Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors Can’t seem to find an answer as to why your back is aching? The answer might lie right below you … your feet. It’s easy to assume aches in pains in our backs are originating from where you are actually feeling it. So if your back hurts, it must be coming from an issue within your back, right? This is not necessarily the case. Everything in our bodies is connected through tissue and our nervous system. How are my feet inter-connected to my back and why does this cause me pain? Your body has three main shock absorbers: your feet, your knees and your spine. The shock of walking, running, jumping etc. is first felt by your feet. If your feet can’t handle the shock, it passes the impact absorption to your knees. When your knees are ill-equipped to handle [...]

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors It is hard to live in Canada and not be aware of Canada’s current Opioid Crisis. An estimated 2,000 Canadians are dying annually from prescription opioids. Our country is facing a national crisis. Currently, Canada is the second highest consumer of prescription opioids in the world. Evidence points to back pain and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions as one of the key drivers. Headlines related to chronic pain and fentanyl overdose are rising in frequency and urgency. Many chronic pain patients have been universally mismanaged by all health professions even with the best intent and the best minds clamoring for solutions. Chiropractic can be a piece in the puzzle in the development of an effective opioid reduction strategy. By providing prompt access to effective health care options, like chiropractic care, evidence suggests that we can reduce reliance on opioids to treat [...]

Chiropractic care can be helpful for a variety of chronic, or long-lasting, medical conditions. These include spinal issues, sciatica, chronic pain, headaches, and many others. But what about non-orthopaedic chronic medical conditions - diseases that do not primarily affect the bones, joints, and connective tissue? These problems include diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, lung disease, etc. Is it safe to have chiropractic treatments if you suffer from any of these conditions?   Keeping Everyone on the Same Page Whether you have chronic medical conditions or are completely healthy, it is important to keep your entire healthcare team apprised of your situation. This means letting your primary care physician, chiropractor, dentist, surgeon, and other specialists know your complete medical history as well as any changes. All of your medical providers should be informed of your medication types as well as dosages and frequencies, hospital admissions, surgical procedures, allergies, and other medical [...]

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors As the weather warms, many Albertans will be dusting off their spades and unraveling their hoses in anticipation for a spring and summer full of gardening. As peaceful and relaxing as gardening can be, it’s undeniable that it brings with it a lot bending, twisting, reaching and pulling. Your back, upper legs, knees, shoulders, and wrists can all become affected while gardening and it’s important to take the necessary precautions before, during and after enjoying your favourite hobby. Stretch Before you even head outside with your favourite gardening attire, give your muscles a good stretch.  As with any activity that will put stress of strain on your muscle, it’s imperative to stretch because warm muscles will work more efficiently and be less likely to be injured.  The Straighten Up Alberta program is a great place to start if you are [...]

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors We all know nutrition is an essential part of a healthy, active lifestyle. It’s been engrained in us. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” ““You are what you eat.” What may seem foreign to you though is how nutrition and chiropractic go hand-in-hand.  The promotion of healthy lifestyles is an important goal of chiropractic care. Nutrition is a great example of this. Proper nutrition is essential in keeping your musculoskeletal (MSK) system operating to its full potential. If you are seeking chiropractic care to recover from an injury or just to maintain musculoskeletal health, nutrition becomes even more important. Watch Your Caloric Intake Although it has almost become cliché to talk about caloric intake, the foods you put in your body can go a long way in prolonging an MSK issue or putting extra strain on your muscles [...]