Chiropractic care can also improve your quality of life, and the right information will help you make informed decisions, so do not believe any of the following myths:

Myth: Once you see a chiropractor, you will be forced to keep going back

This is false because your treatment plan will be based on your condition, and a diagnosis will be made to determine your goals and needs. Your chiropractor will assess the severity of your situation, and a physical examination will be done to determine the cause of the pain or dysfunction. Treatment plans are developed in collaboration with the patient, and this plan may recommend several visits at first to see if you respond to care. The course of the treatments will vary from one patient to another, and the decision to continue with chiropractic care will be yours. In the end, the patient and practitioner will make decisions together to create the best plan.

Myth: Chiropractic adjustments are painful

Adjustments or joint manipulations are generally not painful. Many patients actually experience some degree of  immediate pain relief. It’s normal to feel nervous or scared about the cracking or popping sounds you may hear during your appointment, but these sounds result from a normal physiological process in the joints, and are not a cause of discomfort or pain.

Myth: Chiropractic care can be very dangerous

This, too, is false. Chiropractic care is very safe, and to be a competent chiropractor skill, experience, and knowledge are all required. Chiropractors are highly trained and must complete extensive courses to receive their degree in chiropractic care. They are experts who constantly assess and monitor the state that their patients are in, and constantly review any risk factors involved in treatment to ensure that danger is not part of it..

Myth: One improper adjustment can cause you to become paralyzed

This does not happen, so do not fall for this myth. The integrity of your spinal structure deserves a little more credit than this. This incident could only occur if the patient comes in for treatment with an unstable fracture, which is exceedingly rare. Down’s Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis are two other commonly discussed conditions that are contraindications to neck adjustments, and these patients may be born without a protective ligament in their neck. However, reputable chiropractors will be able to detect any “red flags” when they conduct a thorough examination. 

If you have questions or want to address your concerns, Dr Eaton at Burnaby Heights Chiropractic can help. We can discuss your fears and expectations, and our team will provide you with detailed information regarding the many benefits of chiropractic care and massage therapy to determine if these treatments are right for you. If you are looking for a registered chiropractor or RMT in the Burnaby area, contact us to hear more about our services!

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Patients will experience several benefits after deep tissue massages, including an improvement in their physical and mental health. Deep tissue massage is very effective, and the following are just some of the benefits associated with this treatment:

Stress relief

Deep tissue massage is an effective way to unplug and relax as this type of massage will help lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin levels, a hormone that relaxes the body while producing soothing effects. Deep tissue massage will also help with physical symptoms of stress, including tight muscles and shoulders and tension headaches, by addressing these issues and helping your body relax.

Pain reduction

Deep tissue massage can help treat several conditions that cause pain, including plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, stiff neck and chronic pain in your lower back. This kind of massage will lessen muscle tension which occurs with chronic pain and can loosen the tight tissue clusters causing you pain. Many people believe that deep tissue massage is more effective for relieving chronic pain than medication or other medical treatments, so it’s worth considering.

Lower blood pressure and heart rate

Deep tissue massage reduces stress and tension, affecting blood pressure. Massage has a positive impact on diastolic, systolic and arterial blood pressure, but it can also increase the production of serotonin, which is known to produce good feelings and happiness.

Easier movement

Scar tissue will lead to chronic pain and stiffness, and deep tissue massage will help break up this scar tissue by improving drainage and lymphatic circulation, which will improve your flexibility and range of motion. It is recommended that people recovering from surgery get deep tissue massage because it can minimize scar tissue.

Reduces arthritis symptoms

Pain, stiffness, sleep issues and limited range of motion in joints are all symptoms of arthritis, and deep tissue massage therapy can be used as treatment. Moderate pressure will be applied to reduce pain and ease the tension, which will make it easier for patients with arthritis to move around. People with arthritis often struggle to sleep, and this type of massage can also improve sleep issues by alleviating pain that would otherwise keep you awake at night. 

The health care team here at Burnaby Heights Chiropractic would be happy to provide you with more information regarding the many benefits massage therapy offers. If you are looking for the a registered chiropractor or an RMT in the Burnaby area, contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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When your sciatic nerve becomes irritated, it can leave you with feelings of burning, stinging,  shooting pains, or even weakness through your buttocks down to your affected leg. Having poor posture and a lack of mobility in the spine are two common factors that often contribute to sciatica.

The good news is that you can try some sciatic pain relief treatments in the comfort of your own home by doing several types of exercises and stretches. These can help mobilize the joints of the spine, stretch tight postural muscles, and help to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve to help reduce any pain.

As well, it is always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before you try any of these sciatica pain relief exercises.

Lying Glute Stretch

This type of stretch will lengthen the piriformis and gluteal muscles, and may help relieve pressure on your sciatic nerve. To start, you will need to lie flat on your back with your knees bent to roughly ninety degrees. Then raise one foot and bring it to the opposite knee, resting your ankle on your knee. Grasp the underside of the thigh which has your ankle resting on the knee with your hands, and gently begin pulling both legs towards your chest while still keeping the ankle on the knee. Keep your spine depressed flat against the floor. Hold this position for 30 seconds while taking deep breaths, then repeat the same on the other side. Perform this stretch three times on each side.

Extension Exercise (Press Ups)

This exercise can be helpful to alleviate sciatic pain that originates due to a disc bulge in the lower back. You start by laying on your stomach with your elbows bent at the sides, and your hands held palms pressed down on the floor under your shoulders. Slowly raise your chest upwards by pressing down on the forearms and elbows while you arch your lower back, trying to keep your hips down on the floor. Try to raise up as far as you can and hold the position for 20 to 30 seconds while taking steady, even breaths. You can repeat this stretch up to 5 times, three or four times per day.

Seated Lumbar Twist

This is another stretch for sciatica that can also help relieve tightness and pain in the buttocks. Begin by sitting on a mat or the carpet with your legs extended out in front of you and your hands flat on the mat behind your hips to help support you. Bend your left leg to bring your left heel up near the opposite side of the right knee. Now bring your right arm around to place your right elbow gently against your left knee, turning your torso to the left while doing so. Use your right elbow on your left knee with your left hand on the floor behind you, to gently push yourself further into the rotation. Hold for a slow count of ten and gently release. Repeat this on both sides.

If you have any questions about what stretches would be appropriate for your specific situation when dealing with sciatic pain, don’t hesitate to contact Dr Eaton and burnaby Heights Chiropractic.

Related : Massage Therapy For Shoulder Pain?

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The good news is that there are a lot of self-massage techniques you can use to relieve stress and alleviate muscle pain, and if you do these correctly, they can be very effective. The right techniques will help improve blood circulation while increasing mental alertness, so take some time every day to complete the following:

Massage Your Head

Place your thumbs on your cheekbones with your other fingers close to your ears and apply gentle pressure to your temples using your fingertips. Make circles with your fingers and move along slowly towards the center of your forehead until both hands meet and repeat the process to experience relief.

Stretch at Your Desk

If you spend a lot of time typing, you need to move your entire arm to maintain flexibility, and stretching will do this while giving your forearms a break. Stretch your arms up into the air, feel your shoulders stretch, and then take your right arm and clasp your left while maintaining your stretch. Pull slightly to the side, then switch and complete this movement again for another 15 seconds. It’s very important that you move your arms in ways that you normally don’t when you are seated and typing, as this will increase blood flow. It’s also important that you stretch your legs so that they experience movement throughout the day.

Massage Your Neck

Place two fingertips on the back of each side of your neck and apply steady pressure. Hold this position and once you release, slowly roll your shoulders forward and backward, and repeat this process a few times to relieve built-up pressure in your neck.

Massage Your Jaw

A lot of people do not realize the difference this can make, so use your fingertips to press up under your cheekbones and start from the inside and move out toward your temples. As you apply pressure, open and close your mouth, and once you reach your ears, press your thumb under your jawbone and pull your fingertips down the side of your face. Repeat this pulling motion along your jaw, and as you move towards your chin, you will instantly feel relief.

Don’t Forget About Your Knees

Sitting for too long can have a negative impact on your knees, so straighten and relax your legs while seated and gently press the side of your knee with your fingertips or knuckles and work your way around your knee. Bend and straighten your leg a few times and repeat the process with your other leg.

While these simple massage techniques can help make a world of difference,you may still want a professional massage. Contact us today at Burnaby Heights Chiropractic to find out more about our services, and we will gladly schedule an appointment!

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What Causes Shoulder Pain?

When your shoulder muscles are strained or injured, the areas around the muscle becomes inflamed, which leads to spasms, and can make moving difficult. The upper back muscles are the most prone to irritation, due to lack of strength or overuse. 

The main cause of shoulder pain is bad posture. Most people have jobs where they are sitting for around eight hours of the day, which negatively impacts your shoulders. Being slumped over a desk for long periods of time your muscles adapt, and stay that way, which is when you start to feel discomfort. When you are slumped over, the chest muscles get tight and short which pulls your shoulders forward, which causes your upper shoulder and your neck to get tight as well. 

If you suffer from shoulder pain, you may notice that some of the pain is not continuous and can come and go. You are not miraculously healed, the body is just acting like a well-oiled machine, and is repairing itself. However, if the root cause is not identified, the pain and injury will come back, in which case, massage therapy can be a great solution. 

Massage Therapy for Shoulder Pain 

Massage therapy not only aims to decrease shoulder pain, but to speed up the healing time of the injury, and improve posture. Treatments usually begin with massaging muscles in your shoulder, which will reduce the chronic tension and knots in the muscles. Next, your RMT will target specific muscles, such as the pectoralis major and minor in order to re-lengthen them so that your shoulder joints and blade resume their normal resting position.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

• Increased blood flow will aid in the recovery of your shoulder muscles 
• Reduce tension in your muscles which will improve flexibility 
• Increase endorphins 

While massage therapy is a safe solution for back pain, it is advised for patients to consult with their doctor. Things such as recent surgery, varicose veins, or an unhealed wound would make you ineligible for massage therapy. If you or someone you know is suffering from shoulder pain, contact Burnaby Heights Chiropractor.With a team of skilled registered massage therapists, we can help you identify the cause of your pain, and work with you to devise a treatment plan. 

Related: Massage Therapy to keep you Healthy

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