Category: Chiropractic

Chiropractic in Canada is becoming one of the most widespread and commonly used therapies that adults turn to when seeking both pain relief and wellness care alike. What a lot of people don’t understand, however, is that kids can benefit from chiropractic care, too. In fact, kids make some of the best patients. If you have young ones at home, have you ever considered bringing them in for a chiropractic checkup?

Many parents appreciate the importance of regular checkups for their children’s teeth, hearing and vision, but draw a blank when it comes to a spinal checkup. A spinal checkup could be one of the most important checkups your child will ever have. The spine protects billions of nerve fibers that send messages and energy to every part of their bodies. Regular chiropractic care helps your child function at his/her best which gives him/her a better brain-body connection and therefore, better overall health and vitality.

The very first stress placed on a child’s spinal column is actually during the birthing process. Not surprisingly, it is estimated that 25% of school-aged children report a history of back pain. As children grow, their spines (and bodies for that matter) are frequently subjected to repeated stressors. Examples include the process of learning to walk, sport-related injuries, and daily postural strains (sleeping in funny positions, playing on electronic devices, sitting at school, etc.). Chiropractic care can be largely successful at treating some very common childhood ailments. Problems like colic, poor sleep, headaches, ear infections, torticollis, scoliosis (neck and back pain), asthma and even some cases of behavioral problems and bed-wetting are all issues that chiropractors can help with both directly and indirectly in the clinic. By correcting a child’s spine early on and on a maintenance basis, it also helps prevent issues from arising during very crucial developmental periods of their lives.

Lastly, are Chiropractic adjustments safe for children you might ask? Absolutely! Because a child’s skeletal system is still developing, there is a great deal of elasticity within the joints. Dr. Toner tailors the adjustments to children – even babies. A special instrument or finger light pressure is all that the spine normally requires when adjusting children. Not to mention, children love to be adjusted and usually respond very quickly and favorably.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic today. We are here to help you make chiropractic another healthy choice for your child!

Sitting at a desk all day is one of the main culprits for a lot of the repetitive strain injuries I treat in the clinic. Prolonged seated postures, especially at a workstation that doesn’t fit your body requirements, can wreak havoc on your neck, lower back, and wrists. Incorporating ergonomics into the workplace helps to maximize productivity by reducing fatigue and discomfort, and lowers the incidence of repetitive strain injuries. The set-up of your workstation is equally as important as your body position, and can greatly reduce stress on your body.

If you work at a desk:

Choose a desk that is the appropriate height for you. Ensure items you use frequently are easily accessible to you, ideally within arms reach.

Your chair should be fully adjustable with lumbar support in the small of your back.

Your chair height should place your hips slightly more than 90 degrees with both feet flat on floor.

Adjust your keyboard level so that your elbows remain relaxed by your side with slightly more than a 90 degree bend. When typing, do not allow your wrists to sag and rest on the keyboard.

Place your mouse close to you in a comfortable position. Do not grip it too firmly and use your whole arm/shoulder to move it, rather than just your wrist.

Reduce eyestrain by adjusting your workstation to avoid glare from overhead lighting or windows. If at all possible, rows of lights should be parallel to your workstation, while windows should be perpendicular to your monitor.

Your eyes should be level with the top 1/3 of screen – and your head no more than 20-30 inches from the screen.

Head back, chin tucked with your ears, shoulders and hips aligned.

Use headphones. Do not cradle the phone between your head and shoulder.

Remember to take frequent breaks during the day to stretch your neck, arms, wrists, back and legs. We all know it can be easy to get caught up in your work – set a timer every 30-60 minutes to remind yourself!

If you are unsure whether your workstation is properly set up for you, have a colleague take a picture of you sitting at your desk and bring it to your next appointment. A few simple adjustments to your workstation along with regular chiropractic care can go a long ways in helping you overcome a nagging injury or prevent new ones from occurring.

Lateral and medial epicondylitis are the fancy medical terms for the more commonly known conditions of tennis and golfer’s elbow, respectively.  These diagnoses can sometimes be confusing for patients at the clinic since oftentimes, they report having never picked up a tennis racket or golf club before.  In fact, although the sport demands of both tennis and golf can certainly cause these elbow injuries, they are often not the causative factor at all.

Both of these conditions are a result of repetitive strain and overuse in the muscles and tendons of the forearm, and diagnosis depends heavily upon whether the forearm flexors or extensors are involved. 

Do you have elbow pain? Let’s keep reading and find out if you may be suffering from one of these nagging conditions!

Lateral Epicondylitis

Also known as tennis elbow, this injury normally has a gradual onset and involves the dominant arm in the majority of cases. It is best described as pain and tenderness over the lateral/outside aspect of the elbow, radiating into the forearm, and pain/weakness occurs on resisted extension of the wrist. Jobs involving repetitive heavy lifting, the use of heavy tools, movements of the arm in awkward positions (overhead, or squeezing/twisting movements) are often responsible for the onset of this condition.

Medial Epicondylitis

Also known as golfer’s elbow, this condition also has a gradual onset and is described by patients as pain and tenderness found over the medial/inside aspect of the elbow, radiating into the forearm. Pain is aggravated by resisted wrist flexion. An associated ulnar neuropathy may cause decreased sensation and/or tingling in the 4th and 5th fingers and, in more severe cases, muscle weakness in the hand. This condition is often caused by repetitive use involving grasping/gripping, throwing, computer use, gardening, cooking, painting, use of vibrating tools, etc.

Treatment Options at Toner Chiropractic

Here in the clinic, Dr. Toner uses a combination of different therapy methods to treat the muscles and tendons (and sometimes joints and nerves) involved in both tennis and golfer’s elbow. Treatment may include: soft tissue therapy, medical acupuncture, kinesiotaping, mobilizations/manipulation of the elbow joint and stretching/strengthening exercises as well as ice therapy at home. Dr. Toner may also recommend that her patients modify or avoid the activities that caused the injury or movements that exacerbate the symptoms for a few weeks.  The tendons may require time to rest and heal while undergoing therapy. 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate!  Give Dr. Toner a call. Whether your elbow is slowing you down at work, home, or the gym, she welcomes the opportunity to get you back on your game, pain free, and feeling well!  

Toner Chiropractic and Wellness Centre | Saint John

Raking is a great way to stay active outdoors and have fun this fall, but it can take a toll on your body if you’re not careful. Follow these helpful tips to achieve efficient raking!

• AVOID THE WIND (OR WORK WITH IT):
  Try and pick a day where it is calm outside.

• BE PATIENT:
  Clear walkways on an ongoing basis, but wait to tackle your whole yard until all the leaves are down.

• PICK THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB:
  There are many lightweight, ergonomic rakes out there that can save you lots of time and prevent injury.

• WARM-UP:
  Warm-up for 5-10 minutes prior to starting to get the joints moving and your blood flowing. A quick walk around your
  property, followed by some gentle stretches for your back, arms, neck,
  and legs will do the trick.

• RAKE RIGHT:
  Ease the strain on your back by putting one leg in front, the other behind. Switch legs and hands from time to time.

• CHECK YOUR POSITION:
  And change it often. Don’t forget to take breaks and sit and relax for a while.

• BEND YOUR KNEES TO LIFT WITH EASE:
  Make sure your back is straight, and always bend your knees. Carry the load close to your body, and avoid heavy lifting
  immediately after bending or kneeling.