Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic in Richmond Hill

When a disc in the spine is damaged, it may break open or it may bulge therefore becoming a herniated disc. A herniated disc is something that can cause immense pain, a numbing sensation and weakness in the area in which the nerve travels in the body. This occurs because the herniated disc is applying pressure onto nerve roots. The pain can be experienced anywhere from the lower back, in the buttock and into the legs as well; this is referred to as sciatica.

The spinal vertebrae are cushioned by spongy, small discs and when they are healthy, they act as a shock absorber in the spine. Any disc can become a herniated disc; however most herniated discs occur in the lower spine. Some may occur in the neck and even though rare, they can occur in the thoracic spine (upper back).

There is no escaping the pain that a bulging herniated disc can inflict. Many people end of on prescription medication for pain management and in more severe cases, surgery. There is another option.

Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is a non-invasive medical treatment that helps to relieve the pressure on one or several pinched nerves on the spinal column. Although there is a surgical procedure for this, there is a non-surgical method. This procedure has assisted many people in treating pain induced from a bulging / herniated disc (as well as disc herniation, sciatica and other back ailments). This is simply advanced traction that has an advanced understanding of human physiology. Spinal decompression allows the health care practitioner to treat specific spinal segments and the treatment alternates accordingly between careful stretching and relaxing. This method has helped countless patients to realign their spine and eliminate pain.

Will This Treatment Be Uncomfortable?

No, in fact spinal decompression therapy is actually quite gentle. The system used is computerized; therefore tiny increments are applied until maximum setting has been achieved. Once achieved, there is release. The patient will mild to moderate pulling sensation.

Results will vary from person-to-person based on several factors. Some people respond well and will notice a difference a lot faster than others. Also, there will be some patients who will require maintenance treatments to ensure results are maintained.

There is a plethora of research out there that indicates spinal decompression therapy is effective. However, it is important to know that this form of treatment is not for everyone. If an individual has severe osteoporosis, is severely obese or if a woman is in the advanced stages of pregnancy then this is not recommended. Also, if a person has had spinal surgery and has instrumentations (metal plates, cages, etc.) then this is not a treatment option.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified health professionals who are fully trained in providing spinal decompression for bulging / herniated discs. If you want to find out more information about this incredible way to treat pain, please visit Chiro-Med online. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a walk-in clinic conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. Call 905-918-0419 for more information or to book a consultation.

Chiropractic manipulation is sometimes also referred to as chiropractic adjustment. This is a specialized procedure that applies manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or are not functioning as it should.
The College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO) assists members of the CCO in maintaining standards of care that must be adhered to before a chiropractor performs a chiropractic manipulation.

The College ensures that any chiropractor who wants to perform a manipulation (or adjustment) must be thoroughly trained and have practice in order to provide this health care service with competence and skill. Here is a brief overview of what this specialized training includes:

• Learning the principles of chiropractic manipulation, biomechanics, radiology, neuro-physiology and applied anatomy
• Patient examination and diagnosis
• Various treatment techniques

The CCO states, “Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is an authorized Act requiring a high degree of skill.” The College has outlined specific elements to maintain a high level of skill among their members. This includes:

• Knowing indications and contraindications to application of a chiropractic adjustment or manipulation.
• Patient's health, proper assessment of the patient, the treatment goal and prognosis.
• Ongoing education in order to be current with knowledge and skills to enable safe and effective treatment.

Chiropractic manipulation is a procedure that must be thoroughly discussed with a patient; and the patient must provide written consent.

The Cracking Sound

When a patient receives chiropractic manipulation as part of their treatment he or she can expect to hear the cracking sounds. Many people think the sound is intriguing, others find it odd.

Between each joint in the spine there is fluid. When cavitation occurs the patient hears cracking sounds. This is gas being released from the fluid. This is the same sound that can be heard when opening a can of pop or popping the cork off a bottle of champagne. The same thing is happening to the pop or the champagne - gas is being released from within the fluid.

Not all chiropractic manipulations create this sound, so judging the effectiveness of this treatment cannot be based on sound. The goal is to restore mobility to the restricted joint, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, allowing the underlying tissues and nervous system to heal.

For those who receive this treatment in the neck area, the cracking sound will seem much louder as it is because it is closer to the ears.

Health Benefits Of Chiropractic Manipulation

Chiropractic manipulation improves the nutrient supply throughout the body. Cartilage and other structures have no blood supply and manipulation reduces pressure on the nerves.

The nervous system is the control centre of the human body. Nerves and nerve bundles are soft tissue and when under physical pressure they do not function well. It has been shown that a bulging disc, inflammation, or a fragment of disc floating around can negatively interfere with nerve conduction. Chiropractic manipulation can create relief of this pressure though gentle movement of the joint.

Joint Fixation

The joints in our body are meant to move without effort.  The friction of our joints is believed to be eight times more slippery than ice sliding on ice.  If an injury occurs, or as we age the surfaces of the joints tend to become rough which increases the friction and the effort needed to move them.  Some joints may become so damaged that they get to the point that they lose mobility. Joints need free movement to transport nutrients and fluids in and out of the area around the joints in order to stay healthy.  This does not happen in a fixated joint.  The lack of joint movement can cause degeneration of the joints and the discs leaving an individual in a lot of pain.

Members of The College of Chiropractors of Ontario are fully trained to perform chiropractic manipulations. Their skill and expertise have helped countless patients regain independence from pain.

Dr. Sanjari is the Clinic Director of Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a walk-in clinic conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. For more information on chiropractic manipulations, or any other chiropractic concern, please call 905-918-0419.

Adhesive capsulitis or more commonly referred to as frozen shoulder, is when a person loses the ability to move a shoulder around in all directions without pain. The term frozen shoulder best describes this problem because the shoulder becomes stiff and it may not be able to move at all.

Before getting any further ahead, let's briefly discuss how you should be able to move your shoulders in all directions without any discomfort. Testing your shoulder movement is as simple as:

• With both arms, reach up toward the sky.
• Hold your arms straight out in front of you.
• Raise your arms to the sides of your body so that they are level with your shoulder.
• Pretend that you are pulling something out of your back pocket.
• Pretend you are trying to unzip the back of your dress.

All these motions should not cause you pain or discomfort. If they do, then Chiro-Med Rehab Centre urges you to see your health professional.

Causes Of Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) develops when the connective tissue in your shoulder joint tightens and restricts your joint's movement. Often, this occurs after a time when you have been less active because of another injury, such as a rotator cuff injury, a broken arm or recovering from a surgery.

Another explanation of what causes adhesive capsulitis is that the joint capsule of the shoulder joint has ligaments that keep the shoulder bones together. When inflamed, the capsule impedes in the shoulder bones ability to move freely.

There are even times in which there are no causes, it just happens.
There are risk factors though and they include:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Open heart surgery
• Shoulder surgery
• Diabetes
• Cervical disk disease of the neck

People over the age of 40 are at higher risk for adhesive capsulitis, especially women.

Symptoms Of Frozen Shoulder

The most obvious symptom of adhesive capsulitis is a decreased motion in the shoulder area. Pain and stiffness are also possible indicators that frozen shoulder has set in. Pain prevents you from moving your arm and the lack of movement leads to stiffness. Before long, you become unable to perform activities such as reaching over your head or behind you.

Does The Shoulder Really Freeze?

No, sometimes frozen shoulder can cause the shoulder to just stop moving. This generally occurs if you don't use your shoulder enough or if you use it the wrong way; the shoulder develops scar tissue that stops it from easily moving around.

Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder

A physical examination of the shoulder is the first step to diagnose frozen shoulder. A health professional can check for the range of motion and condition of the shoulder. If the health professional is not certain, then he or she may order blood and urine tests to clarify the situation.

In the event of an injury, an x-ray of the shoulder joint can help and an MRI scan may be required to evaluate the severity of adhesive capsulitis.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill is a trusted health care provider and has assisted people for years in obtaining a proper diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment

Diligent physical therapy is important and treatment can include ultrasound, ice packs, electric stimulation, range-of-motion exercise maneuvers, and when the patient is ready, strengthening exercises. Physical therapy can take several weeks to months for full recovery. This depends on the severity of the scarring of the tissues around the shoulder.

It is very important for people with a frozen shoulder to avoid reinjuring the shoulder tissues during the rehabilitation period. These individuals should avoid sudden, jerking motions or heavy lifting with the affected shoulder.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill can help you get on the road to recovery. Our physiotherapists have exercise and rehabilitation therapies that are designed to help each individual; and every treatment plan is tailor-made. There's no need to suffer any longer, give Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill a call today.

As we age, it is no surprise that we lose bone density and the risk for debilitating fractures increases. The good news is that there are several preventative measures to take in order to maintain strong bones and prevent the risk of fractures. The two most important factors for bone health are physical activity and nutrition.

Activity Builds Bone Strength

Bones need vibration to stay healthy. Space exploration has proven that if a healthy and fit adult spends a few months on the space station they risk losing a lifetime of bone density; this is why astronauts must use the mini gym in the space lab.

Bones need physical stress to stay strong and not surprisingly, weight bearing exercises (such as walking) and strength training (weights) are amazing for the bones. Taking only nutrients for bone health is not enough to maintain bone density.

Most people are not getting enough activity according to most experts. Some experts recommend walking 10,000 steps every day and although this may sound like an awful lot, if you purchase a pedometer you'll see it really isn't that bad. This is equivalent to walking about 4 kilometres every day.

Bone Nutrition

Our bones need four primary nutrients in order to stay strong and prevent fractures; they are calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, and an ultra-trace mineral called boron. (Always keep in the back of your mind that exercise and healthy lifestyle choices always are a must as well.)

How much calcium (as well as the other vitamins and minerals) you need depends on lifestyle, gender, age and race. Seeking help from a qualified health professional is the best way to determine just how much of these you require. Many people will say they take supplements based on the RDA (recommended daily allowance). One bit of history to think about is that many years ago when the RDA was established for taking minerals and vitamins it was amounts that were small enough to just keep you from getting ill but not enough to keep you in great health.

Boron

Boron was discovered in 1910 and was considered an essential element for plant life. It wasn't until 1985 that researchers learned that boron is needed for us to enjoy good health. Boron occurs in fruits, vegetables, nuts and cider.

This ultra-trace mineral is required to build and maintain healthy bones and to maintain healthy cell membranes which are critical to life. Although research is ongoing in humans it has been discovered that a deficiency of boron in animals results in stunted growth.

Calcium

Calcium maintains integrity of the skeletal system which houses 99 percent of our body's calcium. The other 1 percent plays a role in the coagulation of the blood, healthy teeth, in the generation and transmission of nerve impulses, in the activation of some enzymes, and the release of certain hormones.

Although dairy is a large source of calcium intake many who choose dairy-free diets find that there is a lot of calcium in leafy green plants, cauliflower, asparagus, broccoli, beans, lentils and nuts.

In order for calcium to work in our body it needs vitamin D, magnesium and boron. For example, vitamin D helps calcium to be adequately absorbed in the intestinal tract. Magnesium is required to help deliver calcium to the bones. For those who have taken calcium supplements without adequate amounts of magnesium and vitamin D they may already have or will suffer with some health ailment. Calcium is not water soluble therefore it calcifies somewhere in the body which ultimately causes havoc (i.e., osteoporosis, kidney stones, hardening of the arteries, etc.).

Even if a person is getting the right quantities of all these nutrients there are factors that will ultimately work at depleting calcium in the body. These include: smoking, stress, antacid drugs, some pharmaceutical drugs, caffeine, and many more factors.

Not only will a deficiency of calcium cause problems, so will taking too much.

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D)

Vitamin D is technically called cholecalciferol and there has been a lot of research into the importance if this vitamin. There is natural vitamin D (the sun) and this is referred to as D3. A synthetic vitamin D is D2 and this formed by the action of ultraviolet light on certain yeast fungi. This is what is used to fortify foods. There are limited food sources of vitamin D and they include: all edible fungi, cod liver oil, and fatty-fleshed fish.

People living in northern latitudes (Canada) only benefit from getting enough sunlight for the body to produce vitamin D from about late May to late July. This is the time of year many people slather on sunscreen (some which have proven to be toxic*) therefore are blocking what they need.

Many studies have proven that vitamin D is essential for good bone health and for good health throughout the winter months. It helps to keep the immune system strong and without it, many people tend to fall prey to colds in September and throughout the winter months.

A deficiency of this vitamin may result in diarrhea, insomnia, weak bones, nearsightedness, and nervousness. Meanwhile, too much vitamin D can cause weakness, irritability, headache, thirst, and vomiting.

Magnesium

Magnesium functions as a coenzyme in more than 300 enzymatic reactions involved in many metabolic activities. It is also critical in nerve transmissions, developing and maintaining healthy bones, is a structural component in tooth enamel, helping us to adapt to cold, and many other functions.

A high fat diet can reduce magnesium absorption as well as a high fibre diet. If a person has a vitamin E deficiency then this can reduce magnesium levels in the tissues. Alcohol and caffeine increase the loss of magnesium in the body as well as some prescription medications.

Magnesium is found in almost all natural foods (unprocessed). The richest sources are whole seeds, nuts, legumes, and green vegetables.

A deficiency can cause anemia, mental changes that include agitation, anxiety, confusion, depression, hyperactivity, irritability, restlessness and much more. Vertigo, seizures, muscle twitches, and cold hands are also signs of deficiency. Too much magnesium is rare as long as there is good kidney health. Only those with poor kidney health need to worry about getting too much magnesium.

So there is a basic run down on the nutrients we need for good bone health. For far too many years, women in particular were faithfully taking calcium supplements in an effort to avert osteoporosis. What has happened is that far too many of these women are now suffering from this debilitating ailment because they were unaware they needed these other nutrients in order for calcium to work.

Nutrients in our body is like a sports team, most of them all rely on one another to get maximum performance and when one or more are missing, undesirable results are inevitable. Remember, there are many factors that come into play for maintaining good bone health and the professionals at Chiro Med Rehab Centre can help you determine what plan you need to have in place to take care of your body.

Chiro Med Rehab Centre is located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Richmond Hill. Visit them online or call 905-918-0419.

* The Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) conducts annual studies on hundreds of sunscreens. One recent study of 500 sunscreens showed that only 50 were safe.

Glucosamine sulfate and Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM) are perhaps the most widely used natural
supplements when seeking relief from joint pain. Together, these supplements have been extensively studied for almost thirty years and the results indicate that both these supplements offer a natural solution.

What Are Glucosamine Sulfate And Msm?

Glucosamine sulfate is a naturally occurring chemical found in the fluid that is around our joints.
Glucosamine is also found in other places in nature, for example, the glucosamine sulfate that is often put into dietary supplements is often harvested from shellfish. Although this is a natural substance, it can also be made safely in a lab.

MSM is a white powder that is a naturally-occurring nutrient found in many foods such as cabbage,
broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. During food preparation, we lose most of it because it is
water soluble therefore it evaporates with the steam or gets tossed out with the water. Over processing our food supply has drastically reduced the amount of MSM that we consume. As a dietary supplement, MSM is synthesized.

What Separate Functions Does Glucosamine Sulfate And Msm Perform?

Glucosamine sulfate is commonly used for arthritis and more specifically, osteoarthritis. Over the years, people have tried glucosamine sulfate for a variety of other health ailments such as glaucoma and even for weight loss. Glucosamine sulfate has not been adequately studied for these uses and as of yet, there is no proof that glucosamine sulfate is beneficial for these conditions. Glucosamine also has the potential to rebuild cartilage lost in a joint due to injury or osteoarthritis.

MSM provides sulfur, which is a vital building block of joints, cartilage, skin, hair and nails, and methyl groups, which support the many vital biochemical processes in the body and this includes our energy production.

Glucosamine Sulfate And Msm Benefits

Together, glucosamine sulfate and MSM have been proven to provide relief from painful joints and

connective tissue. These ingredients have synergy so that together, they maintain the structural
integrity of connective tissue and joints while supporting the healing process.

Glucosamine sulfate protects connective tissue and cartilage to optimize joint function while MSM's
powerful therapeutic agent lessens inflammation, reduces muscle spasms, inhibits pain impulses, softens scar tissue and increases blood supply.

The addition of MSM to glucosamine sulfate is a proven and effective combination in supporting joint health as a whole.

Osteoarthritis

Cartilage absorbs impact and allows for smooth, pain-free motion when joint tissues are healthy.
Osteoarthritis has become a common condition where these soft joint tissues become inflamed, harden or they simply wear away – the results are pain and the loss of mobility. This debilitating disease can affect anyone at any time, although it tends to become more common as we age.

Many of the pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs used to suppress arthritis symptoms can cause serious side effects that many people do not like. Those wishing to reduce or avoid these potentially dangerous drugs are increasingly turning to natural alternatives that are proven to be safe that lessen symptoms as well as promote long-term healing.

Remember, it's important not to self-diagnose. Let the healthcare professionals at Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill provide you with all the care you need to ensure safe and proper healing.

When used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, glucosamine sulfate and MSM are perhaps the most effective natural supplements available today that provides relief from joint pain.

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches; in fact this is the reason why upon waking up every morning we all should be consuming a very large glass of water. After sleeping for several hours our body is in need of rehydration.

There are many people who suffer from headaches and they try rehydrating but this does not help. Many people experience nerve irritation which is a common cause of headache pain.  Taking an over-the-counter pain relief pill is not going to solve the underlying problem, this is merely a ‘band aid’ solution. Masking the pain may be ok if you are in a rush or need to be somewhere fast but if you suffer from frequent headaches then there is obviously an underlying issue that must be addressed.

Tension headaches and migraines afflict about 4.5 million Canadians and they spend upwards of $40 million a year trying to seek relief from over-the-counter and prescription medications in a desperate attempt to seek permanent relief. For some individuals taking a pain relief pill works because their headache is stress-related and there are no underlying health ailments. For others, the pain relief pill is merely temporary.

Types of Headaches

Headaches can be the result of a wide variety of causes, such as reactions to a drug, stress, fatigue, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), nerve irritation, high blood pressure, low blood sugar or tightness in the neck muscles.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches tend to be the most common affecting almost three quarters of all headache sufferers. This type of headache feels like a dull feeling that’s achy either on one or both sides of the head; this sensation is often described as a tight feeling or a dull ache behind the eyes or around the head. Tension headaches tend to creep in and can last briefly or for several days. These headaches are often the result of bad posture or stress.

Subluxations are the most common cause of tension headaches. This occurs in the upper back and neck, especially the upper neck. When the top cervical vertebrae lose their normal position or movement, a small muscle (rectus capitis posterior minor) starts to spasm. This small muscle has a tendon which slips between the upper neck and the base of the skull and attaches to a thin pain-sensitive tissue (dura mater) that covers the brain. The brain has no feeling but the dura mater is very pain-sensitive so when that small muscle spasms and its tendon tugs at the dura mater, a headache starts.

Migraine Headaches

Those who suffer with migraines know that these are very intense and are also accompanied with nausea and (or) sensitivity to light or noise. Migraines can last from a few hours to a few days.

Migraine headaches are caused when the blood vessels in the brain constrict and then followed by a dilation of blood vessels. As a result there is decreased blood flow, which leads to visual symptoms (flashing light/aura) that many people experience. Even those who don't experience the aura can tell that an attack is imminent. When the blood vessels dilate in the head, there is a sudden increase in blood pressure. It’s this increased pressure that leads to the migraine. When the heart beats it sends a shock wave through the carotid arteries in the neck up into the brain.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are generally very short in duration yet they are excruciating and usually felt behind the eyes or on one side of the head. This type of headache generally occurs at night. Cluster headaches tend to occur one to four times per day over a period of several days. After one cluster of headaches is over, it may be months or even years, before they occur again.

Can a chiropractor relieve headaches?

Our nervous system is protected by the spine which starts with the brain and becomes the spinal cord. When the vertebrae in the neck are unable to move properly there is pressure on the nerves in that area which can cause headaches. A chiropractor can correct this by gently adjusting the vertebrae. Since most headaches are caused by subluxations a patient will usually feel relief.

How about migraines?

Even though there are differences in the types of headaches, migraines can be treated as well. In fact, chiropractic care has been used for years as an effective treatment for migraines.

When you visit Chiro-Med Rehab Centre to seek help with headaches the first appointment requires a check up. You’ll have your posture and flexibility checked, muscle tenderness, tightness, as well as other non-invasive tests to determine the root cause. After a thorough examination only then can a treatment options be discussed.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for over half a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help you come up with a personalized plan to ensure the long term health of your bones, skeletal system and over all well-being. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235.2620 for more information.

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone and is in use when walking, running, and jumping. Athletes and runners in particular tend to be those who suffer the most with Achilles tendonitis and it is the bane of many runners. Although this tendon can withstand great stresses it is also prone to tendinitis, a condition associated with degeneration and overuse.

Historically, the Achilles tendon is known as an area prone to disabling injury. Named after Achilles, who according to myth, was protected from wounds. As a baby, his mother dipped him in a special pond by holding onto his heel, which was not immersed; and later in life Achilles died by an arrow wound in his heel. Interestingly, injuries to this part of the body have obviously been around for thousands of years; however, it was only first reported in medical literature 400 years ago.

What Is Achilles Tendonitis?

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body stretching from the heel to the calf muscles. From the exterior it feels like a springy band of tissue at the back of the ankle, above the heel. This tendon joins three muscles: the soleus and the two heads of the gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius muscle crosses over three joints: the knee, the ankle, and the subtalar joint. The soleus is the powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg; it reaches from just below the knee to the Achilles tendon.

There is not a rich blood supply to this tendon; there are a small number of blood vessels throughout its length which suggests the poor vascularity can be an issue when trying to repair the tissue following trauma.

Achilles Tendonitis

There are two types of Achilles tendonitis: insertional and noninsertional. Insertional Achilles tendonitis affects the lower portion of your tendon where it attaches to the heel bone. Noninsertional Achilles tendonitis involves fibers in the mid-portion of the tendon and usually affects active, younger people.

There are several factors that can contribute to Achilles tendonitis. Here are a few factors:

• Excessive hill running,
• Improper placement of the foot while exercising or while engaged in a sports activity,
• Sudden increases in training, or exertion in activity involving the tendon,
• Not properly stretching the tendon before, during and after physical activity, and
• Tightness of the posterior muscles in the calf that was not stretched out prior to physical activity.

Shoe design may prolong Achilles tendonitis because of excessive heel cushioning. Some people self-treat and purchase gel or air-filled heels and these are not good for a sore Achilles tendon. If you are wearing a shoe designed to provide heel shock absorption what frequently happens is that after heel contact, the heel continues to sink lower while the shoe is absorbing the shock. This further stretches the Achilles tendon.

Achilles Tendonitis Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Pain and stiffness along the tendon in the morning,
• Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity,
• Severe pain the day after exercising, and
• Swelling.

If you have experienced a sudden "pop" in the back of your calf or heel, you may have torn your Achilles tendon. If this has occurred it is important to help right away.

Treatment

The good news is that there are many nonsurgical treatment options that will work for most patients. Depending on the severity of the injury it may take a few months for symptoms to completely subside. Also, depending on how soon you seek help after getting Achilles tendonitis will determine the length of treatment required.

Some basic tips to follow for alleviating pain at home include:

Rest. Greatly decreasing or even stopping the activities that make the pain worse is a must. If you regularly partake in high-impact exercises then switch over to low-impact activities, this will put less stress on the Achilles tendon. Biking and swimming are low-impact options to help you stay active.

Ice. Placing ice on the most painful area of the tendon is helpful and can be repeated as needed throughout the day. This can be done up to 20 minutes each session so long as the skin does not get numb.

Exercise. There are some incredible exercises that can help to strengthen the calf muscles and reduce stress on the Achilles tendon. A qualified health professional can show you what specific exercises are best for your particular situation.

At home methods may provide some relief but there is not a doubt that seeking qualified professional help is best in order to heal properly.

For more information about Achilles tendonitis and how chiropractic and physiotherapy can help you, please give Chiro-Med a call. Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for a decade. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket; call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), is a common injury that occurs in the thigh especially among those who enjoy running, hiking, cycling and those who do squats while weight-lifting. The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of tissue on the thigh that extends from the outer pelvic area (at the tensor fascia latae muscle) and stretches down to just below the knee.

Causes Of Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome can be caused if an individual has weak hip abductor muscles or a weak/non-firing multifidus muscle. (Although it was several years ago, the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine , July 2000, published results from an interesting study that compared 24 runners who suffered with ITBS with 30 healthy runners. They found that the injured runners had significantly weaker hip abductors than the healthy runners.)

If a person has abnormalities in their leg or feet such as an uneven leg length, high or low arches, bowlegs, or supination of the foot then they may be prone to ITBS.

In addition, if a person runs, then they too may get iliotibial band syndrome if they:

• Engage in excessive running up and/or down a hill.
• Run up and down stairs.
• Run on a banked surface.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome Symptoms

ITBS symptoms range from a somewhat stinging sensation that occurs just above the knee joint (on the outside area where the iliotibial band is located) to tissue swelling (or thickening) where the band moves over the femur. The individual may not feel pain right away during an activity but it may intensify over a period of time. ITBS is typically progressive, starting with tightness and often advancing to the point where the pain is debilitating. When the pain has progressed, it is most severe when the individual walks or runs as the heel strikes the ground. Pain radiates from the knee up the leg to the hip. Pain may also be experienced as the knee flexes, especially when walking up or down stairs.

Pain is a signal to the individual or to the runner that a problem exists. Continuing activities that cause pain is not advised – rest and ice is recommended. If pain persists then this may also be a signal that perhaps there is a biomechanical problem that may lead to further injuries.

ITBS Treatments

Stretching is an important part of a treatment program to help alleviate the pain of ITBS. In addition to stretches that are recommended by a health professional, deep tissue massage along the full length of the iliotibial band will help.

Stretching and massage must be done by a health professional that has the experience in working with ITBS patients. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has worked with many ITBS patients and they know that healing is only half of the treatment.

In addition to the healing phase, there is a very important phase, that being the strengthening of the hip and thigh muscles.  This process is best done under the supervision of a health professional who helps the patient with what specific exercises must be done in order to strengthen muscles, not re-injure them.

Physical therapy may not be enough, because if the cause of ITBS is mechanical, then the patient may require proper shoes or orthotics. Orthotic shoe inserts can help to correct imbalances.

As with any injury, following the direction of your health professional is important in order to facilitate healing, recovery and rebuilding. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill has a convenient location and highly qualified health professionals to help you get back to activities you once enjoyed. Call 905-918-0419 for more information.