Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Think One Diet Fits All?...Think Again!"

Many of my patients are encouraged to exercise and adopt healthier lifestyle changes for their overall well-being. In addition, the recommendations for more exercise usually isn't met with a lot of resistance because most people want to lose a few pounds here and there.

However, my patients sometimes admit that they have tried fad diets and changed their eating habits before only to lose momentum and return to old, unhealthy habits. Well, this article I came across may shed some light as to why many people are unable or unwilling to stick to a new diet.

Now first of, what I'm about to say probably makes a lot of sense in theory but may be very hard to practice. YOU MUST BE HONEST. The honesty I speak of is the conversation you must have with yourself as to what you want to achieve, how committed you are and what you are willing to do to get to your goals.

Choosing a weight-loss plan that's going to work "takes some self-reflection," said Amy Jamieson-Petonic, a registered dietitian who directs wellness coaching at the Cleveland Clinic and is a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

You must analyze your current eating habits and see where you are willing to make changes. And remember what worked for your best friend, may not necessarily work for you. But the point is, get educated about your options!!

Here are a few tips to look for in a diet;

* Does the plan include a variety of foods?
* Does it include high-fiber foods?
* Does it educate you on the value of foods that are low in saturated fat?
* Does it tell you about "good" fats, such as olive oil?

Look to make small changes slowly instead of making too many dramatic changes overnight. Remember, a new diet is going to be part of a new lifestyle, so give yourself some time and room for a 'setback' here and there on your journey.

One more thing to look out for. Stay away from Diets that claim you will not have to exercise at all!! I think that's just common sense. You are looking at this change as a way of life and being active will have to be a part of it. But heck, you're worth it right?

Contact your COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!!>

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Women Often Underestimate Strokes"

Just a few days after Mother's day, I got to thinking about women's health and I was reminded about how little women know about Strokes and how it relates to Cadiovascular health.

I know there is a lot of attention paid to Cancer in the media and especially Breast Cancer. Now I'm not saying that isn't a worthy cause and an important investment in time and resources but let's review the facts.

A survey found that nearly 40% of women aren't even concerned of strokes. However, the sobering fact is that a stroke is twice as likely to prove fatal to a woman than breast cancer is. Another interesting survey finding is that women believe that Breast Cancer is Five times more common than a stroke, but that is grossly exaggerated. Other health professionals also reported that women often miss the signs of a stroke and even worse, are less likely than men to have it treated when they do have one!

What's going on here?? If Strokes are 1)more common than Breast cancer and 2)more likely to be fatal to a woman, then why is there still the lack of understanding in the general public?

Well, the key lies in education and exposure. We are regularly bombarded with public service announcements about Breast Cancer and it's related charities. However, seldom are women reminded to review their cardiovascular health. Here, I've listed a few of the symptoms of a stroke. If a woman, or anybody for that matter, suffers these symptoms, make sure they get the appropriate medical attention ASAP!!

* Sudden difficulty speaking, understanding speech, or confusion
* Sudden numbness or weakness in the limbs, particularly on one side
* Sudden facial drooping or numbness and weakness on one side of the face
* Sudden balance problems, dizziness or trouble walking
* Sudden difficulty seeing with one or both eyes
* Sudden severe headache

Please don't wait. Tell a woman, you love that they need to be wary of their heart health as well!

Visit East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Chan's website here at COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Study Suggests Chiropractic Better for Chronic Back Pain"

A study that appears in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics wanted to measure the difference between Spinal manipulation (Chiropractic), Acupuncture and Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory (NSAID's) drugs for Chronic back pain.

For those who may be confused, NSAID's are a class of drugs that are readily taken for pain relief. However, they also have the added benefit of having anti-inflammatory properties. They are more recognized for their brand names; Ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin.

This study followed a group of patients who were reported to be suffering from 'chronic back/spinal pain'. The participants were separated into three groups; one group received Acupuncture treatment, another group only took NSAID medication and the last group received Chiropractic spinal manipulation.

Follow up was done after 30 days to see how the participants in the different groups fared. What the researchers found was surprising. At 30 days of follow up, only the Chiropractic group showed statistically significant changes. That is to say individuals in the other groups may have felt better, but as a whole, not enough to be 'significant' upon analysis.

This study reinforces what I've heard in my office for years, "Chiropractic helps people suffering from back/spinal pain, even if it's been there for a long time"

Now a disclaimer. I had a chance to review this study and I have to admit, I think the sample size was small. It appears about 77 people started out in this study. I generally like to see a study involve many more people to get a better idea of a general effect in a population. But on the other hand, I think this study warrants some further investigation in a larger study. Not only would it be interesting to see if the same effects can be replicated in a larger sample but maybe a larger sample group could allow for a control group as well. In other words, a group of people who receive no treatment intervention at all.

For more information about your Chiropractor in East Vancouver, contact YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN HERE!!!

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Flatworms Help Heal Broken Bones!"

Wow, can Flatworms really help heal broken bones?? The answer is "Yes", but not in the way that you think. Scientists have always marveled at the capacity for some animals to regenerate tissue such as limbs that have been damaged or lost. One of these animals, is if course the Flatworm.

As scientist have been working diligently to uncover the mystery behind this trait, they may have uncovered a key component. Recently, scientists from Stanford university have found a way to help speed the recovery of broken bones in mice. If the same effect is seen in humans, this can have tremendous implications for patients who suffer a fracture, trauma or even the elderly with Osteoporosis!

"This has huge implications," said Dr. Victor Khabie, co-director of the Orthopedic and Spine Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco, N.Y. "Broken bones is a big problem, and this is just the tip of the iceberg."

The technique could help in fusing bones as well, and many other surgeries that rely on bone growth and bone healing to succeed, he added.

"A lot of the surgeries we do rely on bone growth and bone healing, and a lot of the failures of surgery have to do with the fact that the bone never heals or the fusion never [takes]," Khabie explained.

The research revolved around a specific class of proteins called, Wnt proteins. These proteins are inherent in our bodies but scientists have found that if they
'ramped-up' the effect of these proteins, they could actually help injuries heal faster.

From a Chiropractic perspective, of course having a patient recover from a fracture is ideal. However, consider this. As our society ages, the proportion of people who suffer from Osteoporosis will only increase. Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones internal structure. As people get older, Osteoporosis can make their bones brittle and fragile. A fracture at an elderly age can actually be fatal. Now if there was a therapy that could allow an elderly patient with a fracture to heal faster, that would be beneficial for everyone involved.

But it doesn't stop there. An even better question would be if this form of treatment could prevent Osteoporosis in the first place? Wouldn't that be something? All starting with a worm......go figure.

If you would like to reach YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN, CLICK HERE!!!

I thought I'd take this opportunity on a beautiful afternoon in Vancouver to write a little bit about myself. Now, I understand that choosing a health care provider can be a daunting task and one might feel like they just have to take a "leap of faith". However, I thought if I introduced myself a bit, it would make things a bit easier, so here goes.

I was raised in the lower mainland after immigrating from Burma, a country now called Myanmar. I went to Richmond High School and grew up participating in many sports, but Swimming and Karate in particular. I was an avid swimmer and even competed internationally when I was growing up.

After high school, I attended the University of British Columbia and received a Bachelor's degree in Science. All through university I remained interested in sports, physiology and health. During my later years in University I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare and I decided on Chiropractic.

I then decided to travel to the great city of Portland, Oregon to attend Western States University. There, I completed an intensive four year doctorate program in three years. I graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2004.

After many long years of consecutive schooling, I decided to take a break and traveled of nearly two months. After satisfying my travel bug, I started working in the East Vancouver neighborhood by Commercial Drive where I have been since. My office is in the EastVan Medical Building on East 10th Ave, just across from the Safeway at Broadway and Commercial Drive.


My practice is focused on acute and rehabilitative care. Meaning, I focus on the fundamentals of orthopaedics and physiology to help diagnose and treat a patient's ailment. From day one, I encourage a healthy and active lifestyle with all my patients. I stress that exercise and proper stretching must be a part of the healing process as well a fundamental to a healthy life. My practice is not focused on "corrective care". Meaning some offices will often require patients undergo x-rays, and follow up x-rays to monitor changes over a period of time.

My philosophy is after a thorough history and diagnosis, to adopt a personalized treatment plan. For instance, many acute patients understandably want relief of pain and to regain function. I explain, that in the first couple of weeks it is very important to reduce pain and discomfort. Once this is achieved, it is far easier for the patient to participate in more rehab stretches and exercises on their own time.
As this is achieved, I re-evaluate the patient's progress and response to care and gradually decrease the number of treatments needed.

In my spare time, I continue to remain active and compete in various events. I have competed in triathlons, half-marathons and am currently training for my very first marathon!! Wish me luck!

As always, I love to hear feedback from you guys. You can reach

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Considering Chiropractic for Headache Relief?...Here's What You Should Know."

Headaches and neck tension remains two of the most common reasons a patient will seek Chiropractic care. But if you're looking for relief from headaches and neck pains, there are some things you should know.

A study conducted by Dr. Peter Tuchin on Migraine treatments found that about 60% of migraine sufferers found relief from Chiropractic. Other researchers have found rates of relief from headaches due to Chiropractic treatments well over 72%. Now one has to remember that headaches come in different forms, and migraines are just one of them. Far more common is the "tension type" headache. These headaches are often associated with neck soreness, shoulder tightness and usually increases with stress.

Chiropractic therapy for headaches in my office involve lots of soft tissue therapy. This entails; stretching of tight neck muscles, trigger point work to relieve intense "knots" and manual massage. I believe there is usually a strong muscular component to pain and one must address the muscles as well as the joints and nervous system in order to get the best relief.

Many patients report relief immediately after a treatment. That's not to say that the headaches just disappears, but subjectively, patients do leave feeling better.

If you are the type of person who is getting regular headaches, here are somethings you should look for;

1) Do you sit in front of a computer for most of you day, typing and looking at a screen?
2) Do you find that under stress, your shoulders/neck get really tight and possibly brings on a headache?
3) Do you find that you feel a whole lot better on vacation or on the weekends when you're away from work and stress?
4) Are you resorting to medications like; Advil or Tylenol to relieve the pain, just to find the pain returns in a few hours?
5) Do your headaches feel as though they start from the back of your neck. Possibly radiating into your head?

If you're answering "yes" to the most of the above questions, the chances are good you're suffering from tension type headaches. If you're tired of resorting to pills for relief and you're searching for a healthier alternative, message or call me!

Remember, if you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of Vancouver, you can contact your COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR HERE!!!!>

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Does Chiropractic Hurt?......Honestly."

Ok I know what you're thinking. "You're a Chiropractor. Of course you're going to say it doesn't hurt." But wait a second, I'm not going to say that. Well at least not for everybody.

I have been privileged to meet so many patients over my career that have never seen a Chiropractor before and honestly, many tell me that treatment was no where near as bad as they had expected. However, if a patient does confront me with this question, I often explain it like this, "Are you afraid of needles?". This makes you think doesn't it? While I and many others are fine with getting shots, I know a few who would rather immerse themselves for hours doing their own taxes than get a shot.

I have found that many of my patients do not feel pain at all getting Chiropractic adjustments. They may feel a stretch, a pull, but they definitely don't describe it as pain. Now for a dose of honesty. Many people do report some side effects of treatment. Most commonly these include; soreness, tightness, inflammation and maybe even some bruising. For the vast majority, this is the extent of ill effects many people will report after a Chiropractic adjustment. Now to be honest there have been reported serious side effects of treatment as well. These include fractures of the ribs and most seriously, damage to the vertebral arteries in the neck that may lead to a stroke.

The reported incidences of the serious side effects occurring is very small, some suggesting in the order of 1 for every million treatments. To put that into perspective, you are far more likely to suffer a serious injury driving to work everyday or even by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

So obvious question is, "How do you minimize the risk of pain or other side effects?". In my practice, you'll find I devote a lot of time and attention to the muscles. I offer my patients ample massage and stretching of the muscles. Relaxing already tight muscles makes the patient handle the Chiropractic adjustments far more easily. In addition, this measure can help prevent the patient from feeling sore after a treatment.

As far as the other serious side effects of fractures or strokes are concerned, a big part is in the screening process. During a thorough history and exam, a Chiropractor should be able to ask particular questions that can signal a potential problem. Depending on the answers, the Chiropractor should investigate further to reveal other pre-existing factors that might make Chiropractic adjustments ill advised.

Examples of these questions would be, "Have you been diagnosed with Osteoporosis?", "Have you ever been diagnosed with serious illnesses such as cancer?", "Are you experiencing a headache like none before?", "Are you losing you appetite/weight unexpectedly?", "Are you feeling dizzy, lightheaded, having trouble concentrating?"

Remember if you have questions, please get in touch with your COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR.DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!