Tag Archive for: M&Y Chiropractic

More than 5 million Canadians suffer from arthritis and nearly all Canadians over the age of 50 show varying degrees of Arthritis symptoms. Arthritis comes from the Greek words “anthro” meaning joint, and “itis” meaning inflammation. There are many signs of the joint disorder that many people tend to overlook.

Types of Arthritis

The most common form is Osteoarthritis. It involves the breakdown of cartilage and bone at the joint, causing joint stiffness, pain, crackling, enlargement and possible inflammation. There are also autoimmune diseases that cause different forms of arthritis where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue in the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common form and its symptoms range from inflammation in one or many joints, to inflammation spreading to the muscles, tendons and ligaments, internal organs, and even the skin. Women are 3 times more likely to develop Rheumatoid.

Arthritis Warning Signs:

  • Joint pain occurring during or after activity
  • Joint stiffness and reduced mobility
  • Red, swollen or warm skin around the joints
  • Joint pain occurring during periods of inactivity

Osteoarthritis of the spine is preventable with proper exercise, nutrition and chiropractic care. “63% of Arthritis sufferers use complimentary and alternative forms of care. In a recent study, 73% of participants found Chiropractic care helpful. Chiropractic ranked among the highest in terms of patient satisfaction for pain control.” (Use of Complimentary Therapies for Arthritis Among Patients of Rheumatologists. An Intern Medicine 1999; 131:409-16.)

Chiropractic Care & Arthritis

Your nervous system – brain, spinal cord and nerves – controls every function that your body performs to keep you healthy. It is the master control system for your body, and it governs your overall health. Physical and emotional stress causes misalignment of the bones in your back, which can interfere with your nervous system and prevent your body from functioning properly. This can lead to pain, poor health and arthritis.

Gentle chiropractic care realigns back bones and removes any nerve interference that may be contributing to the disorder. Chiropractic care allows your spine and nervous system to function at its best ability again, thus correcting arthritis and restoring you to your optimal health potential.

Let’s Connect

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas. You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can.

Just ask – call anytime  905 898-6644!

 

Radiating Pain and Numbness is a very common complaint for Canadians, and it is also an issue for which there are many causes. The key factor in eliminating this symptom is finding the root cause of the suffering and bringing it to an end, to allow the body to correct itself.

The First Step: Diagnosis

Utilizing the various tools at our disposal, we will determine what type of injury we are dealing with. The tools used include X-rays, Thermal and EMG, health history, posture analysis and more. Once it is determined what the root cause of the pain is, we can treat the issue and help eliminate the symptoms.

The Second Step: Determining the Root Cause

Trigger Point Pain

Trigger points are locations in the skeletal muscle (movement muscles) and fascia, the membrane overlaying the muscle. These points are hyper sensitive and hyper irritable and can cause specific patterns of pain. This type of pain is corrected with myofascial release massage which breaks up scar tissue in the fascia and releases the often associated tightness which is causing the pain.

Nerve Entrapment

Nerve entrapment occurs when pressure is applied to a nerve via subluxation (vertebrae pressing on a nerve) or scar tissue. We use adjustments and/or mobilization to remove nerve pressure and correct the issue. In cases located in the feet, such as Morton’s Neuroma, orthotics can help prevent the metatarsals from pressing on the nerve.

Organ Referred Pain

When particular organs are in distress, diseased, or inflamed, they may refer pain to the outer extremities, along nerve lines called dermatomes. For example, the gall bladder will cause right shoulder pain. Proper nutritional and supplemental steps can be taken to correct the problem.

Result

The final diagnosis can be any one issue, or a combination of them all. We will find the root of your problem and lift you back up to pain free health. We do this by utilizing our comprehensive diagnostic tools. For patients suffering from complex issues, we suggest taking advantage of our Complete Health Analysis (CHA) promotion, with which you can visit each practitioner for an initial consultation for half the price. No other clinic offers this opportunity to be assessed as a whole being, rather than as a collective of parts.

Chiropractic patients reported “significant improvement in perceived comfort and function, nerve conduction and finger sensation overall” – JMPT 1998

Chiropractic patients also reported “significant increase in grip strength” – JMPT 1994

Let’s Connect

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas. You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can.

Just ask – call anytime  905 898-6644

It is important to maintain a strong immune system to fight off all sorts of germs, bacteria, and viruses. We have come up with 8 healthy ways to strengthen your immune system:

Healthy Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System

  1. Don’t smoke
  2. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables
  3. Exercise regularly
  4. Maintain a healthy weight
  5. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation
  6. Get adequate sleep
  7. Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly
  8. Minimize stress

Is Coronavirus the Next Threat?

Coronavirus…the next threat? Let’s keep things in perspective. Viruses are constantly mutating (SARS, H1N1, Ebola virus, Bird flu).

How do we fight these viruses?

A healthy immune system is the key. Make sure you get the right amount of sleep, manage your stress properly, and take your supplements as they will pay dividends for your health and wellbeing.

Ronald Pero, Ph.D. Chief of Cancer Prevention Research at New York’s Preventative Medicine Institute, doing cancer research found that:

  • Measuring 107 individuals who had received long-term chiropractic care, Pero’s team turned up some surprising findings. All chiropractic patients were “genetically normal” that is, they had no obvious genetic reasons for increased resistance of susceptibility to disease.
  • The chiropractic patients also had a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic. They also had 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer or other serious diseases. The immune competence did not show any decline with age – it was uniform for the entire group. Pero concluded that “Chiropractic may optimize whatever genetic abilities you have” so that you can full resist serious disease.

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas.You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can. Just ask!

Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Do you suffer from fatigue and lack of energy to play with your children or go out and socialize? Are you catching every cold and flu going around this winter? For many of us, the cold and long hours of darkness associated with the winter months have such a profound effect on our moods and energy that it makes us want to hibernate like bears. Many of us refer to this as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Along with seasonal changes, lifestyle habits and stress can affect both the mind and the body causing more than just anxiety and depression. Although research shows that 5% – 10% of us suffer dramatically from Seasonal Affective Disorder, approximately 90% of us are believed to suffer regularly from similar symptoms. These symptoms are prevalent during the periods of limited sunshine, beginning in the autumn and are especially prevalent during the winter months, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

What is SAD and How do I Know I Have it?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect appetite and energy level, cause fatigue, and result in a lack of desire for social interaction. In other words, it causes us to feel tired, depressed and/or irritable and causes us to pack on the extra winter pudge. Professionals have linked SAD to a deficiency of serotonin. A gland in the brain releases serotonin, which in turn promotes:

  • Restful sleep
  • Makes us feel happier
  • Helps us cope with pain
  • Battles depression

How Can SAD be Treated

In the treatment of SAD, medical doctors commonly prescribe drugs which prevent the breakdown of serotonin in the brain. However, there are many naturopathic and chiropractic treatment options available. These are just as effective and do not have the potential side effects.

5-hydroxytrytophan is a building block of serotonin and therefore helps replenish our brain and alleviate feelings of fatigue and depression. This, along with the herb of St. John’s Wort, which also effects serotonin levels, have been proven to be as effective in treating SAD as commonly prescribed medications.

How a Naturopath Can Help

The foods we eat are of great importance. Maintaining a diet that is high in deep sea fish oils and low in processed or packaged foods has been proven to help prevent and treat the symptoms of SAD. A licensed and qualified naturopathic doctor can not only help you safely incorporate these changes into your lifestyle, but can recommend various other natural therapies (such as acupuncture, vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathy, exercise, etc.) which can help improve fatigue, help you lose weight, and improve your moods.

The immune system is the body’s defense mechanism for protecting itself against foreign substances. SAD can cause a breakdown in the immune system and inhibit your ability to fight off disease.

How A Chiropractor Can Help

According to Ronald Pero Ph. D, co-founder and Chief of Cancer Prevention Research at New York’s Prevention Medicine Institute, “Chiropractic may optimize whatever genetic abilities you have so that you can fully resist serious disease.” A properly aligned spine allows the nervous system to function at its optimum level. This can be achieved through Chiropractic adjustments. A healthy body and mind provides an opportunity to achieve optimal health, allowing the body’s own innate intelligence to provide whatever it needs to heal itself.

Visit our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Gudrun, to help you safely incorporate natural therapies like acupuncture, vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathy, exercise and more into your lifestyle. You can also book an appointment with our Chiropractor, Dr. Darren Poncelet, for a chiropractic adjustment to ensure your nervous system is functioning at optimal level.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas. You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can. Just ask!

 

Happy New Year to all! We want to take this opportunity to wish all of our amazing patients a very happy new year filled with health, happiness, and success. Every year, people create New Year’s resolutions to improve their life, but often find those resolutions difficult to stick to.

We have compiled a list of 10 resolutions for chiropractic patients to practice.

10 Resolutions for Chiropractic Patients

  1. Do your traction faithfully.
  2. Do not miss any life giving, healing adjustments.
  3. Show up on time for your adjustments.
  4. Keep up with your stretching and strengthening exercises.
  5. Do not slouch at your desk.
  6. Do not be a couch potato at home.
  7. Sleep on your back or side – NOT your stomach.
  8. Purchase an approved cervical contour pillow/back support.
  9. Do not take your health for granted.
  10. Tell others about the many and great benefits of Chiropractic.

You can start with one and add on slowly, or if you are healthy and ambitious – do them all at once! If you have goals and resolutions of your own that you would like to achieve, but have difficulty following through, you can still get back on track!

How to Get Back on Track

  1. Make a list of changes you would like to make
  2. List your top 3 in order of priority
  3. Set a specific, measurable goal and deadline for each
  4. Identify what help and support you need
  5. Set yourself up for success by planning each change into your daily routine
  6. Plan a reward– something that you really want and give it to yourself once your goal is achieved

Ask for Help

We all have made promises to ourselves that we haven’t kept. Nine times out of ten you didn’t achieve your goal because you tried to do it on your own. We all need the help of others to achieve certain goals. Having support also makes the journey more enjoyable and ultimately more successful.

M&Y Can Help

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care with Dr. Darren Poncelet will not only align your spine but also allow proper flow of your nervous system. This in turn allows your body to heal and function properly thus helping you with any ailments you may have.

Naturopathic Care 

Our Naturopathic Doctor can help you achieve safe and healthy weight loss with nutritional advice and help dealing with those pesky cravings.

Massage Therapy 

Our Registered Massage Therapists can help you with releasing stress, any physical problems caused by slips or falls that can happen at this time of the year and those nagging pains that you keep ignoring.

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas.You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can. Just ask!

Many doctors are beginning to question whether women’s reliance on sleeping pills is a better option than sleep deprivation.

Dr. Danielle Martin, family physician and vice-president of medical affairs at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, is less likely to write a prescription for a sleeping pill than to suggest changing coping skills. She believes long-term changes like meditation, mindfulness training, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and finding time to exercise are more effective long-term solutions than sleeping pills.

The Side Effects of Sleeping Pills

Dr. Martin will write a short-term prescription for someone who is dealing with a circumstance that has a fixed amount of time. She will not write a prescription for women with sleep problems due to life circumstances that are not going to change anytime soon. She reminds women that sleeping pills are potentially addictive substances, with strong side effects. With repeated use, patients will develop a tolerance and require more to achieve the same effect. With greater doses, the side effects will also be greater, and these can include daytime sedation, confusion or drowsiness.

How a Naturopathic Doctor Can Help

Naturopathic medicine is a great option for women who have sleeping problems due to everyday challenges. There are common nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances that can cause sleeplessness and are often overlooked. A naturopath will take into consideration many systems of the body in order to properly assess where an individual’s deeper cause for sleeplessness is. Naturopaths will often look at processes in a woman’s immune system nervous system, and metabolic systems in order to suggest certain natural substances or lifestyle changes.

What is Causing Your Sleeplessness?

There are some common signs that can help you to distinguish what may be causing your sleeplessness.

  1. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormone Imbalance may be the cause of your sleeplessness if your energy is low in the afternoon but picks up around 9-10 pm and you are unable to sleep.

  1. Your Nervous System

Your nervous system may need to be addressed if you are awake in the middle of the night with worrisome thoughts running through your head.

  1. Improper Blood Sugar Balance

Improper blood sugar balance may be causing you to wake up if you  sleep soundly for the first half of the night then wake up  a few hours before your alarm goes off.

Naturopath’s prescription for sleeplessness will typically produce far less concerning side effects than sleeping pills and result in effective and longer lasting results.

Overusing sleeping pills can be avoided. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or come in to see our Naturopath Dr. Gudrun.

Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (commonly known as GERD) has been linked to the overuse of proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers. The Journal of the American Medical Association has recently published studies showing unfavorable side effects from long term use of these medications such as Losec, Omeprazole, Nexium, Prevacid, Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet.

There is growing concern also among well respected Physicians and Scientists regarding the overuse of these medications. The concern is rooted in studies showing a connection between long term use of these medications and Dementia, Kidney disease, Osteoporosis and unfavorable intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

We need stomach acid in our stomach to properly break down food so that we can absorb needed nutrients that support our organs, brain and bones. These medications shut down acid production in our stomach. It makes sense that down stream over time our bodies will take the hit.

Are There Alternatives to These Medications?

Yes, there are alternatives to these medications. I have witnessed many patients who are able to stop taking PPI’s or H2 blockers and successfully treat their GERD or Heartburn.

 How Can You Avoid These Medications?

  1. See a Doctor First

Properly assess what is happening in your digestive tract. Your GERD/ Heartburn could be due to a structural condition (ie, hiatal hernia) that could be adjusted using many different techniques. I personally see a lot of success using a palpation technique I can perform on my patients and teach them to do. It is less likely that it is due to an actual over production of acid and this can also be assessed by a Naturopath.

  1. Alter Your Diet

Avoid foods that could be triggering the immune system to create the problem. The foods I see most often cause heart burn in order of importance are gluten, other grains, dairy, night shades and caffeine.

  1. Use Healthy Supplements

Use a supplement such as DGL to coat the lining of the digestive tract and address the uncomfortable burning.

  1. Enzymes

Take enzymes to help your stomach break down difficult foods that cause the symptoms.

  1. Probiotics

Take a probiotic to help balance any microbial imbalance that could be causing the issue.

There are many things to consider, such as H. Pylori infection, when looking at the causes and treatments. I recommend finding a licensed Naturopath to help you thoroughly look at your personal condition. If you are willing to do the work, stay committed and make the necessary changes, over time it is relatively easy to address your symptoms without medication. The many benefits of proper digestion far outweigh any difficulty in lifestyle modifications. There are benefits you experience by addressing the Heartburn/ GERD condition you may not be aware of such as:

  • Increased energy
  • Decreased joint and muscle pain
  • Decreased shortness of breath
  • Reduced bloating and gas
  • Better sleep
  • Less anxiety
  • Weight loss

The overuse of proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers can be avoided. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or come in to see our Chiropractor Dr. Darren Poncelet.

Scoliosis is a significant lateral deviation in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. The spine should have a perfectly straight line up and down the back which is visible when you stand behind your child. If you see a bend in that line along the spine it may indicate a sideways shift of the spine.

Did You Know?

  • Infantile scoliosis occurs between birth and 3 years of age. This form is more common in boys and can show up as a left curve in the mid back.
  • Juvenile spinal curvature occurs between the ages of 3 and 10.
  • Adolescent scoliosis occurs after the age of 10. Girls at this age are more likely to develop this than boys.

The Two Main Groups of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is classified into two main groups:

Non-structural Scoliosis

Non-structural scoliosis can occur as a result of posture problems, hips and leg length irregularities, pain, nerve root irritation and disc problems as examples. This occurs in the spine as a result of something happening in the body.

Structural Scoliosis

Structural scoliosis is a direct result of something going wrong with the spine. This can range from improperly developed spinal vertebrae to tumors within the spine.

The Main Jobs of the Spine

Your spine has two main jobs to do:

  1. Provide upright position and anchor all the back muscles for movement.
  2. Protect the spinal cord and allow the nerves to exit the spine with no pressure or interference.

 A properly functioning spine allows the body to work at optimal health. Changes in the curvature of the spine can cause nerve compression and decrease nerve signals to the organs resulting in symptoms.

Early detection, diagnosis and treatment are extremely important for your child’s health. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or come in to see our Chiropractor Dr. Darren Poncelet.

 

-The M&Y Team

 

Three years ago, I turned 50. It is just a number. I don’t “feel” 50, yet my mind has a difficult time grasping that concept. It seems like just yesterday that I graduated from Chiropractic school (26 years ago), got married and now our children are young adults in high school and University. Soon they will be leaving home and going off to fulfill their dreams with lots of energy. Through all this, I think the most difficult part is watching my parents grow old.

Our parents’ generation worked hard, really hard. We grew up on a farm in the prairies. My Dad quit school in grade 8 to farm and my Mom was a country school teacher; she taught all 12 grades at once in the middle of nowhere. Who they are now is very different from when I was growing up. Time has taken its toll on their mind and body.  Work on the farm was 7 days a week which accounts for healthy internal organs, but it’s the osteoarthritis that becomes the debilitating factor creating relentless pain. For some reason, as with many other elderly people, dementia has entered their lives. At times, I don’t think it is as much of a problem for them as it is for me seeing them struggle with it. In truth, I wonder if it is God’s way of allowing the elderly to forget their aches and pains – the physical pain and the mental pain of seeing their friends and family members pass away.

Tips for Managing the Burdens & Blessings of the Sandwich Generation

So here I am now a part of the “Sandwich” generation looking after my kids and my parents. It is not easy, yet I can’t see it being any other way. It’s a calling I can’t ignore. Maybe because I am the eldest son or just simply that is how I am wired.

In doing this for the past 9 years, or longer as it is all blending together, I have realized that there are some fundamental things that help get through this.

Hobbies

People that have hobbies tend to get through the day better than those that don’t. My parents, in their 80’s, don’t have hobbies. Their whole life revolved around the farm. Their passion was the farm; they created their own world. Hobbies allow the mind to escape and balance stress. I have always said “in life have a hobby, if you don’t have a hobby then find one”.  For the people looking after their parents, make sure you are allowing yourself time to do your own hobby as it helps clear your mind to be a better person in making decisions and dealing with your parents on a daily basis.

Take a Break

It’s okay to take a break, holiday or time away from dealing with your aging parents GUILT FREE. Easier said than done. I struggle with it each and every single time, after I come back, I realize how much I needed to do that to preserve myself.

Talk to Others

Speak with others and ask for help. It is amazing how much I have learned when chatting with other people in the same situation. Little bits of information can make things much easier or open up possibilities that you would not have seen yourself.

Speak Up

Speak up and push back. When dealing with 3rd party people, whether government funded like CCAC or private Personal Support Worker (PSW) companies, make the situation work for you and most importantly for your parents. The focus is for the betterment of the elderly, not the CCAC coordinator, not the PSW, not the scheduler of the PSW company. If it is not working, find a different PSW and company if required. Be an advocate at the hospital and doctor’s office.

Take Care of Yourself

Look after yourself. You can’t be a spouse, parent and care giver without being healthy yourself.

Get Support

There is a new caregiver helpline through the Ontario Caregiver Organization 1-833-416-2273 to talk to someone for advice and support or visit their website at ontariocaregiver.ca

If you have questions about your overall health and wellness, you can call our clinic and speak to us or contact us.

– Dr. Darren Poncelet

Is There Really a Diet Soda Epidemic?

Many North Americans are trying to reduce calories by choosing diet pop with their meal. Is it a healthy choice, or are the effects to sidestep extra calories harming us rather than helping us? In a study according to the Huston Chronicle, “600 normal weight patients aged 25-64” were monitored. A follow up approximately 8 years later revealed some interesting facts:

  • Participants were 65% more likely to be overweight if they consumed one diet soda a day compared to if they drank none
  • Two or more low calorie soft drinks raised the odds of becoming obese or overweight even higher
  • Those who drank soda had a greater risk of becoming over weight that participants who drank regular soda. Of course, we cannot blame weight gain entirely on diet soda, but it certainly is a contributing factor!

Health Concerns Relating to Pop

Consumption of soda has correlated to an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, and obesity over the past decade. Drinking two bottles of pop per day can make you gain a pound of fat per week. Just one 20-ounce glass of soda contains the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar which is nearly three times the maximum daily sugar intake. Your body reacts quickly to pop turning the massive amount of sugar found in them into fat. The sugar found in pop is converted into fat far more quickly than other sugars and fats.

Is Pop Addictive?

Many people struggle with an addiction to pop, but it is important to remember that sugar is in fact more addictive then cocaine. Picking up a pop may satisfy your sweet tooth, but you are causing serious harm to your body. The American Heart Association recommends a discretionary calorie limit for added sugars which is no more than 100 calories per day for women and 150 calories per day for men. The average pop contains about 120 to 200 calories per serving and has also contributed to the nation’s rising obesity rate.

Child Obesity Linked to Pop

Children and teens who drink pop regularly were more likely to be overweight then those who didn’t. For young people aged 2-18, milk fell from 13.2 percent of total   calories to 8.3 percent, and soda consumption doubled. For each additional daily serving of pop consumed during a two-year study, the risk of obesity jumped by 60 percent.

Obesity is Not The Only Concern

Drinking one soft drink per day increases your risk of diabetes by 85 percent. Drinking pop also increases your risk of:

  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Arthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Gout
  • Non – alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

 

One of the simplest ways to radically improve your health is quit drinking pop.

Pure water is a much better choice, or if you must drink a carbonated beverage, try sparking mineral water with some lime or lemon juice.

We want to help support disease prevention and curb consumption of these drinks that lead to poor health and increased healthcare costs long-term for the average Canadian.

If you have questions about your overall health and wellness, you can call our clinic and speak to us.

-The M&Y Team