ll explain in the next paragraph.

Too little stomach acid: Sufficient stomach acid is necessary to break down dietary proteins, ensure absorption of vital nutrients and minerals, and protect the digestive tract from harmful bacteria. It’s believed that low stomach acid, or hypochlorhydria, results in improperly digested food lingering too long in the stomach. Eventually it backwashes into the esophagus, and although the contents are not acidic enough for the stomach, they are too acidic for the delicate esophageal tissue. Factors that cause too little stomach acid include an H. pylori infection, a nutrient-poor diet, stress, and antacid medications.

Gluten: If you eat gluten, it could be a culprit in your acid reflux. One study found chronic acid reflux affected 30 percent of patients with celiac disease compared to less than 5 percent of those not diagnosed with the disease. Another study found almost 40 percent of children with celiac disease suffer from esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus that causes heartburn.

Acid reflux usually just one of many digestive symptoms

Acid reflux is often just one of many digestive symptoms that can result from poor digestion, food intolerances, chronic stress, gut infections, and other factors. In fact, one study showed that participants with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were nearly twice as likely as non IBS participants to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic, advanced form of acid reflux. Conversely, another study found a majority of participants with GERD also suffered from IBS.

Although antacids can bring temporarily relief, they may also worsen your acid reflux problem in the long run. Ultimately, antacids reduce stomach acid, hinder digestion, and inhibit nutrient absorption. In addition, antacids are shown to weaken bones and increase the risk of food poisoning.

For natural ways to relieve your acid reflux, please contact the nutritionist in our office.

Tel: (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web: www.priclinic.com