Stiff necks are a part of life. Who hasn’t gotten up from a nap on the couch with a stiff neck from sleeping at an awkward angle? But there’s a fundamental difference between a stiff neck resulting from an unusual sleeping position and pain you experience in your neck while lifting weights, playing with the grandkids or in the aftermath of an auto accident. The first type of pain can typically be treated with NSAIDS, ice and rest. While the second type of pain is usually more serious and will require professional attention. But who to see?

When you Should See a Chiropractor in Thornhill

A stiff neck is typically the result of holding an awkward position for too long, while a neck injury results from asking too much of the musculoskeletal system. A chiropractor can provide effective treatment for neck pain and you should make an appointment to see one if:

• The pain and/or stiffness does not get better in 2 or 3 days.
• You cannot turn your head in either direction without considerable pain.
• You are using OTC meds just to make it through the day.
• The pain in your neck has spread to your arms and hands producing numbness and tingling.
• The pain in your neck started shortly after an automobile accident.

The chiropractor in Thornhill will conduct a comprehensive examination and ask a number of questions aimed at determining the specific cause of the pain you are experiencing. Typically the chiropractor will check for tenderness in different areas and test to see if movement is significantly impaired. They will also ask about other conditions you may have that could potentially contribute to your pain or affect treatment.

What Causes the Actual Neck Pain?

Pain is a neurological mechanism that provides a person with motivation to avoid repeating a particular activity or situation so that damaged tissue can have the time it needs to heal. When it comes to neck pain the source is typically either a pinched nerve, a hyperextension of the spine, ligaments and tendons (Whiplash) or overexertion resulting in a torn muscle tendon or ligament.

Pinched Nerves

Pinched nerves occur when the vertebrae of the neck shift out of their proper alignment. But vertebrae don’t slip out of alignment for no reason. There is always a cause and that may be:

• Poor posture – Sitting hunched over at your desk all day can, over time, result in the vertebrae of the back becoming misaligned.
• Sleeping on your stomach – People aren’t designed to sleep on their stomachs and doing so can have negative repercussions on the alignment of your spinal column.
• Accident or injury – A car accident, work accident or slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk are just some of the ways the vertebrae can become suddenly misaligned.

If you need a chiropractor in Thornhill call 905-762-0225 and make an appointment with Active Care Health Services. No one is better qualified to provide you the quality care you need to obtain the relief you seek from your neck pain.

Chiropractors are often faced with a false reputation for doing more damage than good. The general understanding of chiropractic work is that it is a treatment in which the spine and joints are manipulated. This creates the idea that chiropractors are dangerous and only a money driven industry. This, however, is not true. Chiropractic treatment has many benefits and is generally safe. Let’s take a look at 5 common misconceptions of the chiropractic industry.

1. Treatment is Harmful

As mentioned already, this is one of the most common misconceptions we deal with as Chiropractors in Maple. The general definition of chiropractic treatment doesn’t give enough information to truly understand what it is we do. Chiropractors are qualified and licensed healthcare professionals who go through extensive training before they get to practice in this field. To keep up with the growing industry they also need to continue to attend training and conferences. If you need more proof that chiropractic treatment is safe, malpractice insurance for chiropractors is some of the cheapest in the healthcare industry.

2. Lifelong Treatment

Being unable to stop seeing a chiropractor after you’ve started, is only a myth. After a few sessions with our chiropractors in Maple you will have a better understanding of the nervous system and what makes your body feel good. This knowledge will help you maintain this healthy lifestyle on your own. But in any healthcare sector, regular check-ups are recommended to prevent problems from occurring. It is important to listen to your body and visit your chiropractor as often as you feel necessary.

3. Extremely Painful

Adjusting your spine might sound very painful but as a matter of fact, patients who visit our chiropractors in Maple only sometimes experience slight discomfort during the procedure and feel a sense of relief shortly after. This “discomfort” or “pain” is similar to slightly pressing on a bruise. Chiropractic healthcare has come a long way since it was first introduced, and we can assure you that the modern techniques we use are painless.

4. Serious Side Effects

Another myth we are often faced with in the industry which is simply not true. Some people believe that chiropractors can cause strokes and other serious side effects. If that was the case, we would definitely be paying more for insurance. As discussed under myths 1 and 2, chiropractic is safe and painless. Side effects that patients might experience are headaches, dizziness or discomfort.

5. Chiropractors Don’t Believe in Medication

While chiropractors aren’t licensed to give prescription drugs, we acknowledge that chiropractic isn’t the be all and end all of pain treatments. Some conditions are more serious than others and in these cases, we advise patients to not only rely on chiropractic treatments but also to work with a medical doctor to take care of the problem.

Chiropractors in Maple

Despite the fact that chiropractic treatments have been used with success for the past 100 years, people today still have misconceptions about what it is a chiropractor does. This type of treatment holds many benefits for patients and there is no reason to fear trying it out, seeing that chiropractors are acknowledged healthcare professionals. If you would like to start chiropractic treatment, contact us to make an appointment. Before we start any treatment we will discuss any concerns you might still have about this form of treatment, and also what you can expect from the sessions.

When you’ve been in an accident, suffered a sports injury or are dealing with any sort of significant musculoskeletal pain determining which is the right type of therapy can be confusing. The lines between therapeutic disciplines aren’t always well drawn and the literature can sometimes veer into professional jargon that’s difficult to understand for the uninitiated. So we’re here to shed some light on the difference between two of the most popular forms of therapeutic treatment: Chiropractic and Physiotherapy.

The Difference Between the Chiropractor and the Physiotherapist

While practitioners of both disciplines are highly trained professionals who can help you return to form after an accident, injury or illness there are fairly distinct differences between a chiropractor in Maple and a physiotherapist.

Chiropractors…

Focus mostly (though not exclusively) on the skeletal system. They search for areas of restricted movement and then manipulate joints and limbs gently in order to restore function. Their techniques are non-invasive and designed to allow you greater freedom of movement without pain or discomfort. Chiropractors will often use x-rays to help in making a proper diagnosis. They are commonly sought out by people suffering from neck tension, sciatica, various acute and chronic conditions of the joints as well as conditions that can cause pain and restricted movement in the lower back.

A top chiropractor in Maple is also trained to advise their clients on dietary issues that can work as an effective adjunct to chiropractic therapy. Some also incorporate complementary therapies such as acupuncture. If you’re suffering from recurring pain or stiffness in you back or joints or if you’ve been receiving other types of therapy for an injury or other condition and have not enjoyed any beneficial results you should consider seeking out a qualified chiropractor to help.

Physiotherapist…

Physiotherapists work mostly (though not exclusively) with the body’s soft tissues. People typically seek out physiotherapy after suffering a sports injury or stroke. Physiotherapists use a range of techniques in their efforts to help their clients regain mobility and strength including massage, various types of exercise, electrical stimulation therapy and more. The goal of physiotherapy is to help people regain movement, rebuild strength and return as completely as possible to their prior vigorous selves.

Some conditions typically treated by the physiotherapist include tendon and ligament injuries, back pain, sciatica, repetitive strain injuries, stroke, arthritis, swelling of the joints and more. If you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury and are facing a lengthy recover physiotherapy may be your best bet. Likewise if someone you know has suffered a stroke physiotherapy can help them regain range of motion and strength in affected limbs.

The Premier Chiropractor in Maple call Active Care

Active Care Health Services specialize in first class therapeutic care for those suffering from a range of maladies. When your current therapy regimes is not producing the result you need give us a call and make an appointment to come in and discuss your situation with a member of our renowned chiropractic team. Finding a first-class chiropractor in Maple just got easier. Call Active Care today.