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ice packs for pain relief
By Dominick Hussey Conditions

Ice packs for pain relief: how to use them for sprained ankles ?

You will never make a mistake if you use ice packs for pain relief. You can apply warm on a muscle or on an area that hurts but MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO HEMATOMA. Visit your doctor or a health professional to be sure. For example, it would be wrong to put a hot pack on a muscle tear. Your muscles fibres are already fragile, so take care and use ice!

Protocol for using ice packs for pain relief to a sprained ankle

Below is a RICE protocol you should use if you sprain your ankle. RICE stands for the following:

  • R: rest
  • I: ice
  • C: compression
  • E: elevation

Put some ice as soon as possible !!! If you don’t have some ice cubes or cold pack, put your foot in a water bowl. Ice will be effective in relieving your pain and will improve the healing. It helps to reduce the vessel diameter and avoid the hematoma to grow up! You have to apply the ice for 20 minutes. If it is less, it will not be as efficient.

Ideally, your foot should be raised (put a pillow under your heel for example).

Using a strapping is a wise measure. And for sure, consult a physiotherapist AND an osteopath as soon as possible!

Post Injury protocol

In the next few days following your injury, it could be advisable to continue to using some ice packs for pain. You can use the following timings:

  1. 15 minutes ice
  2. then make a break
  3. 15 minutes again
  4. make a break
  5. and a last 15 minutes again
  6. Ideally, your foot may be raised (put a pillow under your heel for example)

When you put some ice, it doesn’t have to be painful. Adapt your posture if it does.

You can also use green clay

You put green clay on your joint where it is painful, and then you roll up with plastic wrap. MAKE SURE it’s not painful or too compact. Keep it on the whole night.

Do it again (for these two steps) during over the next 6-7 days.

This protocol is also suitable for a knee, a wrist, an elbow, a shoulder.

You can also use this protocol if you have a tendinitis!

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By Dominick Hussey Conditions ,

Lower back pain treatment options

If you suffer from lower back pain, you are not alone. In a Canadian study, researchers found approximately 11% of the adult population studied had been disabled by lower back pain in the previous six months. If like myself in the past your lower back pain has stopped you in your tracks it is time to look for some professional help. But who should you go to first? In this blog, I outline the merits of different lower back pain treatment options with a specific emphasis on physical therapies.

A trusted professional healthcare practitioner

In the majority of cases, the cause of lower back pain is purely muscular there are occasions when it can be more serious in nature and require medical attention. Below is a list of some such conditions:

  • Kidney stones
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Osteoporosis
  • Psoriatic and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Based on this information, it is important that you firstly consult a trusted professionally trained health care practitioner. For most this may be your family physician but I would also consider a chiropractor, physiotherapist or osteopathic manual practitioner. All these professions undergo extensive training in the proper diagnosis of lower back pain.

Lower back pain treatment options

Family Physician

If you have consulted with your family doctor and they have ruled out any underlying conditions they will often prescribe rest, muscle relaxants and pain killers. If the pain persists, they order an x-ray of your back, and eventually an MRI scan. If all else fails, then the final treatment option may be surgery especially if you have a herniated disc.

Chiropractor

Chiropractors undergo extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Diagnosis of lower back pain is based on taking a comprehensive case history, physical examination and occasionally an x-ray. In general, a chiropractor will predominantly use spinal adjustments in the treatment of lower back pain, but they also employ other treatment modalities. For example, the chiropractor I see also uses the Graston method and acupuncture.

Massage Therapists

Although massage therapists are a regulated profession in Ontario, they are not allowed to diagnose any medical conditions. They do however undergo an intensive four-year training course. Massage therapy has a reputation for being just for relaxation; however, the massage therapist I see can treat specific conditions such as lower back pain. As well as using physical techniques, massage therapist will also give exercises.

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners

Just like Chiropractors, Osteopaths also receive extensive training. Osteopathy is a relatively new treatment option available in Canada while in Europe is much more established. Diagnosis of lower back pain is also based on a case history and thorough physical exam, but X-rays are only ordered if appropriate. Osteopaths can use many different techniques in the treatment of lower back pain including cranial osteopathy, massage, spinal manipulation, and visceral manipulations. They may also give you exercises and some lifestyle advice.

Physiotherapists

Typically you have to go to school for six years to become a physiotherapist. Like chiropractors and osteopaths, physiotherapists are taught how to differentiate between musculoskeletal and more dangerous causes of lower back pain.  For lower back pain, physiotherapists commonly use various types of medical equipment including tens machines and ultrasound as well as dry needling and advising on exercises.

Above I have described the different lower back pain treatment options with a specific emphasis on physical therapists. No matter what therapy you choose, it is critical that you get a proper diagnosis for your symptoms. If in any doubt I recommend first seeing you family physician. When choosing a particular therapy, if none of the above approaches appeals to you I suggest speaking to friends or family for a recommendation.

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osteopathic treatment what to expect
By Dominick Hussey Osteopathy, Treatment

Osteopathic treatment: What to expect and what to do afterwards?

The primary goal of an osteopathic treatment is to give your the body the capacity to rebalance itself. This principle is called “self-healing “. As such this may induce certain feelings in your body. In this blog, I outline what to expect after an osteopathic treatment and furthermore do’s and don’t afterwards.

What to expect after osteopathic treatment?

After a session, different areas that were locked will again find their mobility. Your body will furnish more energy to integrate the treatment and fight against the inflammation. That is why you may feel tired after a session.

Your body continues to heal after a session. You will typically feel an improvement after a few days or sometimes a few weeks. In the first few day’s after the treatment tense areas will begin to relax and you can feel pain like achiness. Sometimes it could be more painful/stronger than before, or you can have other pain or other symptoms that may appear. Don’t be surprised, keep calm, your body is still working! Usually, these symptoms will persist for 2-3 days, but sometimes it could be present for one week, depending on the patient, their medical history, or stress level. In the next few weeks, your body should continue to attain balance. Usually, your body needs about 3-4 weeks to relieve the pain. Sometimes you’ll still feel an imbalance, and this is the moment to book another appointment.

Usually, these symptoms will persist for 2-3 days, but sometimes it could be present for one week, depending on the patient, their medical history, or stress level. In the next few weeks, your body should continue to attain balance. Usually, your body needs about 3-4 weeks to relieve the pain. Sometimes you’ll still feel an imbalance, and this is the moment to book another appointment.

In the next few weeks, your body should continue to attain balance. Usually, your body needs about 3-4 weeks to relieve the pain. Sometimes you’ll still feel an imbalance, and this is the moment to book another appointment.

What to do after your osteopathic treatment?

Drink some water

Drinking water will help your joints, muscles, ligaments and bones to integrate the treatment better. If you do not usually drink much water, try keeping a 50cl bottle of water with you during the day. Your goal is to drink the bottle during the morning (by small gulps). Refill it at lunch time and drink it during the afternoon. By the end of the day, you will have drunk at least 1L. You will also consume water in your food. It is necessary to drink between 1,5 and 2L per day.

Avoid exercising after the session

After a session your body has to adapt by itself, so allow it to rest for about 48h. If you have a demanding work/job, try to book your appointment the day before your weekend or a day off.

Take care of your body

Avoid bad postures, long car journeys, and activities high-level pressure for example amusement parks.

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Ottawa Functional Osteopaths vs Chiropractors: What is the difference?
By Dominick Hussey Treatment ,

Ottawa Functional Osteopaths vs Chiropractors: What is the difference?

Do you live in Ottawa?

Are you confused about the difference between Ottawa Functional Osteopaths vs Chiropractors?

If so, you are in the right place.

Today I am going to outline the difference between Ottawa Osteopaths vs Chiropractors.

More spcifically I will talk about:

  1. How do they treat?
  2. What treatment techniques do they use?
  3. What conditions do they treat?
  4. Who do they treat?
  5. How long is a visit?

Let’s jump in and talk about how they both treat.

Ottawa Functional Osteopaths vs Chiropractors: How do they treat?

Both Ottawa Functional Osteopaths use some hands on treatment but may also offer some dietary, lifestyle and nutrional advice. Ottawa Chiropractors primarily use their hands when treating.

Chiropractors can also use other parts of their body including elbows or knees as well as using adjustment and massage tools.

What treatment techniques do they use?

Ottawa Functional Osteopaths use some osteopathic techniques such as:

  1. Spinal and joint adjustments
  2. Joint mobilization
  3. Massage

They also incorporate alot of functional neurology techniques such as PDTR.

At Chiropractic College, Chiropractors are trained in the following techniques including:

  1. Spinal and joint adjustments
  2. Active Release Technique (ART)
  3. Graston Technique

Not every chiropractor will use all the above techniques and some will specialise in just one.

Some Ottawa Chiropractors also use functional neurology techniques.

Ottawa Functional Osteopaths vs Chiropractors: What do they treat?

Both Functional Osteopaths and Chiropractors can help with the acute and chronic pain of the joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, spine and tendons.

Functional Osteopaths that use PDTR specialise in helping with post-traumatic conditions such as concussions, falls, sports injuries and whiplash.

Who can do they treat?

Both Functional Osteopaths and Chiropractors can treat people of all ages.

Ottawa Functional Osteopaths vs Chiropracts: How long is a visit?

The initial visit to both a Functional Osteopath is 60 minutes.

A Chiropractor initial visit is between 45 and 60 minutes long.

Follow up visits for Functional Osteopaths are between 30 and 45 minutes.

Chiropractor follow-up visits are much shorter, between 10 and 15 minutes.

Did I Miss Anything?

Are you less confused about the differences between Ottawa Functional Osteopaths and Chiropractors?

Are you still confused and have more questions?

Either way let me know by leaving a comment below.