Common Myths About Chiropractic Treatment.

 Common Myths About Chiropractic Treatment:

Many Canadians have questions about the role that chiropractors play in the healthcare team, and what benefits chiropractic care has on their health. We will go through some common myths in this regard.

1. Once you see a chiropractor you have to keep going back This is false. When seeking care from a chiropractor, we will perform an assessment including a history and physical examination to determine the cause of the pain or dysfunction. From these observations, a diagnosis will be made and the treatment plan developed in collaboration with the patient – according to their needs and goals. The treatment plan will recommend a number of initial visits to remedy the patient’s symptoms/ pain and scheduled re-evaluations as necessary.. Depending on the patient and the condition, the recommended course of care may vary. Ultimately, the decision to continue care is yours. As a patient, if you have questions or concerns about care, you should feel comfortable to ask the chiropractor for more information on the recommendations made and address any concerns. The care plan should be part of a shared decision-making between the patient and practitioner.

2. Chiropractors are not ‘real’ doctors

Chiropractors are regulated in all 10 Canadian provinces, and are designated to use the title “doctor” similar to physicians, optometrists and dentists after completing the extensive Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. Those professions who are recognized to use the “doctor” title have extensive training in their area of expertise that allows them to be diagnosticians – to provide a diagnosis.

3. A medical doctor must refer you to a chiropractor In all provinces in Canada, chiropractors are primary contact providers, which means you can access them directly. Due to the extensive training of chiropractors as diagnosticians, chiropractors will perform a comprehensive assessment to help determine a diagnosis or clinical impressions. Depending on the outcome, the chiropractor can discuss a course of care or refer to another healthcare professional, as needed.

4. There is no evidence to support the effectiveness of chiropractic care Chiropractic treatment is at times questioned on its effectiveness. Yet, the chiropractic profession and others have invested significant resources to build a robust body of evidence studying the impact of manual therapies on musculoskeletal conditions. Spinal and joint manipulation has been shown to be effective treatment for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, like back pain. In fact, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is recommended as first line intervention for back pain in numerous clinical practice guidelines including the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force,, the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society, as well as Britain’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. Utilizing chiropractic treatment as opposed to medications like opioids for pain can be beneficial.

5. Chiropractors can only treat back pain Chiropractors are musculoskeletal experts and are trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing biomechanical disorders that originate from the muscular, skeletal and nervous system. In addition to the evidence that supports chiropractic care in managing musculoskeletal complaints of the spine, there is also evidence that it supports chiropractic management of the extremities, headaches and even TMJ pain. Chiropractors are also able to provide lifestyle counselling about nutrition, fitness and ergonomics among others that may be useful in managing or preventing a variety of health conditions. The health of your musculoskeletal system doesn’t just start with a healthy spine, you need to be fully aware of your health to maintain a well-rounded healthy lifestyle!

6. Adjustments are painful

In general, adjustments or joint manipulations do not hurt. In fact, many patients report immediate pain relief after chiropractic treatment.. Patients may be nervous about the ‘cracking’ or popping sound that may occur during an adjustment. The sound results from the release of gas from the joint – this is a normal part of the adjustment and is perfectly safe.

Asking questions about your health and treatment options is very important. You are a partner in your care and your participation is critical to helping us provide the best care to meet your health goals.

If someone you know needs chiropractic care for pain relief or just to function better, pass this along to them.

Don’t put things off until they worsen. Take care of your body now and discover how chiropractic can help you.

Dr. Stephen Kelly

Family First Chiropractic 403-347-3261

Why should I have CranioSacral Therapy?

Why should I have CranioSacral Therapy?

All of our lives are very busy.  We do not have a lot of time for others, much less ourselves. Here are some good reasons to find the time for ourselves to heal and to start to enjoy our life more.  

1. Some people come because they feel as though they aren’t coping and that life is very difficult. CranioSacral Therapy can often be a last resort after many years of struggle.

          2.      Some people come because they have long standing health issues which make it very difficult to cope.           CranioSacral Therapy can help relieve the emotional and physical side-effects of living with long term             illness or pain and can support the body in its natural movement towards health

3. Some people come because they have experienced traumatic events that they cannot move past. CranioSacral Therapy is a very safe, gentle and effective way of treating trauma and post-traumatic states.
4. Some people come because they are incredibly stressed and anxious and can’t seem to find any relief from a very busy mind. CranioSacral Therapy is especially good at encouraging a very deep sense of stillness allowing the mind slow down and rest. Many people say they sleep very well after a craniosacral treatment.
5. Some people come because they just need to be held and listened to. The most important thing a CranioSacral Therapist does is to simply be present for the client and hold the therapeutic space allowing the client’s process to unfold naturally.

Jeanette works at the clinic at 142 Erickson Drive Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. Give us a call to book your appointment (403)347-3261 or visit our website to learn more www.family1stchiro.ca

Treating Mom and Baby

Treating Mom and Baby with CranioSacral Therapy

All moms want the best for their children.  We will do anything for our children, often forgetting our own needs.  I often see mothers bring in their baby or child with problems hoping that I can help.  I love treating children because we often see results quickly, if not immediately.  I tell parents the sooner you bring your child in for a treatment the better.  The thing we often forget as adults is to treat ourselves.  The stress of taking care of a newborn or sick child reflects in our bodies as well.  Giving birth is a traumatic experience, not only for the baby, but for the mother as well.  I like to recommend to new moms to try and find at least an hour to give to yourself to help release some of the trauma of birth.  Your child will benefit from your treatment as well.  At the very least CranioSacral therapy will help you relax and get your body to heal faster.  You will be a better and more relaxed mom for it. 
Jeannette Raskin RMT CST practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness
For an appointment call 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer, AB, 

CranioSacral Therapy: Are there Conditions for which it is Unsuitable?

CranioSacral Therapy: Are there Conditions for which it is Unsuitable?

The short answer is yes. There are conditions for which CranioSacral Therapy is unsuitable. Although, one of the things that attracted me to CranioSacral Therapy was the wide range of conditions it can treat – conditions such as sinusitis, infant colic, tinnitus, migraine etc., as well as the range of ongoing natural and medical conditions that it supports very effectively such as pregnancy care, chronic pain, cerebral palsy as well as other specific conditions.

However, the following conditions make the use of CranioSacral Therapy unsuitable:

· Recent skull fractures – for example if you have been recently involved in an accident and there has been serious head trauma (intracranial pressure).

· If a stroke (including acute hemorrhage) has occurred inside the last 6 months. If the condition has been stable for at least six months, then CranioSacral Therapy can be very beneficial. 

· If there has been any recent leaking of the spinal fluid 

(Due to lumbar puncture etc.). However, once the situation has stabilized and your doctor has given the ok, CranioSacral Therapy is a very effective treatment aid to healing in this area. 

Any swelling in the blood vessels of the head (acute cerebral aneurysms.)

Call Family First Chiropractic at 403-347-3261 to schedule an appointment. We are located at 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca 

Runner's Knee

Runner’s Knee

Runner's knee happens when the kneecap (patella) tracks incorrectly over a groove in the thighbone (femur) known as the femoral groove when you bend and straighten your knee. In healthy knees, the patella rests in the femoral groove and slides easily up and down when you use your knee. But when the patella is out of place, it can irritate the femoral groove and wear away the cartilage beneath the patella, leading to knee pain.

What Are the Symptoms of Runner's Knee?

•        Direct trauma to the knee.
•    Excessive training or overuse. 
• Misalignment of the patella. 
•  Tight or weak leg muscles. 
•  Foot problems.

How Can I Prevent Runner's Knee?

If you're going to be doing an activity that puts a lot of stress on your knees, follow these tips:

       Warm up and stretch before running or doing any other knee-intensive activity, and be sure to stretch again after you're done.

       Keep yourself in good shape.

       Use proper running gear.

       Try to run on soft, flat surfaces. Increase the intensity of your workouts slowly.

How Should I Treat Runner's Knee?

Treatment for runner's knee depends on the specific problem that is causing the pain. Fortunately, runner's knee rarely requires surgery, and most cases heal in time. Regardless of the cause of your particular case of runner's knee, here are some things you should do at the first sign of pain:

       Stop doing activities that hurt your knee. This means no running, cycling, or skiing until the pain goes away and you can resume your activities without pain.

       Use the RICE formula as soon as you can:

o    Rest. Try to avoid putting weight on your knee as much as you can.

o    Ice. Use a bag of ice or cold compress to help reduce swelling.

o    Compress. Wear an elastic bandage or snug-fitting knee sleeve with the kneecap cut out.

o    Elevate. Lie down and keep your knee raised higher than your heart.

       Do stretching and strengthening exercises. Once the pain and swelling subside, talk with your chiropractor about an exercise program to improve your knee's strength and flexibility.

       Get arch supports for your shoes.

       Trigger Point Massage Therapy

Do you have Runners Knee? Book an appointment today with Guy Lacoursiere RMT TPT at 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic, Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

Military Low Back Study

Military Low Back Study

Military Military Low Back Study- Chiropractic treatment far superior to Medical treatment alone.-Back Pain Study

In a low-back pain study led by the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, 73 percent of those who received standard medical care and chiropractic care rated their improvement as pain "completely gone," "much better" or "moderately better." In comparison, 17 percent of participants who received only standard medical care rated their improvement this way.



These results are considered both clinically and statistically significant. This pilot study was conducted at an Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, with 91 active-duty military personnel between the ages of 18 and 35.

It's exciting not only because of the significant results but also because it led to Palmer College, the RAND Corporation and Samueli Institute receiving a $7.4 million, four-year grant from the Department of Defense. This grant is currently being used to conduct the largest multi-site clinical trial on chiropractic to date, with a total sample size of 750 active-duty military personnel.”


This and future studies will show chiropractic care is an important part of your health care team. Sometimes chiropractic care can be superior to medical care alone, especially for musculoskeletal problems.

Dr Kelly is located at Family First Chiropractic and are open Mon-Sat. Call 403-347-3261 to book an appointment. 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer www.family1stchiro.ca

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and Snowboarding – Injury Prevention and Treatment

 Skiing and snowboarding are fantastic ways to get some great exercise while enjoying the outdoors and the beauty of winter. As with any sport, muscle strains or injuries occur whether it is due to poor warm-ups, overexertion, accidents or the cold weather.

Here are a few ideas to help prevent injuries on the slopes

-          Training to build up core strength including abdominal crunches, stairs, wall squats, and core exercises

-          Get equipment fitted properly before the season

-          Get your skis waxed for the ski conditions

-          Stretch for 5 minutes to loosen up the muscle groups in the arms, back and legs

-          Don’t go too hard on the first and last runs of the day to allow the body to warm up and cool down as most injuries on the hill occur late in the day

-          WEAR YOUR HELMET!

Keep in good condition this ski season by maintaining your spinal fitness with good core strength, staying flexible and getting regular adjustments. Regular chiropractic care with Dr. Joelle Johnson, or Dr. Stephen Kelly can help you to achieve these goals, maintain peak conditioning, and prevent injury.     

Massage therapy will also help with sore aching muscles from physical activity in the cold weather.

Did you know that Dr. Joelle Johnson is a volunteer member of the Canadian Ski Patrol System and has been for 15 years?

Call us this winter to stay aligned. Enjoy the slopes!

www.family1stchiro.ca

403-347-3261

142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer T4R 2X3

Tools to Prevent and Treat Back Pain

Tools to Prevent and Treat Back Pain

I strongly recommend considering the least invasive avenues before resorting to pain medication or surgery. For starters, many people fail to realize that many times back pain actually originates from tension and imbalance at a completely different place than where the pain is felt.

For example, the very act of sitting for long periods of time ends up shortening the Iliacus, Psoas and Quadratus Lumborum muscles that connect from your lumbar region to the top of your femur and pelvis. When these muscles are chronically short, it can cause severe pain when you stand up as they will effectively pull your lower back (lumbar) forward. The reality is that the imbalance among the anterior and posterior chains of muscles leads to many of the physical pains you may experience daily. By bringing these muscles to a better balance, you will consistently remedy many of these pains and discomforts.

Many people end up going through drastic medical procedures to "fix" this type of pain, or end up taking pain killers for extended periods of time. Seeing a qualified chiropractor is certainly a wise choice if you suffer from back pain.

Foundation Training—an innovative method developed by Dr. Eric Goodman Foundation Training exercises work to gradually pull your body out of the movement patterns that are hurting you. The focus is on strengthening your complete core, which includes anything that directly connects to your pelvis, whether above or below it. Foundation Training teaches all those muscles to work together through integrated chains of movement, which is how your body is structurally designed to move. Every muscle that directly connects to your pelvis should be considered a piece of your core and this includes your glutes, adductors (inner thigh muscles), deep lower back muscles, hip flexors, hamstrings and all of your abdominal muscles.

Having strong, balanced core muscles is like having a built-in corset that not only holds your gut in, but also stabilizes your spine, vertebrae, discs, and most importantly your pelvis. Teaching your body to naturally support itself at the deepest level is going to be far more effective than strapping on an external back brace, which over time can lead to even weaker musculature.

Even More Tips to Beat Back Pain

Preventing back pain is surely easier than treating it. In addition to chiropractic adjustments and foundation training, below are several more tips for beating back pain. With this many alternatives available, there are few good reasons to turn to pharmaceutical or surgical band-aids that do nothing to treat the underlying causes of your pain, and might cause additional harm in the process:

1.   Exercise and physical activity will help strengthen the muscles of your spine. Make your exercise time count by including high-intensity sessions. Always do some stretching and warm-ups before engaging in strenuous physical activity, and make sure you focus on strong, balanced posture.

2.   If you spend many hours every day in a chair like I do pay careful attention to consciously sucking in your belly and rotating your pelvis slightly up. At the same time make sure your head is back with your ears over your shoulders and your shoulder blades pinched. This will help keep your spine in proper alignment. You can hold these muscles tight for several minutes and do this every hour you are sitting.

3.   Get regular massage therapy. Massage releases endorphins, which help induce relaxation and relieve pain.

4.   Keep your weight spread evenly on your feet when standing. Don’t slouch when standing or sitting to avoid putting stress on your back muscles.

5.   Always support your back, and avoid bending over awkwardly. Protect your back while lifting – this activity, along with carrying, puts the most stress on your back.

6.   Sleep in a firm bed. Sleeping on your side to reduce curving of your spine and stretching before getting out of bed is also helpful.

7.   Use chairs or car seats that offer good lumbar support. Switch positions often while sitting, walk around a bit and do some light stretching to relieve tension.

8.   Wear comfortable shoes. For the ladies, it would be good to not wear heels most of the time.

9.   Drink plenty of water to enhance the height of your intervertebral disks. And because your body is composed mostly of water, keeping yourself hydrated will keep you fluid and reduce stiffness.

10.Quit smoking as it reduces blood flow to your lower spine and      your spinal disks to degenerate.