Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is commonly seen in sports such as soccer, rugby, and skiing. Although many individuals initially recover well, the ongoing instability often prevents return to sports and leads to further knee injury, and the risk of developing future osteoarthritis becomes increased. Bracing is rarely sufficient. Surgical reconstruction performed early, within 3-6 weeks, helps to minimize the risk of further injury. ACL surgery should be treated as an urgent matter: assessment, diagnosis, and surgery can usually be completed within a few weeks. The athlete, elite, or weekend-warrior can then start early rehabilitation to maximize the benefits of the knee reconstruction.

Athletes are always looking to get into “the zone” – a balance of attention, concentration, and confidence. Quick thinking is crucial to making decisions that can be the difference between winning and losing a game. Neurofeedback is a tool that allows for identifying the areas of an athlete’s brain that are responsible for mental flexibility, task switching, and rapid decision-making. This allows an athlete to control how their brain reacts to stress, which in turn can help achieve peak performance. Neurofeedback training can help an athlete increase their cognitive abilities, while reducing the white noise of distractions around them.

A sacroiliac belt (SI belt) used during the training part of your physiotherapy program is often recommended for both pain relief and support of the sacroiliac joints and/or pubic symphysis. SI belts are used as an adjunct during core muscle training and act both to provide mechanical support and sensory input to remind the brain which muscle(s) need ‘waking up’. Your physiotherapist can perform a couple of simple tests to determine whether an SI belt is recommended for you. Diane Lee’s patented Pelvic Support belt will help support your pelvis specifically where it is needed the most during your training period.

Not all learning has to happen during school hours. If your child seems to have to put more effort into their schoolwork than their peers do, an after-school program could give them the extra brain boost they need. Additional time spent strengthening the brain can help it to change and grow through the principle of neuroplasticity. This can increase your child’s self-esteem and social connections. After-school programs that strengthen the brain’s capacity for learning increase the brain’s efficiency, which makes school less tiring and keeps your child focused and on track to be their academic best.

Total knee replacement is the most definitive treatment for advanced osteoarthritis. This procedure is typically done in a hospital setting, with 3-5 days of hospital stay. In recent years, it has become clear that healthy individuals can be discharged from the hospital on the day of their surgery, to safely and conveniently recover at home. Having surgery done at a medical centre provides a welcome alternative to hospitals. This can help reduce complications associated with hospitalization, and for many patients, the convenience and comfort of being at home with family is much preferred over the rustle and bustle of a busy surgical ward.

Skin ages and becomes loose and less elastic as we grow older due to a reduction in fibroblast cells, which build the collagen proteins that keep our cells connected tightly. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a safe and chemical-free way to trigger new collagen production. A hand-controlled device with tiny, shallow needles punctures the outer layer of the skin at 1000 times per second to create mild damage that will stimulate your body to produce new collagen and elastin. This process can be used all over the body, not just on the face, to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, and more!

VO2Max, or maximal oxygen uptake, is the measurement of the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilize during intense exercise. It is a common measurement used to establish the aerobic endurance of an athlete prior to or during the course of training. When testing your VO2Max, you will learn your optimal training zones to better guide your workouts. With summer in full swing, many athletes are preparing for the fall race season. If you have ever thought about having your VO2Max tested, now is the time to get your numbers in order to fine-tune your training.

Have you ever stood in front of a store display of razors and wondered why the ones for women cost more than the ones for men? This is just one example of the “gender tax”, which refers to the fact that women seem to have to pay more for certain items and services than men do. Women also tend to live longer than men, meaning their money must stretch farther. This is why it’s so important for women to make sound financial decisions. A knowledgeable investment advisor can assist with planning, executing, and tracking any major financial decisions you make.

Gut permeability, or “leaky gut” (as it is sometimes called), occurs when tight junctions in the gut lining become loose. When tight junctions are working properly, they form a tight barrier to keep unwanted things like undigested food, toxins, and bacteria from getting to the bloodstream. Without proper function of this barrier, these unwanted “visitors” can cause problems in the digestive tract and even other areas of the body, including inflammation-related issues. Eating a healthier diet of nutritious, unprocessed foods and avoiding alcohol, processed foods, and foods high in sugar and saturated fat can ease inflammation and calm the gut.

Statistically, 70 percent of jobs are sitting based today. We sit when we work, when we eat, when driving, when we’re on our devices and when we watch TV. Unfortunately, it’s everywhere and we can’t really avoid it. Chiropractors have a specific interest in sitting because it can slowly damage the spine and surrounding soft tissues, eventually leading to neck and back pain. The posture of sitting changes the normal curvature of the spine so that our head is pushed forward and our low back curve flattens out. The lack of movement and change of posture strains and eventually damages soft tissues. Ask your Chiropractor how you can address pain and prevent possible damage to your spine!

Anxiety…it’s that pit in your stomach, heart pounding, and feeling that something terrible could happen. For some of us, this becomes a daily struggle. Anxiety Canada reports that about 1 in 8 people in B.C. are experiencing significant anxiety. It’s also the reason most often cited for seeking counseling in many practices. Anxiety may be related to genetics, stress, and/or traumatic events. Anxiety is treatable and often clients experience significant relief with the right support. Along with addressing specific stressors, there are tools and strategies that work very well for reducing symptoms. Peace of mind is possible. Call us today.