http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/tv-watching-has-slowly-declined-since-1998/article2094673/

I would like to spend a few moments with you to discuss chronic back pain. Nearly 85% of Canadians will experience back pain in their lifetime. It is for this reason I am devoting this article entirely to back pain and what you can do to help keep your muscles and joints healthy long into your retirement years.

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main reasons we see back pain symptoms in our clinic. Our bodies are designed to move, however the modern lifestyle involves many hours at the desk followed by many hours on the recliner. I would like explain to you how a sedentary lifestyle may be causing you to be more susceptible to back pain in hopes it may encourage and motivate you to be healthy and active in your life.

Our back is a very sophisticated work of biomechanical engineering The back is composed of many muscles and joints which gives it the freedom to move in various planes. At the centre of the back is the spine which houses the spinal cord. The spine is composed of 24 building blocks called vertebrae. In-between these vertebrae are the spinal discs. The structure of spinal discs resembles a jelly doughnut. The discs contain a rigid outer layer called the Annulus Fibrosus and an inner layer called the Nucleus Pulposus. These discs in the spine are subject to incredible force, especially during activities such as sitting and lifting.

The spinal discs themselves do not receive their nutrients from the blood stream as the vertebrae do. Instead they rely on movement in the spine to absorb nutrients from the surrounding vertebrae.This is where the problem begins. Due to the discs lack of nutrition from the blood, the discs tend to wear out quicker than most parts of the body due to poor disc nutrition. This is often termed degenerative disc disease. Some research has indicated that this wearing can occur as early as in the second decade of life!

Many factors come into play in regards to the rate of degenerative disc disease in an individual. Arthritis, sedentary lifestyle and genetics are just a few factors your doctor will consider when examining your condition. Degenerative disc disease is generally irreversible, so the time to maintain your spinal healthy is before the symptoms begin. The following points can help prevent degenerative disc disease so you can keep active well into your retirement years!

• Excess weight can increase the pressure on discs and cause them to wear out quickly. Weight management is important to keep your spine healthy.

• Good posture can help reduce the pressure on the discs, especially in the lower spine. Proper low back support can help ease the stress on the low back and reduce pressure on the spinal discs.

• Exercise can help increase the nutrient flow to the discs which in turn will help the discs stay healthy as you age.

• If you work at a desk job, take a mini break every 30 to 45 minutes. Mini breaks will allow your body to stretch, increase blood flow and give your discs a break from prolonged sitting.

• Last but not least a regular visit to the chiropractor can help maintain proper biomechanics in your spine. Chiropractors are spinal experts and chiropractic treatment is an effective treatment for back pain and can help maintain spinal healthy for the years ahead.

To learn more visit our website at www.muscleandjoint.ca, or call 905-593-1605 to book a free consultation to evaluate your back health!

It’s your future, be there healthy!

To understand sciatica it is important to review the general anatomy of the lower back and pelvic regions of the body.

The sciatic nerve is the largest and widest single nerve of the body, that is comprised of five spinal nerves of the lower back (L4 to S3). The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back and runs through the buttocks. It is here where the sciatic nerve travels under the piriformis muscle. In about 15% of the population the sciatic nerve can actually pierce through the piriformis muscle, making it more vulnerable to compression. The sciatic nerve is responsible for supplying nearly all sensation of the leg, and motor control of the hamstrings, leg and foot.

Causes of sciatica can include:

• Spinal Disc Herniation
• Spinal Stenosis
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Trigger Points
• Poor Posture and Ergonomics

It is important to obtain a proper diagnosis to determine the exact cause of sciatica. Certain conditions could cause progressive weakness in the legs and could cause significant damage.

The most common cause of sciatica in the general population is piriformis syndrome. The incidence of piriformis syndrome has increased over the years. This can be attributed to a more sedentary lifestyle. Long term sitting can help promote active trigger points in the gluteal region. Proper ergonomics can help prevent sciatic pain. Also a regular stretching program can be quite beneficial to prevent sciatic pain symptoms.

If you or someone you know is suffering from sciatic pain, a free consultation with one of our doctors may be the first step towards a better life. Call us today at 905-593-1605 or visit us at Unit# 4, 5980 Churchill Meadows Blvd, Mississauga, L5M 7M5.

We look forward meeting with you and discussing your unique health condition soon!

Canadian Muscle & Joint Pain Clinic

Pain Relief Starts Here!

As winter fades away and spring finally arrives, the golf courses will begin drawing in crowds of fanatics. That is why we consider it a good idea to visit golf injuries that involve the wrist.

There are two types of wrist injuries that frequent golfers:

• Striking Injuries
• Repetitive Strain Injuries

These injuries are the result of faulty swing mechanics and can cause strain and sprain injuries in the wrist. A golf swing can reach up to 100mph! So it’s important to perfect the proper swing to help avoid injuries both on the course and on the driving range.

Striking Injuries:

This injury occurs when a golfer hits a ball from a deep rough. The resistance provided from the rough can cause sprain/strain injuries in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the wrist.

Repetitive Strain Injuries:

Repetitive strain injuries are caused by repetitive use of  specific action causing micro trauma especially in the soft tissues of the wrist. There are two ways to help reduce the chances of repetitive strain injuries:

The Grip: Care has be drawn to how the grip is formed around the club. It is important that the club is help firmly by only five fingers; from the left:

• middle
• ring
• little fingers

and from the right:

• middle
• ring fingers

The remaining fingers are used in a supportive manner. Improper placement can put strain on the elbow and wrists, especially during the backswing.

It is important to note the following recommendations to help reduce injury:

• obtain a grip trainer and take 30 to 50 practice swings daily until the corrected grip feels natural.
• using a ‘swing light trainer’ bring the club to the top of the backswing and stop. The light from the grip trainer should point to the plane line in order to safely swing on plane.
• take repeated practice swings with different golf clubs. Make sure the head and heel lights from the swing trainer always make contact with the plane line.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a golf injury, a free consultation with one of our doctors may be the first step towards a better life. Call us today at 905-593-1605 or visit us at Unit# 4, 5980 Churchill Meadows Blvd, Mississauga, L5M 7M5.

We look forward meeting with you and discussing your unique health condition soon!

Canadian Muscle & Joint Pain Clinic

Pain Relief Starts Here!

For many this may be a new term. Orthotics are appliances used in shoes to help correct and improve the biomechanics of the foot. To understand how orthotics work it is important to look at the biomechanics of the foot and learn a thing or two about the gait cycle.

It may be relevant to first address the term ‘biomechanics’. Biomechanics is the term used to describe the movement of the body, in this case the foot. We will first focus our attention to the ankle; the ankle is a modified hinge joints, similar in function to the hinge joints between a door and a wall. This joint plays a key role in transferring forces from the foot to the leg. The ankle allows movement in only one plane, it allows the foot to move upwards (dorsiflexion) and downwards (plantar flexion)

In total the foot is made up of 26 bones, and between them there are numerous joints. These joints act as rigid level as well as a shock absorber. The amount of shock will depend on the activity performed by the body. Usually intense running on a hard  surface will direct more forces to the foot and its related joints.

When referring to walking patterns, one may come across the term ‘gait cycle’. The gait cycle  describes what happens to the foot and ankle from the point of initial contact of one foot with the ground to the point at which the same foot contacts the ground again. The gait cycle is divided into the swing phase and the stance phase.

During the swing phase the foot is not in contact with the ground. It is the phase of the gait cycle in which the foot swings forward to take another step. During the stance phase the foot is in contact with the ground. The stance phase of the gait cycle can also be divided into three stages:

• The first stage is called heel strike
• The second stage is called mid-stance
• The third stage is referred to as the heel lift stage

The biomechanics of the foot are best explained by describing what happens to the foot during the stance phase of the gait cycle.

Orthotics are custom made appliances that help support and promote good biomechanics of the foot. Orthotics may be necessary in individuals who have:

• Poor biomechanics
• Little or no arch support
• Over pronation
• Heel spurs
• Plantar faciitis
• Metatarsalgia pain
• Achilles tendinitis
• And more!

If you or someone you know is suffering from foot pain, a free consultation with one of our doctors may be the first step towards a better life. Call us today at 905-593-1605 or visit us at Unit# 4, 5980 Churchill Meadows Blvd, Mississauga, L5M 7M5.

We look forward meeting with you and discussing your unique health condition soon!

Canadian Muscle & Joint Pain Clinic

Pain Relief Starts Here!

The most common cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed in the base of the wrist and can be thought of as a tunnel with many tendons running through it, similar to a train tunnel with many train tracks traveling through. Symptoms can occur when this tunnel is compressed, either from the swelling of adjacent tendons, deposition of soft tissue or collapse of tunnel. All these scenarios result in the tunnel becoming compressed and can help propagate symptoms.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is found most frequently between the ages of 30 and 60 years, and is upto five times more frequent in women than in men. The dominant hand is affected more commonly. A study published in 2008 reported that work increases the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in the general population! According to the study:

“These data show a higher incidence of CTS in the working than the non-working population and suggest that a substantial proportion of CTS cases diagnosed in lower-grade white-collar and blue-collar workers are attributable to work.”

It is important to understand and reduce the risks of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Proper ergonomics, stretch breaks, and adequate supports and braces can help reduce the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

If you or a loved one are suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome we recommend that you book a free consultation with one of our doctors. Bring in any imaging reports and scans you may have, such as X-rays, CT and MRI reports and scans. Our doctors will take a comprehensive history, covering the nature and characteristics that define the pain. From there a thorough examination will be conducted to help pinpoint and locate the source of pain. The doctor may prescribe X-rays if indicated.

To book your free consultation today, call 905-593-1605 or visit us at Unit#4 – 5980 Churchill Meadows Blvd, Mississauga Ontario, L5M 7M5.

Canadian Muscle & Joint Pain Clinic

Pain Relief Starts Here!

The study was conducted as follows: 25 participants did treadmill tests and the clinic analyzed their gait, more specifically the biomechanics of the hip, knee and ankle in each patient.

According to the research strengthening the hip abductor muscles can significantly reduce knee pain in some patients. The participants performed these exercices for about three weeks after which their pain was significantly reduced.

It is estimated that approximately half of all running injuries are due to the knee, and between three to four million runners suffer from knee injuries each year.

If you or a loved one is suffering from knee pain and would like to learn if our clinic can help you, book you free consultation by calling 905-593-1605 or visit us at 5980 Churchill Meadows Blvd, Missisasuga, ON, L5M 7M5.

Canadian Muscle & Joint Pain Clinic

Pain Relief Starts Here!

The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) announced the revised Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines on Monday.

Under the new guidelines, children ages five to 11 and youth ages 12 to 17 should:

• Accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily.
• Include vigorous-intensity activities at least three days per week.
• Include activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least three days per week.

Adults age 18 to 64 should strive to accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more, the guidelines say.The guidelines also say Canadians should try to exceed these minimum activity levels since the greater the variety, intensity and duration of the physical activity, the greater the health benefit.

The guidelines state it helps all adults to add muscle- and bone-strengthening activities using major muscle groups at least two days a week to keep the skeleton and muscles in better shape.

For older adults, it’s advised those with poor mobility should perform physical activities to enhance balance and prevent falls.

CBC News first described the guideline changes during its Canada Weighs In project earlier in January.The existing guidelines have a much stronger evidence base that provide more specific targets. CSEP is Canada’s main body for physical activity, health and fitness research and personal training. These guidelines are the result of over four years of research analysis funded by several groups including the Public Health Agency of Canada.