It seems almost everyone has insomnia these days, including, possibly, you. People either can’t fall asleep, they wake up after a few hours of sleep and can’t go back asleep, or they aren’t able to sleep deeply. The reasons for insomnia vary from person to person, but it’s typically not due to a sleeping pill deficiency.

Instead, the reasons behind insomnia or poor sleep can be startlingly straightforward, although addressing them may take some diet and lifestyle changes.

In this article I’ll go over often overlooked issues that cause insomnia and poor sleep. Don’t assume a powerful sleeping pill is your only answer. Look at the underlying causes first and address those.

1. Low blood sugar. Do you wake up at 3 or 4 a.m., racked with anxiety and unable to fall back asleep? That could be caused by a blood sugar crash, which raises stress hormones (hence the anxious wake up). Eating small but frequent meals, never skipping meals, and avoid sugary and starchy foods are important to keep blood sugar stable. Additionally, eating a little bit of protein before bed and at night if you wake up may help.

2. High blood sugar (insulin resistance or pre-diabetes). Do you fall asleep after meals yet struggle to fall asleep at night? Do you wake up feeling like you’ve been run over by a truck, but are wide awake at bedtime? It could be high blood sugar, a precursor to diabetes, is driving your primary stress hormone cortisol and keeping you up. A telltale symptom of high blood sugar is falling asleep after meals, especially starchy meals. Minimizing sugary and starchy foods, not overeating, and exercising regularly can help you rewind insulin resistance and sleep better at night.

3. Too much blue light. Are you staring into a computer, phone, tablet, or TV screen right before bed? If so, you’re confusing your body’s sleep hormone production. The body recognizes blue light as daylight, which suppresses the production of melatonin, our main sleep hormone. Limiting your exposure to blue light at night can help boost your body’s production of sleep hormones. Wear orange glasses two hours before bed, use orange bulbs in your nighttime lamps, and limit your evening screen time to boost melatonin.

4. If you are chronically inflamed it drives up your stress hormones, which can keep you awake. This is particularly true if you’re experiencing inflammation in your brain, which can cause anxiety. One of the most common causes of chronic inflammation is an immune reaction to foods, especially gluten, dairy, eggs, and various grains. Screening for undiagnosed food sensitivities and an anti-inflammatory diet can help you hone in on what’s causing your insomnia or poor sleep.

5. Hormone imbalances. Hormone imbalances can significantly impact sleep. Low progesterone, which is a common symptom of chronic stress, heightens anxiety and sleeplessness. An estrogen deficiency in perimenopause and menopause has been shown to increase anxiety, insomnia and sleep apnea. In men, low testosterone is linked with poor sleep and sleep apnea. Also, low hormone levels can be inflammatory to the brain, increasing anxiety and insomnia.

Many things can cause insomnia and poor sleep, however these 5 are some of the more common. While you are addressing the underlying factors of your sleep issue, you can aid your ability to sleep with safe and natural compounds, depending on the mechanism. Ask the nutritionist in our office how we can help

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

It is likely you will have heard of sports massage, seen it advertised, or even received sports massage in the past. But you might be wondering what benefits it offers, is it for me and what does massage at PRI entail. We asked our one of our massage therapists to give us a low-down:

Massage and it’s benefits:

There are numerous benefits to receiving massage, including physical, physiological and psychological. This is one of the reasons it is such a popular choice for people from all walks of life providing an effective treatment according to the particular needs of a client. Below are just a few of the benefits that massage can provide:

• Relaxation – massage helps the muscles relax through heat generated, circulation and stretching. It may also lower high blood pressure.
• Flexibility – someone with tight muscles may have better flexibility following treatment.
• Pain Reduction – massage assists in reducing tension and releases the body’s endorphins, influencing our pain reception.
• Recovery – massage can help improve recovery from trauma and fatigue.
• Prevention – massage can assist in the prevention of injury in the long term.
• Health – massage helps maintain and improve the health of the soft tissues due to the effects on blood circulation.
• Invigoration/Increased Energy – massage can leave you feeling invigorated and with more energy. This can be of real benefit before an event or competition.
• Reduces Anxiety – massage induces relaxation which in turn reduces anxiety.

Is it for me?

Hopefully that all sounds great but now you might be wondering is sports massage for me? Sports and remedial massage can actually benefit everyone. As the name suggests it can be a valuable asset for people involved with sports and fitness at all levels from casual sport participants and weekend warriors to professional athletes. Massage can help you recover quicker which in turn allows for more intensive training with a lower risk of overuse injury. As well as post-event or post-training, massage can assist pre-event. In the build up to competition it can help achieve the fullest recovery possible allowing for maximum performance but it can also be used to reduce anxiety if required or increase stimulation and invigoration. As well as sports people the same benefits can be applied to other active professions such as performers, dancers and musicians.

However sport and remedial massage is not only useful for those involved in sport or who have an active lifestyle. It can be very beneficial to those recovering from all types of injury by aiding the healing and rehabilitation processes. Many people suffer from minor and chronic injuries resulting from their job whether this is due to a repetitive movement such as a painter reaching overhead to paint or someone not moving very much at all such as a desk based office worker. Sport and remedial massage can aid in relieving pain in the affected areas of the body whilst also helping to correct postural imbalances and poor mobility and movement patterns. Remedial massage can also assist those suffering from a range of other medical conditions.

Sport & Remedial Massage at PRI:

PRI offers sports massage at a range of their clinics delivered by experienced and qualified therapists who are trained to assess, treat and rehabilitate minor and chronic injuries. We employ a range of massage techniques working on both deep and superficial layers to maximise the benefits of massage. We may also include postural assessment and other soft tissue techniques such as Soft Tissue Release and Muscle Energy Techniques within our sessions to offer the best treatment to each individual. Our aim is to work with everybody who comes to see us to treat not just the symptoms but also the cause. We also work closely with the physiotherapists which allows us to call upon their experience and expertise should we need to.

If you have any questions or queries please get in touch and we would be happy to help!

(416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a progressive muscle disorder characterized by muscle inflammation, weakness, and muscle wasting. It is a type of inflammatory myopathy. IBM develops in adulthood, usually after age 50. The symptoms and rate of progression vary from person to person. The most common symptoms include progressive weakness of the legs, arms, fingers, and wrists. Some people also have weakness of the facial muscles (especially muscles controlling eye closure), or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Muscle cramping and pain are uncommon, but have been reported in some people.

Most people with IBM progress to disability over a period of years. In general, the older a person is when IBM begins, the more rapid the progression of the condition. Most people need assistance with basic daily activities within 15 years, and some people will need to use a wheelchair. Lifespan is thought to be normal, but severe complications (e.g. aspiration pneumonia) can lead to loss of life.

The underlying cause of IBM is poorly understood and likely involves the interaction of genetic, immune-related, and environmental factors. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to developing IBM, but the condition itself typically is not inherited.

There is currently no cure for IBM. The primary goal of management is to optimize muscle strength and function. Management may include exercise, fall prevention, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy (for dysphagia).

While the medical community is searching for therapies to target the root of this condition, a recent technological breakthrough has allowed patients with IBM 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 IBM 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 IBM , 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

On April 9, 2018, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published the results of a case study showing chiropractic helping a 9-year-old who was suffering from asthma as well as a number of other functional health issues.

The study begins by noting that in 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 10 million children were diagnosed with asthma, of which 6.8 million of those children continue to live with this problem today. The study reports that in the period between 2002 and 2007, the cost of asthma in the U.S. was 56 billion dollars. Additionally, in 2008 alone, it was estimated that children were absent from school for a total of 14.4 million days from this condition.

According to the professional version of the Merck Manual, “Asthma is a disease of diffuse airway inflammation caused by a variety of triggering stimuli resulting in partially or completely reversible bronchoconstriction”. The authors of the study explain asthma by stating, “Asthma is a bronchial tube disorder that is caused by an immune response to a variety of stimuli that causes airways to hyper react to its environmental input.” In layman’s terms, asthma is when some kind of irritant causes the tubes leading to the lungs to constrict and reduce airflow.

In this case, a 9-year-old boy was brought to the chiropractor. The boy was suffering with a number of health complaints with the chief among these being asthma. His asthma had resulted in four previous trips to the emergency room with one of those visits requiring a five day in stay at the hospital. His problem required him to use an Albuterol inhaler one to four times each day.

In addition to the asthma, the boy also suffered with mid back pain that was worse when sitting at school. He also suffered from headaches and neck pain that was accompanied by dizziness. Since birth, it was reported that it would take the boy between one to three hours to fall asleep each night. In addition to all these issues the boy was also suffering with episodes of low back pain, leg and foot pain, colic, sugar cravings, stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, allergies, behavioral problems, ADHD and eczema.

A thorough chiropractic examination revealed a number of areas of postural distortion and neuromusculoskeletal system dysfunctions. Thermal scans and surface EMG scans also showed variations along the child’s spine. It was determined that subluxations were present and chiropractic care was started.

As the chiropractic care progressed, the child’s asthma started to show steady improvement to where he was able to reduce his medication from four times per day to an as needed basis. Additionally, the other symptoms he was experiencing also started to reduce. His sleeping returned to normal so that it did not take hours for him to fall asleep. The boy’s complaints of headaches, stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, neck pain, and back pain were all resolved. It was even noted that he no longer needed special accommodations at school for his ADHD diagnosis.

Previously, the boy would regularly miss days of school due to his asthma and illnesses. After starting chiropractic care, it was reported that he only missed one day of school, his grades greatly improved, and the boy made honor roll.

In the study conclusion the authors wrote, “This case study shows that chiropractic care to reduce vertebral subluxations may lead to improved health outcomes. It adds to the current literature on the positive outcomes of chiropractic care and children with asthma and other functional disorders.”

For more tips on how to reduce symptoms of asthma, please see a chiropractor in our office and ask how we can help.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

From the January 2018 issue of the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics comes a documented case study of chiropractic helping a baby who was suffering from chronic constipation. In children, constipation can be expressed as infrequent bowel movements and can have hard and dry stools.

The study begins by noting that between 5-30% of the child population will suffer with this issue. More than one third of the cases become chronic, lasting for more than 8 weeks. The study reports that many factors can contribute to the issue including dehydration, dietary factors such as cows milk intolerance, or a change in diet. Certain organic issues can also lead to constipation as well as psychological factors including purposefully withholding stools which can become an acquired behavior in some children.

If no known cause can be found for the constipation, it is referred to as idiopathic constipation. The study describes how this problem can be detected by noting, “Signs and symptoms of childhood constipation include excessive flatulence associated with a foul smell, infrequent passing of stools, abdominal pain and withholding or straining to stop the passage of stools.

In this case, a mother brought her 2-year-old son in to see the chiropractor. The boy’s problems primarily included three weeks of right shoulder and arm pain which was affecting his daily activities as well as his sleep. His mother additionally reported that her son was suffering with chronic constipation for over a year and was taking what she described as a “significant” amount of medication for the issue. The boy’s bowel movements were extremely foul smelling and very painful to pass. The child was eating a very nutritious and healthy diet which would rule out dietary concerns for causing the constipation.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included inspection, range of motion, and palpation of the spine and pelvic bones. With the findings, age-specific chiropractic care was started on the boy. After only one visit, the child was completely free of the initial pain of right shoulder and arm pain. Within ten days, the boy’s mother reported that her son was having more frequent bowel movements associated with looser stools and less straining. As a result, the boy’s mother was able to reduce his medication.

The study records that after four visits “…the mother reported that for the first time in his life, the child was sleeping throughout the night without waking and routinely passing a stool with no complaint.” After two additional visits the boy was having regular bowl movements without any straining.

In the abstract of this study, the authors give an overview of the case and the results by stating, “After four treatments, the frequency of bowel movements increased from once every other day to twice a day and use of medication decreased. Sleep quality also improved. As a result of the improvements noted with this intervention, a musculoskeletal mechanism for the development and persistence of constipation in children has been proposed.”

If your child is constipated, for more info on how chiropractic can help, please contact our office at

(416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

People who walk just 35 minutes a day or participate in light to moderate physical activity, such as swimming two to three hours a week, may have less severe strokes than people who are physically inactive. In a new study to determine physical activity, participants were asked after the stroke how much they moved or exercised during leisure time before the stroke. Questions about duration and intensity of exercise were used to determine the average amount of physical activity. Relatives were asked to confirm exercise levels when needed.

Study author Katharina S Sunnerhagen, said, “Stroke is a major cause of serious disability, so finding ways to prevent stroke or reduce the disability caused by stroke are important. While exercise benefits health in many ways, our research suggests that even simply getting in a small amount of physical activity each week may have a big impact later by possibly reducing the severity of a stroke.”

Light physical activity was defined as walking at least four hours a week. Moderate physical activity was defined as a more intense exercise such as swimming, brisk walking, or running two to three hours a week. Of study participants, 52% said they were physically inactive before having their stroke.

Researchers found that people who engaged in light to moderate physical activity before their stroke were twice as likely to have a mild stroke rather than a moderate or severe stroke when compared to people who were physically inactive. Sunnerhagen added, “There is a growing body of evidence that physical activity may have a protective effect on the brain and our research adds to that evidence. Further research is needed to better understand just how physical activity influences the severity of a stroke.”

While the medical community is searching for ways to prevent or reduce the severity of this condition, as well as the side effects of it, a recent technological breakthrough has allowed patients who suffered from stroke to achieve a remarkable improvement in their lifestyle. Without the KeegoTM 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 after stroke wearing a KeegoTM 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 suffered from stroke, please see a specialist at the PRI clinic. They are specifically trained to properly introduce your body to the KeegoTM 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

It’s an all-too-common scenario for teen girls today: That time of the month comes around they are home from school white-knuckling it through agonizing menstrual cramps, having only just endured a week of equally debilitating PMS depression and anxiety.

It’s just your standard entry into womanhood, right? Not!

Although hormonal irregularity is normal in the early years, excessive pain and anguish is not. It signals underlying causes of hormonal imbalance that may be alleviated through diet and lifestyle changes.

Of course one must also consider the possibility of serious medical disorders  such as uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, or, most commonly, endometriosis, disorders that tend to be overlooked in young girls in early menses.

Going beyond NSAIDS and the pill for teen cramps

The conventional approach to severe cramps and PMS is the use of over-the-counter pain medication and low-dose oral contraceptives.

Oral contraceptives are synthetic hormones that interfere with the body’s natural hormonal feedback loops and disrupt the balance of intestinal flora, not to mention raising the risk of serious medical complications such as migraines, stroke, and even cancer.

Although birth control pills can bring relief, it’s better to ask why hormones are imbalanced in the first place. Birth control pills merely resolve the symptoms but not the cause of teenage menstrual cramps and PMS.

Here are some underlying causes of severe teen cramps and PMS

The female hormonal system is intricate, complex, and easily toppled by many modern habits we consider normal. Add standard teenage predilections for excess and indulgence, and you’ve got a recipe for monthly sick days home from school.

Here are some common factors we see when looking at teenage menstrual cramps and PMS with a functional medicine perspective:

Unstable blood sugar skewing hormones. This is very often an underlying factor of hormonal imbalance in women of all ages, but particularly in teens. Skipped meals, diets high in sugar, caffeine, processed carbohydrates, junk foods, and other staples of teen diets can cause the delicate balance between estrogen and progesterone to spiral out of control

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) frequently occurs when blood sugar is chronically out of balance, and brings with it the requisite symptoms of severe cramping and PMS. Other PCOS symptoms include depression, acne, irregular periods, and ovarian cysts (with pain).

A diet that eliminates sugar, minimizes caffeine, regulates carbohydrate consumption, and focuses on plenty of produce and healthy proteins and fats can help bring blood sugar, PCOS, and the accompanying cramps and PMS under control. Of course, this won’t be easy for the average teen girl, but sometimes the pain of the problem outweighs the pain of the solution.

Adrenal imbalances. The adrenal glands are two walnut-sized glands that sit atop each kidney and produce adrenal hormones. Teen habits of missing sleep, pushing themselves too hard, skipping meals, and eating too much sugar all send adrenal function into over drive or under drive.

Adrenal imbalances severely impact hormonal balance and can deplete progesterone, the “calming” hormone that helps prevent PMS.

Too much screen time. Hormonal balance is tightly linked to the light cycles of day and night. The blue light emitted from smart phones, tablets, and TVs are interpreted as sunlight by the brain. When teen girls stare into their phones texting and sharing late into the night, the brain, and then the hormones, become awfully confused as a result. (This also causes insomnia.)

Although restricting exposure to screens is a tall order for today’s teens, you may be able to convince your daughter to wear orange glasses, use an orange film over the screen, or download an app like f.lux or Twilight that filters out blue light after sunset.

These are just a few ways in which modern teen habits can result in severe menstrual cramps and PMS. For more information on how to balance hormones and alleviate cramps and PMS using functional medicine, please contact my office

For further info, please call or follow these links:

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

If you have a risk for heart disease or another condition potentially triggered by high cholesterol, your doctor might ask you to lower your cholesterol levels.

The debate about how much of a role cholesterol plays in heart disease and other problems, however, is contentious and inconclusive.

Some experts support the lipid hypothesis, which looks at cholesterol’s impact on your blood.

Saturated fat is a chief culprit here for heart disease because this type of dietary fat raises cholesterol.

Others argue such theories are outdated and unfairly demonize saturated fat and cholesterol.

Regardless, high cholesterol remains a concern for many doctors and other healthcare professionals.

These and other modifications can have dramatic effects on your health including creating healthy cholesterol levels and weight:

1. Increase anti-inflammatory fatty acids. Whereas our Paleolithic ancestors ate about an equal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, today we eat 20 times or more pro-inflammatory omega 6 fatty acids that can contribute to inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Anti-inflammatory foods include nuts, seeds, low-sugar fruits like berries and avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, wild-caught salmon, and vegetables. If you aren’t regularly eating wild-caught seafood, consider supplementing with fish oil to get those anti-inflammatory fatty acids.

2. Add more fiber. Research shows dietary fiber – specifically, soluble fiber – can reduce cholesterol levels. That’s because excess cholesterol binds to soluble fiber, which you then excrete from your body. Aim for at least 35 grams of fiber daily from foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. (Many of these plant foods also provide antioxidants to balance the oxidative stress that can contribute to heart disease.) You might also consider a powder supplement if you find getting fiber from food difficult. As you increase fiber intake, remember to drink additional water.

3. Lower sugar intake. Too much sugar and refined carbohydrates – especially without healthy foods including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber – can contribute to inflammation. You know the usual suspects, but sugar can hide in not-so-obvious places including salad dressings. Learn to read labels. Anything ending in -ose is sugar.

4. Eat more fermented foods. Fermented foods such as unpasteurized sauerkraut and kimchi are rich in probiotics to support gut health. Most of us don’t eat these foods regularly, which makes supplementing with a probiotic ideal. One meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that probiotic supplements could significantly reduce serum total cholesterol.

5. Quit smoking. Among its damage, cigarette smoking increases your risk of inflammation, oxidative stress, and so much more. Smoking is also a risk factor for heart disease.

6. Implement lifestyle factors. Maintaining normal cholesterol levels start with your diet but also require good sleep, managing stress levels, and working with your chiropractor to reduce your risk factors for other chronic diseases. Aim for eight hours of solid sleep every night. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and mindfulness make great ways to de-stress.

7. Move more. Consistent, regular exercise is an effective way to normalize high cholesterol. Research shows that high- and moderate-intensity exercise can increase HDL and lower LDL and triglycerides. Regardless of your fitness level, you can find something with these strategies to fit more exercise into your schedule.

High cholesterol and your risk for heart disease don’t occur overnight. Likewise, normalizing cholesterol levels with dietary and lifestyle modifications might require time.

A chiropractor can create a dietary, nutrient, and lifestyle plan that works for you and gets results as you work with your doctor to determine what creates your high cholesterol. With the right plan, you can completely normalize cholesterol and all the complications that high cholesterol.

Call our office for more information on managing your cholesterol levels by addressing the underlying cause.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

Depending on the source population and definition of pain, 9–66 percent of children suffer from back pain. Prevention is the best strategy to minimize low back pain. These seven strategies can help.

1. Emphasize good posture.

Encourage your child to stand up straight and avoid slouching. This can become easy to do with extended computer use, watching TV, and playing video games. Children and teens can learn good posture with practice. Researchers used one exercise program for posture correction among students for 20 minutes, three times a week over eight weeks and noticed that it helped reduce musculoskeletal pain.

2. Be mindful of sleep.

Research shows sleep disruptions can create adverse short- and long-term health consequences. Without sufficient sleep, your child is more prone to injury, poor posture, and impaired judgment that can impact lower back pain. Sleep quality and quantity matter (aim for at least seven to eight hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep nightly), but don’t overlook culprits for back pain including a worn-out mattress.

3. Foster active relaxation.

Psychological factors including depression, anxiety, and chronic stress can also impact lower back pain. Research shows that low back pain is more common among school-age children with high levels of psychosocial difficulties, conduct problems, or other somatic disorders. (This might require a therapist to determine underlying issues.) Whether that involves meditation, mindfulness, massage, or just watching funny movies, help your kid find something that brings happiness and joy. Encourage them to do it daily.

4. Encourage stretching and core strength.

We sit too much and don’t move enough. Over-sitting creates tight, tense muscles that can manifest as low-back pain. Encourage your child to stand up every hour or so (set their phone alarm if necessary) and stretch their hamstring muscles. Research shows compared with education alone, regular exercise (in this case, four spinal movements) plus education can reduce low back pain in children aged eight to 11. Regular low-impact walking can help. Strong core muscles can also help support your lower spine. Pilates, which focuses on core strength, can help improve pain and functional ability.

5. Take an Epsom salts bath.

After a hectic day, a warm bath can provide heat therapy to achy muscles while helping your child or adolescent relax. Add one cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath to soothe sore muscles and joints while giving your young one this undervalued mineral that can lower pain and inflammation.

6. Be mindful of over-exercise.

Being sedentary can contribute to low back pain, but so can over-exercise. Back pain occurs in 10–25 percent of athletes and is more common among football players and gymnasts. If your child or adolescent engages in an intense physical activity, be especially emphatic about self-care and optimal recovery.

7. Increase anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Inflammation can underlie back pain, and doctors sometimes prescribe pain relievers like NSAIDs. An anti-inflammatory diet, supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, can also help lower inflammation. One review found that omega-3 essential fatty acids complement the pain-relieving aspects of NSAIDs, and studies show these anti-inflammatory fatty acids can successfully treat spine-related pain. Look for a fish oil combined with vitamin D, which could help with pain management especially with deficiencies in this vitamin.

Visiting a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common motivation for a chiropractic appointment, though even that is sometimes under-utilized. Chiropractic is a safe source of relief of that nagging, sometimes debilitating, lumbar-region pain.

One randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial evaluated the levels of pain in patients with problems in their lower back before and after a lumbar adjustment. Every indicator of pain improved for the treatment group, with no changes in the control group.

If your child or teen experiences back pain at any level, but especially in the lower lumbar region, visit a chiropractor. While medication may be designed to block pain, chiropractic is all about safely and effectively getting to the cause.

From a purely mechanical perspective, chiropractic care for lower back pain will typically include adjustments to these segments. Don’t forget those adjustments also have an impact on the organs you don’t feel, not just the muscles and select nerves that you do feel.

No child or teen must ever settle with lower back pain, and correcting this issue will help minimize or eliminate pain as they become adults. While most situations become better with time, a physician or chiropractor can help correct persistent lower back pain. Utilizing these strategies (including a good backpack that supports back health) can ensure your kids have a healthy, happy school year.

If you would like your child to thrive, check out PRI for more tips and ideas.

Tel:      (416) 477-1101

E-mail: reception@priclinic.com

Web:   www.priclinic.com

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow is an overuse injury that causes pain on the outer aspect of the elbow. A group of muscles on the back of the forearm (called the forearm extensors) which have a common bony attachment to the outer part of the elbow called the ‘lateral epicondyle’. These muscles attach to the bone via a tendon. The tendon becomes damaged due to high force contractions or excessive repetition and causes pain – the condition is called ‘Lateral Epicondylitis’.

What are the symptoms?

• Pain when bending or lifting the arm
• Pain when straightening the elbow
• Localised elbow pain that is worsened with touch
• Pain worsening with gripping, opening doors and carrying heavy items

What causes Tennis Elbow?

Ironically, tennis elbow is seen more commonly in non-tennis players than in tennis players.

Patients with this condition complete activities that involve repeated wrist movements, often against resistance. This can be:

• Racket sports
• Painting
• Chopping wood
• Using a screwdriver
• Working at a computer – typing and using the mouse

Physiotherapy for tennis elbow:

The goal of Physiotherapy for tennis elbow is to unload the extensor tendon to speed up the healing process and ensure a safe return to all activities.

We often use a variety of treatments to do this such as:

• Taping to unload the tendon
• Acupuncture to improve blood flow to the tendon
• Soft tissue massage and trigger point release of the forearm muscles to alleviate pressure on the tendon
• Joint mobilization to allow improved movement at the elbow
• Exercise prescription to strengthen the forearm muscles and heal the tendon

If you have a tennis elbow 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