Omega-3s Instead of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication is often prescribed to people with acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, such as injury or arthritis.  Many people do not realize the potential harmful effects the medications can have, especially if taken for long periods.  There is good news!  New medical research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and flax seed oils) may be just as effective as anti-inflammatory drugs, without any of the negative side effects.

Another medical research study, through the medical centre of Pittsburgh University, studied the effects of omega-3 used to treat neck and back pain, instead of anti-inflammatory medication.

The study involved 125 patients suffering from chronic back and neck pain who were being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.  Each person also took one 1200 mg fish oil capsule per day.

After 3 months the results showed that:

- 59% of patients found that the omega-3 was so effective at relieving the pain that they were able to stop the anti-inflammatory treatment,

- 60% of patients said that their pain had been generally relieved

- Pain in joints in particular had been relieved in 60% of cases

- 80% of respondents said that they were satisfied with their treatment and 88% wished to continue taking omega-3.

Curling Training Tips

We all want to have perfect form and the perfect shot when delivering a stone down the ice but most often when we push off we are more worred about trying not to fall over.

Balance is a major factor in the sport of curling.  Balance is not the easiest at the best of times.  Add to the mix some ice, a slippery shoe, some painful joints and the aging process and you have a recipe fo a fall or other injury.

What most do not know is that you can improve your balance quite easily.  You do not need to go to the gym or buy big heavy equipment to improve your balance.

Balance comes from the brain.  All the muscles and joints in your body have little receptors that provide feedback to our brain telling us where every part of our body is in space.  This is called proprioception.  When you are sliding down the ice to take a shot and you start to loose your balance you muscle and joint receptors send messages to the brain to adjust your center of gravity.  Your muscles then react to this stimulation trying their best to keep you from wiping out.

The solution is easy and your game or hip will thank you.  So lets all take 5 minutes out of our busy day, stand on one foot and balance. You achieve maximum benefits by putting yourself in a situation that makes you wobble forcing you to regain a controlled position. If you find standing on one foot too easy try closing your eyes or juggling while standing on one foot. It only takes 5 minutes a day and in 3 weeks you will feel a significant difference when making your next shot.

If you are afraid of falling or have fallen in the past you might want to be assessed by a physiotherapist. They are experts in this area and will help you regain your balance and confidence again.

Play Safe, Play long.

By David Evans, Physiotherapist

 

 

Safe Curling

Good news.  Studies show that the curling is a very safe sport with an overall reported injury rate of 3.5%.  While curlers are seldom injured seriously, the nature of the sport stresses our bodies in ways we don’t typically stress in our daily routine.  Knee, back and shoulder pain are common symptoms experienced by curling participants, due to the sweeping motion, which involves repetitive upper limb movements, and the delivery position which requires sustained knee and low back flexion. Unfortunately, the aging process that causes our joints to degenerate and muscles to get weaker makes us more vulnerable to these types of strains and pains.

 

If you were like me at the start of this curling season you did not do a pre season strength and stretch program to get your body ready for the added joint and muscle stress.  You most likely are experiencing some muscle and joint soreness today.

 

As with any physical activity, the joints you rely on are only as strong as the muscles supporting them, so a regular exercise program aimed at strengthening all of the leg muscles will help prevent the knees from injury. Low back and shoulder problems often result from improper sweeping technique, as well as poor technique in moving and sliding the rocks. Curling stones weigh up to 20 kilograms so remember to slide -- not lift -- the rocks, especially during delivery, and to bend at the knees while keeping your back straight. Wear the right equipment, including proper curling shoes to help keep your feet solidly underneath you on the slippery ice. Finally, take lessons to learn proper technique so you avoid common mistakes in form that can cause injuries.

 

Preparing your body is important not only throughout the season, but also as preparation in the pre-season. A pre- and post-game routine of at least 5 minutes of warm-up exercises and stretching of the back, arms, shoulder, legs and groin will help prepare the muscles and joints for the game. 

 

If you curl at The West Northumberland Curling Club  you will find a warm-up exercise board provided by We-Fix-UPhysiotherapy and Foot Health Centres, located in the change rooms and lounge.  These exercises will guide you towards a safe and injury-free season. You can also find these exercises on our website: www.we-fix-u.com

 

Play Safe, Play long.

 

David Evans

Physiotherapist

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Diabetes: Local Foot Specialists Prevent Amputations

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association fifty percent of lower extremity amputations result from diabetes-related complications.  Eighty-five percent of all diabetes-related amputations are preventable. 

Nerve damage so poor that a person may not be able to feel their feet at all, poor blood supply, poor wound healing, increased risk of infection and changes to foot structure (which can lead to open sores on the feet) are only a few of the complications associated with diabetes.  All of these complications increase a person’s risk of amputation.   “Our role as foot specialists is to educate and prevent amputation in people with diabetes”, says Cristol Smyth, Chiropodist and co-owner of We-Fix-U Physiotherapy and Foot Health Centres.

The celebrate World Diabetes Month, foot specialists at We-Fix-U have a mission to provide foot health education to as many people with diabetes in Northumberland County as possible. “We have a tremendous roster of clients who participate in our diabetes foot health program, however for various reasons, there are still many people who are not able to access this type of service, and so are not familiar with how to prevent foot complications related to diabetes”, says Mrs. Smyth.

On Friday, November 18 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Chiropodists at We-Fix-U locations in Cobourg and Port Hope will offer their FREE annual diabetes foot health screening clinic, to identify risk of diabetes-related foot complications, provide foot health advice, and evaluate footwear.   To book an appointment contact the clinics immediately as the schedule fills quickly.  Participants in the program will also be given a free diabetes care kit.

We-Fix-U COBOURG

727 William Street, COBOURG

905-373-7045

We-Fix-U PORT HOPE

125 Toronto Road, PORT HOPE

905-885-0024 

About Chiropodists 

Members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario are the only provincially regulated foot health specialists. They are exclusively trained and licensed to practise foot health. It's your assurance of the most comprehensive foot medicine available by practitioners regulated to the highest standards of care.

About We-Fix-U

The staffs at We-Fix-U understand that pain and disability impact your life and you don’t always have enough time to take care of it.  “The Dave and Cristol Standards of Care” for We-Fix-U encompass a three-pronged approach to treating your ailments.  The First is to resolve your symptoms so you can start to feel better, faster. The Second is to discover the root of the problem so they can prevent it, and new ones, from returning.  The Third is to make your treatment fun, friendly, effective and professional.  

The staffs at We-Fix-U have the ability to use a true multidisciplinary approach to your wellbeing.  This allows them to consult with various experts on their team, to ensure they are giving you the best and most comprehensive approach to getting you better. 

We-Fix-U’s team includes physiotherapists, chiropodists (medical foot health specialists), registered massage therapists, athletic therapists, and chiropractors.

We-Fix-U has two locations in Northumberland County:  727 William Street in Cobourg, and 125 Toronto Road in Port Hope. Visit we-fix-u.com