 What Can You do to Help Your C-section Recovery?At Dalhousie Health & Wellness we have a variety of options to help ease the discomforts associated with c-section recovery. Many women are eager to rush into activities that can harm their low backs, core and pelvic floors. Most women simply aren’t ready to go back to the rigors of life and physical activity at their 6 week postpartum checkup. YES, your tissues have healed... but the most important question is, how is your body functioning? Do you leak urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze, jump or run? Do you feel heaviness in your pelvic floor? Do you have a lumpy- bumpy scar, and tension in your abdominals? Do you have back pain, sciatica, pelvic pain or hip pain? Do you have the sensation that something isn’t quite right but you can’t really explain what you are feeling? Well, if you answered yes to any of the aforementioned questions then that is your body sending you a message that you are not yet recovered and you may need to slow down and get some help. At Dalhousie Health & Wellness we can offer the help you need. We can help you return safely to physical activity, and get your body functioning to tolerate the demands of your busy mom life! The First 6-10 Weeks PostpartumIt is essential to tap into your deep core muscles for a smooth c-section recovery. Dr. Hodges works alongside women and teaches them how to properly engage their core. This proper core engagement involves diaphragmatic breath and the ability to connect to ones pelvic floor muscles, as well as low back stabilizing muscles. Activating these muscles in the first 6-10 weeks postpartum can help retrain the mind-body connection between the deep core and pelvic floor that can be diminished with pregnancy, during delivery and with a c-section. Dr. Hodges works closely with women before, during and after delivery to ensure a proper functioning core and pelvic floor. Abdominal Massage and Scar Tissue ReleaseMany midwives and OBGYN’s refer to Dalhousie Health & Wellness for postpartum C-section and scar tissue care to help speed up healing. Once you are cleared by your OBGYN or midwives, massage therapy and gentle cupping are wonderful techniques to help release the scar tissue and help speed up the healing of the scar. Our Registered Massage Therapist Suzanne Hamm can preform gentle abdominal massage to help with c-section and postpartum recovery. Dr. Meredith Hodges can preform gentle cupping, acupuncture and abdominal release techniques to assist in your recovery. Easing Back into ActivityMost women are eager to get back to physical activity and loose their baby weight. This unnecessary pressure to rush recovery can have lifelong negative consequences. It is an essential part of the postpartum recovery (c-section or vaginal birth) to slow down, listen to the signs that the body is giving and gently ease back into activity with the advice of your Dalhousie Health & Wellness healthcare team. If you are really eager to get back to physical activity sooner than later, we advise that you work with a trained postpartum specialist. Dr. Hodges has taken extensive training in postpartum recovery and uses Pilates to rehabilitate the postpartum body. Dr. Hodges works one-on-one with women to retrain the breath, core and pelvic floor. Weather you seek help from our highly trained postpartum team at Dalhousie Health & Wellness or prefer to allow the body to recover naturally, make sure you take time, slow down and be patient. Your body will heal on its own timeline with a little patience and TLC.
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 Many people suffer from back pain problems in their lifetime. There are many reasons you could be feeling pain or tightness in your back, even doing daily tasks, such as carrying in the groceries or shovelling the driveway, can strain your back and cause you pain. A chiropractor is known as a back pain specialist who can treat your lower back problems or constant lower back pain you are experiencing.
Why is your Back in Pain?When your back is in pain, many other parts of your body suffer too. It affects your movement, range of motion, and flexibility. Your back could be hurting for a number of reasons, you may have pulled it while lifting heavy objects or playing in recreational activities, for example. Your back can also suffer from wear and tear due to the stress of your everyday life or age. Ignoring your pain and lower back problems does not mean that it will just go away. Taking medication can mask the pain but you should consider visiting a chiropractor who can recommend a course of treatment for your back pain and alignment. Why see a Chiropractor? Chiropractors offer alternative therapies using non-invasive, drug-free techniques. Chiropractic methods stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities by performing spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization to treat your back pain and alignment issues. You may think that by simply taking some ibuprofen your back pain problems will go away, but that could actually be causing more problems and only provides short-term relief. A chiropractor will come up with a long term solution to your back pain. But this is not done in one visit, it requires a number of visits where a chiropractor can develop a treatment plan personalized for your needs. Get Back to Living Your Best LifeAt Dalhousie Health and Wellness, we have trained chiropractors who will help with your lower back problems in addition to any other pain you may have, such as neck pain or headaches. Call today to book your appointment to begin the healing process for your body.  Massage as an alternative therapy has a lot to offer to future mothers. It has been proven that massage therapy is beneficial to the overall health of a soon-to-be mom. Pregnancy massage will help you reduce stress, alleviate aches and pains, and reduce muscle tension. Keep in mind when you are searching for a massage therapist that offers pregnancy massage that practitioners must complete proper courses to offer this service. These additional courses teach the proper positions and techniques for pregnancy massage so you and your baby are comfortable, safe, and you receive a wonderful and relaxing massage experience.
Different From a Regular MassageThe goal of a regular massage and a pregnancy massage is essentially the same, which is to help you relax and relieve any areas of tension or pain. However, a pregnancy massage is tailored to the specific needs that you are experiencing while pregnant. This is a very exciting time in your life but it is also very demanding of your body. With those changes come new aches and pains that would need to be addressed differently from a regular massage. Benefits of pregnancy massageThere are many benefits to getting a massage while pregnant. Not only will it help you feel relaxed, but it also addresses any areas of tension or pain that you may be feeling, often in your lower and upper back and your hips. This alternative therapy has been proven to help expectant mothers, specifically in their second trimester, to reduce pain and swelling. In addition to helping with any physical pains you are experiencing, prenatal massage also helps to improve your mood, decrease depression and anxiety, and decrease stress hormone levels. Is Massage Helpful for Labour?Pregnancy massage will also improve the outcomes of labour and ease labour pains. It prepares mothers-to-be for an easier delivery with sedating effects on the nervous system, promoting relaxation and stress relief. This therapy is a safe, drug-free, and effective treatment that is a great compliment to the care you are receiving from your doctor or another healthcare provider. Experience the benefits of a pregnancy massageAt Dalhousie Health and Wellness, we offer pregnancy massage to expecting mothers and provide them with a soothing and safe alternative therapy to relief any pains or tensions that you are experiencing while pregnant. Call us today to schedule a consultation to see how pregnancy massage can improve your pregnancy  Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that is meant to enhance circulation, help relieve pain, and pull toxins out of your body’s tissues. This alternative therapy involves applying cups at specific points on your body to relax your muscles and promote blood flow. The cups can be made of glass, bamboo, earthenware, or silicone.
Benefits of cuppingThere are numerous benefits to cupping therapy that ranges from relieving physical pain to improving mood and mental wellbeing. By removing toxins from your body and stimulating blood flow, cupping therapyrelieves various conditions such as stress, pain, allergies, fatigue, flu symptoms, colds, anxiety, muscle aches, or fever. Pairing your cupping therapy with acupuncture will also help with the mental side of stress. It is important to know that this massage service should not be used on patients who bleed easily and/or cannot stop bleeding, have skin ulcers, or edema. Cupping methodsThere are two methods of cupping therapy: fixed cupping and moving cupping. Fixed cupping, also known as dry cupping, is the practice of placing the cups on a specific part of your body and left in place without moving throughout the treatment. Moving cupping, also known as wet cupping is the application of massage oil or cream on your body where the cups are to be placed, followed by the practitioner sliding them around that region of the body. With the oil or cream, the cups slide easily. What to expect afterSomething to keep in mind if you are going to try cupping therapy, after the treatment is complete you will have cup-size bruises wherever the cups were placed. Everyone’s skin is different, so the bruises can range in colour and the length of time it takes for bruising to heal may vary. These bruises can last from a few days up to two weeks and can vary in colour from red, blue, or purple. Even though it may seem like it would be painful because of the marks, it is not. These bruises appear because of the cups create blood flow and draw the blood to that area. Once the marks have cleared up, you can continue with your cupping therapy appointments until the pain or condition has resolved. Dalhousie Health and Wellness can helpAt Dalhousie Health and Wellness, we offer cupping therapy to help you relieve your various conditions and pains. Book a consultation with us where can answer any questions you may have about this massage service.  Chiropractors are best known to be back pain specialists, providing treatments that relieve discomfort. However, they can also provide an effective alternative therapy for rotator cuff injuries. A rotator cuff injury is one of the most common shoulder injuries. It is painful and can make your day-to-day activities difficult.
What is a rotator cuff injury?Your rotator cuff is made up of a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Most rotator cuff injuries involve the tendon but sometimes can affect the muscle as well. A rotator cuff injury is most often caused by repetitive motion that causes inflammation or a tear in that area. This type of injury is common in swimmers and tennis players because they are doing the same movement in their arms over and over again. But, this type of shoulder injury can also be the result of a fall with the arm fully extended, taking a direct blow to the shoulder, or having the arm yanked. Symptoms of a rotator cuff injuryThe most noticeable symptom of a rotator cuff injury is frequent pain in your shoulder. You may experience this pain both when your arm is resting and when it is in action. The pain may be more noticeable and you may feel a cracking sensation when you move your arm in specific motions. Other symptoms include feeling weakness in the injured arm or the inability to lift and move your arm to the side. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to see a chiropractor as soon as possible to avoid causing any more damage. How can a chiropractor helpA chiropractor is the best non-medical alternative to treat shoulder joint issues that will help with a rotator cuff injury. They will focus on the pain and inflammation using an ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation, or heat and ice treatments. After an assessment, your chiropractor will do adjustments and targeted exercises to restore mobility and increase the range of motion in your shoulder. It will take time to get back to your normal activities — it can typically take six to eight weeks for a rotator cuff injury to heal. Your St. Catharines Chiropractic SpecialistsOur chiropractors at Dalhousie Health and Wellness will help relieve your pain from a rotator cuff injury. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan and have you feeling like yourself again soon. Book your consultation today to start your healing process.  Pilates is one of the best exercises you can do while pregnant. It is a low impact workout that focuses on strengthening your core and the muscles needed during your pregnancy and labour, as well as postnatal care for mothers. Pilates encourages deep breathing, a mind-body connection, and movement to help alleviate physical discomfort and stress. This alternative therapy promotes a safe and optimal delivery and quicker recovery post pregnancy.
Promote proper posture and alignmentAs your baby grows, your shoulders begin to hunch forward, your back starts to sway, and your posture becomes unaligned. Your centre of gravity is also affected while pregnant, which can make you feel off-balance. Your body is going through a lot of changes during this time and it can be more difficult to engage your abdominal muscles. Pilates can help improve your balance and spatial orientation to help you feel stabilized and avoid falling. Even after your baby is born, the pain in your back and shoulders might not go away because you will be using new muscles when caring for your baby. You may find that your upper back is in more pain from cradling and feeding your baby. Pilates will strengthen your abdominal and back muscles and ease your pain. Strengthen your core muscles Pilates helps to strengthen key core muscles used during pregnancy and labour, such as your Transverse Abdominus and your pelvic floor. Knowing how to strengthen and use these muscles properly is extremely beneficial, especially when you start having contractions or when you are pushing during active labour. This can also help you avoid any potential tearing or injury. Building up your strength will let you feel in control of your body throughout your labour. After you give birth, you can often feel a disconnect from your pelvic floor and have a weak lower abdomen. Incorporating Pilates into your pre and postnatal care will help you to heal faster and be ready to care for your newborn with more ease. It is a great way to regain strength in your abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, and help to support all the new muscles you will be using when taking care of your newborn baby, in addition to getting your pre-pregnancy body back more quickly. Niagara’s Pre and Postnatal Care SpecialistsAt Dalhousie Health and Wellness we can answer all of your questions you may have before, during, and after your pregnancy. With extensive training in prenatal care and postnatal care for mothers, we provide guidance to ease you through each step of your pregnancy. Call us to schedule your consultation today and learn how Pilates can help you through your pregnancy.  A hot stone massage has many benefits that can have a positive impact on your body, both physically and mentally. This alternative therapy promotes deeper muscle relaxation through the placement of smooth, water-heated stones on specific areas of your body. Heated to 130 to 145 degrees, the basalt stones, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat, can be placed along your spine, on your stomach, chest, face, palms, or feet.
Promotes muscles relaxation and relieve painThe heat from the stones helps your muscles to relax, allowing your massage therapist to target deep tissue and muscles more effectively. When your muscles are extremely tight or stiff, that can prevent the massage therapist from giving an effective massage. The heated stones are able to loosen your muscles and stiffness while providing extra relaxation so you can experience the full benefits of a deep tissue massage. Improves circulationNot only does this alternative therapy help relieve pain and relax your muscles, but it can also improve your blood circulation. The heat from the stones relaxes your deeper tissues which helps to open up your blood cells and improve your circulation. Poor circulation can lead to fatigue and cause your muscles to tense up. Improving your body’s blood circulation allows for more oxygen to get to your muscles which alleviates pain and eases tension and stiffness in your muscles. Benefits your mental health and sleepWhile all the benefits listed above have a positive impact on your physical wellbeing, they will also help improve your mental stability. When you feel relief physically, you will also benefit from mental reliefs because you are no longer suffering from pain. This alternative therapy promotes total relaxation of the mind as well as helps with stress and anxiety. Niagara Massage SpecialistsThere are many benefits to including a hot stone massage in your regular massage regime because it will allow your massage therapist to target deeper muscles. If you are suffering from muscle tension or stiffness, book a consultation with our Registered Massage Therapists at Dalhousie Health and Wellness.  When it comes to pain relief, your health and wellness should not depend on a one-size-fits-all approach. Medical acupuncture offers an alternative and natural source of pain relief unlike pills and topical creams. Working with dedicated healthcare providers, medical acupuncture allows you to create an individualized treatment plan for your pain relief needs.
What is medical acupuncture?The 5000-year-old Chinese practice of acupuncture is the treatment of inserting tiny needles into the pressure points of the body to reduce pain, increase fertility, reduce stress and treat a variety of disorders. Once an acupuncture needle is inserted, your acupuncturist may stimulate it either manually or with gentle electrical stimulationto increase effectiveness. How does medical acupuncture work for pain?Medical acupuncture for pain relief is most common in cases of neck pain, back pain or pain caused by injury. When your acupuncturist inserts the needle, he or she is stimulating a nerve underneath your skin. The nerve then sends a signal to the brain to release specific hormones. For pain relief, your acupuncturist will target nerves that tell the brain to release endorphins– a neurochemical that will assist with pain relief. The goal of medical acupuncture is to alleviate and eventually eliminate the presence of pain, naturally bringing health and happiness to your body. How long is the treatment and how often should I get acupuncture?Single acupuncture treatments may last from 10 minutes to a half hour, with the needles remaining in place for most of the treatment. Acupuncture is most effective in sessions that take place over a number of weeks. While most patients partake in 1-2 treatment sessions each week for 6-8 weeks, your acupuncturist will work with you to decide the best course of action for your type of pain. Niagara Acupuncture SpecialistsThe dedicated staff at Dalhousie Health and Wellness are committed to helping you understand the source of your pain and developing a treatment plan that will send you on the road to recovery. If you are living with pain and are looking for a natural solution, book a consultation with one of our acupuncture specialists at Dalhousie Health and Wellness. At our facility, we engage with our clients one-on-one to ensure they will receive a treatment that is specific to their needs and recovery process. Our welcoming environment and certified acupuncture professionals are ready to help you feel yourself again.  Massage therapy is widely known and used to promote relaxation and reduce uncomfortable tension in your muscles. Lymphatic drainage massages take the incredible benefits of massage further, allowing men and women to enjoy incredible detoxification and aesthetic benefits. Receiving a lymphatic drainage massage allows you to cleanse your body’s tissues during all of life’s ups and downs–whether you are recovering from an illness or injury, experiencing unhealthy stress, or feel unbalanced during the change in seasons.
At Dalhousie Health and Wellness, our focus is on detox and purification of the body, leaving you naturally ready to take on any of life’s challenges. A key contributor towards a natural healing process, this gentle-pressure alternative therapy is widely recommended by medical professionals as a natural healing solution. What is a lymphatic drainage massage?A lymphatic drainage massage is designed to increase flow through your lymphatic system to naturally neutralize toxins in your body. Your massage therapist will use gentle pressure to redirect fluids towards your lymph nodes. Through lymphatic drainage massage, your massage therapist can target trouble areas in the body where you may be experiencing symptoms of lymphatic dysfunction such as swelling and fluid retention. How do I know if a lymphatic drainage massage is right for me?Lymphatic dysfunction, as referred to as lymphedema, is a disorder that reduces or blocks the filtration of toxins leading to uncomfortable swelling. Lymphedema can occur naturally as a hereditary condition. Additionally, it could arise after surgery or radiation that causes damage to lymph nodes as seen in breast cancer treatment. As a result of its powerful ability to encourage quicker healing, a lymphatic drainage massage is often prescribed as a post-surgical therapy plan. Likewise, this treatment can also promote healing if you’ve experienced a sprain, joint injury or sinus inflammation. Your Niagara Message SpecialistsWhile these are just a few ways a lymphatic drainage massage could help you, we always recommend consulting with our a specially trained lymphatic massage therapist to discuss your unique health needs. At Dalhousie Health and Wellness, you will receive personalized, one-to-one treatment to overcome symptoms caused by lymphatic dysfunction. If you experience uncomfortable swelling and are looking for a natural solution, book a consultation with one of our massage therapists at Dalhousie Health and Wellness. Our relaxing environment and certified massage therapists are dedicated to enhancing your health and well-being with specialized treatment just for you. Kineso-Tape application for pregnancy related low back pain and pelvic pain. Patients often ask me “Doc, What Does Tape Do?” The tape I use at Dalhousie Health & Wellness is called kineso-tape, it’s flexible, breathable and moves with you. Because of these qualities, this type of taping technique is called a functional taping. A functional taping is applied to help control pain, reduce swelling, and help proper muscle functioning. How Does the Tape Control Pain?The tape stimulates receptors on the skin, in turn calming the body’s pain response. The best way I can explain this is with an example of bumping your elbow. When you hit your funny bone, your first reaction is to rub your elbow. The rubbing action on the skin helps the pain go away. The tape acts in the same way as your hand rubbing your elbow, and the receptors in the skin are stimulated which help to control pain. How Does the Tape Reduce Swelling?The tape reduces swelling by lifting the tissues in a wave-like pattern. This wave-like pattern creates more space in the surrounding tissues and allows movement of inflammation and swelling to drain out of the injured area. There are many different applications for inflammation control. Your doctor will determine the type of taping to help reduce your swelling. How Does the Tape Help Proper Muscle Functioning?The tape itself can create support and take a load off overtaxed muscles. This can allow overworked muscles to relax a little, and let others help out. Your chiropractor is trained to determine which muscles need a little help, and where the tape can best be applied. What’s in The Tape?After I explain how the kineso-Tape works, I often still get the question “Doc, What’s in The Tape?” Although it does seem to work like magic, kineso-Tape doesn’t have any mystical powers. There are no special ingredients just plain old stretchy, breathable and movable tape. At Dalhousie Health & Wellness your chiropractor has taken special training in the application of kineso-Tape.
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