Chiropractic in the News

The COVID-19 pandemic has become an unplanned experiment in what it means to have reduced access to care. This fallout, combined with makeshift home offices and other factors, has created a perfect storm for those suffering from spine, muscle and joint – or Musculoskeletal (MSK) – conditions. It also added fuel to the opioid crisis, particularly in treating chronic back pain. Fortunately, there are several ways to address back, neck and shoulder pain that doesn’t require medication. (This is an opinion piece contributed by Caroline Brereton, CEO, OCA.)

Avoid those summer exercise mishaps! Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy brings us expert tips on how to bounce back from common summer workout injuries using massage guns, foam rollers, and more.

To improve thoracic spine mobility, try doing the following exercises once or twice a week. If you frequently feel stiff through your back, neck and shoulders, consider booking an appointment with a chiropractor, who can provide a more in-depth assessment and help you regain mobility through your spine.

Chiropractor Dr. Nekessa Remy helps us minimize back pain with easy stretches. Plus, how choosing the right shoes and pillows can help reduce aches.

On the men’s side, London, Ont’s. Jeremy Coughler emerged as a first-time national champion, crossing the finish line in 28:46.96 on a warm and windy evening at the Pacific Distance Carnival … Representing the London Western Track Club and working as a full-time chiropractor, Coughler has been on a roll in 2023, winning multiple races and showcasing his talent.

With the spring racing season nearly over and the fall season a long way off, for many runners, the hotter months are a time to cut back on distance and put in some faster track work. Coach of Toronto’s StrideWise Running group, Dr. Brittany Moran, gave us this fun, fast workout to get your legs moving.

The Special Achievement category belongs to Dr. John Vargo this year for his work as a sports injury specialist. He has traveled with Athletics Canada to the Commonwealth Games and world championships as part of their medical team. He also does chiropractic treatments for the Sarnia Sting and works as a consultant to professional hockey and football players.

Hosts Todd and Devo are joined by movement performance coach, neurofunctional acupuncture clinician, and chiropractor, Dr. Joel Kerr to discuss how to prepare your body to avoid injuries while exercising.

As we tackle spring activities, it’s important to take the time to prepare the muscles and joints to avoid injury. Chiropractor Dr. Nekessa Remy shows how to do a 5-minute routine that could help reduce your chance of injuries.

Don’t let sore joints ruin your vacation! Chiropractor Dr. Nekessa Remy shares quick and easy exercises to prevent injuries during long plane rides.

Whether you want to try yoga for the first time or are already a pro, you can enjoy Guelph’s second annual Yoga Fest on May 28. Kirstie Griffiths, doctor of chiropractic and yoga instructor, explained there will be many services attendees can sign up for, starting at 8:45 a.m., for their 9 a.m. start, from acupuncture and reiki treatments, to osteopathy, chiropractic care and more.

Sid and Sharleen are joined by Dr. Kevin Marryshow, chiropractor and Head of Purpose at Myodetox, and Kalia Lunny, registered physiotherapist to show some ways to exercise your body after a long day at the office.

Fortunately, UHN’s Al & Malka Green Artists’ Health Centre specializes in treating artists and the complications that arise from their professions. Their health care team treats patients who are artists of all disciplines, and each service is tailored to meet the unique needs of their artistry. One of these patients is David Liam Roberts, a cellist freelancing in Toronto and studying at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music. He started scheduling regular appointments at the Artists’ Health Centre when he needed care associated with playing his cello … “A lot of people might be surprised about the strain that playing an instrument puts on your body,” says David Liam, who works with health care specialists such as chiropractors and massage therapists to help address risks resulting from his occupational duties.

As the weather heats up, many of us are getting outside and returning to outdoor activities. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy explains how to protect yourself against aches and pains with a simple stretching routine that only takes five minutes.

Host Kyle Horner is joined by speakers including Dr. Mario Micovsky, a chiropractor practising in Micovsky Chiropractic in Windsor and OCA member to talk about how vision and body ergonomics (like posture) affects a golfer. Dr. Micovsky is also a golf performance and rehab specialist at GPAR Golf Performance and Rehab Canada in Kingsville, Ontario.

Treatments for lameness include rest, medications, joint support, and rehabilitation. Some horses need more specialized treatment to return to full athletic function, and some may benefit from alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic.

The Ontario Chiropractic Association has eight summer fit tips for gardeners to keep your back healthy as you exercise and enjoy the outdoors…learn the proper technique for whatever activity you’re taking on, for example, be sure to kneel, not bend, when planting your outdoor garden; maximize your mobility and range of motion to maintain good mobility for muscles and joints…don’t overdo it; make sure you cool down and stretch out your muscles and joints…and; finally, seek professional health from a health care professional, such as a chiropractor or physiotherapist, to help you recover.

Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, company training, and a much talked about desire for progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion, systemic racism and discrimination prevail … To truly create an inclusive and equitable workplace that values diversity, a shift at levels much deeper than what have been relied upon to date must happen. This is the message two prominent DE&I advocates and Doctors of Chiropractic want to convey.

OCA member Dr. Patricia Tavares has been appointed the Director of Clinics for World Spine Care. Dr. Tavares has been a member of the board of World Spine Care Canada and the Clinic Coordinator in Moca, Dominican Republic. She will now oversee the clinical activities for all of the World Spine Care clinics in Botswana, India, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, and Canada.

Dr. Ryan Garcia, OCA member, gets to help people every day. It was a goal the local chiropractor says he had set out for himself when he was very young … Elated Health and Wellness is Dr. Garcia’s first practice of his own. Something that was “a dream of mine coming out of chiropractic school to operate in my own clinic” … He adds some people have a misconception about what exactly a chiropractor does. “People see chiropractors on YouTube or Tik Tok and it’s all about the “cracking” and they think that is all we do. But that is only part of what we actually do,” says Dr. Garcia.

Contrary to popular belief, “chiropractors don’t ‘crack’ anything,” says Dr. Debbie Wright, chair of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. “The noise you sometimes hear that is associated with adjustments is caused by the formation of gas bubbles in spinal joint fluid and when the joint is quickly stretched, you may hear that sound.” She explains that spinal manipulation, also known as chiropractic adjustments, help to relieve neck and back pain in two primary ways. It improves mobility in the joints of the neck and back thereby improving function, and the adjustment also help decrease pain in the affected tissues by modulating the pain response of the nervous system.

As companies strive to create more inclusive and supportive work environments, one area that is often overlooked is women’s health. More specifically, women’s musculoskeletal (MSK) health. “Dr. Stacy Sims, a female physiology and nutrition scientist out of New Zealand said it best: ‘Women are not small men,’” says Dr. Carol Ann Weis, OCA member, and associate professor and course coordinator for female care at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College … By strategizing benefits and policies that recognize women’s MSK health, companies not only improve the lives of their female employees, but they can also create a healthier, more engaged workforce.

During the coronavirus pandemic, most people were forced to work remotely and create makeshift offices in spaces that weren’t designed for that purpose. The result is a serious impact on musculoskeletal issues. Dr. Ayla Azad, interim chief executive officer of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, says remote and hybrid work are having a major effect on musculoskeletal conditions because people are forced to work in more awkward positions at home and they’re not thinking about their posture.

March Break is right around the corner, and that means many families are busy packing their bags. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy explains the proper techniques when it comes to packing to avoid common back strains. She also shares a pillow hack to help your neck when you’re travelling.

According to leaders in the insurance sector, there’s an increased focus on spine, muscle, and nervous system conditions (musculoskeletal health), including disorders like arthritis, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome, all of which are commonly seen in the workplace … “MSK issues can have far-reaching impacts on the mental, physical and emotional wellness of employees and their families, and they have the potential to become quite debilitating.” [says Marie-Chantal Côté, senior vice-president, Group Benefits, Sun Life].

We all love a good vacation, but how can we avoid the travel pain that might come along with it? Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy … Has some tips for how to avoid pain when lugging heavy suitcases around and sleeping in unfamiliar locations.

There is growing research linking chronic pain and poor mental health and though it appears to be ‘invisible,’ it’s crippling your workforce … Because chiropractors receive a wide breadth of education, they are trained to recognize mental health ‘yellow flags’ and make a referral, especially when a comorbidity has an impact on current prognosis. By addressing chronic pain symptoms, chiropractors may be able to help create the conditions for mental health to improve.

Many of us have resolved to be healthier in the New Year, but getting back to the gym isn’t without risks. As part of the TMS Total Makeover Series chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy provides tips on how to avoid the most common injuries.

HR professionals are well placed to support strategies that empower employees to improve their physical and mental health … Any good strategy relies on the guidance of specialists, and when it comes to the health of the spine, muscle and nervous system, chiropractors are the experts … Dr. Karishma Kapoor, chiropractor, OCA member, and member experience specialist at the Canadian Chiropractic Association has seen a lot of workplace health complaints. She explains, “The most common MSK conditions in the workplace are complaints involving the neck, or shoulders, most prevalent in desk workers.”

If you recently had an accident that you are recovering from, you have probably experienced many physical, emotional, and financial hardships … Here are some essential self-care tips after a car accident: Chiropractic care is effective if you have injuries that cause chronic pain. It’s also good if you have other issues, such as headaches, joint pain, and fatigue … Chiropractic care can be beneficial if you have whiplash or other neck-related injuries resulting from the accident. It can help to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve mobility.

Host Kyle Horner is joined by Paul Boyko of Visions of Canada, and Dr. Derrick Dimenna, chiropractor, OCA member, and golf specialist who talks about his role at Gold Performance and Rehab Canada (GPAR) and importance of vision in golfing.

Whether your back aches from sitting at your computer all day or you’re experiencing mobility issues as you age, chiropractic care can treat the discomfort and keep you moving and feeling your best. When was the last time you checked in with your body? … “Chiropractors help ease Canadians’ pain, enabling them to live the active, pain-free lives they want,” says Dr. Ayla Azad, a chiropractor and OCA member from Ajax, Ontario. “We focus on your spine, muscle, nervous system and treat the bones, muscles, soft tissues, and joints that you use every day.”

Host Dina is joined by Dr. Nekessa Remy, chiropractor and OCA member to share some tips on fall footwear without sacrificing your health.

Back pain can have a major impact on our daily lives, and as we approach the busiest time of the year, the last thing we all want is our back acting up. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy explains how to properly use a tool that helps roll away the pain.

Frankie is joined by chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray who talks gardening and how to ensure you don’t injure yourself in the process.

In 2013, chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Andrea Sorichetti moved to Belleville to join the Belleville Integrative Health Centre (BIHC) … Dr. Sorichetti also runs Quinte Animal Chiropractic, based in the Loyalist Veterinary Orthopedic and Rehab Centre in Belleville … She won the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Reader’s Choice Award for Belleville’s Favourite Chiropractor.

Winter is on its way and Murphy Chiropractic Health Centre in Carleton Place is doing its part to make sure children stay warm. The clinic has officially kicked off its yearly Hats and Mitts campaign, which runs the month of November.

At 93, June Coulson is the oldest patient at Newmarket’s Murray Family Chiropractic clinic, and she helped celebrate the business’s 20th anniversary on Oct. 21 … The property was built in 1876. Chiropractor, owner, and OCA member Dr. Rob Murray provides a valuable service to his patients. His wife and office manager, Danielle Murray, says: “I see miracles all the time. He is gifted at helping people heal their bodies and achieve an extraordinary quality of life.”

Statistics reveal that approximately 8 million Canadians live with chronic pain. Indeed, chronic pain can interfere with your daily life, as you often feel discomfort and exhaustion. Moreover, it’s not unusual for people with this condition to experience anxiety and depression, poor sleep, etc. Fortunately, various solutions can help you live with chronic pain without compromising your life quality … Here are a few worth considering [including chiropractic care].

But for our little ones bundled in heavy and oversized backpacks, the start of the school season can leave them bearing quite a burden. Pens, pencils, notebooks, indoor shoes and lunch — not to mention tablets and books — jammed in an ill-fitted pack can create muscle aches and pains, especially for young children carrying around bags twice their size. Carrying excessive weight can cause wear-and-tear on their little lower backs, joints and muscles. Often times these body parts overcompensate, which can cause stiffness, a loss in range of motion and pain over time.

Paul Roos has been living with chronic pain for the last 10 years — a direct result of injuries he sustained while serving as an infantry officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Roos, also the director of operations with the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans in Hamilton, says chronic pain is a condition affecting roughly 20 per cent of Canadians … Roos said he eventually met a chiropractor in a pain clinic who was able to reduce the pain levels, and walked him through “what is an acceptable level of pain that you should push through and what you shouldn’t push through.”

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has announced the community volunteers who will sit on the organization’s newly established Building Community Advisory Committee to inform the next stage of planning and design for the Wallaceburg Site … Representing the Wallaceburg area are volunteers Jeff Wesley and Dr. William Currier … Dr. Currier has been actively involved in the Ontario Chiropractic Association throughout his career.

Breakfast Television’s hosts Dina and Sid are joined by Dr. Stephen Gray, OCA member and a certified chiropractor, who shares tips on how to avoid muscle soreness or injuries from sitting at your desk.

The first-ever Guelph Yoga Fest is happening this Sunday … Event organizer Dr. Kirstie Griffiths, OCA member and local chiropractor and yoga teacher, said there hasn’t been a lot with regards to yoga and yoga fest is a way for people to get outside. “We’ve lost a lot of the community in the yoga world, especially in Guelph with a couple of studios that have closed,” Griffiths said. “My interest as a health-care provider is how the isolation that we have experienced has contributed to health problems.”

With the summer season wrapping up, people may be experiencing more foot pain caused by wearing less supportive footwear. Dr. Nekessa Remy, OCA member, joined Global News to give suggestions for footwear options and teach exercises that will strengthen the feet and alleviate some of that pain.

Dr. Sarah Hopkins, OCA member, doesn’t need to fill a suitcase to overflowing when she travels to Italy next month to compete in the Aquaticrunner World Championships. As long as she packs a swimsuit and running shoes, the St. Catharines chiropractor will be well-dressed for any occasion, on land as well as in the water. And there will be plenty of sand and surf along a course totalling 30 kilometres over five islands for Hopkins, one of eight athletes representing Canada in the swim-run race.

Dr. Ayla Azad, a Thornhill chiropractor and chief experience officer with the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), has seen her share of neck and back troubles throughout her 25 years in clinical practice. “There’s no doubt that musculoskeletal, as we call them, issues with the muscles, bones, joints and nervous system are very prevalent among Canadians, ” she says. “One of the aspects to that could be our lifestyles today, hunching forward, we’re sitting a lot more so that sedentary lifestyle does take a toll and can absolutely contribute to the amount of people who are suffering with pain.” … Whether you’re on your laptop or your phone, take regular breaks, she says. If you’re sitting, for example, get up and move around … Stretching can also help counteract the chronic hunching.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray demonstrates simple stretches to help prep your body for your favourite summer activities.

Ralphy’s Retreat Animal Sanctuary has become a welcome refuge for these lovable farm animals who haven’t always experienced humanity at its finest … Some of the animals like Valentino and Hartley were seized by animal control for being neglected or abused … A chiropractor also drops by regularly to help animals like Penelope, who could barely walk when she arrived.

Ready to wait in airport lines ahead of your summer travel? Chiropractor Dr. Liza (Egbogah) joined CHCH News with some shoes and exercises to help minimize the toll on your body.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray starts from the bottom up. He explains the importance of your foot core and shares easy exercises to relieve pain and reduce strain.

Chiropractors are involved in only a small fraction of workers’ compensation claims for low back pain in states where insurers or employers control the choice of medical provider, but a report released this week suggests that skepticism about uncontrollable costs may be unfounded. A Workers’ Compensation Research Institute study found that medical care costs less and claimants return to work faster when low back pain treatment is provided only by chiropractors.

Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) member Dr. Ailin Oishi of Toronto’s Japanese Canadian community is actively involved in making heritage part of her health care delivery for potential and established patients with spine, muscle, joint, and related nervous system issues. OCA asked Dr. Oishi to represent the Japanese Canadian community as part of its inaugural Asian Heritage Month initiative. Dr. Oishi represents the core elements of OCA members from a diverse heritage hold, and offers unique insights for raising awareness of chiropractic care in Ontario.

The Fixing Health Care series presents 10 common problems faced by patients in Canada, along with 10 solutions that the authors argue can be achieved within our existing publicly funded health system … Ontario and Saskatchewan have resourced successful expert-designed systems of care wherein patients with back, hip or knee pain are seen within weeks of referral by experienced physiotherapists, nurses or chiropractors … Ontario and Saskatchewan’s rapid-access clinics are designed by orthopedists, neurosurgeons, rheumatologists, physiotherapists, nurses and chiropractors who are experts in health system delivery as well as clinical care.

I met Ms. T on a busy day, the last patient on my rounds in the late afternoon … She had been admitted almost 2 weeks ago and, although she could walk gingerly to the bathroom, her left-sided sciatica and hip arthritis were bad and she couldn’t go home … I would have felt better sending her right back down to radiology for imaging “just in case,” but at that point Ms. T was fed up with doctors telling her what to do… Ling, a retired nurse, had travelled the world, gaining a lifelong appreciation for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners and chiropractors, who had been able to successfully treat her chronic back pain. (Contribution piece by Dr. Jocelyn Chase)

Toronto chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Taron Carruthers has been bitten by some of her patients. And, no, they weren’t human. Yes, Carruthers is an animal chiropractor. “Most people when I tell them what I do have never heard of it,” she said. “But it’s been around, I want to say, since the ‘80s. It’s just gaining popularity and becoming more of a thing, I guess.”

Having an alignment performed on your car is like getting an adjustment at the chiropractor. The goal is to ensure an optimal physical arrangement of wheels and vital suspension parts. Keeping your back healthy is important, and keeping your car’s alignment heathy is important, too. When your car’s alignment is off, it’ll handle poorly, wear out its tires more quickly, waste fuel needlessly, cost you more money to operate, and be less enjoyable to drive.

The countless hours of training will be rewarded on Patriots’ Day when Laura and Joseph Puopolo make their Boston Marathon debuts … The Puopolos are clearly proud of one another’s running success, with Joseph making a point of how his wife has battled back from a femoral neck stress fracture she suffered last year. Unable to run for several months, Laura worked with Health + Performance running club coach Dr. Sean Delanghe, a Waterloo chiropractor and OCA member, and is back to her old self. Perhaps even faster, said Joseph.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy has some stretches and simple exercises to stop those sounds of cracking, popping and clicking.

The vast majority of people who go to the emergency department at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener for back pain are sent home. Hospital numbers show over the past three years, about 3,300 people went to emergency with lower back pain and 95 per cent of them were not admitted for care. But Dr. Mark Kubert (chiropractor and OCA member) says it’s not because they aren’t in pain. It’s why he’s working to raise awareness of the low back pain rapid access clinic located at Grand River Hospital’s Freeport campus.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy shows some easy exercises to effectively reduce cracking joints.

With many workers shifting to a home environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and public health restrictions limiting access to care, chiropractic care can be a key way to treat certain injuries. Canadian HRReporter spoke with Caroline Brereton, CEO of the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) in Toronto, to hear about how these health-care professionals can become an important part of treatment and benefits.

Working from home has many perks but one pitfall is the lack of joint movement. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Maher Obeid shares simple exercises that can alleviate pain.

Diagnosis and treatment were very different 44 years ago when I suffered my first migraine attack. Very little was known about the disease, and really no one knew how to treat it … Let’s start with some things you should do once diagnosed … Consider other non-pharmaceutical treatments, including chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncture, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy.

Ontario chiropractor and OCA member, Dr. Maher Obeid from the Healing Path Chiropractic and Wellness Centre in Burlington, Ont., (thehealingpath.ca) says it’s crucial to protect your back when doing something this strenuous: “It’s all about the hips, not the lower back when it comes to shovelling out there,” said Dr. Obeid in a recent interview. “Being mindful of having a straight back, bending with your knees and lifting with your legs is key.”

As the doors of gyms remain closed, many are rethinking their workout routines. Chiropractor Dr. Stephen Gray (OCA member) helps you get your fitness fix with several hacks, including using household items.

Chiropractor Dr. Nekessa Remy (OCA member) joins us this morning with five tips to prevent common winter injuries. Dr. Remy says three common injuries that can be sustained in the winter are frozen shoulder, lower back strain, and neck injuries.

Barrie-based Dr. Bob Willson (OCA member) has been helping residents — and world-class athletes -—bend, kneel, reach and run since he opened High St. Chiropractic in 1987. It was a vision realized when he first laid eyes on the old Queen’s Park-area building, after receiving his bachelor of human kinetics (1978) and doctor of chiropractic (1987). He’s also received the Fellowship in Chiropractic Sports Sciences and the Fellowship of the International Chiropractic College.

Dr. Nicole Kosta (OCA member) is a full-time professional hockey player in the PWHPA who also works as a full-time chiropractor, with the steps being taken today, her hope is that it will secure a better future for the next generation of female hockey players.

A local chiropractor, Dr. Dianne McMurray (OCA member) spends her spare time helping girls reach their full potential. For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we spoke with Dr. McMurray, 32, a local chiropractor and volunteer with the Collingwood chapter of the Girl Guides of Canada.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray gives a lesson in fundamentals when it comes to shovelling and stretches that will help keep your back in-check.

On the women’s side, Toronto’s Dr. Brittany Moran (OCA member) ran an impressive race, smashing her previous personal best of 2:36:23. The full-time chiropractor also ran a very consistent race, averaging 5:52 per mile (about 3:40/km) throughout the entire 42 kilometres. This was Dr. Moran’s second marathon this season after running the Boston Marathon less than two months ago. She was Canada’s top woman in Boston, where she finished in 2:39:29 for 29th place.

Uxbridge Cares is stepping up to care for those in need of a little extra help this holiday season. The group is now collecting donations for its 2021 Holiday Basket drive, with local businesses pitching in to host baskets and collect items for families in need this holiday season. To that end, participating businesses — including The Lemonade Stand, Urban Pantry, Pharmasave, Axis Chiropractic (OCA member), fig kitchen & market, The Bridge Social and Cindy Wood Re/Max Allstars Realty Inc. — host baskets specific to one family, with residents invited to donate items or gift cards.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron has once again set up their Adopt a Child Tree, a gift giving campaign for children within the program and children in the community who are in need. Trees have also been put up at A1 Chiropractic in Exeter, OCA member, and The Docks Restaurant and Bar in Bayfield. As well, stocking stuffers are being collected at The Dollar Tree in Exeter.

Shelburne Family Chiropractic & Wellness Centre is gearing up for their fifth Shoes4Shelburne initiative this December, and has announced exciting changes to the yearly shoe collection going forward. Started five years ago by local chiropractor Dr. Richard Magder, OCA member, and Alexandra Georgie from Shelburne Family Chiropractic, Shoes4Shelburne has been an annual initiative focused on providing new and gently used shoes to Shelburne and Dufferin County residents.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy demonstrates how posture straps, towels, braces and ports tape can be used to help correct your posture.

According to Ontario chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Amy Brown, the best way to avoid the negative health impacts of extended sitting or standing is to alternate between the two positions and to build exercise into your day.

Dr. Will Heidary from Back on Track Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, and OCA member explains how chiropractors can help improve your sleep.

If you find yourself slouching, chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy joined us with some tips to attain perfect posture. There are plenty of postural devices Remy recommends to help practice good posture. “They give you an idea of how you should be sitting when you are sitting for long periods of time,” said Remy.

Manual practitioners, such as chiropractors, can help you recover and experience less pain. But a big question many people wonder is: Is a chiropractor a doctor? There are many misconceptions about whether or not chiropractic care is even safe. This blog will help you learn about their credentials, safety, and more.

In recognition of World Arthritis Day on October 12, the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) has launched a new ‘Circle It’ arthritis campaign to help raise awareness that as experts in neuromusculoskeletal (nMSK) (spine, muscles, joints, and related nervous system) care, chiropractors are fully trained to treat the pain and functional limitations of arthritis, as well as the management and ongoing care of inflammatory arthritis (IA) and Osteoarthritis (OA).

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray talks about combating prolonged sitting with stretching and how it could reinvigorate your body and mind.

Bob Cowan welcomes Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy to talk about buying the right running shoes for your fall activities.

For those finding it difficult to squeak in time for fitness, commuting actually affords the chance to get some steps in by walking for a few minutes before or after jumping on public transit or getting back in your car. “During the pandemic, a lot of people noticed that their feet have gotten bigger,” says osteopath and orthotic accessory designer Dr. Liza Egbogah. “When they go to put on their dress shoes, they’re finding them way too tight and uncomfortable.” (Dr. Liza Egbogah is also an OCA member).

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray joins Global News and The Morning Show with his bike basics to help you stay healthy both on and off the road.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy joins The Morning Show and demonstrates simple ways to increase mobility and relieve tension in your feet, neck and back muscles.

Commonly prescribed muscle relaxant drugs may offer some temporary relief for low back pain, but could also increase the risk of side effects, a new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on July 7, 2021 shows. In the short run, the muscle relaxants might work, but they’re not something to use long term, said Jennifer Lake, an assistant professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at U of T. Instead of popping pills, there are other effective ways to manage and prevent back pain, experts say.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy demonstrated five exercises to do first thing in the morning that will have you feeling less stiff and more mobile from your neck all the way down to your feet.

Several people got to share the track at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Cobourg with Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse on a sunny afternoon. The three-time Olympic medalist visited Cobourg one day before departing to compete in Europe and then off to represent Canada at the Tokyo Olympics. He was joined on the track by OCA member Dr. Alban Merepeza, his sports chiropractor from the Port Hope Health Centre, where he has received treatment for a number of years.

Chiropractor and injury expert Dr. Sapna Sriram, also an OCA member, joins The Morning Show to discuss how your kids can avoid aches, pains and injuries caused by the constant use of tech devices, including strategies to improve posture and the importance of stretching.

If you’re one of the many who’ve recently taken up face yoga, you may already know that some practitioners advise sleeping on your back. Maybe, though, some positions are better than others, depending on who you are. “I recommend a tailored solution, depending on your body and what conditions you may have,” says Toronto chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Eve Choe, a  co-owner of her namesake clinic. “While it’s true that, for the face and anti-aging, it’s best to sleep on the back so that gravity can help us, if you have sleep apnea or you’re pregnant or if you have something else, like neck issues, then sleeping on your side is best.”

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray shares tips to save your back while tending to your garden this season and minimize back injuries.

The school year may be coming to an end, but it’s important to think about how all of our work/school spaces are impacting our bodies. While proper ergonomics while sitting and standing are important, it’s crucial we don’t forget the following point – ‘movement is life’. It’s important that we don’t stay in the same position for too long; take stretching breaks, go for multiple quick walks throughout the day, get outside and play.

Dr. Marie-Pier Sauriol has a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Alberta, attended the renown New York Chiropractic College where she received her Doctor of Chiropractic and is a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario. (Dr. Sauriol is also an OCA member). 

Ever wonder if there are negatives associated with the growing Peloton and at-home cycling revolution? Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Sender Deutsch says “there are lots of positives, but the problem with being hooked on indoor cycling is that most of us already sit and stare at a screen way too much throughout the day. Thus, this has led to an increase of patients that are seeing repetitive stress injuries such as neck and low back pain.” To prevent potential injuries associated with indoor cycling, add more variety to your workouts.

Do repetitive movements have your muscles stressed out? Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stacy Irvine joins Cityline TV to demonstrate some wrist exercises that can help.

Several dentists and massage therapists have told me that bruxism – grinding and/or clenching teeth – is on the rise. Is it really becoming more common? To find out, I went to chiropractor Dr. Sidney Lisser (also an OCA member), lead clinician at Toronto’s Jaw and Facial Pain Centre. “So, up until this morning, I would have said that there’s definitely an uptick in people talking about it,” said Lisser. “But when I walked in this morning and saw 20 new patient referrals over a three-day weekend, well, it’s clear that more people are seeking treatment. I’m booking new patients in late July.”

Whether you’re training for a specific goal race, trying to continue a run streak or simply running to stay sane, nothing is worse than being sidelined with an injury. From acute issues like mid-run leg cramps to chronic pain like runner’s knee, even the smallest ache or pain can ruin a good run. We spoke with chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Brittany Moran from the Runner’s Academy in Toronto, who gave us advice on how to prevent injuries so you don’t end up missing weeks of training.

Over one year into the pandemic, many people continue to work in makeshift offices. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Leah Lawson reminds Breakfast Television Toronto for Movin’ in the Morning! She shares the importance of getting up and moving. She also shares exercises to help alleviate pain and prevent future injury while working from home or cottage.

On May 13, ‘In This Together,’ hosted by the CGMH Foundation Young Professionals Committee,  successfully raised the $22,000 needed to bring an innovative Virtual Pediatric Critical Care Consult Program to the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Emergency Department. The CGMH Foundation Young Professionals Committee would like to thank local partners including Taylor Wellness & Chiropractic Clinics. Dr. Scott Taylor and Dr. Micheline Cote of Taylor Wellness & Chiropractic are members of the OCA.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray joins Global News and The Morning Show and puts your fitness knowledge to the test with a trivia challenge about effective exercises to relieve daily pain all over your body. Watch the video to learn more!

When surveyed to describe their struggles in the current school year, parents used words like an abyss, a household inferno, and chaos. “Parents themselves are often presenting to the clinic with more aches and pain, especially in the neck and upper back, from the long hours spent at home,” remarked Dr. Carnevale (Dr. John Carnevale is a chiropractor and certified athletic therapist with Align Health Centre in Newmarket, and OCA member).

Is there any chance kids will be back in school before the end of June? That’s the question on every parent’s mind at this point in the pandemic. Thunder Bay chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Leila Coulter, a mother of four who started a petition there that now has more than 2,300 signatures, said keeping all schools shuttered for the remainder of this school year “would be a very short-sighted decision.”

Hamilton’s Ryan Polawski set out on a 100-mile journey running to Toronto and back home to raise money for Teen Challenge, a rehabilitation organization that has helped him and countless other individuals overcome addiction. Fortunately, he had the support of chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Anthony Lombardi from the Hamilton Back Clinic who met up with Polawski along the route to and from Toronto to treat him and work out any kinks.

Amber Gardiner’s patients went above and beyond. The Grimsby chiropractor provided patients with a note letting them know that her office would be holding a spring food drive with donations going to the Village of Hope. In the span of three weeks, Gardiner Family Chiropractic Centre and their patients were able to fill an SUV full of food and other necessities. “It’s really important for us to think of others and support our community,” Gardiner said, who has been practicing in Grimsby for 25 years.

Tim Bolen stayed aligned and safe by going to visit Dr. Ralph Sciullo at Parkdale Chiropractic & Rehab. Dr. Sciullo (also an OCA member) talks about how, because people are staying and working from home more, he’s seeing more patients with neck, lower, and upper back pain. He also discusses how to sit properly behind a desk if you’re working from home.

Stress plus increased screen time plus a lack of movement equals a rise in headache complaints, says chiropractor and acupuncturist Dr. Clara Leung, since a common cause of headaches is muscle tension due to poor posture. (Dr. Clara Leung is also an OCA member).

At OCA people-centred care, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), begins with our Partnership4BetterHealth online patient and family advisory community. Thanks to the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) for featuring the Partnership in its April 2021 publication.

Working from home has become a pain in more ways than one. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Jana-Marie Doni has been practising in Sudbury for 15 years and said she has seen a significant decline in her patients’ posture health over the last year, as well as an increase in their issues with tension.

Working from home without a good workstation is leading to more spinal pain, say experts. Chiropractor Dr. Ashor Sworesho, of Hamilton Chiropractic and Wellness, and OCA member; and Kim Jory, fitness manager at Goodlife Fitness’s Bunting Road location in St. Catharines have some tips on how to work and study safely from home.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Stephen Gray shares tips for gentle workouts to build strength and get you moving.

For much of the past year, many of us have been in a constant rotation between our beds, our makeshift workspaces, and our couches; and some of us are working right from the bed or couch. It may seem cozy in the moment, but it’s doing a number on our bodies, say some experts. “Most people who are working from home are finding any flat surface they can put their computer on and working,” says chiropractor Dr. Ashor Sworesho, of Hamilton Chiropractic and Wellness. “Sometimes it’s their own laps, and the worst is the people who are in bed with their laptop on their chest and working away.”

Dr. Leeann Ng, owner of Be Well Chiropractic Clinic in Bradford has been doing her workouts at home. Dr. Ng has been an active member of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre for years. In order to maintain the level of exertion needed to perform her duties as a chiropractor, Ng must be in top physical shape, she says. Since the lockdowns, she has had to find alternate resources to retain her muscle mass.

Dr. Josh Binstock, OCA member and two-time beach volleyball Olympian (2012, 2016) has been elected to the FIVB Athletes’ Commission. Dr. Binstock was among the five members selected by more than 400 eligible voters from all over the world. “I am incredibly grateful and honoured to be elected for the FIVB Athletes’ Commission and bring Canadian representation to the council,” said Binstock, now a practicing chiropractor in Toronto.

As Canadians continue to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a healthy workstation has become imperative. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy, who is based in Mississauga, shares some tips on how you can improve your posture and create a better workspace. Dr. Remy provides advice on how to avoid eye fatigue, neck strain and headaches when working from home.

Chiropractor and OCA member, Dr. Nekessa Remy,  provides advice on buying a pillow to help aching backs and other body parts.

In this rebroadcast episode we talk with chiropractor, strength coach and co-founder of The Runner’s Academy Dr. Kris Sheppard (also an OCA member). We also speak with Olympic marathoner and Mile2Marathon coach Dylan Wykes. These guys offer advice on how to train smart and stay injury-free throughout the darkest days of winter.

Dr. Mark Dickson’s Movember moustache this year was truly epic. Epic enough to win second overall in the 2020 Global Movember Awards, ‘The Epic One’ category. Mark first joined the Movember cause (ca.movember.com) in 2015, raising awareness and funds for men’s health, which includes prostate cancer research, testicular cancer research and suicide prevention. This year he raised $4,000, bringing his six-year total to $13,928.

Chiropractor and OCA Member Dr. Nekkesa Remy joins The Morning Show with simple stretches to combat muscle pain during winter months.

Dr. Kevin Matheson and his wife Lee Anne couldn’t have imagined that they would be marking the 10th anniversary of their Orillia chiropractic practice in the midst of a global pandemic. And yet, there is nothing the couple would rather be doing than helping work out their clients’ tensions at Matheson Chiropractic Clinic during this difficult moment in our collective history. “It’s a blessing to be able to help out at this time,” Matheson told Simcoe.com.

With many employees still working from home due to COVID-19, it’s important to keep your back health in mind while sitting in one place for extended periods of time. Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Ted Luck has some tips to share with those working remotely, and how it can actually be beneficial. “Personally, I think the current reality of people working from home can provide some excellent benefits especially when it comes to your spine and all the sitting we do now, especially at work,” Dr. Luck said.

Bad posture, back pain and sitting too long are just a few side effects of working from home. With many offices closing because of COVID-19 restrictions, more people are working in settings that are not as ergonomically correct, causing people to suffer from pain. “From spending more time in their home offices versus their regular workplace, they are getting more chronic postural issues,” explained chiropractor and OCA member Jason Price.

OCA member Dr. Kris Sheppard, owner of The Runner’s Academy in Toronto, which specializes in helping runners move well, shows four drills that only add about five minutes to your warm up and make a world of difference in your performance.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy joined CHCH to talk about at-home workouts and buying the right running shoes online.

Want to ward off the effects of sitting all day? Chiropractor and OCA member Stacy Irvine has the simple stretches that will bring relief to your back!

Dr. Patrick Welsh, a sports specialist chiropractor at High Point Wellness Centre and OCA member shares a few of his back-to-school tips for kids to help improve physical health, and a challenge to make homework and studying easier.

Chiropractor and dance instructor Dr. Stephen Gray talks to us about the importance of keeping children active during or after school and shows us some techniques to help them move. (Dr. Gray is also an OCA member).

Chiropractor Dr. Nekessa Remy, a member of the OCA, joins The Morning Show to share tips on which back to school backpacks to buy in order to avoid muscle aches and make sitting all day comfortable.

Low-back rotation stretch: Sitting on a chair with your feet flat on the floor, twist your upper body so your shoulders rotate to one side. You can use the chair for support, holding on to get a deep muscle stretch. Go only as far as you can comfortably. You will feel the pull from your lower back up to the middle of your back. “You may experience a painless crack from your spine, but that’s normal; it’s just the joints opening up,” says Larry Feldman, a chiropractor and owner of The Performance Health Centre in Toronto (and OCA member). Hold for 20 seconds or six breaths, and return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.

Article discusses guideline from the American College of Physicians (ACP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) that states opioids should not be a first-line treatment option for non-low back, musculoskeletal injuries. It includes findings from opioid-use review by Dr. John J. Riva, DC, MSc, of McMaster University in Hamilton, an OCA member.

In June, the Orillia girl was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The journey to finding out what was wrong began in the winter when Sienna was taking swimming lessons. Her grandmother noticed one of Sienna’s shoulders was slightly more elevated than the other. A chiropractor asked Sienna to bend over and touch her toes, and that’s when the curving in her spine became immediately noticeable.

Dr. Leah Lawson, chiropractor at Bayside Wellness in Collingwood and Vitality Health in Barrie, and OCA member, speaks about how improper at-home workstations can cause neck and back pain.

Chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Nekessa Remy shares her tips on how to find the best running shoes online to fit your foot type and shoe size.

CTV News health journalist Pauline Chan speaks with Monica Huci, an operating room nurse at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Amy Brown, Ontario chiropractor and OCA member, on the health-related challenges health care workers are experiencing in the face of COVID-19.

Dr. Maja Edgar, from Edgar Family Chiropractic, discusses how her clinic is adapting to the ‘new normal.’

There’s a growing fitness trend that doesn’t involve lifting heavy things, pumping your limbs at lightning speed or forming even the tiniest bead of sweat. But if you like doing any or all of these things, it could help you do them better. “The reality is that most people hate stretching themselves, but assisted stretching is and feels, completely different,” says Dr. Marco Capizzano, a chiropractor and founder of b-Stretched, a wellness studio with multiple locations in Toronto, and OCA member.

While chiropractors and massage therapists have been given the green light to reopen, it’s not business as usual.

As of June 1, several regulated health professionals in Ontario are now allowed to open their doors again amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Dentists, optometrists, psychologists, dietitians and denturists are just some of the professions on the province’s reopening list as it moves forward with easing restrictions.

To work out in the safest way, get your body ready for movement. It’s not wise to jump right into physical activity without preparing the body first, Dr. Nekessa Remy, a chiropractor and owner of Mississauga, Ont.-based clinic The Chiropractic Office, and OCA member said in an interview with The Morning Show. “Before you work out, think about wanting to get your heart rate up [and] your muscles ready to work out,” she explained.

Caroline Brereton, CEO of the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA), discusses steps chiropractors are taking so they can return to practice and keep their patients, staff and colleagues safe.

For many employees working from home for the first time, creating a workspace that is not only productive but comfortable can be a challenge. Dr. Sapna Sriram, a chiropractor based in Toronto and OCA member is already seeing the negative impact of an uncomfortable workspace on the health of her clients.

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Michael Tibollo, joins Dr. Luigi Nalli, chiropractor and OCA member, to speak about the potential mental health consequences of COVID-19. Visit Dr. Nalli’s website at http://pinpointhealth.ca.

CBC journalist Rosemary Barton spoke with Dr. Marissa Verdone, a chiropractor based in Hamilton and sole proprietor, who recently applied for the CERB. Dr. Verdone shared her experiences with the application process and how COVID-19 has affected her professionally.

“Michael Garron Hospital put out a call,” says Dr. Emily Howell, a chiropractor and owner of Ashbridges Health Centre, and OCA member. The hospital’s PPE drive is asking people who can sew to make 1,000 masks a week. “When it came from the hospital, obviously I knew we’re in trouble.”

But at what stage should someone introduce double runs and why? Dr. Brittany Moran is a coach, chiropractor, OCA member, and 2:36 marathoner who doesn’t double. She says that she’s usually able to fit her mileage in in one go, so she prefers to get her run done all at once.

Sudbury chiropractor and OCA member Dr. Sherrie Guillet has been treating spines in the City of Greater Sudbury for 15 years now and some of her best clients don’t exactly walk on two feet. The Sudbury practitioner is one of only a handful in the country who has the special certification.

Will it hurt? Is it safe? And can it really help things like colic and ADHD? Here’s what you need to know before you take your baby or kid to a chiropractor.

People with chronic back and neck pain who receive chiropractic care may be less likely to use opioid painkillers, a research review suggests. Researchers examined data from six previously-published smaller studies with a total of more than 62,000 participants with spinal pain. Across all of the studies, 11% to 51% of the patients used chiropractic care. People who saw a chiropractor were 64% less likely to use opioids than people who didn’t, researchers report in the journal Pain Medicine.

A new program will give people on social assistance in Waterloo Region chiropractic care and guidance to alleviate chronic pain and help them return to work. The Health2Work program launched by the Region of Waterloo, in partnership with the Ontario Chiropractic Association and Langs Community Health Centre in Cambridge, will provide people who are on Ontario Works and nondisabled family members on Ontario Disability Support Program access to chiropractic care, funded by the province.

Cambridge’s Langs Community Health Centre is teaming up with the Region of Waterloo and the Ontario Chiropractic Association to launch a Health2Work program offering Ontario Works clients experiencing pain access to funded chiropractic care to help them return to work.

Let’s say that one day, picking up your newspaper, you tweak your back, or wake up with a sore neck. You should call a chiropractor. If you are looking for a cure for attention deficit disorder, asthma or lupus, you should not. There is no chiropractic treatment that will reverse these conditions. This may all seem painfully obvious. But it appears that confusion still exists regarding what a chiropractor can and cannot do.

Dr. Dwight Chapin, B.Sc., D.C., is the on-site chiropractor for The Globe and Mail and the Ontario Chiropractic Association’s 2018 Chiropractor of the Year.

Meanwhile, Mandelker was referred by his family doctor to a Toronto-based chiropractor, Dr. Joel Weisberg, who started him on a “boot camp” regimen for lumbar spinal stenosis. It included cycling on an upright stationary bike to get blood flowing to the area alongside stretching and strengthening exercises. There were also two sessions a week in which Dr. Weisberg gave him manual therapy, with deep stretches and adjustments.

“When opioids came out, it was kind of, ‘the sky’s the limit’ for dosages,” says Luba Shepertycky, a primary-care pharmacist at the Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre, who works closely with chiropractor Dr. Bruce Flynn and other professionals from the Belleville Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic. “But in time the medical establishment found that it was not good.”

Fraser, 61, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) first, through X-rays ordered by their family doctor. Kellar went through the same process himself a year ago. As a result, his chiropractor, Dr. Anjelica Mazzella at Back 2 Health Rehabilitation Centre in Sudbury (and OCA member), referred him to Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D) Canada, a program she teaches locally that was first developed in Denmark. After reading the course information, Fraser also decided to join the program.

Witnessing firsthand the psychological toll of chronic pain during his decades of experience as both a chiropractor and in counselling psychology, Dr. Wayne Coghlan, who practices in Vaughan, Ont., recognizes the importance of connecting the dots between physical and emotional conditions. An important component of chiropractic care involves providing patients with self-management education and coping strategies, including goal setting and prescribing therapeutic exercises to help manage muscle, bone, tendon, ligament and joint conditions.

Seven years ago, a knee injury started a domino effect in Leroy Gallagher’s body that would leave him off work for years. “There is an incredible cost associated with these injuries,” explains Dr. Amy Brown, a chiropractor in Cambridge, and OCA member. “It’s not just the cost to the patient, which can be significant, but it’s the cost of maintaining people in the health care system and the cost to employers. It’s a cascade effect.”

When Sharon Pike was involved in a car accident a few years ago, she needed a chiropractor — and discovered that reaching one was easier than she thought. “I started going to see Dr. Christopher Morgan at TAIBU Community Health Centre in 2016,” says Pike, a Toronto medical technician who sustained whiplash and other injuries in the collision.

According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) 2017 report, All Pain, No Gain: Shining a Light on Canada’s Back Pain and Opioid Crisis, almost 90 per cent of Canadians have experienced muscle and/or joint pain in the last year, the most common being back pain and headache.

When Chris Drake, 39, first started having issues with his back in his late twenties, it sidelined his much-loved golf habit. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of nine, Drake, an entrepreneur, had played golf competitively and continued to play multiple times a week, often with business clients. Although he was in good shape and controlled his diabetes fairly well, his back pain continued off and on. His endocrinologist suggested seeing a chiropractor, and a neighbour recommended Dr. Alex Pessoa, a sports-focused chiropractor who runs Peak Performance Health Centre in Cambridge, Ont.

Chiropractic treatment has seen significant growth in Ontario as more patients seek choice in their health care. When Caroline Brereton became the CEO of the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) in June, she took the helm of an organization representing the professional interests of more than 3,500 chiropractors in this province. Here, Brereton discusses the OCA’s role in advancing comprehensive health care through chiropractic in Ontario.

The Board of Directors of the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) is pleased to welcome Caroline Brereton as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective June 4, 2018.

It’s fresh, beautiful snow for some, but for others it’s a pain. Since it can be a real pain in your back, we get a snow shovelling demonstration from the founder of Back Clinics of Canada.

The report suggests doctors recommend alternative therapies such as psychological treatments, physio and occupational therapy and chiropractic care.

The team from the Belleville Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic in October won one of seven Bright Lights awards. Ontario’s Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Bob Bell, presented it. The awards honour projects which have improved primary care through partnerships and making the most of their resources.

As back-to-school season kicks off, the Ontario Chiropractic Association is urging students to put less pressure on their necks and backs to help avoid ‘text neck.’ The association warns that the pressure on your neck from spending hours each day staring at a smartphone, tablet or screen can add up and lead to some serious pain including neck strain, headaches, and pain in the shoulders, arms and hands.

It might happen during a pick-up game of basketball, your weekly slo-pitch game or while out on the golf course — sports injuries are common in the summer, particularly for people who go hard and fast as soon as they can. But Kitchener chiropractor Craig Bauman says most injuries like knee strains, low back strains and tennis elbow are avoidable.

The increased use of opioids is being driven by both their use as a first-line treatment for chronic pain, commonly mechanical back pain, and the lack of funded health services for non-pharmacological, conservative approaches, according to a study published earlier this year in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Successful treatment of back pain is complicated and often requires a collaborative, clinical approach. Care models that have chiropractors and physiotherapists collaborating with family doctors are leading the way.

Dwight Chapin, B.Sc(H)., D.C., is the clinic director of High Point Wellness Centre in Mississauga, team chiropractor for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and on-site clinician for employees of The Globe and Mail. Follow him on Twitter @HighPtWellness.

As an avid gardener, Dr. Amy Brown, a chiropractor with Coronation Chiropractic & Massage in Cambridge, Ont. and OCA member knows firsthand the havoc gardening and other types of yard work can wreak on the body. She explains that the first step in preventing pain is to start with the right equipment

Dr. Melissa Baird from the Ontario Chiropractic Association provides some tips to avoid common back and neck pains while gardening.

Weekend gardening warriors need to be aware of the toll tending flower beds of top dressing lawns can have on the body. The Ontario Chiropractic Association said the most common source of neck and back pain or injury happening during the warmer months are due to yard work. Statistics Canada reports that more than 50% of Canadians are in the gardens or yards up to six times a month.

Back pains are common complaint for pregnant women, but there are ways to prevent it without the use of medications. (Clip features chiropractor Dr. Aliya Visram, OCA member).

Getting stiffness and pain in your neck? You could be suffering from a classic example of “text neck,” according to one Windsor chiropractor. Dr. Dean Tapak, chiropractor at Performance Health on Dougall Avenue, describes text neck as pain and damage sustained from looking down at your cellphone, tablet, or other wireless devices too frequently and for too long.

The Ontario Chiropractic Association is cautioning consumers to reduce pressure on their neck and spine by limiting time for texting, networking on social media or playing games on cell phones as it can cause ‘text neck.’

Studies have shown that looking down at a phone with the head low to the chest can put a load of 27 kilograms on the neck and spine. “This posture–this prolonged neck flexion–it’s not a natural position,” says Dwight Chapin, chiropractor and clinic director of High Point Wellness Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. “It casts the mechanical position of the spine in a very vulnerable position.

Chiropractors in Windsor-Essex are sounding the alarm over a condition called text neck, which comes after people repeatedly turn their heads down to look at their cellphones. Just the pressure from that action alone could put nearly 30 kilograms of pressure on a person’s spine.

Mobile phone and handheld device-related injuries are on the rise as people spend more and more time with their heads buried into their personal devices texting, tweeting, e-mailing and surfing the Internet. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information in the United States, the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) of hand, wrist, forearm, arm and neck has been increasing all over the world because of the prolonged, forceful, low-amplitude, repetitive use of our hand-held devices.

Dr. Dwight Chapin, B.Sc(H)., D.C., is the clinic director of High Point Wellness Centre in Mississauga, team chiropractor for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and on-site clinician for employees of The Globe and Mail. Follow him on Twitter @HighPtWellness.

Most importantly, however, is to seek help if you do strain your body or feel unhealthy pains. Addressing them as soon as you can will make a world of difference when it comes to recovery. A healthcare expert, like a chiropractor, can help you manage your pain and get you back on track.

“I don’t think that people realize that gardening is a form of physical activity,” says Dr. Katherine Tibor, a chiropractor with a practice called Balanced Healthcare in Toronto.

Flip flops are a summertime wardrobe staple but should you be wearing them while you’re on your feet all day? “They can have such fun designs on them and it’s a quick kind of footwear…because it’s so enticing, people don’t look at the injury you can get from them,” Dr. Katherine Tibor, a Toronto-based chiropractor and Ontario Chiropractic Association spokeswoman, told Global News.

Are the aches and pains of spring gardening work giving you a pain in the neck, literally? We check with an expert about how to avoid blowing out your back while playing in the begonias. (Clip features Dr. Krista Revenberg and OCA member)

According to the Ontario Chiropractic Association, a heavy bag carried on one shoulder forces the muscle and spine to compensate for the uneven weight, and places unnecessary strain on the body.  Here’s what happens to us.

But, as I am not a doctor or health care professional or have any professional fitness background, why should you take my word for it on how to properly perform an exercise that is intended to reduce injury and strain? So I partnered up with the Ontario Chiropractic Association who have thoroughly vetted this video and the exercises I’m doing (chiropractors, not just for your back!). They are awesome good sports to be associating with me and my cat.

Low back pain is a major health issue in Ontario.  It affects 85 per cent of the working population at some point in their life and is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost work time. This is why the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) welcomed today’s announcement from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), a series of Primary Care Low Back Pain (PCLBP) Pilot projects across the province.

New research from the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) conducted by Environics Research Group shows the vast majority (93 per cent) of family physicians frequently treat patients with low back pain and more than half (55 per cent) admit they find it challenging to treat these patients on their own. Three‐quarters (75 per cent) say they think their patients suffering from low back pain could benefit from treatment options offered by other health care professionals.