Trigger Point Massage

Trigger Point Massage

One of my preferred massage technique is trigger point massage. A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may reduce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache.
TPs are known to cause or contribute to headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow, and many kinds of joint pain mistakenly ascribed to arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or ligament injury.

What else can I do or avoid to achieve lasting recovery?

Learn respect for your muscles. They were not designed to be held for long periods in a sustained contraction or in a fixed position. Vary your tasks each day. Lift very carefully.
Slow your working pace, and take short rests frequently, especially if feeling muscle fatigue.
Do a daily program of passive stretches that puts the affected muscles through a full range of movement, and repeat the stretches throughout the day. Be like the cat-- it rarely tries to walk after a sleep without first stretching smoothly and slowly.
Massage any TPs up to a dozen times a day, for a minute at a time, as described above.
Learn relaxation techniques, [eg yoga, meditation].
Always watch your posture when sitting, reading, using the computer car or phone. Don't stay too long in any one position.
Work out what particular postures, movements and activities stir up your TPs. If you don't have to do that activity, then don't. If you do, then modify how its done.[eg use the other hand].
Avoid getting the muscles cold, by wearing an extra warm layer of clothing, and adjusting heating etc.
Correct any imbalances in your diet, and take vitamin and mineral supplements as recommended by your doctor.

Family First Chiropractic 142 Erickson Dr Red Deer, AB. Guy Lacoursiere R.M.T. T.P.T is here on Monday, Wed-Fri. 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca

http://www.pain-education.com/trigger-points.html

Stroke

Further evidence suggesting harm of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in patients with stroke has been reported, with this latest study showing these agents to be associated with an increased risk for stroke mortality.

A recent study published in Neurology. "We found 30-day mortality from stroke increased by around 20% if patients were taking a COX-2 inhibitor before admission," coauthor Christian Christiansen, PhD, commented." No such effect was seen with regular NSAIDs [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]."

COX-2 selective inhibitor is a form of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that directly targets COX-2, an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain.

"This is more evidence that COX-2 inhibitors are harmful to patients at risk of cardiovascular events and stroke. Previous studies have shown these drugs are associated with a higher risk of having a cardiovascular event or a stroke and now we have shown that they are also associated with a higher rate of mortality in stroke patients."

"Our results just emphasize the need for caution in using COX-2 inhibitors in patients with any risk factors for stroke," Dr Christiansen noted. "The latest recommendations already advise against use of these drugs and regular NSAIDs in patients with cardiovascular or stroke risk factors.

On the possible mechanism behind this effect, Dr Christiansen suggested that this could involve suppression of the neuroprotective effect of prostaglandin E2. Alternatively, COX-2 inhibitors may cause larger strokes to occur or increase the risk for stroke as a complication of myocardial infarction.

The authors conclude that their study "adds to the increasing body of evidence concerning the vascular risk and prognostic impact associated with use of COX-2 inhibitors," noting that use of diclofenac has previously been reported to more than double the risk for ischemic stroke.

Rofecoxib (commonly known as Vioxx) was taken off the market in 2004 because of significant increase in heart attacks and strokes. 

Family First Chiropractic is accepting new patients. We are located at 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer AB. 403-347-3261.

www.family1stchiro.ca

How to Check your Child's Posture from Toddler to Teenager

How to check your Child’s posture from toddler to teenager.

Checking your child’s posture is one of the simplest, yet most important things you as a parent can do to ensure the present and future health of their children. This is an easy assessment that you can do on your child.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check your child’s posture

·         Get your child to stand and face you, get them to close their eyes and walk in place then stop shake their arms and open their eyes looking straight ahead at you.

·         Look at their hips- are they directly over the middle of their feet? Are their feet both equally pointing forward or toeing in or toeing out? Are the hips rotated to the right? To the left? Are they tipping to one side?

·         Look at their chest- is it directing over the middle of the pelvis (hips)

·         Now look at the shoulders, is one lower than the other? Are they rounded or hunched forward? Does one arm hang lower?

·         Finally, look at their head.  Draw a mental line from the midpoint between the eyes to the center of the upper lip. Is it straight up and down or tilted? Is the head tilted to one side or the other? Is the face rotated to the left or right? Does one eye look lower than the other

·         Ask your child to turn around so that you can see their spine- is it straight? Is there a lateral curve to one side or the other? Is one hip higher than the other; is the pelvis twisted or twisted in any direction?

Now ask your child to turn so their side is facing you. Are the ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line to the ground? Or is the head forward, buttocks out backward?

·         There are three spinal curves when looking from the side. Is there a very deep curve in the lower back/sway back? Does the abdomen protrude? Does the top of the pelvis look like it’s rocked forward? Is the middle and upper back excessively rounded, or very flat? Are the shoulders rounded or hunched? Doe the head appear too far forward on their shoulders (anterior head carriage) does the curve in the neck appear nonexistent, or excessive?

As chiropractors that see many children we can examine at your child’s posture as well as use several posture analysis tools to determine what is happening with your child.

If you have any concerns contact us at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer T4R 2C3 or call us at 403-347-3261 www.family1stchiro.ca Dr. Joelle Johnson has been in practice for 15 years and is located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness.