Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Headaches? What Your Body May Be Telling You"

This is a problem I see a lot of in my clinic. For the most part I can often diagnose associated tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders. In addition to tell tale trigger points and observations relayed by the patient, Tension type headaches is the usual diagnosis.

Tension type headaches are often associated with; stress, poor posture, lack of exercise/stretching, activities etc. They often feel like they start at the back of the neck and may radiate to other parts of the head, including the face. Many patients report suffering from these headaches in significant times of stress or due to spending too much time on a computer. After ruling out serious problems involving the joints of the cervical spine or nerves, we can do a lot to give these headache sufferers much relief. I also advise appropriate stretches and postural changes that can also offer great improvements.

Now the other common types of headaches that I see in practice are migraines. Migraines are often debilitating, intense headaches that can be associated with the following; sensitivity to light/sound, a visual disturbance (Aura), nausea and a pounding/throbbing type pain.

Migraines are vascular in nature meaning they may not be related to muscle tension. In fact research shows that migraines may have other triggers that you many not have thought of before such as; certain foods (ie. chocolate, caffeine), hormonal changes, loud sounds, bright lights, depression, strong odors etc.

But regardless of the cause, pay attention to your headaches because they might be trying to tell you something! "A headache can be a symptom of a simple organic disorder, a serious or complicated disorder, or it can be individually characteristic, like a tension headache or a migraine," said Dr. Seymour Diamond, director of the Diamond Headache Clinic and director of the inpatient headache unit at Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago. "There are multiple causes or variations of headaches."

"The headache can be a message from your body," Beck said. "You don't want to just treat the headache with medicine. You want to play detective and figure out what is causing the headache."

Now a word of caution; the two types of headaches mentioned above are most common in my practice, however there are other, more serious causes of headaches. Therefore if your headache is associated with the following, make sure you get your family doctor to check it out or even visit the emergency room.

The list includes headaches associated with; serious trauma (car accident, sports injury), a headache that doesn't respond to medication, a headache like you've never experienced before, one that wakes you up from sleep, one accompanied by a fever and a headache that involves confusion or nerve symptoms.

As the headline suggests, don't ignore your headaches!! It may be your body's way of telling you that somethings wrong. Make sure you pay attention to it and tell your doctor/Chiropractor all the details involved with your headache. Often times a Chiropractor can offer you significant relief with your headaches, even giving you tips on how to avoid one all together! But if there is something more serious behind your headaches, a Chiropractor can shed some light on that too.

If you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, stop by or visit the website here;COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC: "FYI: Can I Still Exercise with Back Pain?"

The answer to this question is a resounding; "YES!" But, I do have to include a word of caution though. Back pain should be assessed by a Doctor or qualified health care provider. Medical Doctors or Chiropractors would be first to mind because the vast majority of back pain sufferers will present to these offices first. If everything is considered, examined and you are cleared for exercise, then go for it.

Now depending on your individual situation, your doctor/Chiropractor can give you a specialized exercise program that will suit your needs. Some patients should avoid high-impact or strenuous exercise at first, just to minimize the chance of re-injury. However, the current understanding of back pain is that activity and exercise is preferred over long periods of bed-rest and just 'lying around'.

The following are some tips on getting started;

- Go see your doctor/chiropractor first! Rule out any serious causes of your back pain and get the OK first. Sometimes patients need more involved medical care ie. a surgery. So don't delay on getting the appropriate diagnosis.

- The goal of an exercise program is to improve overall health (cardiovascular, strength, endurance, co-ordination, function) while minimizing stress on the back.

- Start with very low impact or no-impact exercises first such as biking, swimming and walking first. (Personally, I also recommend the elliptical machine as well to some patients)

- Once the acute pain subsides, you should consider building stronger muscles as well. The areas most important for back pain sufferers include the back, leg and abdominals

- Start slow! you can always increase the difficulty or intensity of exercise later. Try not to do too much too soon and hurt yourself in the process!

- Yoga and Tai Chi are great exercise for people that are looking for something easy on the body that can also improve flexibility and function. But take it easy! (See the above tip!)

- You should aim to participate in good cardiovascular exercise for about 20-60 minutes 3-4 times a week for good overall health.

Remember if exercise is causing you pain, stop immediately and consult with your doctor/chiropractor again. Seek their advice so you can stay safe!

I think that activity and exercise is so important to a patient's overall health and recovery from back pain. In my practice I try to engage my patients in exercise and stretches almost from the first visit if possible. I remind them that like brushing their teeth, regular exercise is an important habit to have. If you are looking after your teeth on a daily basis, doesn't it make sense to look after the rest of your body as well????

If you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver stop by the office or visit the website here;COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!!

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Chiropractic Reduces Overall Health Costs"

This article was written in conjunction with two studies that appeared in the journal; Archives of Internal Medicine. What the study's authors wanted to find out was the impact that Chiropractic has on the overall health care system. It appears that Chiropractic may be the best option compared to traditional medical care for back pain!

Researcher Dr Antonio P Legorreta (University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health) and his colleagues reviewed the health expenditure records of nearly 2 million people with health care plans. The comparison they wanted to study further was simple, " what was the difference between people who's plans included Chiropractic care to those who didn't?"

(NOTE: Dr. Legorreta's group compiled the data from nearly 2 million policy holders. That is a staggering number to study and helps to strengthen the findings of the article) 

This study "offers a tantalizing glimpse into possible large-scale economic benefits obtained through access to chiropractic coverage by large groups of insured patients," comments an accompanying editorial [ 2 ]. Drs Jose Ness and Nicole Nisly (University of Iowa, Iowa City). The researchers poured over four years of health care records and found that the 700,000 health plan members who had access to Chiropractic care, had lower overall health care costs compared to the 1 million members who didn't. In addition, the people who had Chiropractic coverage also had lower costs associated with; X-rays, MRI's, hospitalizations and surgeries.

The numbers break down like this;

Utilization per 1000 episodes	Patients with chiropractic coverage	Patients without chiropractic coverage
Plain radiographs	17.5	22.7
Low back surgery	3.3	4.8
Hospitalizations	9.3	15.6
Magnetic resonance imaging	43.2	68.9

Access to managed chiropractic care may reduce overall healthcare expenditure in several ways, say Legorreta et al. For example, there seems to be a substitution of Chiropractic for traditional medical care, particularly for spinal conditions, and Chiropractic appears to have lower costs than traditional medical care, they note. "The estimated cost saving appears to more than offset the amount spent to cover the associated costs of the Chiropractic benefit," they observe.
In their editorial, Ness and Nisly say the new study: "raises the intriguing possibility that Chiropractic may in fact be the more economic approach to the management of the ill-defined, recurrent, and often refractory symptom of back pain."
"One of the study's greatest strengths clearly lies in the sheer magnitude of the sample investigated, resulting, to our knowledge, in one of the largest analyses ever performed on economic impact of chiropractic," they add.
I think this is a clear indication that Chiropractic has very beneficial effects not only to the health of patients but the overall health system as well. However it is important to note that while this study was large in scope it may not have been very specific. In other words it did not give an indication as to what groups or types of patients could benefit most from Chiropractic.

None the less, this is obviously a very good starting point and helps to answer the question, ".....can Chiropractic help?"

In the East Vancouver neighborhood of Commercial Drive? Stop by or visit the website;COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!

1. Legorreta AP, Metz RD, Nelson CF, et al. Comparative analysis of individuals with and without chiropractic coverage. Arch Intern Med 2004; 164:1985-1992.
2. Ness J and Nisly N. Cracking the problem of back pain: is chiropractic the answer? Arch Intern Med 2004; 164:1953-1954.

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Finger Length Linked to Prostate Cancer Risk - Study"

This was a very interesting study that came from the UK just a few days ago. Researchers from Britain's Warwick University and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) found that males who's middle fingers were longer than their ring fingers were one-third less likely to develop prostate cancer than those men who's ring fingers were longer.

"Relative finger length could be used as a simple test for prostate cancer risk, particularly in men aged under 60," said Ros Eeles from the ICR, who helped lead the study. This is important because men are advised to get regular prostate exams after the age of 50, some even suggesting as early as 40! But a very common test to detect possible signs of cancer is called the PSA test or Prostate Specific Antigen test. Unfortunately, this test is not very good at differentiating those men who would develop aggressive cancer from those who may not need treatment at all.


With this in mind, doctors and researchers have been searching for better screening methods to determine which men would be more likely to develop prostate cancer later in life. With this study it seems a clue is in the hands. Researchers hope that finger length may provide a 'clue', especially for younger men, as to their risk of developing prostate cancer as they age. 


So what's the connection? you may ask. Well, it appears it all starts in the womb. As embryos our development is influenced by the introduction and levels of differing hormones. Testosterone being the main one in question here. Scientists believe that too much Testosterone during development actually affects finger length. Often correlated with a longer ring finger. Conversely, less Testosterone during development in the womb resulted in a longer middle finger. 


Scientist now believe that less Testosterone (longer middle finger) during development significantly decreases the chance that a man will develop prostate cancer later in life. 


I think this study is very interesting but needs further support and confirmation. But it does go to show how significant a concern cancer is in life. If there is even a possibility of a better screening test for cancer, especially one that is free and obvious, it is worthwhile investigating further!


If you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, stop by or visit the website here;COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chriopractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC; "Once Your Pain is Gone, Do You Need to Keep Seeing a Chiropractor??....."

In short, I would say 'Yes' it's absolutely a good idea!' But to those who ask this question, please think about this, "How often do you see your dentist every year? and do you only go to see your dentist if you have pain?"

"If I feel better and no longer have pain, why should I continue with Chiropractic care?". This is an age old question that many patients have about Chiropractic care. I know of patients who's previous Chiropractors have recommended 'maintenance care'. Often involving treatments 2-3 times/week for months and gradually tapering off from there. Many see the rationale behind this approach and still many others believe this is far too much treatment. 


Here's my honest opinion about this topic. I believe Dentists have it right. Sure some people will only see a dentist if there's pain but many others follow the recommendation of a visit every 6 months. But why? Well because of PREVENTION! A regular check up will help to identify problems with your teeth before things get really bad. Isn't it better to spot a cavity early and have a minor filling done instead of extracting the entire tooth?

But here's where Dentists really excel. Everybody knows to brush their teeth daily! Often times twice a day! This message is so ingrained in society that no one even questions it. People just do it out of habit because, wait for it..........THEY KNOW IT'S GOOD FOR THEM! Even though, you only really use your teeth for minutes a day while you're eating, you still brush religiously.

However consider this, on any given day, when are you NOT using your body, muscles, spine and joints for movement? You're even using your muscles when you're sitting using  your laptop! So what are you doing on a daily basis to keep your body, bones, muscles and joints healthy? Chances are not that much.

I see many patients who are new to Chiropractic and in my clinic I do my best to educate them about health. More importantly, the idea that HEALTH is much more than a lack of pain! I work with my patients  to devise a sensible treatment plan with re-evaluations scheduled at regular intervals. This is important because we need to track progress and offer the best, most complete care possible. In addition, we need to evaluate how successfully Chiropractic care is working for them. Is it still the best option three weeks from now? Would Physiotherapy or Massage Therapy be better? You can only answers these questions with confidence if you have been keeping track of a patient's progress.

In addition, I believe in promoting healthy habits like stretching and exercise from the first day of treatment if indicated. Just like a Dentist emphasizing the importance of brushing to keep your teeth healthy, a person should be active to keep their entire body healthy! I think as a Chiropractor, it is my duty to show my patients that they can do a lot to stay healthy and pain free on their own.  Once my patients get better about making stretching and exercises a regular habit, I encourage them to decrease the frequency of Chiropractic treatments! Everyone benefits. 


I have patients who see me for follow up care once a month, once every other month, even twice a year! I help my patients decide what frequency is right for them if they are already practicing healthy habits on their own.


Moral of the story is, "Yes, regular Chiropractic care is helpful even if you don't have pain but the ultimate choice lies with you!". No one said getting healthy and staying healthy was easy, if it was, everybody walking around would be healthy. If your Chiropractor recommends a treatment plan that you feel is excessive, make sure you know why. Ask questions! Any Chiropractor should welcome patient involvement in their treatment and if you feel like your concerns aren't being addressed, maybe that's a concern in itself.


Any questions about this post? In the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver? Contact Dr. Chan here,COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Heart Disease Risk Increases with Weight"

I know this headline may not seem like news but a new study conducted in Denmark is actually very newsworthy. This study has concluded that the more weight a person gains, the more likely they are to develop heart disease and suffer a heart attack. In fact, these researchers have been able to associate actual numbers to this relationship.

The researchers have found that for every 8.8 pounds of increase in the weight portion of a person's Body Mass Index or "BMI", their chance for developing ischemic heart disease shot up 50%. Now that's very significant because being 8.8 pounds over the recommended BMI for a person of your sex, height, waist etc, is far more common than you might think. But the question you have to ask is, "....how much over your recommended BMI are you?"

(NOTE: for those who may be unfamiliar with your Body Mass Index or BMI, it is a measure of your body fat in relation to your height, weight and sex. To be in the "normal" or safe category, your BMI score should be between 18.5 and 24.9)

The findings appear to be pretty solid considering these researchers compiled the data from three studies involving 81,000 Danish men and women. For those who are not familiar with scientific studies and how they are conducted, to have data from over 80,000 different people absolutely helps to strengthen the validity of your findings.

Dr. Borge Nordestgaard, of the University of Copenhagen in Herlev claimed this is evidence of a direct cause-and-effect between elevated BMI and raised heart disease risk. He is slated to present his findings at the American Heart Association annual meeting in Chicago.


So the moral of the story is watch your weight! be mindful of your BMI number and how it relates to your overall health!
 
If you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, stop by the office or visit the website;COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Primary Care Physicians Least Confident in a Group of Health Care Providers"

This information came from a national survey involving a variety of health care providers who commonly see patients for chronic pain. The group of health care providers included; primary care physicians (medical doctors), pain specialists, chiropractors and acupuncturists. The goal of this survey was to see how different disciplines perceived chronic pain and how they went about treating it. (As an aside, chronic pain is a serious health problem costing the health care system and the overall economy millions of dollars in expenses and loss in productivity)


According to the survey, medical doctors see about 52% of the patients suffering from chronic pain. Chiropractors follow next at 40%, acupuncturists at 7% and pain specialists at 2%. The survey found that pain specialists commonly treat these patients with long-acting Opioids. The kinds of drugs they prescribe include; methadone, anti-depressants and anti-convulsants. Pain specialists were 50-100% more likely to prescribe medication and drugs to their patients compared to medical doctors. 

But here's what's alarming and slightly disheartening. 29% of medical doctors and 16% of pain specialists reported prescribing opioids LESS than they thought was appropriate because of regulatory oversight concerns. Meaning, these doctors wanted to prescribe opioids for their patients more often than they actually did but were concerned about regulations. So these doctors felt that the best course of care for their patients suffering from chronic pain was more drugs!


To top it off, the survey also revealed this startling result. Medical doctors, out of this group of health care providers, were least likely to feel confident in their ability to manage musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain, and are least likely to favor mandatory pain education. 


I don't know about you but I find this very concerning! According to this survey, not only do medical doctors see the vast majority of chronic pain patients, but they probably feel the least confident in dealing with many of these patients! (Note: This was a survey so the doctors were free to answer any way they chose fit and this is how they responded)


There has got to be a better way! Luckily for many there is and it's called Chiropractic. I will be the first to admit that Chiropractic may not work for 100% of patients, realistically nothing does.  It may not even be appropriate for some patients. However, for the the vast majority, Chiropractic is a very real and often the best option for chronic pain sufferers. 


Chiropractic by it's very nature is; non-invasive, conservative and a drug free therapy. Not only that,  but years of successes and studies proves it works! 

Here's more information about the study;  Pain management by primary care physicians, pain physicians, chiropractors, and acupuncturists: a national survey. Breuer B., Cruciani C., Southern Medical Journal, 2010 August: 103 (8), 738-47


So if you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, stop by the office or visit the website at;COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC