Dr Brad Ivanchuk here.
I am a Burlington, Ontario Chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
The past few weeks we have discussed posture and the reason why everyone needs to have their posture checked.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/02.27.2018.Spinal.Degenerative.Arthritis.bi.hb3.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/spinal.degenerative.arthritis.jpg width=500 height=305 /]Today I would like to spend some time discussing spinal degenerative arthritis also known as spinal osteoarthritis or spinal disc decay all of which mean the same thing.
Spinal degenerative arthritis is not the same as rheumatoid arthritis which is an auto-immune disease.
Spinal degenerative arthritis is the result of postural distortions in the spine. Postural distortions are the result of spinal misalignments or subluxations.
And we all have them.
This condition is characterized by thinning of the spinal discs which are the cartilaginous pads or shock absorbers between each of your vertebrae.
And the growth of arthritic bone spurs on the vertebrae directly above and below the thinning disc.
It is like having a cavity or tooth decay but in your spine.
Spinal degenerative arthritis will cause irritation of your spinal joints, compression of your nerve roots and compression of your spinal cord all of which can lead to serious health consequences.
It is one of the fastest growing health conditions.
This condition has also been referred to as old age arthritis within the medical community.
Their point of view on this condition is that it is inevitable and everyone will become arthritic as they age.
This is so not true! Because if it were than we would not be seeing evidence of spinal degenerative arthritis on xray in kids as young as 10 years of age.
This condition has everything to do with your structure. When your posture system is properly aligned and balanced, chances are very slim that you or your children will develop spinal degenerative arthritis.
And the only way to maintain a properly aligned and balanced posture system is with regular chiropractic care with that specific intention in mind.
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 are always free of charge in our office and these include a detailed posture check.
Our phone number is 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link found on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre … helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington, Ontario.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here and I am a Burlington, Ontario Chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
Last time we discussed a case history of a patient with acute lower back pain so today I think it would be appropriate to review why posture checks are so important for everyone.
Because the patient in our case history could have also avoided a lot of pain and aggravation.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/02.20.2018.posture.system.check.bi.hb.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/posturecheck.jpg width=500 height=305 /]The equation is simple … a healthy posture system is a must in order for you to have a properly functioning nerve system.
Your nerve system needs to glow and vibrate at a high frequency so your body can work at peak efficiency and defend itself effectively.
And this can only happen if your posture system is properly aligned and balanced.
Spinal misalignments or subluxations (and we all have them) will cause postural distortions. Postural distortions left undetected and uncorrected will in turn depress your nerve system.
Your nerve system will not glow or vibrate like it should eventually setting up a state of dis-ease within your body.
Your body cannot work at peak efficiency or defend itself effectively when in a state of disease.
Remember too that postural distortions will also cause spinal degenerative arthritis which is one of the fastest growing health conditions which we are now seeing in kids as young as 10 years old!
For these reasons it is very important that every member of your family have their posture checked.
Posture distortions and dis-ease and spinal degenerative arthritis can all be prevented with regular chiropractic care.
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 in our office are always free of charge and these include a detailed postural analysis.
Family appointments are also available where we can check you and your children all at the same time.
Our phone number here in Burlington is 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre … helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington, Ontario.
Click Here To Book a Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad at The Burlington Clinic
I am a Burlington, Ontario Chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
And today I would like to share a case history with you.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/02.13.2018.case.history.chiro.care.bi.hb.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/case.history.chiropractic.care_.jpg width=500 height=305 /]Recently a female patient in her 30’s limped into our office wanting an adjustment.
She had just hurt her back lifting her child out of the car seat and she could barely walk or stand up straight.
I asked her when her last adjustment was and she said about 6 months ago. She said she only goes when she is in pain upon the advice of her other chiropractor and this will be the focus of our discussion today.
In my view, chiropractic care is pretty much a waste of time when you go only when you are in pain.
If this patient had her posture properly assessed, corrected any postural distortions and was getting regular check-ups every 2 to 3 weeks to make sure everything was in good alignment, chances are very good this would have never happened.
Her other chiropractor did not assess her posture and did not take an xray.
This would be like going to the dentist to get a cavity filled and pointing to the tooth that you think was the problem. Chances are you would not go for it.
Next time we are going to review why it is so important to have your posture properly assessed but in the meantime 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 in our office are always free of charge and these include a detailed postural analysis.
Our phone number here in Burlington is 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre … helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington, Ontario.
Click Here To Book Your Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad

Hello everyone. Dr Brad Ivanchuk here. I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
Today we are going to talk about a report that was released a few days ago regarding the flu shot.
In this report, scientists revealed that this year’s flu shot is only 10 to 20% effective.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/02.06.2018.flu.shot.effectiveness.bi.hb.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/flu.shot_.effectiveness.jpg width=500 height=305 /]So, when you consider these statistics, is it really worth taking the risk of injecting stuff like Thimerasol into your body which is a preservative that contains mercury which is a heavy metal.
And other stuff like aluminum and formaldehyde all of which the drug manufacturers say are totally safe.
And is it worth the risk of possibly having a severe allergic reaction which may affect your ability to breathe or even worse. And is it worth the risk of possibly developing a condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome which is characterized by sudden weakness and pain and tingling in the toes and fingers which can eventually affect the entire leg and arm.
If you still think the flu shot is the way to go, please do your own research first!
Now, I would like to offer you a natural alternative to the flu shot – no side-effects – which we have discussed before but in light of these statistics is worth mentioning again.
There are 4 things you can do to build and keep a strong immune system to combat the flu virus;
1- Regular chiropractic adjustments. Recall the New York study from a few years ago. The New York study showed that people under regular chiropractic care had an immune system that worked 200% better than people who had no chiropractic care.
2- Healthy diet. Less junk food and more fresh fruits and veggies.
3- Adequate exercise on a daily basis.
4- Vitamin D3. It is important to supplement your immune system with D3 especially during the cold months (November through April) when there is less sunshine.You can get D3 for you and your kids at any health food store.
If you follow these 4 criteria, your immune system will be naturally strong and more than capable to protect you from the flu virus.
If you have any questions on this topic or any other health concerns you may have or your kids may have, please call me. Remember that consultations are always free of charge and these include a detailed postural analysis.
Our phone number is 905 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link found on our home page.
Life Chiropractic Centre …. Helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad
Dr Brad Ivanchuk here. I am a Burlington, Ontario Chiropractor, Personal Training Specialist, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
We are going to continue our discussion on the major health issues currently facing Canadian kids and today we are going to discuss mental health issues; depression and anxiety specifically.
I’m sure you are wondering how chiropractic care can help these conditions but after being in practice for over 25 years, I can tell you that many people have had miraculous results.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/01.23.2018.mental.health.bi.hb.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/mental.health.jpg width=500 height=305 /]Children, teenagers and adults alike. Many have been able to reduce the amount of medication they are taking and a few have been able to get off it altogether.
It has been well documented that chiropractic adjustments will stimulate the release of endorphins within the body.
Endorphins are hormones which elevate your mood and their presence in the body is very important to help combat depression.
Chiropractic adjustments will also calm the sympathetic nerve system which is the fight or flight part of your nerve system.
When the sympathetic nerve system is constantly being stimulated, anxiety is going to result. Kids are interacting with technology at a very early age and most kids have a very hectic life (school, extra-curricular activities etc.).
Both of these will continually stimulate the sympathetic nerve system and anxiety is the consequence.
So, when you consider the harsh and sometime fatal side-effects of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medication, finding a natural approach to treat both of these conditions is highly indicated in children.
The last thing you want to do is teach your kids that the solution to their health problems is a drug or medication! This can only lead to addictions and set the stage for bigger problems down the road.
Aside from chiropractic adjustments, eliminate as much sugar as you can from your children’s diet.
Sugar does not do anyone’s brain any favors. And we have talked about these 2 things many times before; make sure your kids get enough exercise and green space time.
At least 2 hours per day. And limit the amount of time they interact with technology every day.
If these things aren’t enough, consult with a naturopath.
They have a lot of natural remedies at their disposal for both anxiety and depression.
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 in our office are always free of charge and these include a detailed posture check.
Family appointments are also available where I can check you and your kids all at the same time.
And why would you want to do this? Because spinal problems and posture distortions run in families.
Our phone number here in Burlington is 905 335 LIFE (5433).
Life Chiropractic Centre …. Helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington.
Click Here To Book a Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad
Dr Brad Ivanchuk here. I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
I have been doing some research on some of the major health issues facing Canadian kids these days, especially during the early years which is 6 to 12 years of age.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/11.28.2017.major.health.issues.for.kids.hb.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/major.kids_.health.issues.jpg width=500 height=305 /]And if you have any kids in this age group, I urge you to pay special attention because 29% of kids are vulnerable to developing some or all of the following health conditions which are; obesity, Type 2 diabetes, mental health issues, increasing respiratory (breathing) problems and increasing aggressive behaviour which includes bullying.
We have discussed the first 2 may times before, so over the next few weeks we are going to learn about the other 3 and how it is that I may be able to help.
We will begin with aggressive behaviour and bullying.
Remember that 34% of school-aged children now present with Forward Head Posture (FHP) according to the American Posture Institute.
FHP will eventually lead to a flexor dominant posture which is when the entire posture system will start to collapse forwards.
This is the opposite of an open, upright and erect posture which is a healthy posture. Flexor dominant posture is actually a de-evolution of our postural system because it resembles a hunched over caveman type of posture which is a more primitive posture.
And what we are learning is that individuals who present with a more primitive posture are more likely to exhibit more primitive behaviours.
The higher cognitive characteristics that make us human such as caring, compassion and empathy are dampened in individuals with a more primitive posture and the more primitive characteristics such as anger and lack of empathy will then begin to influence ones behaviour.
So anger and lack of empathy would certainly explain aggressive behaviour and bullying.
Now, if you are concerned about these kinds of things with your own kids, they need to have their posture checked by a Certified Posture Expert right away and this is where I can help you.
There very well may be other reasons for this type of behaviour but this is the most logical place to start and I will help you find a solution.
All you need to do is call and make an appointment for your free initial consultation which includes a detailed postural analysis. We also offer family appointments where we can check all of your kids at the same time.
Our phone number here in Burlington is 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link found on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre … helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad
Dr Brad Ivanchuk here and I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
We are going to continue our discussion on the major health issues currently facing Canadian kids and today we will discuss the huge increase in respiratory/breathing problems.
More kids than ever are on puffers these days and there has got to be a reason why? And this is one reason why I think we are seeing this happen so please read on and see if it makes sense to you.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/12.12.2017.respiratory.or.breathing.problems.in.kids.bi.hb-1.m4v image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/child.breathing.problems.jpg width=500 height=305 /]A while back we learned how the birth process is particularly stressful to the cervical spine (neck).
Remember the research … 80% of newborn babies have nerve dysfunction after the birthing process due to subluxations (spinal misalignments).
And 95% of babies present with nerve dysfunction and neck strain 5 days after being born due to subluxations.
Almost 48% of kids land on their head at least once during the 1st year of life causing stress to the neck and the average child will experience 2500 falls by the age of 7 years old.
And besides all of this trauma to a child’s neck, remember that the use of modern technology has created a new health epidemic called tech neck.
We also refer to tech neck as forward head posture where the head and neck are held forwards in front of the shoulders and not directly on top of the neck and shoulders which is the norm.
According to the research, this type of posture will decrease lung capacity by up to 30% as we have discussed many times before.
I want you to try this for yourself …. stand up and tilt your head forwards so you are looking down at the floor (simulate tech neck).
Now try and take in a big deep breath.
Remember how this feels.
Now stand with an open, upright and erect (healthy) posture and take in that same deep breath.
You should clearly feel a difference in the amount of air that can penetrate your lungs.
So how can any child or adult for that matter breathe properly if they have tech neck?
And as you know, how the family doc deals with these types of problems is with puffers.
But ask yourself this … do you think puffers will correct the cause of the problem (tech neck)?
If any of your children are having breathing issues, they must have their posture checked by a Certified Posture Expert and this is where I can help you. All you have to do is give me a call to make an appointment for your free initial consultation which includes a detailed posture analysis.
Our phone number here is Burlington is 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link found on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre … helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington, Ontario.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad at The Burlington Clinic

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here. I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
Today we are going to learn about children and growing pains.
Growing pains usually affect both legs; the thighs, the calves or around the knees.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/11.21.2017.kids.growing.pains.bi2.hb.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/growing.pains_.children.jpg width=500 height=305 /]They can happen in kids between 4 and 12 years of age but they are not uncommon in teenagers.
They usually happen in the late afternoon or evening and they can wake up your child in the middle of the night. Some kids will have a lot of pain. Some will have a little. And some will have pain on a regular basis for a few days and some will have pain occasionally.
Growing pains can come and go over the years for no apparent reason.
There is no conclusive evidence linking growing pains to growth spurts.
But this is what your family doc will tell you is causing your child’s growing pains.
Instead, the supposition is they are the result of excessive childhood activities such as running, jumping and climbing.
Really?! Isn’t this just what kids do??
I don’t totally agree with this so I would like to offer you a different cause of growing pains for you to consider that may make more sense to you.
I have seen a lot of kids in my practice over the years and those with growing pains/leg pains all had one thing in common.
They all had postural distortions (spinal misalignments) in posture quadrant 3 – the lumbar spine (lowest 5 vertebrae) and the pelvis.
This is a very common place for everyone to have postural distortions.
And when you have postural distortions here, it will compress on the nerves that go from your back and down into your legs, and this is what will cause leg pains.
The fact is then, that growing pains in children are no different than sciatica (leg pain) in adults.
And it should never hurt to grow.
This is a basic physiological function and the reality is we are growing all the time even as adults.
So, if your kids are suffering from growing pains, I can definitely help!
All you have to do is call our office and schedule an appointment for your free initial consultation.
These also include a detailed postural analysis. And yes we do offer family appointments.
Our phone number here in Burlington is 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre …. Helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington, Ontario.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad

Dr Brad Ivanchuk here … I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
Today we are going to discuss abdominal crunches or sit-ups and the reason why is because many people – especially those who are just starting an exercise program – think sit-ups are required to lose the belly fat and firm up the tummy muscles.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/11.14.2017.situps.bi-1.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/situps.jpg width=500 height=305 /]Well, nothing could be further from the truth and you need to know why.
First of all, it would take 250,000 sit-ups to lose 1 pound of belly fat. And this is virtually impossible.
Secondly, sit-ups are one of the worst exercises for your lower back and often times cause you to have lower back pain. And too many sit-ups will cause postural distortions in your spine and this is the absolute last thing you want. This also includes sit-ups that incorporate a twist where you try and touch your elbow to the opposite knee. This exercise is also called the bicycle.
So, unless you are a high performance athlete or you are of above-average fitness and you are well experienced in the gym, this is what you need to do to lose the belly fat and firm up your tummy muscles.
And yes, this is a good goal to have because both of these things can seriously affect your health and longevity in a negative way.
The key to a flat and firm tummy always starts in the kitchen! No bread, no pasta and no sugar of any kind (fruit and fruit juice included) should ever enter your diet. Plain and simple!
Your cardio training is a must to elevate your metabolic rate which will access and burn that stored belly fat.
A few months ago we learned about a better way to exercise.
This is your high intensity interval training (HIIT) and you need to do this!
And for those of you who have a gym membership my favorite pieces of equipment for this are the treadmill, the elliptical machine and the spin bike for those of you who are more advanced.
Lastly, do your planks! Regular planks for beginners. Side planks and hard planks for those who are more advanced. And you can YouTube instructional videos on how to do planks safely and effectively.
If you can incorporate these 3 things into your routine on a regular basis, not only will you look better and feel better, but you will significantly reduce the amount of stress on your heart.
You will also lower your insulin levels. Too much insulin in your body has been linked to some of the degenerative diseases.
And you will also strengthen the muscles in posture quadrant 3 which is your lower back and your pelvis.
Remember that posture quadrant 3 is so very important because it is the main stabilizer of your entire posture system.
I hope you have found this helpful and as always, 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 in our office are always free of charge.
These include a detailed postural analysis. Family appointments are also available where we can check you and the kids all at the same time. And the reason we offer these is because spinal problems tend to run in families.
Our phone number here in Burlington is 905 335 LIFE (5433) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link found on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre… helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington, Ontario.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The Burlington Clinic
Dr Brad Ivanchuk here and I am a Burlington, Ontario chiropractor, Certified Posture Expert and Certified Postural Neurologist at Life Chiropractic Centre on Guelph Line.
I was doing some research on the greatest health risks facing Canadians currently and diabetes made the top of the list.
In fact, the numbers are nothing short of staggering.
[flashvideo file=http://lifechiropractic.s3.amazonaws.com/11.07.2017.diabetes.bi.hb.mp4 image=https://lifechiropracticcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/diabetes.jpg width=500 height=305 /]Between 1999 and 2009, diabetes increased by 70% and for the age group 35 to 44 years, the number of cases actually doubled during the same decade.
So, this is what compelled me to share with you what you can do to prevent the onset of diabetes in your family so that you or your kids do not become one of these ugly statistics.
Type 1 diabetes does not have a clear cause. Type 2 diabetes may be caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.
Even though you can effectively manage your blood sugar in most cases with proper exercise and healthy food choices, there is one thing that is continuously overlooked which is certainly worth reviewing again considering the statistics and that is … how sitting is making you sick.
Let us review the consequences that prolonged sitting has on your health. Not only is it terrible for your lower back, but it also stops your joints from moving, it stops your muscles from firing and it slows down your heart rate.
The result of the latter 3 things in particular is that your body’s calorie burning rate drops to 1 calorie per hour.
This is one third of what it would be if you were walking.
Prolonged siting also decreases your insulin sensitivity. What this means is that your insulin does not work as effectively as it should and this significantly increases your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.
So, aside from proper exercise and healthy food choices, here are 3 other things you and your kids absolutely must do to prevent the onset of diabetes.
One is to make sure you take posture breaks from sitting every 20 minutes.
This is highly recommended by the American Posture Institute which is the leading authority on posture. Standing up for 30 seconds every 20 minutes is more than adequate.
Secondly, make sure to sit on a posture disc or an exercise ball so that you continually engage your core muscle activity.
And finally, make sure that your posture system is as healthy as it can be. (And this is where I can help you.)
We have talked about this ad infinitum but remember that your posture system has a direct impact on the function of all your internal organs including your pancreas.
Your pancreas is what produces insulin which is the hormone needed to control your blood sugar.
I hope that you have found this information helpful and as always, if you have any questions on this topic or any other health concerns you may have or your kids may have, please give me a call. Consultations in our office are always free of charge and these include a detailed postural analysis.
We also offer family appointments where we can check you and your kids all at the same time. Our phone number here is Burlington is 905 335 5433 (LIFE) or you can email me directly by clicking on the link right on our home page.
Remember that good posture is always by design and never by circumstance.
Life Chiropractic Centre …. Helping families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives for over 25 years in Burlington, Ontario.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad