Did you know your extended benefits may cover our clinic services?

Fall 2013 NewsletterDid you know your extended benefits

may cover our clinic services?Many Canadians are not aware of what their benefits actually cover so they miss out on indulging in a variety ofrelaxing and helpful healthcare services. It is almost November, don't let your benefits expire—you have earnedthem!

Did you know that almost all of the services we offer at Simcoe Place Health Clinic are covered by extendedbenefits plans?· Naturopathic Services· Physiotherapy· Registered Massage Therapy· Chiropractic Services· Acupuncture

Simcoe Place Health Clinic in the News Namita Nijjar, President of Simcoe Place Health Clinic, speaks to Advantage Magazine.

Read her story on surviving the birth of her twins while launching a second business.

Simcoe Place Health Clinic is offering FREE flu shots!Don't procrastinate...vaccinate!

Protect yourself and your community.Inquire about our flu shot clinic.

For more information on Simcoe Place Health Clinic visit us at simcoehealth.ca or call 416.599.9000.

Raking LeavesIt’s the time of year again when the trees put on their show and

the leaves turn into gorgeous fall colours. Unfortunately, when the

show is over, the leaves need to be raked up and tidied away.

Although raking leaves seems like easy work, it’s not as easy as it

looks; especially, when the leaves are wet and heavy. Many

people experience back, knee and wrist pains when raking

leaves.

Helpful tips to stay injury free while raking leaves:

1. Wear gloves. Blisters are a pain and can be easily prevented

with the use of gloves.

2. Use the correct rake. Make sure the rake is a comfortable

height and weight for you.

3. Wear good footwear. Slipping or being unstable can

significantly increase the chances of falls, sprains and strains.

4. Gently warm-up and stretch. Not the first to come to mind when

raking leaves, but it can be strenuous exercise. Standing in plenty

of space, place the rake across your back and gently twist to the

side until a gentle stretch is felt. Hold this position for 15 seconds

then perform the other way. Repeat this 5 times in each direction.

What is a Knot?A trigger point (most commonly referred to as a knot) can be verypainful and irritating. They can restrict your range of motion andalso refer pain to other areas in your body; headaches arecommon when knots appear in the upper back and neck. Themost common reasons for a knot to appear in a muscle are if youare doing something out of the ordinary or under a lot of stress.Knots are a build-up of toxins and lactic acids that form with in themuscle due to lack of oxygen being able to get through thecontracted muscle tissue.

Types of Trigger Points:

Active: An active trigger point is felt all the time. At rest, whileactive, sitting, sleeping etc. It can be felt locally or can bereferring pain to another location. These knots are the easiest topin point and treat.Latent: They exist within the muscle but are not actively referringpain. These triggers are most likely to be felt when the muscleunder goes strain or when direct pressure is applied by yourmassage therapist. This type of trigger point can restrict yourrange of motion and muscle balance; decreasing your flexibility.These are the most damaging but manageable and can beeliminated with several massage therapy treatments. Satellite (primary/secondary): These ones can be tricky.Then start raking gently while you continue to warm-up.

5. Avoid twisting when raking. Twisting leads to greater pressure

and risk of injury to the back, knees and ankles. Always try to

rake in a straight line and maintain a straight back.

6. Move your feet. If we keep our feet still we reach and bend

over further to reach the leaves so keep your feet moving to take

the pressure off your back.

7. Keep changing your position. Chances are you have not raked

leaves since last fall, so your body is not used to the action. To

help prevent muscle fatigue and soreness keep changing your

position and action. For example, do a few minutes of raking, a

few minutes of putting the leaves into a bag and then a few

minutes standing up straight having a break.

8. Stay hydrated. Dehydration increases muscle fatigue and the

chances of muscle spasms, so keep drinking throughout your

task.

9. Take your time. It’s better to separate the work out and avoid

aches and pains, than to do it all together and end up with a bad

back!

10. Do some gentle stretches afterwards. Lay on your back with

your knees bent and feet flat on the bed, gently roll your knees

side to side to gently stretch the lower back and repeat the other

way. Don’t go far and repeat for 2-3 minutes. A warm bath or

shower will help relax the muscle too should you feel stiff.

If any aches or pains persist after raking or any otheractivities, please get in touch with Simcoe Place HealthClinic regarding the physiotherapy treatment options wehave to offer.

By John Gonzalez, Physiotherapist

Click here to book an appointment

Satellite trigger points tell you a story and send you on a chase.When you feel a satellite trigger point you are unsure of wherethe pain is originating, not sure the source of pain or why. It’s acommunication between several affected areas. To treat satellitetrigger points effectively the primary trigger needs to be specifiedand released. When the primary is release usually the secondaryreleases with it. A good therapist can manage, decipher andeliminate these trigger points.

How to eliminate a trigger point:

Elimination is quite simple but can be moderately painful. With afew localized massage treatments the therapist can start to breakit down and start to flush it out of the muscle. The massagetherapist will use a series of specific techniques and pressures.Usually the area is painful up to 24 hours after. It may takeseveral treatments but relief is usually felt after the first visit. Themassage therapist will give you exercises and advice on how tokeep those pesky trigger points away.

Visit Simcoe Place Health Clinic to receive a treatmentfrom a Registered Massage Therapist to relieve thesetrigger points.

By Nicole Frampton, RMT

Click here to book an appointment

Shockwave Therapy: A Non-InvasiveSolution for Runners

Majority of running injuries occur as result of repetitive strain and

Fall Detox Fresh into the fall season, we are all getting back into the swingof things. Now is the perfect time to reassess our heath goals andembark on a detox challenge. Our bodies naturally have anamazing capacity to detoxify but impurities in our physicalenvironment together with stress, lifestyle choices, and illnessweigh down our energies. It is always a good idea to give thebody a cleansing.

Regular detoxification programs improve overall well-being andresolve symptoms of toxic overload such as fatigue, skinproblems, weight gain, depressed mood, frequent infections,constipation and other digestive upsets.

I always say that cleansing is a layering process, meaning youcan incorporate some or all of the following: diet changes, lifestylemodifications, and supplements that support the organs ofdetoxification. It just depends how many changes you want tomake all at once. Ideally, a cleanse is tailored to the individual,but here are some general tips that anyone can apply to theirdaily routine:

Let’s start with diet. Try eliminating any or all of the following:sugar, alcohol, wheat and dairy. They all create toxic buildup.Even cutting back to a moderate consumption, and eating lots offruits and vegetables can be helpful.

In terms of lifestyle, starting the morning with a glass of water andlemon juice is very cleansing for the liver. Also, try implementingcontrast showers, where you alternate 2 minutes of hot water with

“pushing yourself too hard.” Body mechanics, which is the wayyour body is designed, can significantly play a role in how runningand repetitive physical activity causes injuries. For example,individuals who have flat feet or high foot arches are prone torunning injuries such as plantar fasciitis (inflammation in thefascia of your feet), muscle strain/sprains, bunions/calluses,tendonitis and more. Body mechanics are just one aspect relatedto runner injuries. Adding distance or speed to your runningroutine, running up hills, and interval training can also causesome of the above mentioned injuries. Many injuries occur whenyou first start running or after recovering from an injury. The hips,knees, legs, and feet are the most vulnerable to running injuries.Majority of running injuries are repetitive strain and chronic innature (long term), this is where shockwave therapy can helptremendously.

Accelerated recovery from injured tissues

Shockwave therapy has been used for over 20 Years in Europeand 10 years in North America to treat a variety of medicalconditions. Shockwave therapy is non surgical, has no sideeffects, accelerates healing, and is covered by most insurancecompanies. Shockwave therapy is a series of high-energy soundwaves that are directed to an injured tissue. The treatmentproduces an inflammatory response. The body responds byincreasing metabolic activity around the site of pain. Thisstimulates and accelerates the healing process. It furthermorebreaks down scar tissue and calcifications. In summary runnerscan benefit from the following:

• Scar Tissue breakdown• Decreased pain• Speedy recovery which means less time off from running andsports• Non-invasive treatment which is cost effective

See results with proven research and success.

A typical treatment of shockwave lasts between 5-10 minutes.Normally three treatments are necessary at weekly intervals;moreover, there is a small possibility that 2 additional treatmentsmay be necessary if your condition is very chronic.

Shockwave therapy has been subjected to more validscientific study than any other modality in physicalmedicine. The results far exceed other types of modalities andhave been published in numerous well respected medicaljournals. Here are a few examples:

30 seconds of cold water for at least 3 cycles. Always rememberto end on cold. You can also try dry skin brushing prior to yourshowers using a loofah. Gently rub your body in circular motionsaway from the heart to activate the lymphatic and circulatorysystems. Doing both the hydrotherapy and body massage can bevery invigorating for stimulating blood flow and getting you readyfor the day.

Additionally, there are many supplement-based cleansesavailable on the market. Remember to avoid products that haveaggressive laxatives in them, such as senna, cascara, and aloe,as they strip the colon and can become habit forming with long-term use.

As always, it is a good idea to seek professional advice beforestarting any program, no matter how simple.

By Dr. Tamarah Chaddah, Naturopath

Click here to book an appointment

• 91% success rate calcific tendonitis of the shoulder and achillestendonopathies (Journal of American Medical Association 2003)• 90% success rate plantar fasciitis (The Journal of OrthopaedicResearch 2005)• 77% success rate tennis elbow (The Journal of Orthopaedics2005)

Overall scientific research shows that Shockwave Therapy hasexcellent results for runner’s injuries. Dr. Singh from the SimcoePlace Health Clinic believes we can achieve over 90% successrate with a variety of chronic conditions. Here is a list of somesuccessfully treated runner’s injuries:

Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Spur AchillesCalcific Achilles Tendonitis Non-Healing UlcersIliotibial Band Syndrome Stress FracturesBursitis- Various sites Bony Non-UnionsScar Tissue Myofascial Trigger PointsShin Splints Nerve related problemsMortons Neuroma

Visit Dr. Mani Singh at Simcoe Place Health Clinic for aFree Consult and Speedy Recovery!

By Dr. Mani Singh

Click here to book an appointment

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