Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “The Science Behind a Chiropractic Adjustment”

I saw a new patient yesterday and we had an interesting conversation about her complaints and how Chiropractic could help her. The reason for her visiting my office was for long standing, significant hip pain that had lasted for about 3-4 weeks and did not respond to conventional treatment. She had tried heat/ice, visits to her doctor who in turn recommended pain killers, a few visits with her Physiotherapist and eventually a visit to a massage therapist. All these things gave her little to no relief and understandably her frustration grew. Finally, her massage therapist realized something was seriously wrong with her hip and suggested she consult my office.

To make a long story short, our initial conversation included a statement from this patient along the lines of,”……so you’re just going to “CRACK” my back right? How is that going to help?”. Well I used a very simple scenario that most everyone can relate to. I explained that her hip works in unison with her other hip, pelvis, low back, legs etc. Now just imagine you are riding a bicycle. If I came along and put a significant ‘kink’ or bend in one of your wheels, what do you think would happen? Well, you might still be able to ride the bike, but I bet it would be much harder. I explained that this scenario was similar to what was happening with her hip. She’s got two hips but they weren’t working like they’re supposed to. I reasoned with her, no amount of pain killers is going to solve that problem. She agreed.

So here’s a more scientific explanation of what a Chiropractic adjustment does and why patients feel better.

– Releasing entrapped intraarticular menisci and synovial folds.

– Acutely reducing intradiscal pressure, thus promoting replacement of decentralized disc material.

– Stretching of deep periarticular muscles to break the cycle of chronic autonomous muscle contraction by lengthening the muscles and thereby releasing excessive actin-myosin binding.

– Promoting restoration of proper kinesthesia and proprioception.

– Promoting relaxation of paraspinal muscles by stretching facet joint capsules.

– Promoting relaxation of paraspinal muscles via “postactivation depression,” which is the temporary depletion of contractile neurotransmitters.

– Temporarily elevating plasma beta-endorphins.

– Temporarily enhancing phagocytic ability of neutrophils and monocytes.

– Activation of the diffuse descending pain inhibitory system located in the periaqueductal gray matter (an important aspect of nociceptive inhibition by intense sensory/mechanoreceptor stimulation)

What this means is that a Chiropractic adjustment is more than just ‘Cracking’ of bones. It’s actually much more than that. A properly administered adjustment is a non-invasive, therapy to allow a person’s injury to heal naturally!

Going back to my analogy before, a Chiropractic adjustment is like fixing your bike and making sure the ‘wheels’ are straight and aligned. This in turns ensures all the other parts work like they are meant to. The chain works better, steering the bike is improved and you can simply enjoy your bike again.

So don’t be fooled into thinking Chiropractors just ‘Crack’ your back! Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of this article. As always, if you’re in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, come visit my office or visit my website here COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!

Notes:

48. Rogers RG. The effects of spinal manipulation on cervical kinesthesia in patients with chronic neck pain: a pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997;20(2):80-5.
49. Bergman, Peterson, Lawrence. Chiropractic Technique. New York: Churchill Livingstone 1993. (An updated edition is now available published by Mosby.)
50. Herzog WH. Mechanical and physiological responses to spinal manipulative treatments. JNMS: J Neuromusculoskeltal System 1995; 3: 1-9.
51. Leach RA. (ed). The Chiropractic Theories: A Textbook of Scientific Research, Fourth Edition. Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2004.
52. Dabbs V, Lauretti WJ. A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs. NSAIDs for the treatment of neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995;18:530-6.
53. Rosner AL. Evidence-based clinical guidelines for the management of acute low-back pain: response to the guidelines prepared for the Australian Medical Health and Research Council. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 Mar-Apr;24(3):214-20.
54. Oliphant D. Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations: a systematic review and risk assessment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004;27:197-210.
55. Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Townsend J, Frank AO. Low-back pain of mechanical origin: randomised comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient treatment. BMJ. 1990;300(6737):1431-7.
56. Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Frank AO. Randomised comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low-back pain: results from extended follow up. BMJ. 1995;311(7001):349-5.
57. Manga P, Angus D, Papadopoulos C, et al. The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain. Richmond Hill, Ontario: Kenilworth Publishing; 1993.
58. Legorreta AP, Metz RD, Nelson CF, Ray S, Chernicoff HO, Dinubile NA. Comparative analysis of individuals with and without chiropractic coverage: patient characteristics, utilization, and costs. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1985-92.
59. Lewit K, Simons DG. Myofascial pain: relief by post-isometric relaxation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1984;65(8):452-6.
60. Ingber RS. Iliopsoas myofascial dysfunction: a treatable cause of “failed” low-back syndrome. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1989 May;70(5):382-6

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “WARNING: Thinking of Surgery for Sciatica?…..Think Twice!”

I came across this study and it interested me, not only because I’m a Chiropractor and I see a lot of patients with low back pain and Sciatica, but also because I know many patients with Sciatica think surgery is their only hope.

Hopefully after reading this, you or anyone you know with Sciatica will think twice before rushing into surgery. The study titled; “Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study” appears in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. In it the researchers were able to assess 120 different people to be included in the study. The purpose of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy of spinal manipulation (Chiropractic) against microdiskectomy (surgery) in patients with sciatica secondary to lumbar disk herniation (LDH).

It should be noted that to be included in this study, patients were to have already undergone three months of conventional medical care including; Pain killers, massage therapy, Physiotherapy and Acupuncture with little to no improvements. To put it another way, the study chose some of the worst cases of Sciatica possible. Basically, these patients were looking at probably the last two interventions possible; Chiropractic or Surgery.

So, what were the results you ask? The study found that generally, participants in both groups improved when other medical interventions had failed. They found that 60% of the Sciatica patients who did not improve with other medical intervention, improved with spinal manipulation (Chiropractic)! In fact, researchers found these patients improved to the same extent as those patients who did the surgery! But to be fair, of the remaining 40% who were not satisfied with Chiropractic, surgery was found to have given them good improvements.

This study went on to make the following recommendation; Patients with symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniation (LDH) failing medical management should consider spinal manipulation followed by surgery if warranted.

So the finding was try Chiropractic first and if all else fails, then surgery is warranted. Chiropractors have been saying this for a long time. Chiropractic by it’s very nature is conservative and non-invasive. I know many patients with severe low back pain and Sciatica would rather not go through a surgery but the good news is, they may not have to! According to this study the chances are good (about 60%) that a Chiropractor can save you from having to go to surgery. (Remember, this is even after other therapies have been tried including; pain killers, massage, Physiotherapy and Acupuncture!)

Here’s more information about the study; Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010 Oct; 33 (8): 576-584

Got more questions about Chiropractic? Near the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver? Stop by the clinic or get more information here;COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Warning! Complex Spinal Operations on the Rise. But is it Safe?”

This article caught my attention because of the sheer numbers involved. In addition, I recently saw a patient who’s doctor recommended surgery for his chronic low back pain. After coming to me for a second opinion, I suggested a more conservative approach of Chiropractic therapy, stretching, exercise and simple home care. After three weeks, he is already feeling better than he has been in the last two years. Now he’s grateful he tried Chiropractic before opting for surgery like his doctor had suggested. (The surgery suggested would have involved a spinal fusion, mentioned in this article, that would have surgically combined two separate vertebrae in his spine into one)

Now on to the article. This piece was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In it, it was revealed that the use of complex spinal surgery to treat back pain has exploded in the last six years. Even though these operations are more expensive and riskier than simpler therapy, and not necessarily more effective.

“It was a bit of a surprise to see how big the increase was,” said Dr. Richard A. Deyo, professor of family medicine and internal medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University and lead author of a report published April 7 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “A 15-fold increase over a short period of time was more than we expected.” Several possible explanations exist for the increase, money among them, Deyo said. “There are financial influences at play,” he said. “You get paid more for complex procedures.”

Deyo and his associates looked at a particular problem, Spinal Stenosis. This is when the ‘holes’ in your back, where nerves travel through get progressively smaller and smaller. Without intervention, the smaller the hole gets, the more irritation and compression it can put on the nerve passing through. Eventually this can be a huge problem not only causing pain but loss or function, muscle wasting and numbness, just to name a few.

Deyo and his team looked at Medicare claims from 2002 to 2007. Over that period, they found that surgery for spinal stenosis actually decreased slightly. However, of the operations that were done, complex surgery rates shot up a staggering 15 times higher! Meaning, in spite of more conservative treatment options, including simpler surgery, doctors were resorting to complicated surgery far more often. Not surprisingly, the study also found related hospital costs over the same time period increased 40%.

The costs of simpler surgical options were reported to be $23, 724 but the costs of more complex spinal fusion surgeries were found to be $80, 888. In addition, patients who underwent complex surgeries spent two more days in hospital and were 3X more likely to encounter a life-threatening complication related to surgery.

Now the big question remains, “…was it worth it?”. The surgical literature does not appear to justify the extra cost and hazard of the complex procedures for most people, Deyo said. “Most of the evidence suggests that in terms of pain relief and functional recovery, there is not much advantage in terms of complex procedures,” he said. “There is even a possibility that the net benefit of surgery is lessened because of this.”

Wow. Now I know many people will counter this study occurred in the states and the results would likely be different in Canada. But the question is, “… are you sure?” With our population aging and the already accepted lifetime incidence of low back pain to be near or above 80%, isn’t it likely that doctors will suggest surgery more and more?

I suggest that the answer is Yes. Unless we start looking at other options like Chiropractic. That’s right, not only has Chiropractic been proven as both effective and safe but Chiropractic by it’s very nature is Preventative!

As everybody knows, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! So if you’ve been suffering from back issues, go see a Chiropractor. Not only can you find relief but you can learn strategies and techniques to keep you back and body in good shape, hopefully avoiding a costly surgery later!

In the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver? Drop in and see Dr. Chan or visit his website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC

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 – “Chronic Low Back Pain on an Alarming Rise”

This is a study that I came across from the United States. This study was conducted in the state of North Carolina and looked at the incidences of chronic, impairing low back pain in the state. In 1992 the incidence rate was reported at 3.9% of the population suffered from chronic low back pain. In 2006, this rate was reported at a drastically higher 10.2%.

Researchers believe that although the study was conducted in only one state, the general trend was likely occurring across the United States, and probably even Canada. This study was published in the Feb. 9, 2009, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. “Considering the social and economic costs of chronic low back pain, these findings are alarming,” said the study’s principal investigator Timothy S. Carey, M.D., director of the Sheps Center and Sarah Graham Kenan Professor in the departments of medicine and social medicine in the UNC School of Medicine. “Low back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the United States and a common reason for missing work.”

Carey noted that more than 80 percent of Americans will experience an episode of low back pain at some time in their lives and that total costs of the condition are estimated at greater than $100 billion annually, with two-thirds of that due to decreased wages and productivity.

The alarming increase in cases of chronic low back pain is very alarming and researchers have proposed several possible explanations. Some believe the reasons could range from increased incidences of obesity, depression or even a better understanding of the condition.

But what’s important to note is that the research was done investigating the current health care model used to deal with chronic low back pain. Unfortunately, the current model relies heavily on the medical system with visits to family doctors, walk-in clinics and emergency rooms.

I think research like this is a clear indication that we need to look at other ways of addressing this issue. Many medical doctors are just not equipped to offer these patients the kind of relief they are looking for. As this study suggested, out of the 5,300 households contacted, less than 50% of the respondents with low back pain reported their doctors recommended exercise. Even though there is a substantial body of evidence now that shows that exercise can be very beneficial to suffers of chronic low back pain.

I find this situation disappointing but I can’t say I’m completely surprised. With other studies showing Chiropractic doctors have hundreds of hours more of training regarding anatomy compared to Medical doctors, maybe chronic low back patients should be going straight to the Chiropractor.

If you are by the Commercial Drive neighborhood in East Vancouver come stop by Dr. Chan’s clinic or visit COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!

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 – “When Your Hip is Not the Cause of Hip Pain – Ask a Chiropractor”

I came across this article that discusses a common cause of hip pain; Bursitis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid filled sack called a Bursa. There is a Bursa at the top of your Femur, which is the long leg bone in your thigh. Where the Femur connects to your hip bone, the bursa is supposed to help cushion the impact of the two bones when you put weight on it ie. standing, walking, running.

Here are the most common symptoms that indicate you might be dealing with Bursitis of the hip;

* Pain that occurs right at the point of the hip.
* Pain that radiates from the hip to the thigh.
* Pain that starts as severe and sharp, and becomes more aching and widespread.
* Pain that gets worse at night or when you lie on the bad hip.
* Pain that gets worse when standing after sitting for a long period.
* Pain that gets worse after prolonged periods of climbing stairs, squatting or walking.

But here’s where the problem lies. These symptoms overlap with a few other causes of hip/ low back pain. So now what do you do? I have had many patients visit my office after they have visited their family doctor or clinic doctor only to leave with a prescription for pain relievers or referral for X-Rays.

After I’ve taken a complete history as well as a physical and specific Orthopaedic exam, many patients comment on how “thorough” my examinations are. I explain that a good history and exam can not only help doctors find out what a problem is, but also, what it isn’t. Hip pain can be a case of Bursitis. But it can also be caused by; ligament sprain, muscle tear/strain, joint dysfunction, muscle imbalance etc. And as you may have guessed, treatment and home care can vary drastically depending on what is causing your hip/low back pain.

So the next time you are suffering from hip/low back pain, check with a Chiropractor first. Doing this can often save you time and needless suffering.

For a Chiropractor in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver contact COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN HERE!!!!!

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Think Twice Before Giving Tylenol to Your Children”

This was a recent study that came out that looked at the relationship between usage of Tylenol in children and rates of Asthma and other allergies. As an aside, some of you may remember a recall that involved Children’s Tylenol a few months back. Although unrelated to this study, it does emphasize the need for parents to practice discretion before they give Tylenol, or any other drugs, to their children.

On to the study. New research from around the world is finding that teens who regularly take acetominophen, better known as Tylenol, for pain and reducing fevers are more than twice as likely to have asthma compared to teens who never take Tylenol. But that’s not all. Taking acetaminophen was also linked to an increased chance of eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis, or allergic nasal congestion, in adolescents.

However, the researchers were quick to point out that this was a retrospective, epidemiological study. Which means that the researchers interviewed teens and asked them to recall their use of Tylenol and how it related to their asthma and symptoms. This method, understandably does not allow the researchers to draw a definitive connection between Tylenol use and causing asthma. But to their credit, the researchers did point out that their sample size was quite large. This was an international study and involved nearly 323,000 children between the ages of 13 and 14.

“Medium” users of acetaminophen were those who had taken the drug at least once during the prior year; “high” users were those who reported taking acetaminophen at least once a month for the past year.

The risk of having asthma was nearly 2.5 times higher among frequent users, and 43 percent higher among medium users than those who never took acetaminophen.

The study will be published Aug. 13 on the American Thoracic Society’s Web site and will later appear in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Researchers postulate that acetominophen (Tylenol) may interfere with a child’s developing immune system. Others studies have found that Tylenol may lower the levels of Glutathione in the lungs, a substance that is important in detoxification. The idea is that with less Glutathione, increased toxins are allowed to accumulate which prompts the body to respond with an inflammatory response, thus resulting in Asthma or asthma-like symptoms in the sufferer.

This study, although not wholly conclusive regarding a causative relationship between Tylenol use and Asthma, should cause some caution in parents. With the incidence of Asthma in children on the rise, this study is another reminder for parents to think twice before liberally resorting to Tylenol for pain or fever in children.

If you live near the Commercial Drive neighborhood in East Vancouver, find out more about your COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!>

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Tips on Preventing Knee Pain”

In my practice, I see many patients who are active and exercise on a regular basis. However, I also see patients who are not that active but would like to be. An issue that comes up fairly regularly is Knee pain.

Like with many other things regarding health, it’s always better to start early. Research has shown that at least half of us will develop pain in at least one knee by the age of 85. That’s a pretty sobering statistic, but it isn’t that surprising when you think of it.

“Every time you take a step you apply three times your body weight to the knee. When you run it’s five times, when you jump it’s seven times. If you are experiencing frequent knee pain, lifestyle changes might be in order,” Dr. William Bryan said in a news release from the Methodist Center for Sports Medicine. But that’s not all. For a patient who is concerned about knee pain, it’s a lifestyle and weight issue as well.

Many patients strive to be more active and to shed a few pounds, but according to Dr. Bryan, start with your diet. Weight loss will come down to 70% diet and 30% activity. Thinking that you can maintain your current eating habits while just exercising more is false. For best results to overall health and to your waistline, you will have to do both.

So what should you be doing to shed pounds and save your knees? Well aerobic activity that doesn’t exert a lot of stress on your knees is always ideal. These activities would include things like swimming and cycling. Also exercising and strengthening your core would be a good idea. Making your ‘core’ or mid-section stronger not only helps your belly and back but it can also benefit your leg muscles and reduce the strain on your knees.

If you have any questions about how to prevent or treat knee pain come in to see Dr. Chan at his clinic by Commercial Drive in East Vancouver. Or you can message him at, YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC>

Commercial Drive – East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC – “Sitting Too Much is Killing You”

This is a very interesting study that just came out that looked at the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on overall health. The results are appearing in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

There have been other studies published in the past that have shown a correlation between increased sitting and other health ailments such as obesity and diabetes, but this study is unique in that it wanted to see if there was a connection between sitting and overall mortality. There is also increasing literature that may explain the detrimental health effects of too much sitting. Some of these works are pointing to ‘inactivity physiology’. This mean that some of the larger muscles that are inactive during sitting, especially ones in the legs, may actually be suppressing hormones. These hormones are thought to help regulate triglycerides and cholesterol, associated with heart disease.

It’s just one more reason to “get up and walk,” said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. “The message here is like everything in your life. People need to recognize that the things you do every day have consequences. And if you’re in a job that does require sitting, that’s fine, but any time you can expend energy is good. That’s the key.”

This study even factored in the effect of obesity and weight in individuals and still found that increased sitting had an impact on mortality. Researchers found; that women who spent 6 or more hours a day sitting had a 37% higher chance of dying compared to women who sat less than 3 hours a day. For men the increased risk was 17%. Still very significant when you’re considering mortality.

As I have always encouraged my patients to try and become more active and healthy, this is just another reason why it’s a good ideas. If you live in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, visit my office or contact me at COMMERCIAL DRIVE – EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC>