Everyday in practice, I am reminding patients of the benefits of regular exercise. However, occasionally I get patients who ask me, "...but I heard that running can be bad for your joints and health?". So lets discuss some of the myths out there regarding running and potential harm to your joints and overall health.
Let's start off by saying that if you are not physically active now but are interested in starting an exercise program, that may include running make sure you are screened first. Have your family physician or Chiropractor assess you to make sure you are physically able to endure moderate to intense exercise. (Make sure you inform your Chiropractor of all health conditions concerning your heart and medications you may be on). If everything is ok here, regular physical exercise is one of the very best things you could do for your health. I often explain to my patients that you would normally eat everyday because your body needs the fuel and nutrients. But your dentist will tell you that you also need to brush and floss everyday to take good care of your teeth. The same logic applies to the rest of your body. Exercise and movement is vital to proper body and spinal 'hygiene'.
"Running is bad for your joints". Wrong. A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found no evidence of accelerated rates of osteoarthritis (joint degeneration) among long-distance runners. In fact, weight bearing exercises have been shown to be actually beneficial to the bones by encouraging increased bone density.
"What about heart attacks?". Another concern that some people have is that running and other strenuous forms of exercise can 'overload' your heart and cause a heart attack. Well, there is a chance that exercise may raise the odds of suffering a heart attack, mid-workout however, regular exercise can be beneficial. Regular cardiovascular activity can reduce your chances of heart attacks and can serve as 'protection' over the long haul.
The moral of the story is, don't let these concerns stop you from becoming physically active or running. However, if you're not convinced and want to be extra 'sure', go get assessed by your doctor or Chiropractor first. Remember, exercise is best done regularly, for the long term. So don't be in a rush to run a marathon tomorrow. Take it slow and steady! If you're in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, drop by the office or check out the website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC
I wanted to write today to address a common question that many people who may not have ever tried Chriopractic ask themselves, " Why Chiropractic?". In today's society, especially in the west, we are lucky to have lots of options for healthcare. But many of us who have experienced traditional medical care for pain, may have been left wondering if there were alternatives?
There are over the counter drugs like; Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Robaxacet and others. The benefits of drugs are that they are readily available and an 'easy' option. The downside is that many patients find that they have to take many pills, every day just to function in normal life. Along with potential side effects, many people quickly realize that taking drugs for relief does nothing to address the root cause of the original discomfort.
What about Acupuncture? Massage? or Physiotherapy then? All of these are also good options for people seeking relief from discomfort and pain. Admittedly, many people will indeed find the relief that they are looking for if they try these options. Ok then Doc, here comes the golden question, "....Why Chiropractic then?"
Chiropractic is a great option for people suffering from pain and who are looking for an effective, safe solution for their bodily aches and discomfort. A spinal adjustment delivered by a Chiropractor can pinpoint the area or joint in question that is fixated and release the irritation quickly. I liken it to adding oil to a hinge that has become a little rusty. The addition of the oil immediately allows the hinge to once again move freely with less friction and squeaking. That restored movement alone goes a long way in not only reducing pain but to also speed healing. The body is an intricate and beautifully interconnected machine. That being said, the body needs to move in order to realize optimal health. Massage and Acupuncture as mentioned earlier, can be effective at reducing pain, however many instances of back, neck, shoulder pain and the like are a result of strained/sprained soft tissue that directly affects the normal motion and alignment of joints.
I hope that helps to answer the question of "...why Chiropractic?" for some of you. For those of you who are still unsure, please leave a comment below. If you're in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, stop by my clinic or visit my website here; COMMERICAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!
Neck pain is a very common complaint I see in clinical practice. The causes are varied but can range from a night of poor sleep to sports related trauma. More and more, I am also seeing the culprit being postural overload. That is to say, our society requires many of us to spend a lot of time working on computers. The position that many of us adopt in front of computers is actually harmful over long periods and forces undue strain on the joints of our necks. Many of us recognize the familiar tightness in the back of our necks, the stiffness and maybe even headaches that is a result of neck tension. If the situation isn't addressed, the next likely progression is pain.
Many patients see me for relief of pain in their necks. The relief is almost immediate in most cases but also function is improved. That is to say, a lot of neck pain sufferers report a lack of motion or stiffness in the neck. This can make everyday activities very difficult, even dangerous if you think about the inability to shoulder check when driving. I have seen first hand patients being able to move better and turn their heads after a Chiropractic treatment.
Today I'd like to discuss a common, alternative treatment for neck pain;
Pain Killers. Many people resort to the good 'ol Tylenol or Advil for relief of neck pain. Admittedly, these medications will offer many people the relief they are looking for however, it's only temporary.
If your neck pain lasts more than a couple of days, I'm sure you will start to be concerned about how many pills you need to take just to make it through your day. Well, the good news is there is an alternative! According to this recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, it appears that Chiropractic adjustments for neck pain is a better option for neck pain than medication!
This study included over 270 participants from a wide range of ages (18 -65) that had been suffering from neck pain lasting from at least 2 weeks to as much as 12 weeks. What the researchers did was assign different people different therapies including, Chiropractic (Spinal Manipulative Therapy) and medication. The participants were re-evaluated at regular intervals to see how they were doing throughout.
The study concluded that participants who received Chiropractic treatments for their neck pain improved faster and were more satisfied with their improvements compared to those who took medication alone. Another finding from the study was that those who took only medication for relief, found their improvements were limited. To make matters worse, despite their limited relief, these sufferers continued to take HIGHER amounts of medication for longer. Thus posing other problems such dependency, liver toxicity, ulcers and overdose.
As this study shows, there are very effective and natural treatments for neck pain like, Chiropractic. In fact, as more evidence is showing, Chiropractic is an even better option than medication alone for the treatment and relief of neck pain. If you have any questions, please leave them below. Remember if you're in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, stop by the office or visit my website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!
References;
Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise With Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain,A Randomized Trial,
Annals of Internal Medicine, Bronfort et al., January 3, 2012 vol. 156 no. 1 Part 1 1-10
