Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "How Much Does Chiropractic Treatment Cost?...(As little as $8 a treatment!*)

 At times I get calls to my office inquiring about how much it cost for Chiropractic Treatment. For some people, they may be eligible for treatments starting at just $8 per visit. Understandably, when patients hear this, they are ecstatic and can't believe it!

I thought I'd write a quick post today about the fee schedule at my clinic to help those of you

who would like more information about this. Now to start off, first time visits to my office carry a $60 charge. The first visit includes a thorough history, examinations, testing, report of findings, treatment and a follow up plan. Because of everything covered, I recommend patients set aside 40-45 minutes for this visit.  Many patients who visit my office enjoy the benefit of having their Chiropractic treatments covered by their insurance providers through work. Depending on your employer and/or health insurance company, the reimbursement levels may vary. (Please refer to your HR department and they can help explain the exact level of coverage your employer provides). All patients, provide payment for the services at the end of their appointments and a receipts is issued to them. Patients can then submit these receipts to their insurance companies so they can get their appropriate reimbursements. 

Subsequent visits are charged $45/visit. Again, the procedure as described above is followed in order for patients to get reimbursements from the insurance company. 

Now here's where things get interesting. Some patients are eligible to receive Chiropractic care that is subsidized by the government. These patients qualify under a billing program called; "Premium Assistance". Generally, patients qualify for this program based on their income. But people who suffer disabilities and people of first nations status also often qualify. (If you would like to confirm if you qualify for the "Premium Assistance" program, the process is done in about 2 minutes and can be completed over the phone. Please call my office manager, Susan at 604-876-4988 and she will gladly check for you.)

*Patients who qualify for the Premium Assistance program only pay a "User Fee" at my office. 
The User Fee for the first visit is $15. After the first visit, subsequent visits after that are only $8/ visit! (There is a limit of 10 visits/calender year that a qualifying patient may use for therapy including things as; Chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy etc.) Also important to note is that each individual office will handle Premium Assistance differently, however, this is just an explanation of how it is handled at my office. The $8 user fee for Chiropractic treatment has been very beneficial for patients who otherwise could not afford the regular fee. Many of my patients who first learn that they qualify for Premium Assistance are not only shocked but very happy indeed! (Please note that $8 is the current user fee and can change without notice)


Also, my office accepts Worksafe BC and ICBC claims as well. Often times, patients with these claims can receive Chiropractic care at NO cost to them! 


If you have any questions or are in the COMMERCIAL DRIVE neighborhood of EAST VANCOUVER, stop on by or visit my website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN!!!!

Commerical Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Sitting Too Much May Be Killing You"

This is a very interesting study that came out this week from the University of Sydney in Australia. Now what I find very impressive about this study is the number of participants involved; according to the study, over 220,000 people over the age of 45! That is a staggering amount of people involved in this study using self-reported data.

The findings included a sharp increase in the risk of death after more than 11 hours of daily sitting was reported. These numbers were compared to the risk of death for people who sat for less than 4 hours/day and those who sat between 8-11 hours/day. The researchers found that those who sat more than 11 hours/day had a 15% increased chance of death in the following 3 years compared to those who sat between 8-11hours. However, the shocking result was that compared to those who sat for less than 4 hours/day, the increased chance of death shot up to 40% for the 11 plus hours group. 

 "The evidence on the detrimental health effects of prolonged sitting has been building over the last few years," said study author Hidde van der Ploeg, a senior research fellow at the University of Sydney. "The study stands out because of its large number of participants and the fact that it was one of the first that was able to look at total sitting time. Most of the evidence to date had been on the health risks of prolonged television viewing."

This study appeared in the March 26 edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Some background would also be helpful in relation to this article. Of the over 220,000 Australian participants in this study, about 62% considered themselves to be overweight or obese. This number is very close to North Americans as well. As mentioned before, the participants were also over the age of 45. With the huge global concern regarding chronic illnesses that only increase with time, the age of the participants is also important. 

After reviewing this article, a word of caution is warranted here. As the authors also noted, this study does not provide a 'smoking gun', cause and effect relationship between increased sitting time and death. However, other factors may also come into play. For instance, perhaps people who sit for more than 11 hours/day are simply less active and have increased cardiovascular risk factors than those who sit for less than 4 hours/day. Perhaps it's the other 'factors' that are contributing to their increased mortality? 

But I think it's fair to say that sitting for more than 11 hours/day is clearly unhealthy for your health. I would even venture to say that it's common sense. Having  a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to your health. Period. Now if the myriad of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle weren't enough, isn't the increased chance of death enough to get you moving? Something to think about and take to heart. 

Come visit your COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR or visit the website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Family Doctors are Finally Catching Up"

A report published online last Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US found that more and more doctors are recommending exercise to their patients. The report found that in 2010, about one in three people (32.4%) who had seen their doctor, had been advised to take up or continue regular physical activity. The report noted that this was a huge improvement from 2000 when just under one in four patients (22.6%) received the same advice.


The report also revealed some surprising information. For example, adults who were 85 or older were about twice as likely to be advised to exercise regularly than the same age group just 10 years ago. However, the age group that was still most likely to receive the recommendation of regular exercise were people between the ages of 45 -74. The report also found that other health issues increased the likelihood of being recommended daily exercise. Chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, increased the chances of a doctor advising you to take up exercise. 


The results in this report are not surprising at all. With increasing longevity and the rates of chronic diseases, like diabetes on the rise, doctors are recognizing the importance of exercise. Increasing a person's activity levels has numerous health benefits. Decreasing blood pressure, controlling weight, improving aerobic capacity, helping to control blood sugar, improving muscle tone and improving vitality are only some of the benefits. 

However, what's perplexing is when you scrutinize this report deeper, you realize that almost 70% of people who are in contact with their doctor, are not recommended exercise. That's right, with everything we know about the benefits of exercise, most people are never advised to take up regular activity!! As a Chiropractor practicing a health care option that does not rely on pharmaceuticals, we have to encourage our patients to adopt a different perspective. I can speak from my own experience that every patient of mine, in fact from the very first visit, is advised to stretch and exercise! I have only encountered a handful of patients where maybe exercise was not advised from the beginning. But instead, stretching and breathing exercise were encouraged until the patient was physically able to do more, for example going for walks.


The moral of the story is, exercise and regular physical is so beneficial and crucial to your overall health. Only a miniscule fraction of society may be unable to exercise but believe me, this group is very small indeed. Everyone else should be engaging in regular activity and the best thing is; it's Free! Knowing what doctors and other health professionals know about exercise and how it can improve health, I feel it is a disservice to our patients if we don't recommend regular exercise to everyone. So the question remains, "....what's taking so long???"


If you have a comment about this article, let me hear from you. Or if you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver visit my office or website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Running Can Be Harmful for Your Joints and Health"

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

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - " Why Chiropractic??? - (Opinion)"

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!!!

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - " Chiropractic Better than Medication for Neck Pain "

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

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Hormone Linking Exercise and Health Benefits Found!.......Now to Make it a Drug"

The following story is a prime example of a ‘good news-bad news’ scenario. An international team of scientists believe they have isolated the natural hormone found in muscle cells responsible for some of the health benefits related to exercise. Senior author Dr Bruce Spiegelman, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues, write about their findings in the 11 January online issue of Nature.

 The authors of this study believe that finding this chemical messenger, named “Irisin” after a Greek goddess, will help them better understand the health benefits of exercise. With the ultimate goal of using the information to treat a myriad of other diseases including; diabetes, obesity and maybe even cancer. 

 For this study, researchers used lab cultures and mice to find that Irisin had a direct effect on white adipose tissue. This tissue also referred to as ‘white fat’ is the subcutaneous deposits that we commonly associate with obesity. In other words, those of us who have a ‘spare tire’ around our guts or ‘saddle bags’ on our hips, have a unhealthy accumulation of white fat in these areas. 

White fat is one way our bodies tend to store and collect excess, unburned calories. In this study, it was discovered that when humans and mice exercise, the levels of Irisin in muscle tissues go up. When this happens, the Irisin triggers a response that helps to convert white fat into a healthier form or ‘brown fat’.

Brown fat is considered healthier because it has the ability to burn off more excess calories than exercise alone. In addition, it was found that Irisin helps to improve our bodies glucose tolerance. Glucose tolerance is actually a good indicator of our overall metabolic health. The better our metabolic health, than the better we are at preventing ailments like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. (For instance, people who suffer from diabetes have poor glucose tolerance)

Now for the ‘bad news’ portion of this story. The potential effect of this discovery for the prevention and treatment of a whole slew of health problems is enormous. From patients who are obese, at risk of strokes or even developing cancers could all benefit from this exercise induced hormone. The researchers intend to develop this discovery into a drug. That’s right, the lead researcher has already expressed interest in beginning clinical trials of a potential drug based on Irisin in the next two years. Basically, researchers want to sell you the natural benefits of exercise in a prescription pill!

The irony should be blatantly obvious here. Science has discovered a possible link between exercise and better health. A natural hormone that may explain why exercise has so many health benefits on the human body and be paramount in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. But now instead of promoting exercise and a healthy lifestyle to the general public, they would instead like you to take yet another pill! I hope everyone can see the folly in this logic. Instead of taking a pill, why not produce the hormone yourself through exercise!

If you have questions about this article, please leave a comment. In the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver? visit my office or my website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!


References;
“A PGC1-[alpha]-dependent myokine that drives brown-fat-like development of white fat and thermogenesis”; Pontus Boström, Jun Wu, Mark P. Jedrychowski, Anisha Korde, Li Ye, James C. Lo, Kyle A. Rasbach, Elisabeth Almer Boström, Jang Hyun Choi, Jonathan Z. Long, Shingo Kajimura, Maria Cristina Zingaretti, Birgitte F. Vind, Hua Tu, Saverio Cinti, Kurt Højlund, Steven P. Gygi & Bruce M. Spiegelman; Nature, Published online 11 January 2012; DOI:10.1038/nature10777