Hello all.

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here and today we are going to talk about stress.

Not physical stress, not chemical stress but mental/emotional stress.

It seems that there are abnormally higher levels of mental/emotional stress due to this covid scare and I feel compelled to share what I have learned about stress management over my 43+ years of education.

And we really need to get a handle on this because mental/emotional stress can lead to anxiety, depression, domestic violence, substance abuse and even suicidal tendencies.

These are all on the upswing in America and we just cannot let it happen herein Canada too.

So, today I am giving you 5 tips on what you can do to manage and better deal with mental/emotional stress.

1- Guard the gates of your mind carefully. You can choose which thoughts you wish to entertain. Watching the news can be very disheartening which is not healthy for your mindset or your psychology. Limit how much news you watch and keep yourself busy with pleasurable things to occupy your mind.

2- Meditate daily. And if you are not well practiced at meditation, put your head phones on and plug into your computer for 30 min. You can find lots of meditation on the internet … soft music, positive affirmations, sounds of nature etc. Whatever resonates with you.

3- Exercise. Get out there for your power walks or do your yoga. You can find a lot of yoga instructors on the internet. Both of these are excellent de-stressors and will release endorphins into your body which will elevate your mood.

4- Be diligent with your food choices. When we are stressed we are more likely to reach for those comfort foods; sweets, chips, soft-drinks etc.These will mess with your blood sugars, they are addictive and result in mood swings. (Do your kids ask for junk food when they are cranky?)

5- And most importantly (in my humble opinion – and to my knowledge there are no qualifying double-blind studies, just my clinical observations after 30+ years of hands-on practice), your chiropractic adjustments.Adjustments have a soothing and calming effect on your central nerve system.

After an adjustment, people report less pain, they can breathe easier, they feel all that tension melt away and a release of endorphins which will counteract those nasty stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

Your mind and body both will thank you for it.These are very trying times for a lot of us.

And if you are struggling, remember I am always here to help in any way that I can.You can call anytime.905 335 LIFE (5433)

Hello all.

Dr Brad here again from Life Chiropractic Centre.

Last time we talked about posture quadrant number 1 (the head and neck)and how forward head posture or tech neck is the most common posture distortion here.

The thing about posture distortions is that if they are left uncorrected, they will have a chain reaction and cause posture distortions throughout the rest of the spine.

For example, if forward head posture is not corrected, it will eventually cause a posture distortion in the second posture quadrant (thoracic spine) called hump back.

Not only is hump back one of the most unsightly posture distortions, but in combination with forward head posture it can decrease your lung capacity by up to 30%.

Try taking in a deep breath with your head, neck and upper back bent forwards. Compare when standing with upright, open, healthy posture.This particular posture distortion robs you of vital oxygen!

If you are prone to lung problems such as emphysema, bronchitis, asthma,frequent chest colds or even allergies, it is critical that you maintain a healthy posture system so that you can breathe properly.

Are you unsure about the health of your posture system?

I can help.

This is my expertise.

Call 905 335 LIFE (5433) to schedule an appointment for your free initialconsult which also includes a detailed posture scan.

Hello all.

Dr Brad here again.

Today we are going to have a quick review of the first Posture Quadrant … the head and neck.

The most common posture distortion pattern here is forward head posture or tech neck.

The most common symptoms associated with tech neck … pain and stiffness in the neck,tingling in the arms and hands, frozen shoulder syndrome, headaches and TMJ syndrome.

What exactly is TMJ syndrome?

TMJ syndrome (issues with your jaw joint) is characterized by clicking or popping in your jaw joint(s) when you chew, pain in your jaw, headaches (usually quite severe), your top teeth do not line up over your bottom teeth properly and jaw dislocation.

If fact I treated a young teenage girl just the other day who had dislocated here entire jaw (both sides).

She like thousands of other students has been spending a lot more time sitting at her computer doing her home studies.

Her posture began to slump, this resulted in tech neck which put a lot of stress onher jaw joint.

And when she yawned the other morning upon awakening, her jaw popped and got stuckin the extreme wide-open position.

She could not talk, drink, eat, swallow and was in a great deal of pain.It took 3 attempts and a lot of sweat and tears but I finally reduced the dislocation and re-set her jaw so she could open and close it properly.

Here is your take-away … if you are sitting at your computer more than you usually do, remember to do 2 things; sit healthy and take your posture break every 30 minutes.

Hope you’re all staying healthy.

I am right on top of my health game and I hope you are doing the same.Remember that as an essential service, I am always here to help.

The number to call … 905 335 LIFE (5433).Remember always that good posture is by design and not by circumstance.

Life Chiropractic Centre is a family chiropractic and posture correction facility.

Hello all.

Dr Brad here again and today we are going to talk about kids posture.

According to our research at the American Posture Institute, 34% of school-aged children
and 67% of students (high school, college, etc.) have forward head posture or tech neck.

And one of the biggest contributors to this are hand-held devices or cell phones.

Everywhere you look, whether they are sitting, standing and even walking, kids are always
looking down at their devices.

And tech neck will eventually lead to unsightly humping of the upper back and a whole bunch
of other health problems.

So parents, I am going to explain to you how to teach your kids to use their devices in a better,
safer and healthier way.

First of all, when texting always keep the chin up. Hold the phone in front of you so eyes are
forwards and looking straight ahead.

And when arms get tired, put the phone down for a minute to rest them. We all know that a
simple text ‘hello’ can turn into a 3 hour texting marathon.

If you see your kids walking and texting at the same you may want to remind them that this is
a good way to walk into a wall or a door or a telephone pole.

And there you have it.

Hope you are all staying healthy. I am right on top of my health game and I hope you are as well.

The number to call … 905 335 LIFE (5433).Remember always that good posture is by design and not by circumstance.

Life Chiropractic Centre is a family chiropractic and posture correction facility.

Hello all.

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here.

I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.

I am also a Certified Posture expert with the American Posture Institute.

Early in March we learned about mindless (bad) posture and mindful (good) posture.

Bad posture is not just an aesthetic problem, it is a modern day epidemic affecting the lives of millions of people.

Eighty percent of the population will suffer from low back pain at least once in their life-time.

And I would argue that this number is even higher.

I have treated kids as young as 8 years old who are already suffering from backpain!

Fifty percent of the population suffer from neck pain or headaches, and 70% demonstrate posture distortions(spinal misalignments) in the neck.

Elderly people with hump-back have a 144% greater rate of mortality. In other words, elderly people withhump-back die sooner.And according to the American Posture Institute, up to 90% of adults present with forward head posture (tech neck).

These numbers are staggering!

With advancements in technology, we sit more, we stand less, we are not as physicallyactive and this is having a profound effect on our health.

And from a very early age.As a posture expert, I have the solution to these types of problems.

So if you or anyone in your family is suffering from such, please call and schedule an appointment for your free initial consult.

These also include a free detailed posture scan which is a great place to start.

Posture scans are easy to do,they only take 5 minutes, they are non-invasive and highly informative.

The number to call … 905 335 LIFE (5433).Remember always that good posture is by design and not by circumstance.

Life Chiropractic Centre is a family chiropractic and posture correction facility.

Hello all.

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here.

I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.

I am also a Certified Posture expert with the American Posture Institute.

Today I thought it would be a good time to review sitting disease as I know a lot of you are sitting way more thanyou normally would.

Remember this … when you sit you burn one third of the calories that you would when you are standing.

Sitting for extended periods will lead to obesity especially around the waist line.

It can also lead to high blood pressure,abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, heart disease and even cancer.

These are what constitute sitting disease.

And if you sit 8 hours a day or more, you are at a higher risk.

So, here is what you can do …If you have to sit for extended periods, make sure to take a posture break every 30 minutes.

Easy to do, just set your phone to notify you every 30 minutes.

And, 60 to 75 minutes of moderate intensity exercise will go a long way to combating sitting disease.

So get out there for your walks people!

Hope you are all staying healthy and remember I am always here if you need my help.

Just call 905 335 LIFE (5433).

Hello all.

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here.

I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.

I am also a Certified Posture expert with the American Posture Institute.

Last time we talked about mindful and mindless posture.

And since a lot of you are house-bound right now and interacting with technology way more than you normally would, I thought today we would have a quick review.

Whether you are using your cell phone, tablet or laptop, keep your chin up. Keep your eyes looking straight ahead (no looking down), keep ears over the shoulders and keep your back straight.

Maintain this posture whether you are standing or sitting. And if you are sitting take a posture break every 30 minutes.

Remember that healthy posture means a healthy body and right now we need to do every single little thing that we can to stay healthy.

And these tips apply to everyone of all ages.

If you have any questions or need my help in any way, I am always here for you guys.

Just reach out … 905 335 LIFE (5433).

It is estimate that up to 50% of WAD (whiplash associated disorder) patients will develop chronic symptoms such as neck and upper back pain, headaches, dizziness, emotional and cognitive disturbances, referred pain and physical dysfunctions.

FM (fibromyalgia) is also characterized by long-term persistent symptoms such as widespread musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, cognitive disturbances, fatigue and physical dysfunctions.

Both WAD and FM patients share similar chronic debilitating signs and symptoms.
But the question is … why is this the case?

In one study, researchers evaluated cognitive loss, central sensitization (a highly sensitive nerve system associated with chronic pain) and health-related quality of life in chronic WAD patients, FM patients and a control group with no known chronic conditions.

Participants in both the WAD and FM groups exhibited significant cognitive impairment, central sensitization and decreased health-related quality of life suggesting that brain injury plays a significant role in each condition.

In WAD injuries, the mechanism of injury causing cognitive loss ( the brain’s inability to process information) appears to arise from the brain slamming into the inside of the cranial vault (skull).

In a rear-end collision, the brain 1st hits the back of the skull followed by rebounding and hitting the front of the skull often times causing a concussion (brain bruise).

A 2011 study found that among 326 WAD patients with persistent neck pain lasting more than 3 months, up to 14% met the criteria for FM.

A 2015 study that looked at the health histories of 939 FM patients identified trauma as the participating factor in 27% of cases. Based on these findings, it’s clear that the whiplash process could be a significant contributing factor for developing FM.

While we typically associate whiplash with motor vehicle collisions, such injuries can also occur in sports collisions, falls and physical assaults.

It is also possible that a greater percentage of FM cases may be due to trauma the participant simply wasn’t able to recall.

It is clear that chronic WAD and FM are potentially debilitating conditions and seeking treatment after trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, is critical for mitigating the risk for chronic symptoms.

The good news is that both FM and WAD patients respond exceptionally well to chiropractic care.
 
Studies have reported that the inclusion of chiropractic care enhances recovery in acute and chronic WAD as well as FM patients.

If you would like to investigate this further, please call me at 905 335 LIFE (5433).

Hello all.

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here.

I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line in the Beacon Hill Plaza.

I am also a Certified Posture Expert and Postural Neurologist with the American Posture Institute.

Today we are going to discuss intelligent posture.

Upright/erect posture is the most intelligent posture amongst all living things.

We have evolved from crawling around on all 4’s to hunched over caveman to an upright, erect bipedal being.

But somewhere along the way, something went terribly wrong.

Our posture system is collapsing.

We are becoming more caveman-like as we hunch over computers, cell phones and tablets etc.

The human posture system is de-evolving at the speed of technology.

Bad posture is mindless. There is no thought, no awareness, no preparation, it is reactive and this is how we develop bad posture habits.

Good posture on the other hand is mindful. There is a moment by moment awareness of where you are, what you are doing and what part of your body you need to stabilize.

Mindful posture is proactive as opposed to reactive.

Example …. you need to spend a couple of hours at your computer. So you think first how you are going to sit with healthy posture and when you are going to take your posture breaks.

Example …. you need to lift and move an object. So you plan it out first how you are going to perform this task without hurting yourself.

You remind yourself to engage your core muscles and lift with your legs and not to twist while carrying a heavy object.

Postural mindfulness needs to become habitual. It needs to become the ‘norm.’

More on this next time but if you have any questions on this topic or any other health concerns you may have or your kids may have, please call me.

Consultations at Life Chiropractic Centre are always free of charge and they also include a detailed posture scan.

The phone number to call to schedule your appointment is 905 335 LIFE (5433).

Remember that good posture is by design and not by circumstance.

Life Chiropractic Centre is a family chiropractic and postural correction facility.

Hello everyone.

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here and I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.I am also a Certified Posture Expert and Postural Neurologist with the American Posture Institute.

Today you are going to learn about the 2 components to a healthy posture system; orientation and stabilization.

Orientation is how your body aligns itself or postures itself in response to sensory input.

Three examples of sensory input are what you see, what you hear and what you feel.

And here are some examples of what can happen ….If you are not using your reading glasses and are squinting and sticking your head and neck out so you can see what you need to read,you are creating a forward head posture.

If you cannot hear out of your right ear as well as the left, you will tend to turn your right ear towards the source. This will resultin head rotation.

If you have a pinched nerve in your neck, and your neck is tilted over towards your shoulder, this is a torticollis.

Forward head posture, head rotation, head tilt (torticollis) – these are all different types of posture distortions in Posture Quadrant 1.Stabilization – this is the process of stiffening one part of your body to allow for a free and full range of motion of another part of yourbody.

Example … if you need to reach for something on the top shelf, you need to stiffen your core and your legs to allow your arms to move freely.

If you have a posture distortion in your lower back (Posture Quadrant 3) and you have lower back pain and a weak core (you cannot have one without the other), you would never be able to stabilize yourself to perform this task.

Good posture therefore is absolutely critical for you to orient yourself properly and stabilize yourself properly during any activity that you do …. sitting, standing, walking, running, lifting, lying, golfing, cleaning the house – it doesn’t matter.

More on posture next time, but if you have any questions on this topic or any other health concerns you may have or your kids may have,give us a call.

Remember consults are always free of charge and these include a detailed posture scan.

Our phone number is 905 335 LIFE (5433).Remember that good posture is by design and not by circumstance.?
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