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Pain/Conditions

Active Release Techniques and the Treatment of Running Injuries

    I was asked recently to write an article for the Manitoba Running Association on Active Release Techniques (ART) a technique that I have been using, since I was a Chiropractic Student, on many of my athletes and non-athletes.  There are not many practitioners of ART in Winnipeg but thankfully I work with others (at Gelley Chiropractic Office and Precision Movement and Therapies) who have been using it for even longer… Read More »Active Release Techniques and the Treatment of Running Injuries

    Chiropractic and Maintenance Care

      “Do I need to keep coming back for treatment to prevent this from happening again?” This method of chiropractic care is known as Maintenance care. I have always struggled with answering this question.  Even though I was told that maintaining a healthy spine is a good thing and that chiropractic care helps to prevent injuries, I had trouble accepting this approach since I have not seen any supporting literature. What… Read More »Chiropractic and Maintenance Care

      Understanding cervicogenic headaches

        Headaches

        Cervicogenic Headache Treatment Guide Comprehensive Care for Neck-Related Headaches | Dr. Christopher Notley, Chiropractor Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the upper cervical spine and neck muscles. These secondary headaches affect approximately 15-20% of all chronic headache sufferers and can significantly impact daily activities when left untreated. What Are Cervicogenic Headaches? Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches that originate from disorders or lesions within the cervical spine and… Read More »Understanding cervicogenic headaches

        Self Myofascial Release of the Pecs

          The pec major muscle is the large muscle that makes up the musculature of  chest. It has multiple sites of attachment; the collar bone, the sternum and the cartilage of the ribs. Interestingly enough the pect major also blends into the external oblique and sometimes the rectus abdominus. From these sites of attachments the muscle fibers cross the shoulder joint and attach onto the humerus (upper arm). Due to the… Read More »Self Myofascial Release of the Pecs

          Self myofascial release of the biceps and brachialis

            RKC Plank

            The front of the arm has two muscles, the biceps brachii and the brachialis. Both muscles cross the elbow and are involved in flexing the elbow bringing the hand to the shoulder.  Whereas the brachialis only crosses the elbow, the biceps also crosses the front of the shoulder and proximal radio-ulnar joint (this joint is involved in turning the forearm. Because of this the biceps is involved in flexing the… Read More »Self myofascial release of the biceps and brachialis

            Is It Safe to Be Exercising with Pain?

              Should I stop exercising if it hurts?” Not always.

              Pain doesn’t always mean damage. It is often your nervous system saying “pay attention,” not “stop.”

              Here’s a simple guide I use with patients, based on the Traffic Light System:

              🟢 GREEN LIGHT
              ✔ Pain ≤ 3/10
              ✔ Goes away in a few hours
              ✔ No loss in strength or movement
              👉 You’re good to keep going — even progress a little.

              🟡 YELLOW LIGHT
              ⚠ Pain 4–6/10
              ⚠ Lingers up to 72 hours
              ⚠ No major function loss
              👉 Hold steady. Focus on recovery, not pushing harder.

              🔴 RED LIGHT
              🛑 Pain ≥ 7/10
              🛑 Sharp, lasting >48 hours
              🛑 Interferes with movement
              👉 Modify or pause. This is a sign to reassess.

              💡 Pain is feedback — not failure.
              Train with it, not against it.

              TRX suspension trainer and back pain: challenging the spine

                This is a continuation of my previous blog post, Core Training: Back Pain Rehabilitation and Rowing Exercise.  If you don’t feel like reading the previous post, the research paper compared the load on the spine between three rowing exercises (inverted row, one arm standing row, and bent over row). The inverted row had the lowest load on the spine. The one arm row had the highest torsional challenge (the core… Read More »TRX suspension trainer and back pain: challenging the spine