Shoes are on our feet for an average of 50% of our lives. This fact illustrates that one should pay attention to what kind of footwear you choose to purchase. There are hundreds of kinds of shoes for many different types of activities and it is a tough decision when you stand in front of a wall of shoes at a sporting store.

A general rule for shoes is that you get what you pay for. You should purchase a shoe that is custom designed for the activity you will be doing. If you plan on walking you should not buy a shoe designed for running. The slope of the insole and the shape of the shoe will be different between the styles. The shoe should be light and durable with a strong back to it. A good test for this is to take the shoe and try ringing it out like a towel. If the shoe seems to be easy to twist you know it will not provide the support you need. You can also buy shoes that are custom designed for the type of foot you have. If your foot rolls in you are a pronator and if your foot rolls out you are a supinator. The shoe sales person or your health care provider can determine what type of feet you have.

Foot complaints are common in our office and can be avoided by a good arch support in all of your footwear. As your foot ages over time, the ligaments in the foot can get stretched due an unsupported arch. Such symptoms as plantar fasciitis or heal spurs can occur. A sign that your arches have fallen is if you notice that with time, you need to purchase a larger shoe in width or in length.

Also never wear shoes for more than a year if you are constantly wearing them. Always remember that if you have good footwear your feet, knees and back will thank you.

At PRI clinic, we assess your feet for pronation and supination and provide high quality orthotics, as well as footwear to our patients that integrate ideally for your health needs.

A car accident can strike any person at any time, robbing them of their most basic and important possession: their good health, both physical and mental.

Let’s go back to your car accident site immediately after the collision…

Most people will tell us that they felt dazed and confused just after impact. If they were conscious, they began to realize that they had been involved in an accident. They would do a mental inventory.

1.Am I okay?

2.Are my passengers okay?

3.Is my car okay?

4.Are the other people in the other vehicle okay?

If any person involved is not suffering from an apparent life threatening injury or appears to have no broken bones or major cuts, then most often an ambulance is not called.

Here’s where the problem begins. The attention immediately begins to shift toward the automobile damage and/or damage of property and, of course, WHO IS AT FAULT?

All daily habits, responsibilities, and leisure time have suddenly been wiped away by the complications arising from the accident. The prior stresses that a person was dealing with somehow do not compare to the hassles and inconveniences that an auto accident victim experiences. Not only are car accidents an inconvenience and hassle, but they suddenly do not feel like their normal selves, they find themselves experiencing pain and symptoms like:

•Muscle stiffness and spasms

•Neck pain and headaches

•Numbness, tingling, pins and needles or hot and cold sensations in the arms, legs, hands or feet

•Mid-back pain and lower back pain

•Difficulty concentrating

•Sciatica

•Fatigue, insomnia and sleep disturbance

•Dull memory

•Irritability

•and many other problems

Or worse, they may be injured and feel nothing at all! Either way, many of our patients first ended up in a local hospital. The emergency room technicians are trained to detect life-threatening conditions and provide appropriate care. When injuries do not fall into this category, after the evaluation, the patients are sent home with pain/sleep medication and anti-inflammatory medication. They may even be told to “Rest and take it easy.”

During the initial days of taking these medications, most people will then move on to call the insurance company to report the claim. These are very competent and highly trained individuals who deal with accident claims all day long. They know who has been to the hospital and released. They will proceed to ask questions about pain symptoms.

Despite the effects of the medications, one can still fell injured and simply out of the norm. As each day goes by, the injuries continue to worsen as the body produces dysfunctional scar tissue at the sites of trauma. This continued incorrect healing process sets the stage for future problematic conditions, the most common being post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This form of arthritis can, over time, ruin posture causing slump or hump back appearance. It causes the spinal discs to degenerate and creates further scar tissue formation leading to chronic stiffness, pain, numbness and spasms.

Remember, the purpose of medication is to numb the pain, not correct or heal the site of trauma.

The next step for the general practitioner (MD) is to refer a patient who is still symptomatic to a physical therapist and/or massage therapist. Four to eight weeks later, those programs have been completed and the patient can still be in pain and, in some cases, the injury can feel worse. At this point, the physician can be at a loss as to why his patient is still hurting. He will then refer once more, this time to an orthopedic surgeon.

Current medical research states that most soft tissue injuries occurring from auto accidents do not require surgical intervention. Only in the last few years have facet joints been identified as a cause of whiplash pain, so not much is known about how long they take to heal after an injury. Some research shows that the facet joints may be responsible for those whiplash patients with long-term discomfort.

Again, it is important to realize that only a small fraction of all soft tissue injuries caused by auto accidents require the need for surgery. Some patients are flatly told, “There is nothing that we can do. You will have to live with this for the rest of your life.”

This is a huge mistake. Don’t let this happen to you!

The insurance claims adjustor receives the report and interprets that the doctors are finished. They hope your pain will eventually go away on its own. They look at the claim and realize that there have been multiple provisions for care including the hospital, physiotherapy and massage therapy clinics, medical doctors, and even medical specialists. While the underlying damages and pain were hidden or numbed with drugs, fibrosis has set in and this problem is anything but resolved. Yet now there could be an insurance adjustor who isn’t too thrilled about authorizing any further investigation or treatment for someone who claims to be experiencing ongoing pain, numbness, headaches, muscle stiffness, fatigue and other problems (including arthritis) several months later. Nothing is more important than health…especially when one starts to lose it.

How are these hidden injuries detected?

When you have been involved in an auto accident, you need a doctor who is trained and specializes in the biomechanics of the human body. That means he or she can perform routine physical examinations with orthopedic and neurological tests, as well as special chiropractic tests that assess those hidden functional soft tissue damages. In addition, special motion x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. Few health care practitioners conduct these specific examinations and x-ray analysis methodologies. Many healthcare practitioners overlook many damaging injuries from whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are thrown or “snapped” back and forth very quickly while travelling at speeds even as slow as 5mph. Whiplash is the most common injury in auto accidents.

Your neck is made up of nerves, gland, tubes, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and 48 different joint. It also “holds” your brain stem, spinal column, discs, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fluids. The chances of you becoming a whiplash victim in an auto accident are very real.

In addition to disc and other soft tissue damage, whiplash causes spinal misalignment and irritation, stretching or impingement to the nerves and spinal curve.

Whiplash is a biomechanical injury.

Proper evaluation and treatment by a chiropractor may make the difference between true recovery (healing and strength) vs. lingering pain (sickness and disability). At PRI clinic, we have successfully treated thousands of patients involved in a motor vehicle accident. We are well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of auto accident victims. Our primary objective is to give our patients the time and care that they need and deserve. We use a variety of techniques and equipment (please see Services and Techniques) to accomplish this.

If you have been injured, and are not sure if you suffer from soft tissue damage, call us.

If you have been injured and are not receiving the care you need, call us.

If you have been injured and are not sure what type of treatment will help you, call us.

If you have been injured and are not sure where to turn, call us.

Chiropractors are no strangers to the question: “Is chiropractic care safe for children?” Extensive research on the subject of chiropractic care and techniques tailored to the unique bodies and needs of children indicates – Yes!

One common concern regarding pediatric chiropractic care is based upon a misunderstanding that everyone, regardless of age, receives the same techniques and treatments. However, just as a child sees a pediatrician, receives child-appropriate doses of medications, and responds differently than adults to different medical treatments, so too do children require tailored chiropractic care.

The field of pediatric chiropractic care is enormously large and effective, and has helped children across the globe. And just as different bodies young and old have different needs, chiropractors modify techniques depending on the age and development of the child.

Childhood chiropractic care has resulted in high improvement of conditions from musculoskeletal pains to GI ailments, and has been employed to successfully treat childhood asthma as well as pain in the back, joints, and soft tissues.

This summer, the Chiropractic Board of Australia and the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) released statements about the safety and efficacy of pediatric chiropractic care, asserting that the practice is gentle and effective. The ACA further cited over 115 years of scientific literature investigating adverse events in pediatric chiropractic care, and illustrated that such adverse events were “exceedingly rare.”

Pediatric chiropractic care has been demonstrated as an important component of childhood health care, and supports the wellbeing of young people through safe, gentle, and effective treatments.

It is commonly held belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but until recently the prevailing argument was simply that breakfast eaters started the day with sounder cognitive function and set themselves up for overall better performance and achievement as the day progressed.

However, a recent study in the UK suggests that children who skip breakfast on a regular basis are likely missing out on all recommended essential nutrients throughout the day.

In general studies conducted over many years, skipping breakfast has been proven to increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, reduced memory function, and weight gain. However, only recently have studies of nutrition shown the effects of missing out on micronutrients such as vitamins C, D, E, B-complex and K, folic acid and beta-carotene, and the correlation of obtaining these nutrients beginning with a meal at breakfast.

Iron and Calcium Deficiencies May Be Linked to Skipping Breakfast

Detailed statistics of participants in the study show that more than 30% of children who skip breakfast were low on iron, and more than 20% of the children were deficient in calcium. Comparatively, only 3% of children who ate breakfast regularly were low in iron and or calcium. Not surprisingly, fat intake throughout the day was higher when children did not eat breakfast.

Researchers determined that older children, those aged 11 to 18 years, were more likely than their younger peers (ages 4 -10 years) to skip breakfast. And girls were more likely than boys to begin their day without a meal. But the missing micronutrients in the younger breakfast skippers was greater than in the older group, indicating that the younger you are, the more important it is to eat breakfast so that your body can derive and process nutrition throughout the day.

Even children in the study who ate a nutritionally balanced diet despite not eating breakfast were still found, when tested, to be lacking in essential nutrients, further indicating that breakfast may be key to establishing efficient and balanced dietary intake. The study also indicated that children who did not eat breakfast ended up consuming the same number or fewer total calories as children who ate breakfast every day.

Acoustic Wave Therapy uses vibrations to soften the connective tissue under skin that hardens and causes cellulite. Acoustic Wave Therapy stimulates collagen growth in areas troubled by cellulite, rejuvenating the connective tissue beneath the skin and enhancing the appearance of cellulite. Here are some of the benefits of this cosmetic treatment.

1. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Non-Invasive

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that carries no risk of scarring and few side effects. The treated area may take on a temporary reddened appearance, indicative of the increased blood circulation that occurs as connective tissues beneath the skin are relaxed. Acoustic Wave Therapy is one of the safest plastic surgery procedures, and most patients are able to return to normal activities on the very day of their treatment.

2. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Painless

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a painless procedure that uses sound vibrations to treat cellulite. In fact, many patients report that undergoing Acoustic Wave Therapy is a pleasant experience.

3. Acoustic Wave Therapy Can Be Performed Over a Short Period of Time

One of the benefits of Acoustic Wave Therapy is that full treatment doesn’t take very long. Depending on the severity of cellulite, individual treatment sessions can last 15 to 45 minutes. Treatments are performed twice a week for three to six weeks. You’ll need a follow up treatment every three months.

4. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Affordable

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a very affordable treatment for unsightly cellulite. Acoustic Wave Therapy costs between $80 and $150 per treatment session, depending on the region in which you live, the doctor who performs your procedure, and the extent and severity of your cellulite.

Whether you’re scheduled for a long road trip, shopping for a small army of friends and family members, wrapping dozens and dozens of gifts or camping out in the kitchen to get all your cooking complete, major holidays can easily put your body at risk of injury. Prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, extensive walking, awkward positions, overeating and plain old mental exhaustion are all common when the holiday season comes into full swing. Here are a few common sense tips to assist in keeping you healthy and pain-free this holiday season:

•Traveling: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar levels stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, bring along a small blanket and travel pillow, bring all required travel documents as well as any maps or reservations for rental cars and hotels, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky luggage and gifts – use a push cart or dolly and obtain assistance whenever appropriate and/or possible

•Shopping: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, have your shopping day pre-planned in regards to locations to visit and gifts to purchase, use shopping carts when available and take gifts to your vehicle frequently rather than risking injury by lugging pounds of gifts from store to store, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky gifts

•Cooking: maintain proper posture while at the counter/sink, alternate between sitting and standing positions, take frequent breaks, stretch often, careful when using knives and other sharp objects

•Gift Wrapping: maintain proper posture, stretch frequently, be careful not to leave scissors or sharp cutting objects on the floor where they can be accidentally stepped on or where they can be accessed by small children or animals, be careful and obtain assistance when moving or wrapping larger or bulky gifts

•Holiday Eats and Treats: do your best to avoid over indulgence of those holiday eats and treats, maintain activity levels to counter act all that holiday feasting, avoid driving when you’ve consumed those holiday spirits

•Treat Your Body To A Holiday Gift: if you find those aches and pains creeping in or just want to be in tiptop shape this holiday season, stop by your chiropractor’s office and treat your body to the most valuable gift of all… the gift of health!

A car accident can be a very debilitative experience that may result in one or more of the following:

• Injuries is to the upper spine, and neck.

• Joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, arm pain and leg pain.

• Pain and stiffness that may develop right away or 7-10 days after an accident.

Regardless of the pain you feel, your goal is Maximum Possible Recovery

At PRI clinic, we want you to focus your energy on healing. If you have been in an accident, it is important to see a chiropractor and a physiotherapist as soon as possible. Potentially serious and costly injuries may seem insignificant at first, but without proper consideration and care they could result in life-long disabilities. With our assistance, you may be able to regain the health you had prior to the accident.

We know that a car accident injury is never simple, and recuperation often involves a great deal of time, pain, and frustration. That’s why our multi-disciplined team focuses on combining the best that medicine has to offer with a human touch, motivating you to work towards your recovery at a reasonable pace and to push yourself to new levels of success.

We diagnose the injuries you have sustained as a result of the motor vehicle accident and treat those injuries and their resulting disabilities. It is also our job to properly document your injuries, disabilities and treatment. Without proper documentation there is no legal proof or evidence of your injuries or disabilities. We will obtain and compile documentation that is valid and medically necessary regarding your injuries. Valid documentation includes diagnostic studies such as X-ray, MRI, and CT scans. Objective findings, including determination of any loss of movement of a joint or “palpating” muscle to feel for tightness, rigidity, or “spasm” are intricate parts of your exam. If any permanency is noted it will be well documented and a request for on-going treatment will be in order.

With so many reasons to count on us, why spend another day fighting pain and frustration alone? Call us today and schedule your appointment for better health tomorrow.

Surgical operations are a standard part of modern medicine. By many estimates, the average person will have about nine surgical procedures during their lifetime, including outpatient and in-office procedures. These surgeries may be quite minor and routine, such as a mole removal – or extremely serious, as with organ transplants.

Proper postoperative care is a critical component of recovery after a surgery. Your surgeon will often place restrictions on your activity for a period of time after your procedure, and you should always adhere to their advice. However, most surgeons do not explicitly mention chiropractic treatment in their aftercare instructions.

In a 2012 article, three patients who had prior lumbar spinal fusions at least two years previous, were treated with spinal manipulation (three treatments over three consecutive days) followed by physiotherapy rehabilitation for 8 weeks. At the completion of care, all three patients had clinical improvement that was still maintained a year later. Another study reported 32-cases of post-surgical low back pain patients undergoing chiropractic care, which resulted in an average drop of reported pain from 6.4 out 10 to 2.3 out of 10.

Whether you’ve undergone a tooth extraction or surgery to help repair a broken bone, you should make certain that all of your healthcare providers are updated on your medical history. This includes your chiropractor. As a health care provider, your chiropractor needs to know your current medical status and all procedures you’ve undergone, no matter how seemingly minor. Keeping your chiropractor up to date will allow them to make the best decisions for your health and safety.

Although they are different disciplines, chiropractic and surgical care aren’t at odds with each other. By keeping your healthcare providers up to date on your medical history and asking questions, you can help ensure that your treatment team is working in conjunction to ensure your health and wellness.