Author - halton-chiropractic

From Massage Therapy to Acupuncture: How Halton Chiropractic Clinic Can Help You Enjoy a Pain-Free Summer

From Massage Therapy to Acupuncture Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but it can also take a toll on our bodies. From sports injuries to muscle strains, the warmer months can bring new challenges to our physical well-being. Fortunately, Halton Chiropractic Clinic offers a range of services to help you feel your best all summer long.

Massage Therapy

Whether you're feeling stressed or experiencing muscle tension, our registered massage therapists can help. Massage therapy can improve circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote relaxation. Plus, it's a great way to unwind after a long day of outdoor activities.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care can help with a variety of summer-related conditions, including back pain, headaches, and sports injuries. Our chiropractors use non-invasive techniques to help restore balance to your body, so you can get back to enjoying your summer to the fullest.

Physiotherapy

If you're recovering from an injury or dealing with chronic pain, physiotherapy can help. Our physiotherapists work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals, whether that's getting back to playing sports or simply being able to walk without pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to treat a variety of summer ailments, including allergies, headaches, and anxiety. Our registered acupuncturists use fine needles to stimulate specific points on your body, helping to promote healing and reduce pain.

Reiki

Reiki is a holistic healing practice that can help you relax and restore balance to your body and mind. Our Reiki practitioners use gentle touch to help channel energy throughout your body, promoting healing and reducing stress.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a natural therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on your feet, hands, and ears. This can help to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve circulation, making it a great way to unwind after a long day of summer activities. At Halton Chiropractic Clinic, we're committed to helping you feel your best this summer. Whether you're dealing with an injury or just looking for ways to improve your physical and mental well-being, we're here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.
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Adjust Your Mood with Chiropractic Care!

Adjust Your Mood with Chiropractic Care! Chiropractic care is often thought of as a treatment for back pain or neck pain, but did you know that it can also help adjust your mood? That's right, chiropractic adjustments have been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, helping to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even stress. In this blog post, we will explore the connection between chiropractic care and mood, and how adjustments can help improve your mental health.

How Chiropractic Care Affects Mood?

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper alignment and function to the spine and nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and when it is functioning properly, it helps regulate mood and emotions. Misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, can interfere with the nervous system's ability to function, leading to a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to correct these misalignments, restoring proper function to the nervous system and allowing the body to function at its best. When the nervous system is functioning properly, it can help regulate hormones, including cortisol, which is commonly known as the stress hormone. By reducing stress and anxiety, chiropractic care can help improve mood and promote a sense of well-being.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Mood

Here are some of the ways chiropractic care can help improve your mood:
  • Reduces stress and anxiety: Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce levels of cortisol, which can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
  • Improves sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for good mental health, and chiropractic care can help improve the quality of your sleep by reducing pain and discomfort.
  • Enhances brain function: Chiropractic adjustments can help improve blood flow to the brain, which can enhance brain function and improve mood.
  • Boosts immunity: When the nervous system is functioning properly, it can help boost immunity, reducing the risk of illness and promoting overall health.
  • Promotes relaxation: Chiropractic adjustments can help promote relaxation by releasing tension in the muscles and reducing pain and discomfort.
In addition to these benefits, chiropractic care can also help improve posture, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the body, all of which can have a positive impact on mental health.

Getting Started with Chiropractic Care

If you're interested in exploring the benefits of chiropractic care for mood, the first step is to find a qualified chiropractor in your area. During your initial consultation, your chiropractor will assess your spine and nervous system to identify any misalignments that may be contributing to your symptoms. From there, they will develop a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your needs and goals. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to improve mood and overall health, and it is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. So why not give it a try and see how it can help adjust your mood?
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Chiropractors for Lower Back Pain and Glute Pain Treatment in Oakville

Chiropractors for Lower Back Pain and Glute Pain Treatment in Oakville If you're dealing with lower back pain or glute pain, you know how debilitating it can be. These types of pain can interfere with your daily activities and make it difficult to enjoy life. Fortunately, chiropractors at Halton Chiropractic Clinic in Oakville can help you find relief. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive treatment option that focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors use their hands or specialized instruments to apply a controlled force to the spine, with the goal of improving its alignment and function. This can help reduce pain and inflammation, increase mobility, and improve overall health. Lower back pain and glute pain can have a variety of causes, including poor posture, overuse, or injury. Chiropractors at Halton Chiropractic Clinic will begin with a thorough examination to determine the cause of your pain. They will also review your medical history and lifestyle to identify any factors that may be contributing to your condition. Once the cause of your pain has been identified, your chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan. This may include spinal adjustments, massage therapy, or other techniques designed to improve your spine's function and reduce pain. Spinal adjustments are a common chiropractic technique that involves applying a controlled force to the spine. This can help restore proper alignment and relieve pressure on the nerves that run through the spine. Massage therapy is another common technique used to reduce pain and improve mobility. It can help relax tense muscles and improve circulation, which can promote healing. In addition to chiropractic treatments, your chiropractor may recommend exercises or lifestyle changes that can help improve your overall health. This may include stretching, strengthening exercises, or dietary changes. If you're suffering from lower back pain or glute pain, chiropractic care at Halton Chiropractic Clinic in Oakville may be able to help. With personalized treatment plans and a focus on improving overall health, chiropractors can help you find relief from your pain and get back to enjoying your life.
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The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Senior Citizens

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Senior Citizens As we age, our bodies go through a variety of changes that can lead to a number of physical issues. Thankfully, chiropractic care offers seniors the chance to get relief from pain and discomfort without having to resort to expensive medications or invasive surgeries. Here’s what Canadian seniors should know about the benefits of chiropractic care. Pain Relief One of the most common reasons seniors seek out chiropractic care is for pain relief. Whether it’s chronic back pain or occasional headaches, chiropractors are skilled at providing natural treatments that can give your body some much-needed relief. Additionally, regular chiropractic adjustments can help keep your spine in alignment and reduce inflammation throughout your body. This can provide long-term pain relief and improve mobility. Improved Posture As we age, our posture can suffer due to years of wear and tear on the spine. Poor posture can cause a number of aches and pains, as well as a feeling of general discomfort or fatigue. Regular chiropractic visits will help you maintain good posture by keeping your spine aligned and your muscles relaxed. This improved posture will make everyday tasks easier, allowing you to move with more agility and less pain. Better Balance Poor balance is one of the most dangerous challenges faced by senior citizens as they age. Unfortunately, this weak sense of balance often leads to falls which can be very serious for an elderly person whose bones may not be as strong as they once were. Fortunately, chiropractors are trained in techniques that can help improve balance by stimulating nerve pathways in the body that control balance. This stimulation helps correct any misalignments in the spine that may be throwing off your equilibrium, resulting in better balance overall. Chiropractic care offers Canadian seniors many benefits when it comes to their physical health and wellbeing. From providing natural pain relief to improving posture and balance, regular visits with an experienced chiropractor could be just what you need to stay healthy and mobile into your golden years! If you're looking for ways to manage aches and pains associated with aging gracefully, don't hesitate to reach out for more information about how a qualified professional could help you find lasting relief today!
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Balancing Your Shoulder Muscles

Balancing Your Shoulder Muscles The shoulder joint is a complex joint made up of several muscles and tendons, which can often become imbalanced. When the muscles around the shoulder are not balanced properly, it can lead to pain and injury. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help balance the muscles in your shoulders and improve your overall strength and mobility. Let’s take a look at how to do that.
  1. Strengthening Exercises
The first step in improving shoulder balance is to strengthen the muscles in the area. This will help create better stability and support for the shoulder joint, reducing pain from activities such as lifting weights or playing sports. Try exercises such as lateral raises, front shoulder raises, rear delt flys, external rotations, internal rotations, and bent-over rows for best results.
  1. Stretching Exercises
Stretching exercises are also important for maintaining good shoulder balance. By stretching the muscles in your shoulders regularly you will improve their flexibility and range of motion, reducing tightness that can lead to imbalances over time. Try stretching each muscle group individually with arm circles and arm swings or use static stretches like doorway stretches or overhead presses.
  1. Postural Awareness
Good posture is essential for keeping shoulder muscles balanced since poor posture encourages imbalances due to overworking certain muscles more than others when sitting at a desk or engaging in physical activity. Pay attention to your posture throughout the day and make sure you’re sitting up straight with your shoulders back instead of hunched forward in a slouched position. You should also be mindful of how you stand when engaging in physical activity such as weightlifting or running so that you don’t overwork one side more than another while exercising. Balancing the muscles around your shoulders is important for reducing pain and improving overall strength and mobility. To achieve this goal it’s important to incorporate strengthening exercises such as lateral raises into your routine along with stretching exercises like doorway stretches or arm swings for flexibility and range of motion improvement. You should also pay attention to your posture throughout the day by sitting up straight with your shoulders back instead of hunched forward in a slouched position when working at a desk or engaging in physical activity like weightlifting or running so that you don’t overwork one side more than another while exercising . Following these tips will help Canadian readers maintain strong shoulder muscles with improved balance for optimal performance and reduced pain over time!
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It’s National Physiotherapy Month!

It’s National Physiotherapy Month! With May being National Physiotherapy Month, it’s only appropriate that we focus in on this amazing profession, and highlight the many benefits and strengths a physiotherapist offers their patients. Physiotherapists, like medical doctors and chiropractors, are primary care practitioners (PCPs). This means that one does not need a referral to see one – anybody can book in with a physiotherapist at any time should they have the need. Specifically, physiotherapists focus largely on the movement & functional abilities of their patients – identifying barriers to recovery/improvement, and helping to overcome them through rehab strategies, manual therapy, and education.

Why should I see a physiotherapist?

Patients traditionally seek a physiotherapist following an injury, invasive surgery, or as an aid in combatting chronic pain. To that end, physiotherapists are effective at treating complaints as minor as a pulled muscle, to as complex as post-operative spinal surgery. Perhaps less-commonly known, physiotherapists can also aid in non-musculoskeletal conditions as well including lung problems such as asthma, disability resulting from cardiac (heart) problems, pelvic issues including bowel & bladder problems (including those related to childbirth), and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s & multiple sclerosis. The expertise of physiotherapists also extends into pediatrics; many childhood conditions can be improved or even resolved through physiotherapy! Postural problems are very common in children of all ages – usually related to long hours of sitting in school or lugging around a backpack heavier than necessary. Compound these issues with inevitable growing pains & you’ve got a child who would greatly benefit from the eye of a physiotherapist.

What can I expect from HCC physiotherapists?

On your first visit to any practitioner at HCC, the practitioner will work with you on developing a detailed clinical history or your condition. Additionally, a physical examination will also be performed, in order to help rule in or out the many possible conditions of the human body. Once our physiotherapists are confident in their findings & the specific needs of you or your loved one, they are capable of administering & educating on the diagnosis responsible for your condition. Following this, they will create a treatment plan best suited to your needs. Physiotherapy treatments at HCC use a combination of manual therapy and exercise science. Different techniques such as Myofascial Release Technique (MRT), Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching, Trigger point therapy, Thermo/Cryotherapy, Low Level Laser Therapy, Therapeutic Ultrasound & Acupuncture are all different manual therapy modalities that the physiotherapists at HCC may rely on. Additionally, a variety of exercises with focuses on postural modification, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, or spinal stability will be demonstrated, taught & prescribed. Just as important as the manual therapy & exercise components of treatment, physiotherapists are also experts as identifying potential causative agents of different patient conditions. This is where the idea of Lifestyle Modification & education is incorporated into treatment. Methods such as stress management, activity modification, and maintaining a healthy mindset can all play a profound role in recovery time & patient prognosis.
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Time to Get Walking!

Spring is here – Time to Get Walking!

Spring is here – Time to Get Walking!

Now that spring is here and we can start enjoying the outdoors again, one very simple but effective lifestyle change that we can introduce is walking. All physical activity including walking is important because it gives us energy, it decreases our stress, it makes us stronger and prolongs our independence. It can also help prevent chronic diseases. Walking is both an accessible and low impact form of physical activity with many great outcomes. Here are some of the many benefits you can receive by introducing walking into your routine.
  1. Increased fitness: regular walking daily or multiple times a week will involve your whole body, this includes your muscles and your cardiovascular system. With regular walking you are less likely to suffer from a fall due to increases in strength, flexibility, and range of motion. A reduction in falls leads to a reduction in your risk for fractures. Studies have also shown that participants in walking programs have improvements in quality of life and clinical scores in arthritis pain.
  2. Blood pressure and cardiovascular health: studies have shown that walking alone can lead to a statistically significant reduction in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. This in turn can decrease your risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and transient ischemic attacks.
  3. Maintenance of body weight: your weight reflects the balance between what you take in during the day and what you expend. With regular walks at a brisk pace, you expend energy and burn calories, this along with a healthy balanced diet can help maintain your weight.
  4. Improved mental health: when you walk, especially in a pleasant environment, you can experience a reduction in both depression and anxiety. People who walk regularly also experience better sleep quality and duration.
When you start walking the best thing to do is walk however feels natural for you, keep a comfortable pace for yourself as you start. Keeping good posture in mind is important as well. Keeping your head and spine straight to ensure that you are not leaning forward or backward as this will decrease pressure on your joints and help keep your shoulders and arms relaxed letting them swing naturally. Of course, you can look down to avoid obstacles but try to not look down for too long. When it comes to breathing this should also feel as natural as possible. It should be regular and steady. Avoid holding your breath or forcing yourself to take deep breaths. Slow your pace to catch your breath if needed. More of a good thing is always better, walking more regularly will allow for the good effects to accumulate. Taking long breaks in between walking sessions will lower the cumulative effects. There is no specific warmup needed before walking but starting at a slower pace to allow your body to work through the range of motion needed and stretch your muscles before speeding up to a moderate/ brisk pace is advised. Treatment methods and exercises/modification When it comes to walking, footwear is a very important aspect to consider. You don’t need to go out and buy any fancy walking shoes, anything that you can walk comfortably in for an extended period will do. Hiking shoes can be heavy and inflexible so should only be worn if you plan on walking on rough terrain. Shoes designed specifically for running are meant for a forward bent body, when walking up straight this could change the distribution of stress on your legs and low back. Your walking shoes should fit comfortably and allow you to wiggle your toes. They should support both your heel and the arch of your foot. Walking shoes do not need to be ‘broken in’ so ensure that they are comfortable in the store, or don’t buy them. Helpful tip: buy shoes at night as your feet swell by the end of the day and what may feel comfortable in the morning might not be by the end of the day. When it comes to clothing once again, the goal is to be comfortable. Layers are the best option so you can add and take off as you walk depending on your pace. Inner layers should provide insulation and moisture wick technology to help keep your skin dry. In cold, winter weather be sure to add a hat and gloves to contribute to thermal comfort. On hot summer days protect yourself from UV exposure by wearing lightweight clothing that covers enough skin, wear a hat and sunblock as well. Water intake is incredibly important while walking to replenish the fluids you are losing, hydration is key! Introducing walking into your life can be quite simple, start slow and build up with time. The weather is warming up, the flowers are blooming and it’s a great time to start! If you have any questions or would like some more advise on how to get started, please don’t hesitate to ask us here at Halton Chiropractic Clinic.
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Upper Cross/Student Syndrome

Upper Cross/Student Syndrome

What is it/Why does it happen?

As a society, we sit. We sit at our kitchen tables while eating, and couches while watching tv. We sit in our cars during our errands, or at the movies for entertainment. Most notably, we sit in our schools for our learnings, and at our desks for our work, We sit so much, that surely it can’t be terrible for us, right? Well, the association between sitting and low-back pain is rather well documented at this point. Muscular imbalances between our stretched-out gluteals & shortened psoas may lead to a myriad of joint restrictions, strained spinal discs, and other biomechanical issues. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What about our upper backs, and our necks? Rare do we sit, without our attention being held by something infront of us. Phones, laptops, movies, shows, food, or perhaps company across the table – these things grab our attention as we focus on them. As we become more and more focused on whatever our distractions are, it’s not uncommon to begin experiencing a forward-head posture – where we unconsciously ‘lean in’ to whatever it is we’re focusing on. This forward-shift in location of our 11lbs head (equal weight to a bowling ball, by the way) then must be supported by our neck & upper back musculature, until we become aware of our postural issues and correct ourselves until we become focused again. This cycle eventually leads to what we term as “Upper-Cross Syndrome”, which has also earned the nickname “Student Syndrome”, for being very common in the student population.

What should chronic-sitters expect?

Upper-Cross Syndrome is extremely prevalent in both the student & desk-worker populations. Patients are usually first made aware of it as a gradual onset of dull, achy pain along the back of their necks & upper back. If left unaddressed, this dull ache exacerbates into difficulty sleeping, headaches, or carpal-tunnel like numbness/pain in the arms and hands.

Treatment methods and exercises/modification

The good news here is that Upper Cross Syndrome – like other postural-based issues – have an excellent prognosis (recovery) with chiropractic & multidisciplinary care. In these scenarios, both a passive and an active component of treatment are essential to obtain maximum relief, quickly! Osseous Manipulation (Chiropractic Adjustments) should be at the forefront of treatment for Student Treatment. Adjustments to the neck & upper back help to restore proper biomechanical movement & functioning to the targeted areas, as well as provide immediate relief from feelings of constriction & tightness. Following this, incorporation of massage or other soft-tissue therapy to target the neck and upper back musculature compounds the relief. These two things alone are sufficient to eliminate the symptoms of Upper Cross Syndrome within a short treatment session! Following these treatments, incorporating a few simple exercises/stretches into a patient’s daily routine will help to prolong the relieving effects from adjustments, or delay the onset of discomfort from poor posture: Treatment methods and exercises/modification Brügger’s Exercise, shown above, is a simple exercise that stretches the most commonly affected muscles of those with Upper-Cross Syndrome. It can be incorporated into the work routine near-seamlessly, as it’s done from a seated position. Begin by sitting at the edge of your chair & tuck your chin in, as if nodding “yes”. Rotate your arms & shoulders out from your body; turn your palms forward, and then further out to your sides. Pull your shoulder back, while protruding your chest forward. Hold these position for as long as you feel a healthy stretch! Treatment methods and exercises/modification A second, highly-recommended exercise helps to improve the mobility of the spinal joints in the upper back, specifically referred to as your “thoracic”-spine. Shown above, the “Cat-Camel” exercise involves slowly transitioning from the top position, to the bottom position, and back. Begin from a quadruped (on all fours) position, with your head & buttock up, stomach & chest lowered. From here, begin slowly “pushing your upper-back up to the ceiling”, while lowering your head & rounding your low-back. Once you have gone as far as you can, hold for the stretch, and then slowly return to the original position. Repeat. If a person experiencing Student Syndrome begins with these treatment methods, they will notice significant improvement and progress towards complete recovery. However, the issue with many postural-based syndromes is their tendency to reoccur without consistent intervention! Remember to take regular movement breaks from your work/studies, and consult with your healthcare provider regarding potential ergonomic alterations to your workplace.
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Sleep Hygiene

The Importance of Sleep Are you one of the lucky people who fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, or do you toss and turn endlessly before falling asleep? If you’re the latter stick around and learn some helpful tips that will help you catch some z’s before you know it! Did you know that 1 in 4 people experience difficulty sleeping? This doesn’t just mean that they can’t fall asleep, it also includes trouble staying asleep, waking up early, daytime sleepiness, sleeping too much or having restless sleep.

The Importance of Sleep

Having adequate and restful sleep is important for your physical and mental health. Sleep is an essential function that allows you to recharge and stay alert, without it you have trouble concentrating, thinking clearly and processing memories. Lack of sleep has also been linked to a higher risk of developing certain diseases and conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and poor mental health.

The Science of Sleep

The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep per day. We have an internal ‘body clock’ that controls our sleep cycle and runs on a 24-hour circadian rhythm. After we wake up, we get increasingly tired as the day goes on until we reach our peak tiredness at bedtime. This rhythm is affected by many things including hormones and light. The Science of Sleep There are 4 stages that we cycle though as we sleep, the first 3 stages involve non-rapid eye movements. The first stage is light sleep and is the transition phase between being awake and asleep. This is when we relax and our body beings to slow down. Our heart rate, breathing rate, brain waves and eye movement activity decreases. This should last several minutes. As we enter stage 2 or deep sleep, our bodily processes continue to slow down, and our temperature will decrease. This should be the longest of the four stages in our sleep cycle. The third stage is what sets us up to feel refreshed and alert the next day, this is the stage that our body will be at its most relaxed. The fourth and final stage in our cycle is our rapid eye-movement stage. Our heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and eye movements all start to increase in activity. This is the stage that dreaming takes place. We cycle through these 4 stages repeatedly through the night until we wake up. Each stage lasts between 90-120 minutes. Now that we know more about sleep and why it’s so important let’s talk about sleep hygiene.

Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene includes our environment as well as our habits and improving both aspects can lead to higher-quality sleep. Here is a list of ideas to help you start improving your sleep hygiene.
  1. Create a comfortable sleep environment. This includes a supportive mattress and pillow, comfortable bedding and room temperature, minimal noise, and light. Light scents like lavender can also create a calming state for sleep.
  2. Creating a relaxing routine before going to bed can help you fall asleep more easily. Figure out what puts you in a calm state of mind and do this before bed. This can include listening to music, reading a book, stretching, meditating, etc. Limiting bright lights and electronics during this time will help increase the production of melatonin and decrease mental stimulation. Sleep Hygiene
  3. Keeping a consistent routine will give your body clues that’s it time for bed. This can be as simple as putting on pajamas, having a cup of tea and brushing your teeth. Doing this around the same time every night is important as well. This consistency should continue into your morning routine, waking up at the same time everyday helps create a regular sleep cycle.
  4. Do not stay in bed tossing and turning hoping that sleep will find you! Get out of bed if you don’t fall asleep within 20-30 minutes. Try your relaxing night routine again and then get back in bed when you become tired.
What can you do during the day that will help you sleep better at night?
  1. Being active! Something as simple as going for a walk, especially in the afternoon or early evening can lead to more restful sleep.
  2. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking within 4 hours of bedtime.
  3. Limit napping as this will interfere with your 24-hour sleep cycle.
  4. Restrict bed use for sleeping. Watching tv, reading, working, studying etc. keeps your mind active and will get in the way of sleep.
  5. Getting natural light throughout the day helps set your bodies internal clock.
It isn’t required that you follow everything on this list but starting small and being consistent will help you build healthy sleep habits that will pay off in the long run. Be patient with yourself and remember that stressing about sleep doesn’t help you sleep!
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Kidney Health & Pain Referral

Did you know that back pain, doesn’t always come from your “back”? While many cases of back pain can be attributed to your back structures, there are cases where issues with internal organs can be perceived as back-pain. The organs most commonly responsible for this unique situation are by far your kidneys!

Anatomy & Function

Our bean-shaped kidneys are essential organs each made up of ~1,000,000 tiny structures referred to as “nephrons”. These nephrons are responsible for ‘sorting through’ our circulatory system’s blood, filtering out waste products to be eliminated and keeping beneficial ions/water within our body. The waste products are then condensed & stored in the bladder until nature next calls. Anatomy & Function

Kidney Issues resulting in perceived back pain

Kidney pain (and resultant back/flank pain as shown above) can occur for any number of reasons. Two of the more common causes kidney stones, or infections. If these kidney issues can cause back pain as a symptom, then how do we differentiate between mechanical back-pain, and kidney-referred back pain? Kidney Issues resulting in perceived back pain Kidney-referred back pain is often felt higher-up, and deeper than true, mechanical (low) back pain. It may be felt on both sides, underneath your rib cage. Kidney pain is also often constant, without much relief being provided by changing of your position. Other signs that your back pain is mechanical include flare-ups during certain activities/movement (like bending forward), relief with rest, muscle aches, and potential ‘shooting’ down a leg. However, indications of potential more-serious kidney issues include fever, full-body aches and significant fatigue. Ultimately, treatment of your kidney pain is dependent on the exact diagnosis of your kidneys. Your chiropractor is able to differentiate mechanical & kidney-referral based back pain, and exact diagnosis can be made through urinalysis & imaging such as ultrasound or a CT scan.

Permanent Kidney Damage

When kidney-related issues remain unchecked, damage to the tiny nephrons within our kidneys may occur. This damage is often permanent. The integrity of our kidneys is measured by their current level of function. “Glomerular Filtration Rate” – shortened to GFR – is the term used when testing and observing kidney function. The true test for GFR is complex, requiring ingestion of a chemical which is then looked for in passing urine. The alternative is a relatively accurate estimation through looking at levels of a molecule called “creatinine” within the bloodstream. GFR is typically seen on a range from greater than 90 (considered to be “normal”, or high-functioning) to less than 15 (considered kidney failure). The lower your GFR number, the more compromised your kidneys are. A patient’s GFR may fall based on a variety of factors, including normal aging, stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, trauma, infection etc. As a patient’s GFR falls, a doctor would recommend diet modification around avoiding foods high in molecules considered ‘difficult’ for the kidney to filter – specifically Sodium, Potassium & Phosphorus – alongside moderate amounts of cardiovascular exercises.

Kidney-friendly diet ideas

The best diet is one that you can stick to! That being said, in the case of kidney health there are definitely “eats” and “try-not-to-over eats”. Firstly, make efforts to limit your salt intake! Read the label on purchased goods, avoid cooking with salt, and when eating out request no added salt to your meal. Kidney-friendly diet ideas Limit your consumption of: dark sodas, processed meats, bananas, avocados, oranges/orange juice, cured/pickled foods, potatoes, rice, snacks like chips/pretzels/crackers, red meats, chicken skin. Something to note is that some of these “limit” foods include foods that are otherwise healthy and nutritious. However, people on a kidney-cautious diet should know that many healthy food choices are high in elements that they should limit – such as potassium in bananas. Consider including: Cauliflower, blueberries, cranberries, skinless chicken breast, cabbage, bell peppers, arugula, pineapple, shitake mushrooms, sea bass, egg whites, garlic, olive oil, onions. These foods can be considered to be lower in levels of potassium & phosphorus (while still containing some, ofcourse).

Conclusion

Our kidneys are our friends! They are essential to filtering our blood and education regarding maintaining their health can prolong an active, healthy lifestyle. The most direct method to maintaining kidney health is diet modification – be sure to consult with a registered health practitioner when creating a diet plan right for you!
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