Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Family Doctors are Finally Catching Up”

A report published online last Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US found that more and more doctors are recommending exercise to their patients. The report found that in 2010, about one in three people (32.4%) who had seen their doctor, had been advised to take up or continue regular physical activity. The report noted that this was a huge improvement from 2000 when just under one in four patients (22.6%) received the same advice.

The report also revealed some surprising information. For example, adults who were 85 or older were about twice as likely to be advised to exercise regularly than the same age group just 10 years ago. However, the age group that was still most likely to receive the recommendation of regular exercise were people between the ages of 45 -74. The report also found that other health issues increased the likelihood of being recommended daily exercise. Chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, increased the chances of a doctor advising you to take up exercise. 

The results in this report are not surprising at all. With increasing longevity and the rates of chronic diseases, like diabetes on the rise, doctors are recognizing the importance of exercise. Increasing a person’s activity levels has numerous health benefits. Decreasing blood pressure, controlling weight, improving aerobic capacity, helping to control blood sugar, improving muscle tone and improving vitality are only some of the benefits. 

However, what’s perplexing is when you scrutinize this report deeper, you realize that almost 70% of people who are in contact with their doctor, are not recommended exercise. That’s right, with everything we know about the benefits of exercise, most people are never advised to take up regular activity!! As a Chiropractor practicing a health care option that does not rely on pharmaceuticals, we have to encourage our patients to adopt a different perspective. I can speak from my own experience that every patient of mine, in fact from the very first visit, is advised to stretch and exercise! I have only encountered a handful of patients where maybe exercise was not advised from the beginning. But instead, stretching and breathing exercise were encouraged until the patient was physically able to do more, for example going for walks.

The moral of the story is, exercise and regular physical is so beneficial and crucial to your overall health. Only a miniscule fraction of society may be unable to exercise but believe me, this group is very small indeed. Everyone else should be engaging in regular activity and the best thing is; it’s Free! Knowing what doctors and other health professionals know about exercise and how it can improve health, I feel it is a disservice to our patients if we don’t recommend regular exercise to everyone. So the question remains, “….what’s taking so long???”

If you have a comment about this article, let me hear from you. Or if you’re in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver visit my office or website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Running Can Be Harmful for Your Joints and Health”

Everyday in practice, I am reminding patients of the benefits of regular exercise. However, occasionally I get patients who ask me, “…but I heard that running can be bad for your joints and health?”. So lets discuss some of the myths out there regarding running and potential harm to your joints and overall health. 

Let’s start off by saying that if you are not physically active now but are interested in starting an exercise program, that may include running make sure you are screened first. Have your family physician or Chiropractor assess you to make sure you are physically able to endure moderate to intense exercise. (Make sure you inform your Chiropractor of all health conditions concerning your heart and medications  you may be on). If everything is ok here, regular physical exercise is one of the very best things you could do for your health. I often explain to my patients that you would normally eat everyday because your body needs the fuel and nutrients. But your dentist will tell you that you also need to brush and floss everyday to take good care of your teeth. The same logic applies to the rest of your body. Exercise and movement is vital to proper body and spinal ‘hygiene’. 

“Running is bad for your joints”. Wrong.  A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found no evidence of accelerated rates of osteoarthritis (joint degeneration) among long-distance runners. In fact, weight bearing exercises have been shown to be actually beneficial to the bones by encouraging increased bone density.

“What about heart attacks?”. Another concern that some people have is that running and other strenuous forms of exercise can ‘overload’ your heart and cause a heart attack. Well, there is a chance that exercise may raise the odds of suffering a heart attack, mid-workout however, regular exercise can be beneficial. Regular cardiovascular activity can reduce your chances of heart attacks and can serve as ‘protection’ over the long haul.

The moral of the story is, don’t let these concerns stop you from becoming physically active or running. However, if you’re not convinced and want to be extra ‘sure’, go get assessed by your doctor or Chiropractor first. Remember, exercise is best done regularly, for the long term. So don’t be in a rush to run a marathon tomorrow. Take it slow and steady! If you’re in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, drop by the office or check out the website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “What’s the Difference Between Chiropractic and Physical Therapy?”

This was an article that appeared in the October issue of the BC Chiropractic Association newsletter. The article was written by a physical therapist; Dr. Jacques Beauchamp, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, ATC, CSCS. It gives a brief insight on the difference between Chiropractors and Physical Therapists. The whole article actually compares the difference between; Chiropractors, Physical Therapists and Medical Doctors but I have decided to just high-light the difference between Chiropractors and Physical therapists here. So the following is a mere excerpt of the entire article.

” A Chiropractor is a health care professional that diagnoses, treats and assists in the prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine, as theoretically these disorders affect a patient‟s general health via the nervous system. A chiropractor‟s purpose is to restore function and stability to your spine. This is done by realigning the vertebrae in a patient‟s spine using spinal manipulation. Releasing tension in the spine allows for muscles to be relaxed and relieving pain associated with the mis-alignment such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches, to name a few. A chiropractor also affects the patient‟s nervous system. The nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is at the very top of the nervous system. The spinal cord runs through the spine and branches off in pairs at each vertebral level. The nervous system controls every muscle, organ and cell of your body. With correct alignment of the spine, it allows the brain to talk to every part of your body which pro-motes better movement and balance.

A physical therapist, on the other hand, is a health professional that evaluates, diagnoses and provides treatment to individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum move-ment and function throughout life. This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Components of movement and func-tion that are evaluated by a physical therapist include strength, range of motion, flexibility, balance, posture, body mechanics, coordination, endur-ance and general mobility such as walking, stair climbing, and getting in and out of a chair or bed. A physical therapist evaluates the components of movement and develops an individual-ized program to decrease deficits and restore function. Physical therapists help people with orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis; joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and dislocations; neurological conditions such as stroke and Park-inson’s disease; workplace injuries including repetitive stress disorders and sports injuries. Physical therapy treatment programs consist of educa-tion about the cause of the problem, “hands on” manual techniques and instructions in exercise to improve function.”

So I hope this sheds some light on the differences between some of the differences between Chiropractors and Physical Therapists.

However, I will share some observations that I have seen in my years of practice so far. Any good health care professional that you see to address pain and dysfunction should also be advising you on home care. By that I mean proper stretches and exercises you can do at home or the gym on your own time. Anyone that you see for treatment that lets you leave without advising you on stretches or exercises is probably doing you a disservice. So be wary. If you must, insist on stretches and exercises that you can do to speed your recovery and possibly prevent future problems. But then again, if you have to ‘insist’, that might be a bad sign alone.

Secondly, I know Physical Therapists are becoming increasingly instructed on ‘joint manipulations’ to improve function and reduce pain. But I can tell you, Chiropractors learn the technique very early on in their four year education program. Personally, I started adjusting and treating real live people 6 months into my four year program. So I got lots of practice. I’m not sure how long Physical Therapists are trained on manual manipulations but I’m pretty sure it’s not as long.

There are nuances about manipulations or ‘adjustments’ that take a great level of skill and technique to perform safely. Yes, I do mean safely because you can possibly harm someone if you don’t do it correctly. (From my own experience, I remember a classmate of mine actually causing some back pain where there was previously none because I volunteered to be his subject so he could practice Chiropractic adjusting….. Oh well. I suppose, every health care provider should understand what it feels like to be on the ‘other side’ and appreciate what our patients are dealing with when they seek care.)

So that’s it in a nutshell. If I were a patient suffering from back or neck pain or any other musculoskeletal ailment for that matter, I’d want to go to the professionals I knew specialized in the stuff and practiced lots. A whole lot!
If you’re in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver come visit Dr. Dominic Chan DC or visit the website; COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!!

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Ouch! Osteoporosis Drug Linked to Rare Leg Fractures!”

This news story definitely falls into the “Ouch!” category and is yet again a cautionary message to those who take prescription medication. Especially for conditions that can respond well to good old fashion sensible dieting, exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

This story revolves around a popular class of drugs called Bisphosphonates, often prescribed to fight the effects of Osteoporosis and fractures! The common names of these prescribed medications are Boniva and Fosamax.

Osteoporosis is a progressive ‘thinning’ of the bones and depletion of bone density due to loss of calcium and bone proteins. Osteoporosis is generally thought of as an elderly problem that more likely targets women. In both instances, this may not always be the case. Especially with society’s demographic leaning more towards an ‘older’ population, Osteoporosis will obviously become a bigger problem as time goes on.

The details of this report involve an unusual and rare form of fracture of the femur (the long leg bone in your thigh). The problem called, “Atypical Femur Fracture” seems to be unreasonably high in patients who are taking Bisphosphonate drugs, especially for longer than five years.

“FDA is warning again about the possible risk of an uncommon form of fracture in patients who take bisphosphonates to treat or prevent osteoporosis,” Rear Admiral Sandra Kweder, M.D., deputy director of CDC’s Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said during an afternoon press conference Wednesday.

“Patients taking bisphosphonates who have experienced an atypical fracture are younger than patients experiencing typical osteoporotic fractures,” she said. “In some cases people have fractures of both femurs.”

Such fractures occur in the bone just below the hip joint or in the long part of the thigh bone. Over half of the patients who have had these fractures said they had dull aching thigh or groin pain that started weeks or months before there was a complete fracture, Kweder said.

The optimal length of time to take bisphosphonates isn’t known, but FDA officials think these fractures may be related to using these drugs for more than five years, Kweder said.

So as I have stated many time in these blog posts, please, please, please! be informed and educated about the potential side effects of the medications that you are taking! Unfortunately, your prescribing doctor may not be informed about all the potential side effects, especially with new research/news coming out daily.

As mentioned earlier in this post, Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones that can lead to serious health issues. However, as countless studies have proven now, proper exercise, diet and a healthy lifestyle can make a significant difference in maintaining bone density. If you are concerned about Osteoporosis because of what you see on TV or from friends, ask your doctor about lifestyle changes first before resorting to medications like Boniva or Fosamax.

Better yet, if you’d like more information and are in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, come by to see me or visit my website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Does Chiropractic Hurt?”

This is a question I know a lot of people who have never tried Chiropractic have, “…will it hurt?” From my experience dealing with people who have never been to a Chiropractor before on a weekly basis, here’s my honest take on this age old question.

Chiropractic adjustments CAN hurt. Now I placed the emphasis on the “CAN” because there can be a lot of factors to consider when advising someone on pain. What does that mean? Well first off, different people will have different tolerances for pain. What one person calls, ‘pain’, another may call, ‘uncomfortable’. Who’s to say? I guess that’s personal opinion. Now what I focus on when it comes to my patient’s well-being and comfort are the things in my control.

First off, regular treatment sessions in my office are at least 15 minutes long. I never like to rush through a treatment. In addition, all patients in my office will receive massage and soft tissue therapy. I believe working on tension in the muscles that will invariably be present, will lay the path for a more successful treatment.

Secondly, I am adamant about using good technique. In my opinion, I think there are Chiropractors who rely on brute force to adjust a patient and overlook technique. This situation is analogous to the saying, “… why use a sledgehammer when a chisel will do?” I believe focusing on good technique not only makes adjusting the patient easier, but allows the patient to feel better after, likely avoiding the ‘soreness’ people report AFTER treatment. My logic is a patient is already in discomfort when they come see me, so I’ll do everything I can to ensure they feel better when they leave.

Lastly, I would like to say that sometimes pain and discomfort, despite all good intentions, is unavoidable. My patients have reported to me occasionally that they were sore after a treatment. However, this situation happens about 50% of the time, with the rest saying they did not feel sore after wards.

During an adjustments, most patients say they feel a ‘big stretch’, or ‘pressure’ but not usually pain. On the occasions where a patient does report pain during an adjustment, it is likely because they have sought my care during a very acute bout of severe pain. In these instances, many of these patients are unable to do simple things like putting on socks, without pain.

On the other hand, many of these patients are aware of their predicament but feel assured that the momentary pain they feel during an adjustment will be good for them in the long term. With this in mind, I advise them before treatment to expect soreness. I explain that regardless of treatment or not, they are already suffering so it’s better to feel uncomfortable and be on the road to recovery versus suffering and being helpless.

I hope that sheds some light on this question. I know every case/patient will be different but I intended to give a honest account of what I see in my practice when it comes to Chiropractic treatments and pain associated with it.

If you’re in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, be sure to stop by or contact me at my website; COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN>

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “What Conditions Do Chiropractors Treat?”

In my practice the majority of my patients will see me because of some pain/discomfort or loss of function. By this I mean, the patient definitely notices things they used to do, they are now unable to do or has become really difficult. The majority of times the area in question is centered around the spine. However, it’s not just the lower back that can be treated with a Chiropractic adjustment, but anywhere there’s a joint.

I have successfully treated, mid-back, upper-back, neck, and shoulder pain as well. Now to be up front, not all areas I have found will respond the same to Chiropractic adjustments. It depends on various factors such as stress, working environment, underlying health issues, previous injuries, and even weight. For instance I have seen several patients that have revealed to me during an initial history/interview that they have knee issues, but that’s usually followed by the statement, “….but you probably can’t do anything about that.” Then to their surprise, I will treat and adjust their knee. Many times they will leave a treatment session feeling relief in their knees, and a look of surprise!

Another issue I see a lot is mid-back pain that is often associated with discomfort breathing. This is often accompanied with the comment, “…every time I take a deep breath or cough/sneeze, I feel the pain come back really intensely”. After an examination, the cause is actually a displaced or mis-aligned rib. These types of cases respond really well to a Chiropractic adjustment and patients generally report immediate relief.

Other conditions that I have treated in my office are; Headaches, Shoulder pain/ Rotator cuff injuries, Ankle problems, Wrist pain/Carpal tunnel, Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow and more. As an aside, I have also seen patients who were seeking relief from symptoms associated with Asthma or Digestive problems. Now I tell these patients that research supporting Chiropractic’s effectiveness in treating these kinds of ailments is weak or even non-existent at this point. But I do explain the role that the body’s nervous system has to play in regards to one’s health. I also have informed these patients that we can try a few sessions and see if Chiropractic benefits them in any way, but if they don’t see improvements, we can re-evaluate their case and possibly refer them to other health care providers. These cases even to my surprise, have usually resulted in relief for the patient.

I suppose these cases are a testament to the body’s ability to heal if given some assistance. I think that modern day medicine is amazing in it’s complexity and helps countless people everyday. However, I also feel that there are those people who do not find the relief they are looking for using traditional medicine. For those people I would encourage them to explore different options like, Chiropractic.

If you live by the Commercial Drive area in East Vancouver, stop by and say, hi!.If you want more information, contact YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Knee Alignment Linked to Osteoarthritis”

This study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, was released online before being published in an upcoming print issue of the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The study suggested that people who’s knees (Knee caps) point outwards may be at an increased risk of developing Osteoarthritis in the knees later on.

This knee position where the knees point outwards creates a relatively large space between the knees while the ankles are closer together. It resembles a condition commonly referred to as “bow-leggedness” but it’s not as extreme. In anatomical terms, this position of the knees is referred to as the varus alignment.

The study looked at 2713 volunteers between the ages of 50-79 who had arthritis or who were at an increased risk of developing arthritis due to prior trauma or being overweight. As an aside; Osteoathritis is a painful, sometimes disabling condition where the cartilage at the ends of bones, meant to cushion joints, wears down over time. Often associated with ‘wear and tear’, Osteoarthritis will commonly affect major weight bearing joints like the ankles, knees and hips.

Volunteers with the outward facing knees were nearly 1.5 times more likely to develop osteoarthritis than those with a straight-legged stance. There was no increased risk for people with inner-facing knees (valgus alignment), the investigators found.

According to Dr. Leena Sharma of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, about 70 percent of the force transmitted to a healthy knee while walking is focused on the inside of the knee. Therefore, when the knee faces outward, as in the varus alignment, there is even greater stress on the inside of the knee, which may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

I hope this study helps people realize that undue stress of improper alignment in the joints can be harmful to your overall health in the short term and long term.
Now it would not be hard to translate the findings of this study that focused on the knees to other joints in the body like your pelvis or spine. Imagine if the pain and discomfort you are feeling was simply due to unnecessary pressure/strain on your joints due to a slight misalignment? These issues is what Chiropractor specialize in. Finding and treating these joint issues in order to relieve strain and pain. Allowing our patients to return to a healthier, active lifestyle.

Looking for a Chiropractor in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver? Visit the site of YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Is Chiropractic Safe?”

I often times see patients in my practice who have never been to a Chiropractor before. Now besides the understandable apprehension with trying something ‘new’, patients also ask the question, “is it safe?”

Now of course I am going to tell you that Chiropractic treatment is safe. But I’d also like to expand on that and not only prove that it’s safe but also why in certain situations, it may not be.

Chiropractic is a regulated health profession in Canada. Along with federal governing bodies there are also provincial associations that oversee Chiropractic and Chiropractors. Doctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers which means similarly to Medical Doctors and Dentists, you don’t need a referral to see one.

Now more about Chiropractic safety. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of back pain, neck pain, joint pain of the arms or legs, headaches, and other neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. In my practice the most common ‘side-effects’ patients occasionally report are soreness and stiffness. The soreness seems to appear after the first one or two sessions but eventually subsides and goes away completely. I advise all my patients on appropriate home/follow-up care to minimize any discomfort they may feel away from the clinic.

Most importantly though, some patients who are suffering from neck pain, headaches, shoulder stiffness etc. and who would benefit from a cervical adjustment are concerned about the possibility of stroke. I can tell you that yes it is possible a Chiropractor can cause damage to the vessels in your neck, that if compromised, can lead to a stroke. However, and this is very important, the scenario you see in movies where a unsuspecting ‘bad guy’ just collapses because the hero “snaps” his neck is unrealistic. That situation is just Hollywood at work, plain and simple.

Now in the real situation where patients are in my office for help and treatment, I will conduct a thorough history and physical exam. There are patients out there who should not have their neck adjusted, under any circumstance! That’s why a Chiropractor must do a thorough exam to rule out those patients. A good Chiropractor should be asking questions about family history, nature of pain, previous trauma, and other symptoms to identify patients who might be better off seeing another health care provider. In addition to this, a physical exam along with Orthopaedic testing can also bring to light “red flags” that should alert a Chiropractor to avoid neck adjustments.

As stated, for the vast majority of patients in almost all situations, a Chiropractic adjustment will offer them tremendous relief without the use of drugs or surgical intervention. But there will always be a small minority of cases where an adjustment might make matters worse. Hopefully this post will not dissuade anyone from seeking Chiropractic care. If anything, my desire for posting this is to make patients more aware so they have a frank and honest discussion with their health care provider be it Chiropractor or not.

In addition, Chiropractic will not be everybody’s cup of tea. The reasons for Chiropractic’s effectiveness anatomically and physiologically are universal but there is always patient’s preference. I’ll explain it this way. When you look at a car like a Porsche, a finely tuned, marvel of engineering. It has everything; luxurious interior, superior handling, speed and agility. In many’s minds, it’s the perfect car. However, there will always be those who prefer a Volkswagen or Toyota, regardless of cost. Go figure. That’s preference.

If you have any more questions for your Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC, please visit COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!!

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Where Do I Find a Chirorpactor Near Commercial Drive in Vancouver?”

My office is centrally located, just off of Commercial Drive in Vancouver, B.C. I am just one block south of Broadway which is a busy intersection for transit and traffic.
Many people are familiar with the intersection of Broadway and Commercial Drive.

In fact, I often tell people of the Safeway at the intersection of Broadway and Commercial Drive and right away, people know which one I am speaking of. I then go on to tell them that my office is just behind the Safeway on 10th Avenue.

On the ground floor of the EastVan Medical center is where my office is located. Again, the EastVan Medical center is a popular building because along with multiple doctor’s offices, it also houses a lab and x-ray facilities.

Please refer to my pictures and you can see exactly what the building looks like and where it is in relation to the Safeway.

Remember to you can always contact your COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR.DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE or you can call my offices directly at (604) 876-4988

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Prescription Painkiller Abuse is Way Up”

This recent study comes from the US but it’s not hard to see that similar results would apply to Canada as well. Just released a few days ago, the US government has found that substance abuse treatment for non-medical use of prescription pain relievers has increased 400% over 10 years.

That means that more and more people who are being prescribed pain-killers are abusing them and becoming hooked. Addiction to pain-relievers, has never been a hidden fact. In fact, dependency has long been recognized as one of the major side effects of these drugs.

The proportion of admissions for people age 12 and older increased from 2.2 percent in 1998 to 9.8 percent in 2008, and this rise was seen in all age, gender, race and ethnic groups, as well as in people of all education levels and in all regions of the country, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported.

“The non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is now the second most prevalent form of illicit drug use in the nation, and its tragic consequences are seen in substance abuse treatment centers and hospital emergency departments throughout our nation,” SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in an agency news release.

What bothers me the most about this finding is that over the years, there has been increasing evidence of the efficacy of other forms of therapy for pain relief. Statistics show that musculoskeletal pain (ie. Back Pain) is one of the most common reasons patients will visit a family/clinic doctor. With pain-killers/ muscle relaxants being commonly prescribed for these patients. Imagine, if just a portion of these doctors suggested Chiropractic for these patients? We could see a dramatic improvement in this statistic very quickly. But alas, it seems the onus remains with the patient. So the next time you’re suffering from back or related muscle pain, why not visit your Commercial Drive Chiropractor in East Vancouver?

If you have any questions about what ails you, contact me here at COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!!