Treating A Sprained Ankle

“Best Treatment For A Sprained Ankle At Our Burlington Clinic”

The term sprain means to wrench a joint with partial rupture of the ligaments.

The ankle joint is one of the most frequently sprained joints in the human body.

Sports injuries, obesity, walking injuries & previous sprains that were not treated appropriately are the most common source ankle sprains.

Here is what you need to know if you have or had a sprained ankle so you can treat it effectively & prevent re-occurrences.

When you sprain an ankle you have typically rolled over on your foot putting an undue force into the ankle joint.

The ankle can either collapse inwards or outwards ( which is the most common ) tearing the ligaments that secure & hold all the ankle bones together. Remember that ligaments are what attach bones together.

They typically are very tough with very little capacity to stretch.

That is why they are more likely to rupture or tear when stressed too far & this is when they become sprained.

A stretched ligament without rupture is a ligamentous strain as opposed to a sprain.

The treatment for a strained ligament would be similar to a sprained ligament but the consequences of mistreating a sprain are far greater than mistreating a strain.

To sprain a ligament means to rupture or partially tear. Complete ligamentous tears often require surgical repair depending upon which joint & which ligament is involved.

But, a sprained ligament can heal successfully if the injury is managed appropriately right from the onset.

How to differentiate: a broken ankle will not swell as much as a sprained or strained ankle joint.

There will be pain, some swelling ( sometimes none ) and usually joint deformity.

This means that something doesn’t look right when comparing to the other un-injured side.

And of course, it will probably be very difficult to put any weight on the joint.

A strained ankle joint may not be evident for some time (hours) after the injury.

Soreness & stiffness with or without swelling are usually evident & there typically is little discoloration (bruising) with a strain.

With a sprain however, swelling is pretty much immediate.

Weight bearing on the injured joint is pretty much impossible & within a day or two, the rainbow of discoloration(bruising) will begin.

The swelling & eventual bruising that occur when ligaments are sprained are from the bleeding that occurs when the ligament is ruptured or partially torn.

Understand that when you sprain or tear a ligament it bleeds so the first thing that needs to be addressed is the bleeding.

Ice therapy is the first thing that is recommended.

Whether or not to put ice or heat is a question many people have when trying to treat their own injuries. With bleeding & inflammation comes heat.

If you apply heat to an injured area that is already bleeding & inflaming, you will only make the problem worse.

In other words, the bleeding & the inflammation will be accelerated.

There is absolutely no benefit to applying heat to a sprain.

In fact, it will only make the problem worse.

Ice therapy is the best thing to do when you have sprained an ankle.

Putting your foot & ankle into an ice bath if you can would be the most effective.

Make sure that the ice water covers the whole ankle & leave it in there for as long as you can tolerate.

If you have to take it out every few seconds for a break until you have acclimatized to the temperature, that is ok.

Just get it in the ice bath as much as you can.

Try to give it a solid 20 minutes every hour over the first 2 days [except when sleeping – rest it comfortably on a pillow or two].

If an ice bath is not possible, apply a bag of ice or a flexible ice pack directly to the side of the ankle that has been sprained.

Again, leave it on there as long as you can keeping a goal of 20 minutes every hour in mind.

You do not have to wrap the ankle unless you are attempting to move around.

And, use a cane or crutches if you absolutely have to walk.

If you can stay off your feet for the first 48 hours , this would be ideal to setting forth good healing.

Unless someone has taught you how to wrap a sprained ankle, you would have to consult with a physio or chiropractor to learn how & I would be more than happy to assist you with this.

The bottom line is that your wrap must simulate (replace) the support offered by the injured ligaments without being too tight to cause more discomfort.

And, I will say it again that you should always use a cane or crutches to take as much weight as possible off of the sprained ankle joint if you need to walk.

After 2 or 3 days once the bleeding & swelling has started to subside, the treatment plan needs to change.

By this time the swelling has subsided but you will notice the bruising may become more severe ( black & blue) & it will probably travel into the foot or the tips of your toes.

This is normal & due to the effect of gravity & blood flow.

But, this old blood may cause a little discomfort in the areas where it pools.

Again this is normal & will subside on its own in a few days so do not be concerned.

Now, this is the point where proper management of the injury will make all the difference between complete & partial healing. Most people do not follow through once the ankle feels better after the initial swelling & most of the bruising has subsided.

Remember what ligaments do: they hold & attach bones together.

Just because swelling & bruising are no longer present does not mean that the ligaments have completely healed.

And, as with any sprain there is usually misalignment of the bones that make up the joint.

So here is where continued treatment will make the difference between partial & complete healing.

COLD LASER THERAPY (low level laser therapy) will help repair the sprained ligaments, repair any damage that may have occurred to the joint capsule & prevent post-traumatic scar tissue from forming in the injured ligaments ( see the page posted on this web-site dedicated solely to the benefits of Cold Laser Therapy).

This is essential to preventing a weak & wobbly ankle joint that will be prone to subsequent sprains, require constant wrapping & feel very uncomfortable & even limiting under load for fear of pain & instability.

CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT of the ankle will help re-align any of the small ankle bones that were displaced as a result of the sprain.

Most people do not realize that as with any sprain, the bones that comprise the injured joint are usually misaligned to one degree or another as a result of the extreme & misdirected force placed upon the joint.

You cannot rupture &/or tear ligaments without affecting the alignment of the bones those same ligaments attach to.

If the bones of the sprained joint are not sitting in their correct anatomical position, this will not allow the injured ligaments to heal properly, the joint will not be structurally stable , it will likely develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis & it will be prone to re-injury.

Remember that the degree of recovery drastically decreases with subsequent sprains ( 2nd, 3rd …) so it is vital that the first injury is treated diligently.

Treating a sprained ankle following this 3 part formula ( ice, cold laser therapy, chiropractic adjustment )will allow quick, proper & complete healing & all without the potentially dangerous side-effects of drugs & medications.

These do nothing to promote healing of the injured tissues & will probably cause you stomach upset & irritation of your liver & kidneys.

If you would like more information on how we can help you recover from a sprained ankle, or you would like to have a free consultation please call 905 335 LIFE (5433).

Remember, we are always here to help in any way that we can.

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

Milk Alternatives For Newborns

Alternatives To Breast Milk Or Cow’s Milk For Newborns

Often times milk can cause digestive upset in newborns.

The mother’s breast milk can often times cause digestive upset because of toxins or the wrong diet.

And cow’s milk can cause major digestive upset for everyone, not just newborns.

Remember that calves require 4 stomachs to digest their mother’s milk.

So how could anyone think that cow’s milk would be fit for human consumption when we have just 1 stomach?

If you are struggling with the bottle feeding stages with your baby ( gas, fussiness, poor appetite, runny stools etc.), here are some tips for you.

I do not agree with formula.

A lot of them have artificial products in them & a lot of them contain high levels of sugar.

Some have very little nutritional value.

I do not agree with soy milk because a lot of people have a sensitivity or allergy to soy & some research shows that it can impair brain function.

Rice milk is OK, but contains no protein which is obviously required for growth.

Aside from human breast milk, your best alternative is goat’s milk.

Goat’s milk is the closest in composition to human breast milk, has all the nutrients your baby requires & will not cause digestive upset as there is no lactose.

You can now find it in most grocery stores, especially in the organic or health food section.

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad A The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

Growing Pains

“Getting Rid Of Growing Pains With Burlington Chiropractic Care”

What to do if your child is suffering from  GROWING PAINS ….

Growing pains is a common complaint of children at various stages of growth & development, especially during the pre-teen & early teenage years.

They most commonly affect the legs & can be isolated to the knee joint specifically.

Growing pains have been attributed  to just that – growth. But  I would like to offer you a different perspective.

Why is it that not all kids complain of growing pains?  If it did truly hurt to grow, then wouldn’t all kids suffer from growing pains?

Remember that leg pain is also called sciatica. Sciatica comes from having pinched nerves in the lower back area. These nerves form what is called

the sciatic bundle which travel all the way down the leg right to the foot. When these nerves are pinched due to poor spinal alignment, leg pain often results.

It has been my experience that growing pains are the same as sciatic leg pains, except that they are affecting children.

You may ask… ‘ how can my kid have poor spinal alignment?’

Easy – childhood is when we suffer our most & biggest traumas. Have you ever witnessed your child falling hard on their butt, even once?

This is enough to cause a spinal problem.

Chiropractic care is by far your best choice to help your child’s growing pains. We have had phenomenal results.

If your child is suffering, call us today. We can help!

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

WSIB Treatment Information

Chiropractic And The Workplace Safety And Insurance Board (WSIB) And The Treatment Of Work-Related Injuries”

If you have been injured on the job & your employer is registered with the WORKPLACE SAFETY & INSURANCE BOARD ( WSIB ),you are entitled to CHIROPRACTIC BENEFITS for the treatment of your injuries.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…..

• You are entitled to a minimum of 12 WEEKS of care.

• You may be entitled to an extension of 4 – 6 weeks depending upon the extent of your injury or injuries.

• It is important to file a report of your injury immediately with your company nurse or human resources rep.

• You do not need a medical referral for chiropractic care if you have been injured on the job.

• Chiropractors are primary health care providers & YOU CAN REFER YOURSELF.

• If you consulted with your family medical doctor or a walk-in clinic doctor first, and you then decide to go for chiropractic treatments or this doctor recommends chiropractic treatments, YOU WILL NEED A REFERRAL NOTE FROM THAT DOCTOR FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE.

• We have filed numerous claims with the WSIB over the years on behalf of our patients.

• Our staff are extremely competent at processing your claims properly & in a timely fashion.

The doctors at Life Chiropractic are very experienced & highly competent in treating work-related injuries.

WE CAN HELP THE FOLLOWING WORK-RELATED INJURIES….

• Sprains & strains of the cervical spine (neck) joints.

 

• Soft-tissue (muscle) injuries of the cervical spine (neck).

• Minor injuries to the disc tissue of the cervical spine (neck).

• Whiplash injuries to the neck. ( if you drive for a company & are involved in a motor vehicle accident while on the job, you are entitled to WSIB benefits.)

• Sprain & strain injuries of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand or finger joints.

• Any minor dislocations of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand or fingers joints.

• Soft-tissue injuries to the muscles surrounding the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand or fingers.

• Sprains & strains of the thoracic spine joints ( mid-back & between the shoulder blades ).

• Sprains & strains of the rib-cage joints.

• Minor dislocations of the ribs.

• Lifting injuries to the lumbar spine (lower back).

• Sciatic leg pains as a result of a lifting injury to the lower back.

• Sprains & strains of the lumbar spine joints (lower back).

• Soft-tissue (muscle) injuries of the lumbar spine (lower back).

• Minor injuries to the disc tissue of the lumbar spine (lower back).

• Sprain & strain injuries of the hip, knee, ankle or joints of the feet.

• Any minor dislocations of the hip, knee, ankle or joints of the feet.

• Soft-tissue injuries to the muscles surrounding the hip, knee, ankle or feet.

• Sprain & strain injuries of the sacro-iliac joint.

• Minor dislocations of the sacro-iliac joint.

If you are not sure of the exact nature of your work-related injury, please call our office to make an appointment & we will assist you in determining the correct diagnosis.

If you are not sure if we can help you with your work-related injury, there is no charge to speak to the doctor.

All you have to do is call & make an appointment for a free initial consultation.

If your injury is not one that we can help, we will refer you to the appropriate doctor or specialist immediately.

Remember that chiropractic treatments will help you heal faster , will help you heal better & get you back on the job sooner.

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

Cold Sore Treatment

“The Best Remedy I know Of To Cure Your Cold Sores Here In Burlington”

Cold sores are caused the herpes virus.

What is important to understand is that there is no medication that will kill a virus.

Anti-biotics kill bacteria only, & other medications may suppress a virus but not kill it.

So, the best way to get rid of those unsightly & annoying cold sores is to kill the virus.

And what can actually kill off the cold sore virus is COLD LASER THERAPY ( low level laser therapy ).

Cold laser therapy is a beam of billions of photons of visible & non-visible laser light that is injected into the infected tissue.

The laser can penetrate deep enough to actually kill the root of the virus & minimize or prevent the blister from occurring at all.

The treatments are totally painless, they last 6 – 8 minutes & a cold sore can be eliminated in usually 6 – 8 treatments.

Most patients choose to have maintenance treatments afterwards ( once per month ) to ensure no further outbreaks.

We have had tremendous success treating cold sores with Cold Laser Therapy at Life Chiropractic Centre and for more information & patient testimonials, please search this web-site for a post regarding COLD LASER THERAPY.

Or you can call us directly at 905 335 LIFE (5433 ) to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation.

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The
2501 Guelph Line

Colic And Chiropractic Care

“Colic Can Be Effectively Treatment With Burlington Chiropractic Care”

Colic is defined as inconsolable crying in an infant for at least 3 hours per day, at least 3 days per week for at least 3 weeks.

This is known as the ‘rule of three’ which doctors use to make the diagnosis of colic after ruling out other diseases that may make a baby cry uncontrollably.

Parents must also be aware of the following ‘red flag’ symptoms that may indicate other potentially more serious complications.

These include the following:

• Persistent moaning or weak crying

• High pitched shrill or crying more dramatic than usual

• Vomiting (green, yellow or red [blood] more than 5X per day)

• Fussing during eating (twisting, contorting or crying beginning during or just after feeding)

• Change in stool ( diarrhea or constipation especially with blood or mucous )

• Abnormal temperature ( less than 97F or over 100F rectal temperature )

• Irritability (crying all day with few or no calm periods)

• Recent immunization/vaccination

• Lethargy (lack of smiles or interested gaze, excessive sleepiness, weak suckling)

• Bulging soft spot on the top of the head

• Poor weight gain ( less than ½ ounce per day )

In these instances, an immediate consultation with a physician is indicated to check for things such as infections, breathing issues, increased brain pressure (meningitis, bruising, hydrocephalus), skin pain (rash), mouth pain (yeast infection), eye pain (glaucoma or scratched lens),intestinal blockage, food allergy, heart failure, kidney blockage, overdose.

While no one wants to see their newborn suffer from such health issues, the prudent & responsible thing to do is to rule these things out especially if any of the red flag symptoms are present.

Parents of colicky infants report significantly higher levels of stress that parents whose babies do not have colic.

The stress & frustration of trying to soothe a colicky baby may interfere with mother-baby bonding and can increase the risk of post-partum depression.

Also, colicky babies are more likely to be victims of child abuse & shaken baby syndrome.

Despite all the research done on colic, there has been no definite cause or causes identified which can make treatment difficult.

But there have been a number of factors identified that seem to be common to colicky babies.

Under normal circumstances, a colicky baby typically presents with a loud piercing cry, flexed legs, tensed muscles ( especially the abdominals ), and clenched fingers.

Colic usually starts around 3 weeks of age & can last for up to 6 to 12 months. Approximately 10 – 20% of newborns are affected by colic.

Factors linked to colic : the gastrointestinal (stomach ) theory of colic seems logical because fussy babies often grunt, pass wind, double-up, cry after eating, spit-up, have noisy tummies ( gurgling, bowel sounds), find relief with tummy pressure, warmth or massage & may improve with pain medication or sips of herbal tea for stomach upset.

But interestingly, 85 – 90 % of colicky babies have no evidence of gastrointestinal abnormality.

One research study concluded that colic is actually less prevalent in breast-fed babies.

It is now fairly well established that there are a variety of causes of colic symptoms.

The most common include stomach gas due to poor burping technique, trapped intestinal gas, neurologic overload ( the overwhelmed & overstimulated baby that becomes exhausted ) and even a muscular type of colic due to muscle spasm & birth trauma.

Some researchers say that babies cry because they sense their mothers anxiety.

While this may be partially true, babies really don’t have the ability to distinguish a mothers anxiety from frustration or depression etc.

In fact, even though parental anxiety becomes less with successive children, it has been shown that later children are just as likely to be colicky as the first.

Colic has been linked by some researchers to the babies diet.

The most problematic foods for fussy babies seems to be cow’s milk or formulas based in cow’s milk, and for breast feeding babies, dairy products in the mother’s diet.

Food allergens from the mother’s diet may include wheat, soy & nuts.

Stimulants in the mother’s diet may also contribute to colic ( medication, caffeine, alcohol etc. ).

NOTE: dairy products are not friendly to the human body. The protein found in dairy products called casein is very difficult for the human body to digest. Have you ever wondered why cows’ have 4 stomachs? The reason being it takes this many stomachs for calves to digest their own mothers’ milk ,so how could anyone think that cow’s milk would be fit for human (only one stomach) consumption?! If you are unable to feed your baby breast milk, use goat’s milk as this is the closest in composition to human milk. Also, I do not advise using soy milk as many individuals are sensitive &/or allergic to soy. Check your labels. Many food products contain dairy & soy.

Chiropractic Care & Colic:

Birth trauma has also been linked to colic.

As your child is being born, the vertebrae of the neck & back can go out of alignment due to the compressing, stretching & twisting that takes place during the birth process.

If the delivery included hours & hours of labour, a prolonged pushing stage, forceps &/or vacuum extraction, or other difficulties ( breech, base posterior, c- section ), the chances of misalignment are great.

If these misalignments (called subluxations) are big enough, the functioning of the major systems of the body (including the digestive system) can become compromised. Ineffective digestion of breastmilk or formula can cause major discomfort in the baby leading to colicky episodes.

Also, subluxations anywhere in the spine (neck, mid-back, lower back) can cause pain making the baby uncomfortable.

And do not think that little spines are immune to misalignments.

After 25 years of family practice, I have seen hundreds of childhood ailments (including colic) result from spinal misalignments and in many cases, we have been able to trace adult health issues all the way back to birth trauma.

Chiropractic care has shown some of the best results with 94% of colicky babies demonstrating improvement with chiropractic adjustments.

Research on chiropractic care & colic has shown significant benefits over other treatments such as dietary changes, medications & infant positioning.

A randomized clinical trial published in 1999 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that “Spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustment) is effective in relieving infantile colic.”

Another study with 316 children showed significant improvement in colic in response to chiropractic care.

And, I have personally witnessed the amazing results that chiropractic adjustments have on colicky babies in my own practice.

Sometimes, dietary changes are also required but the greatest impact certainly comes from the adjustment.

Not only does it offer great relief & comfort for the baby, but for the parents as well.

If you are reading this, you probably know firsthand how much a colicky baby can upset the entire home environment.

Chiropractic care is a conservative, gentle & very successful option for treating infants with colic.

The adjustments are gentle & safe often only requiring finger tip pressure.

It is not uncommon to see your baby relax right before your eyes as the misalignments are corrected.

If you would like more information on how chiropractic can help colic, please call 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can schedule an appointment for a consultation.

There is never any charge to come in & talk to me, & remember we are always here to help in any way that we can.

Listen to what others have to say……….

I would like to write this testimonial to thank Dr Brad for all of his help & understanding throughout our ‘extreme fussiness’ or ‘colic’ phase with our daughter T.

We came to Dr Brad’s office after 2 months of yelling, screaming, sleepless nights and wondering what we were doing wrong. Nothing, I mean nothing we did – car rides, holding, rocking, nursing her or walks in her stroller calmed her down. Medically she was fine, our MD couldn’t find any reason for the ‘extreme fussiness’ and we were told it would soon pass.

When she was in her colic bouts nothing could stop her for hours. The longest bout was 10 hrs; 2pm to 12am of crying. That was the day my in-laws were here & they were ready to ship her off to the ER to see what was wrong with her.

It was on the suggestion of a friend that I try chiropractic as she mentioned that a friend of hers had a colicky baby like T & she swore that after 1 adjustment she was changed forever.

I called Dr Brad’s office & made an appointment. He sat with me patiently listening to the story of her birth & listened to me as I went about telling him how frustrated we were not being able to console her when she cries. He examined her & explained to me what he would do & how the treatment would progress. We started that afternoon. I was hopeful that one adjustment would change everything, but to be honest it didn’t. It took a few weeks before we noticed a significant change in her.

The late night crying subsided, and the evening ones were not as long & drawn out. She still did scream & cry but not for as long & often. She at least seemed to be comforted now by holding her & rocking her in her car seat. We kept up the appointments and each week we noticed she was becoming quieter & a bit happier. Until one day she was so happy all day, it was wonderful! My husband & I talked & he too saw a huge difference in our little screamer. She seemed content & happy all of a sudden & the crying was minimal.

She is now 8 months old. she still at times lets out a high pitched scream just to get our attention or the attention of others. I won’t say that she doesn’t cry anymore, she does when she is hungry, tired or frustrated because she can’t reach a toy, but I’m happy to say that we are ‘colic free’ & have been for months. Strangers even comment how happy & content she is, if they only knew what we went through…..

 
We are still keeping our regular chiropractic visits and she is doing well. I can’t imagine how long this could have lasted for if we had not taken the advice of a friend & tried chiropractic. Many thanks to Dr Brad for his understanding & helping us overcome this unforgettable time in her life & ours. To his staff for always greeting us happily at our appointments and making us feel welcome each & every visit.

 

H.S. re: daughter T. (10 weeks old)

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

Strain Versus Break

“How To Tell The Difference Between A Sprain And A Break”

Often times there is confusion as to whether an injury is a SPRAIN ( soft-tissue injury ) or an actual broken bone.

Because most of you are not experts in this field, here are a couple of helpful hints:

Remember that a sprain or strain will swell up immediately.

A break on the other hand will not swell as much as a sprain or strain.

A break may also not be as painful initially as a sprain because there is usually not as much inflammation ( swelling ).

With a break you will usually see a deformity of the injured body part (an alignment deformity ).

With a sprain/strain there will be localized swelling and rarely an alignment issue unless there has been a dislocation.

In the event of a dislocation, there will be no mistaking it.

And, of course an xray will most always differentiate between a sprain/strain & a fracture or broken bone.

The best thing to do however is to get to emergency or your family chiropractor right away to have the injury assessed properly.

A quick & correct diagnosis is critical to determine the most effective treatment for proper healing.

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

Self Diagnosis Of TMJ Jaw Pain

“The Top 14 Signs That You Need To See A Chiropractor For Your Jaw Pain”

The temporomandibular joint is the joint that attaches your jaw to your head. You have two, situated on either side of your head right in front of your ear.

The TMJ ( temporomandibular joint ) is often the source of a multitude of uncomfortable symptoms if the joint becomes misaligned.

Often times patients seek their family doctor or dentist when they have jaw pain.

The family doctor is most likely to prescribe a pain-killer or anti-inflammatory drug or a combination of both.

The dentist may do the same but may also check the patient’s ‘bite’ for alignment problems which would have a direct effect on the jaw.

Many times, a dentist who is up to date on TMJ syndrome will recommend chiropractic care for the patient.

Why? … because chiropractors are experts at re-aligning the joints of the spine & extremities, which includes the temporomandibular joint.

The TMJ is very delicate, sensitive & susceptible to injury.

Direct blows to the jaw, falls on the chin, extensive dental work, chewing hard food & candy, birth trauma & poorly aligned teeth are some of the things that can contribute to TMJ syndrome.

Here are the top 14 signs that you need to seek chiropractic care for TMJ syndrome:

1. Jaw pain.
2. Headaches including migraines.
3. Painful teeth & gums in the absence of tooth decay & gum disease.
4. Locking of the jaw.
5. Clicking of the jaw.
6. Poorly aligned teeth.
7. A tendency to grind the teeth.
8. Ear pain.
9. Recurring ear infections.
10. Facial pain.
11. Difficulty chewing harder foods.
12. Inability to open the mouth fully.
13. Neck pain.
14. Ringing in the ears.

If you are suffering from one or more of these symptoms, give us a call.

Consultations are free & we will tell you what we can do to help.

Click Here To Book  A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

Treating Strains And Sprains

“What To Do If You Have Suffered A Strain Or Sprain In Burlington?”

This time of year people are generally more active in their yards or playing sports & the chances of spraining or straining an elbow, wrist, knee or ankle ( for example )

dramatically increase. Here are some helpful tips if you have suffered a strain or sprain injury:

remember the acronym RICE –

R for rest, I for ice, C for compression & E for elevation.

In other words, rest the injured area, wrap it in ice for 10 – 12 minutes twice an hour & elevate the inured body part if you can so as to not let the swelling pool.

Next, get to your family chiropractor right away to have the injury assessed.

Often times there will  also be structural misalignment of the injured joint & this must  also be corrected for the joint to heal quickly & properly. Life Chiropractic Centre also offers COLD LASER THERAPY ( low level laser therapy ) which is excellent to help these types of injuries heal quickly & properly.

For more information on COLD LASER THERAPY, please search for the posting included on this web-site.

Or you can call 905 335 (LIFE ) 5433 to schedule an appointment for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTAION.

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic

Ear Pain Relief

“Ear Pain Relief For Children And Adults Through Chiropractic Treatment Administered At Our Burlington Clinic”

Ear problems can be excruciating painful, especially in children.

Ear infections are one of the most common problems seen by pediatricians & surprisingly, a lot of parents are seeking chiropractic care to help with their kids ear infections also.

With over 10 million new cases every year in N.A., ear infections (otitis media) are the most common illness affecting infants & young children, & the number one reason for visits to a pediatrician.

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These account for more than 35% of all pediatric visits as almost half of all children will have at least one middle ear infection during their first year, and by age 3 over two-thirds of all children will have had at least one middle ear infection.

Symptoms include ear pain, fever, irritability and possible dizziness in older children.

Parents should also keep an eye out for other less noticeable signs such as poor appetite, reduced activity levels, crying, shaking of the head & pulling on the ear. Occasionally, the pressure in the middle ear will build to a point where the eardrum ruptures,resulting in pus & blood drainage from the ear.

Even though this sounds awful, the child will generally feel better afterwards.

The tear in the eardrum will allow the fluid to drain & the hole usually heals within a few days. Ear infections can be either viral or bacterial in origin and can frequently result from other illnesses.

For many kids, it can become a chronic problem requiring treatment year after year putting the child at risk of permanent hearing damage & associated speech &/or developmental problems.

Frequent ear infections are the second most common reason for surgery in kids under the age of 2. In severe cases when fluids from an ear infection have not cleared for several months and the ability to hear has been affected, specialists often times prescribe ear tubes.

The surgery involves making a small opening in the ear drum to put a tube inside.

The tube relieves the pressure in the ear & prevents repeated fluid build-up.

In most cases, the ear drum pushes the tube out after a few months & the hole in the eardrum closes.

In 20-30% of cases, this procedure has to be repeated. And, this surgery requires a general anesthetic which is never a minor thing in a small child.

If the problem persists even after tubes ( 1 or more trials ), then often time another surgery is recommended which is removal of the adenoids.

Standard treatment for most cases of otitis media however is with anti-biotics.

These may be effective in providing symptomatic relief only if the culprit is a bacterial infection as anti-biotics do nothing to fight off viruses.

But many research studies caution that ant-biotics are not much more effective that the body’s own immune system.

Repeated doses of anti-biotics can lead to drug resistant bacteria that are unaffected by the drugs while leaving the child screaming in pain.

Research over the last 8 years has shown that anti-biotics make very little difference in the recovery from an ear infection.

Yet, anti-biotics are regularly prescribed for children with ear infections.

From the perspective of the whole person, giving drugs to block and suppress an illness can push the illness deeper into the body.

One reason for recurrent infections may likely be the medications the child was given to treat the first infection.

These include decongestants, aspirin, tylenol and other drugs.

Anti-inflammatory drugs block the formation of some chemicals that promote inflammation but they also block chemicals that naturally prevent inflammation as well as trigger the release of substances that make inflammation worse.

Ear infections are rarely an emergency and usually do get better without anti-biotic treatment.

Again; fever, listlessness & stiffness in the neck ( in older children ) are signs that every parent should watch for.

Causes of ear infections can be a complex, multifaceted problem.

Otitis media ( inflammation of the middle ear ) is commonly referred to as ear infection, even though many times there may be no actual infection.

The Four Main Causes Of Ear Injections Are Mechanical Obstruction, Nutritional Deficiency, Allergy And Infection

Mechanical obstruction: biomechanical obstruction of the Eustachian tube ( a tube which drains the middle ear into the throat ) can contribute to ear problems.

This blockage can arise from problems of the structural problems around the ear and Eustachian tube which include the bones of the jaw, skull & neck. The head is made up of many bones that are supposed to move gently in concert with one another.

The movement of these bones allows for the proper movement of the fluids in the head, including the fluids connecting between the sinuses, Eustachian tubes & ears.

Many things can change the proper movement of the bones in the head including falls, recurrent infections, and the trauma of birth especially if the vacuum assist &/or forceps were used for delivery.

Misalignment (subluxation) of the first vertebra in the neck ( the atlas ), & misalignment of the TMJ ( jaw joint ) can also result from falls, infections & birth trauma.

These too can impair the movement of fluid in the middle ear.

Since an ear infection contains the fluid that accumulates behind the ear drum, gentle movement of the bones of the head, neck or jaw will stimulate drainage of the fluid & prevent or cure such an infection.

Nutritional deficiency: it is important to consider nutrition in the treatment & prevention of ear infections.

An organic, unprocessed ,whole foods diet low in sugar is essential for establishing good health & strong immunity.

Depending upon the type, dietary fats can either enhance or impair immune function.

Bad fats (hydrogenated oils found in deep fried foods, baked goods & margarine, and saturated fats found in meat & dairy) can predispose a child (anyone for that matter) to recurrent infections & inflammatory conditions.

The good fats (essential fatty acids found in flax oil, borage seed oil, fish oil & evening primrose oil) are essential to normal immune & nerve system function.

Fatty acid deficiency also contributes to ADD & ADHD and other learning disorders.

This should be started ideally while the mother is pregnant & during breast feeding.

One to two teaspoons per day of flax oil may be all the child needs but this will depend on age.

Deficiency of certain vitamins & minerals can weaken a child’s immunity.

As with adults, many children do not get enough of these to keep their immune systems strong.

A good multi-vitamin & mineral supplement is always a good idea.

Vitamin C is very important for immune function & 250 to 500 mg per day is recommended depending on age.

Vitamin A deficiency in animal studies has been shown to lead to ear infections & zinc is also important for proper immune function.

Echinacea has also been shown to help prevent ear infections ( child size dosages).

Supplementing the diet with intestinal bacteria is important for healthy immunity, especially if the child has had anti-biotics.

L.acidophulus for kids over 7 & B.bifidus for kids under 7.

Breastfeeding is also essential to a child’s immunity.

Breast milk contains all the immune protecting complexes a child would need.

And, the sucking action helps the Eustachian tubes to open & close which makes a difference in the frequency that a child is likely to get ear infections.

The child should not lie down on his/her back to drink a bottle or feed.

This is more likely to push fluids into the Eustachian tube & cause ear problems.

Allergy: Dr M.Schmidt in Childhood Ear Infections presents over 16 scientific studies that show that often times chronic ear infections are due to food or airborne allergies or hypersensitivity reactions.

These can cause significant pressure changes in the middle ear as well as obstruction of the Eustachian tube.

The most common allergens shown to cause ear infections are cow’s milk, dairy products, wheat,eggs, chocolate, citrus, corn, soy, peanuts, shellfish, sugar & yeast.

Dairy is the number one contributor to childhood ear problems .

And giving a candy sucker to comfort a sick kid who has an ear infection is like adding fuel to the fire.

Infection: if immune function is weak for any reason, bacteria or viruses from the nose or throat can find their way into the middle ear & contribute to an infection.

When these germs multiply, pus builds up behind the eardrum increasing the pressure which leads to swelling & pain.

Often times a common cold with a runny nose &/or cough precedes the ear infection.

The Chiropractic Approach: before yet another round of ‘maybe they will work, or maybe they won’t ‘ antibiotics or the drastic step of surgery, more & more parents are considering chiropractic to help their kids with ear infections.

Dr Joan Fallon, a fellow chiropractor published a research paper showing that nearly 80% of children treated with chiropractic adjustments were free & clear of ear infections for at least the 6 month period after their initial visits.

She explains … “ Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children and if they can continue to drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build up their own antibodies (immunity) and recover more quickly.”

Another study reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, describes a child with longstanding health problems ( ear infections, sinus infections, headaches & neck pain ) related to the loss of the normal curve in the neck.

Following introduction of chiropractic care to restore this neck curve, her illnesses resolved.

“Numerous case studies & some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nerve system & the various problems related to ear infections” says Dr C. Fedorchuck, lead author of the paper. “These types of structural problems where the child does not have a normal curve in the neck can cause a host of problems like those found in this young girl. Nerves supplying muscles in the neck and head are affected, as are the lymphatics and the tubes draining the middle ear. By removing the structural imbalance chiropractic helps these fluids drain, and improves nerve supply & range of motion.”

I can concur with these research findings.

After 25 years of family practice, the biggest benefit I see in kids who get regular chiropractic care (and adults for that matter) is better immunity.

And when kids have better immunity, they are not only more resistant to ear infections but they will not be one of those kids who ‘catches everything that is going around.’

We will also counsel our patients on positive lifestyle changes if need be ( diet, nutritionals & exercise ) as sometimes these need to be addressed as well.

If your child/children are struggling with ear infections & you’ve had enough with the anti-biotics, and you do not want them to have ear tubes, give chiropractic a try.

In most cases, you will be pleasantly surprised. Remember, there is never any charge to come in and talk to us & we are here to help in any way that we can.

Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic