McKenzie Wellness Centre
4600 130th Ave SE # 222 T2Z 0C2 Calgary, AB, Canada

About chiropractors Chiropractors: MSK experts Doctors of chiropractic (chiropractors) are spine and musculoskeletal (MSK) system experts specifically trained to diagnose the underlying cause, treat and recommend options to relieve pain, restore mobility and prevent reoccurrence so people can lead healthy active lives. The MSK system is comprised of: bones... muscles cartilage tendons joints connective tissues nervous system As experts in spine and MSK health, chiropractors can also: recommend exercises give you information about nutrition and a healthy diet give you information about general health and staying as healthy as possible See more

To All Our Dear and Wonderful Moms Happy Mother’s Day!!

Chiropractic for treating stress Neck and back tension, and even stress headaches. Fortunately, your chiropractor has ways to help deal with the pain your body faces due to stress. What can stress do to my body? Think of your body like a car. If the engine in your car is overburdened and not performing normally; the acceleration, transmission and fuel system don’t function properly. If your brain is feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, it’s hard for the rest of your bod...y to function as expected. When you perceive a threatening situation, often called distress, your nervous system becomes hyper-excitable, triggering the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare your body for emergency action. Your body occasionally reacts just as strongly to chronic stress as if you were facing mortal danger. Your body begins to work overtime and this produces a very tense musculoskeletal (MSK) system. The spinal joints and the surrounding muscles can be strongly affected by stress. There are often joint problems in the spine that don’t appear until stress, whether it be physical or emotional, rears its head. When stress hits, your brain multiplies those minor problems until often you feel significant pain either in your shoulders, mid back or low back. Sometimes your upper neck muscles and joints are affected resulting in strong headaches as well. How can chiropractic help? There’s a reason people call a stressful situation a pain in the neck. Your chiropractor can quite literally relieve the pain in your neck, along with pain in many other problem areas brought on by stress. With a simple adjustment, a chiropractor can quickly address the compression in your problem joint. With less pressure in the joint, your relative motion is improved and any pain caused by the joint compression is decreased. The joint requires fewer muscles to move it when there is less restriction in it. This causes relaxation in these tissues as well. Believe it or not, an adjustment could also relieve you of those often-times debilitating stress headaches as well. In most cases of tension headaches, significant improvement is accomplished through adjustments of the upper two cervical vertebrae, coupled with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. By correcting compression and restoring joint function, your chiropractor can also help restore a more natural tone in the nervous system, resulting in improved function in many organ systems of your body.

Chiropractic for treating stress Neck and back tension, and even stress headaches. Fortunately, your chiropractor has ways to help deal with the pain your body faces due to stress. What can stress do to my body? Think of your body like a car. If the engine in your car is overburdened and not performing normally; the acceleration, transmission and fuel system don’t function properly. If your brain is feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, it’s hard for the rest of your bod...y to function as expected. When you perceive a threatening situation, often called distress, your nervous system becomes hyper-excitable, triggering the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare your body for emergency action. Your body occasionally reacts just as strongly to chronic stress as if you were facing mortal danger. Your body begins to work overtime and this produces a very tense musculoskeletal (MSK) system. The spinal joints and the surrounding muscles can be strongly affected by stress. There are often joint problems in the spine that don’t appear until stress, whether it be physical or emotional, rears its head. When stress hits, your brain multiplies those minor problems until often you feel significant pain either in your shoulders, mid back or low back. Sometimes your upper neck muscles and joints are affected resulting in strong headaches as well. How can chiropractic help? There’s a reason people call a stressful situation a pain in the neck. Your chiropractor can quite literally relieve the pain in your neck, along with pain in many other problem areas brought on by stress. With a simple adjustment, a chiropractor can quickly address the compression in your problem joint. With less pressure in the joint, your relative motion is improved and any pain caused by the joint compression is decreased. The joint requires fewer muscles to move it when there is less restriction in it. This causes relaxation in these tissues as well. Believe it or not, an adjustment could also relieve you of those often-times debilitating stress headaches as well. In most cases of tension headaches, significant improvement is accomplished through adjustments of the upper two cervical vertebrae, coupled with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. By correcting compression and restoring joint function, your chiropractor can also help restore a more natural tone in the nervous system, resulting in improved function in many organ systems of your body.

Sitting properly: decrease pain, improve productivity Research has shown, sitting at work accounts for one-third to one-half of sitting time. Sitting at your desk, in meetings and in your car to and from work, are common for most people. You’re likely sitting while reading this blog. Sitting for prolonged periods can cause back, neck and shoulder pain.... Most think you’re more likely to injure yourself during activities like golfing or gardening, but sitting for extended periods of time while at work can produce chronic pain and can limit range of motion for many people. There are ways however, to ensure your office job doesn’t mean more pain than productivity. Move around It may seem simplistic, but even getting up and stretching every hour or so can go a long way in preventing pain. Sitting in the exact same position for long periods of time can cause muscles to stiffen and can slow circulation. A great device created with the intention to keep your blood circulating is a very simple desktop unit that allows you to raise your working surface with just two levers. The entire unit is on hydraulics, making it effortless to go from sitting to standing. Posture While it’s important to ensure you get up and move around, it’s equally important to ensure you have the correct posture while you’re sitting. Here are some tips to ensure your sitting posture is correct: Always try to sit upright, with your shoulders down and back all the way to the back of the seat. The back of your pelvis should be butted against the back of the chair for support. Keep your body weight distributed to both of your feet evenly. Try not to cross your legs as that rotates the pelvis backwards on the side that you are crossing over. Try using a lumbar support, which is essentially a cushion for your lower back that rests on the back of your chair. A lumbar support can go a long way in preventing pain. Your chair Your chair can be a big factor in whether or not you experience pain. If your chair height isn’t correct, you’ll have to extend your forearms downwards or upwards to type. This can cause pain to either shoot up to your shoulder blades or sit in your wrists. Also, you should always try to have your chair under your desk as far as you can, this helps to prevent slouching forwards putting strain on your lower back. How chiropractic can help A chiropractor is trained to help you understand how you can prevent and alleviate pain with prolonged sitting.

Your feet may be causing your lower back pain Can’t seem to find an answer as to why your back is aching? The answer might lie right below you your feet. It’s easy to assume aches in pains in our backs are originating from where you are actually feeling it. If your back hurts, it must be coming from an issue within your back, right? This is not necessarily the case. Everything in our bodies is connected through tissue and our nervous system....Continue reading

What to look for in an everyday shoe and how your chiropractor can help When it comes to everyday shoes, many of us don’t put much thought into the pair we grab from the closet. However, our everyday shoes often end up being the ones we spend the most time in. Whether it’s running errands, taking the dog for a quick walk around the block, or heading to the grocery store, it’s important to choose shoes that will keep us comfortable and supported. And because we tend to use the...Continue reading

Sitting properly: decrease pain, improve productivity Research has shown, sitting at work accounts for one-third to one-half of sitting time. Sitting at your desk, in meetings and in your car to and from work, are common for most people. You’re likely sitting while reading this blog. Sitting for prolonged periods can cause back, neck and shoulder pain. Most think you’re more likely to injure yourself during activities like golfing or gardening, but sitting for extended period...s of time while at work can produce chronic pain and can limit range of motion for many people. There are ways however, to ensure your office job doesn’t mean more pain than productivity. Move around It may seem simplistic, but even getting up and stretching every hour or so can go a long way in preventing pain. Sitting in the exact same position for long periods of time can cause muscles to stiffen and can slow circulation. A great device created with the intention to keep your blood circulating is a very simple desktop unit that allows you to raise your working surface with just two levers. The entire unit is on hydraulics, making it effortless to go from sitting to standing. Posture While it’s important to ensure you get up and move around, it’s equally important to ensure you have the correct posture while you’re sitting. Here are some tips to ensure your sitting posture is correct: Always try to sit upright, with your shoulders down and back all the way to the back of the seat. The back of your pelvis should be butted against the back of the chair for support. Keep your body weight distributed to both of your feet evenly. Try not to cross your legs as that rotates the pelvis backwards on the side that you are crossing over. Try using a lumbar support, which is essentially a cushion for your lower back that rests on the back of your chair. A lumbar support can go a long way in preventing pain. Your chair Your chair can be a big factor in whether or not you experience pain. If your chair height isn’t correct, you’ll have to extend your forearms downwards or upwards to type. This can cause pain to either shoot up to your shoulder blades or sit in your wrists. Also, you should always try to have your chair under your desk as far as you can, this helps to prevent slouching forwards putting strain on your lower back. How chiropractic can help A chiropractor is trained to help you understand how you can prevent and alleviate pain with prolonged sitting. See more

Loving your spine Many back problems come from a common cause poor posture stemming from poor body mechanics. You’re probably not surprised to hear it but those hours spent sitting at a desk, hunched over a smart phone and bending over and lifting with your back can add up. Fortunately, turning back the clock on the different ways we build poor posture is a lot easier than you think. In fact, you may already be doing things that help to protect your health. First offcheck ...your posture! It is important to note that optimal spinal health can look different from person to person but here is one quick way to examine your posture: Stand against the wall. Your head, upper back and backside should all be touching the wall. If holding this position is uncomfortable, it is likely that you have poor posture. If you’re like most people, there is probably some room for improvement. Spinal health is personal Signing up for a yoga class may be out of your comfort zone, but there are things you can do from the comfort of your own home to love your spine. Try stretching! Stretching as little as three times a week can have a dramatic effect on relieving pain and improving flexibility. Take a look at your furniture. We spend a lot of time sitting and lying down; make sure your furniture is ergonomically friendly and right for you. It’s important to listen to your body when it starts to hurt. Stretching and gentle exercise may help some conditions but if your pain hasn’t subsided after a few days, seek advice from a chiropractor. See more

Chiropractic for tennis elbow Tennis elbow is a misleading name for a common injury. Despite the name, tennis elbow is not just a concern for Serena Williams or Roger Federer. While tennis players can be affected by this problem, it also affects baseball players, swimmers, carpenters, plumbers, meat cutters, or anyone who repeats an arm motion over and over. It can be so painful that lifting your morning cup of coffee to your mouth can become an ordeal....Continue reading

Chiropractic care for arthritis Chiropractors see many patients who present with various forms of arthritis. Here are some things people don't typically know about arthritis and how chiropractic may help relieve the associated pain they are experiencing. First off, let’s define arthritis ‘Arthritis’ can sometimes seem like a catch-all term. It literally translates to ‘arthro-‘, meaning ‘pertaining to the joints’, and ‘-itis’, meaning ‘inflammation of’. ...Continue reading

Catching some ZZZshow to prevent sleep-associated pain Sleep. All of us could probably use more of it with our go-go lifestyles. Approximately 14 per cent of Canadians suffer from insomnia. A good night’s sleep is essential to our overall health and well-being.... It can be frustrating, when we do get around to getting some shut-eye, we can wake up with neck, back or shoulder pain. We should wake up from our slumber refreshed and relaxed instead of with aches and pains. Making a few simple changes can help you reduce the pain associated with your sleeping pattern and will go a long way in making your slumber that much better. Below are some common causes of sleep associated pain and what you can do to improve your sleep for each. Choosing the right mattress Your mattress is your best tool for protecting your body during your sleep. A good mattress should distribute your weight evenly while ensuring your lower back keeps its proper curvature. Your mattress should provide full body support. If there are gaps between your body and your mattress, you won’t get the support you need. Also, be sure to turn your mattress upside down every few months to prevent body indentations. Choosing the right pillow to support your neck It’s important to support your spine’s natural curve as you sleep. This is why finding the right pillow for you is essential. Pillows don’t follow a one size fits all rule. Your body shape, size and preferred sleep position should influence your pillow choice. For side sleepers, try to find a pillow thick enough to fill the gap between your neck and mattress. This will keep your neck in a neutral position. For back sleepers, the thinner the pillow the better. Your main goal when looking for a pillow should be to find one that properly supports your head and aligns your neck with the rest of your spine. The softness or firmness of the pillow is personal preference and won’t factor in to the support your pillow provides. See your chiropractor if pain persists If you are still experiencing pain in the mornings as a result of your sleep, see your chiropractor. Chiropractors are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the spine and musculoskeletal system (the body’s bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and connective tissue). Your chiropractor will first assess your current condition or the source of your problem and then develop a treatment plan for you to help ease your pain.

Improve your sleep despite aches and pains Age, an old injury, and a failing mattress are only a few of the many sources of sleep-disrupting pain. But no matter the cause, the result is the same: sleep deprivation. Any time you find yourself getting fewer than seven hours of sleep, your body changes the way it functions. The brain, immune system, and even your appetite and metabolism change as you lose sleep. And, the more sleep you lose, the more intense the effects become....Continue reading

Watch your back this winter: lift right and shovel light to reduce risk of pain and injury Heavy snowfall and wintery conditions, you say? Bring it on! Alberta’s chiropractors have your back. Snow shoveling, slips and falls are still the top reasons for back and muscle pain in the winter. Every winter, Alberta chiropractors see an increase in back injuries due to improper lifting when shoveling snow. This isn’t surprising when you consider that one shovelful of snow weighs th...ree to five kilograms. Combine that weight with improper shoveling technique and it’s a recipe for pain and injury. Alberta’s chiropractors offer the following tips to help prevent back pain and injury this winter: Warm up. Before beginning any snow removal or strenuous winter activity, warm up for five to 10 minutes to get the joints moving and increase blood circulation. Don’t let the snow pile up. Removing small amounts of snow on a frequent basis is less strenuous in the long run. Pick the right shovel. Use a lightweight, push-style shovel. If you use a metal shovel, spray it with a non-stick spray so snow slides of easily. Push, don’t throw. Push the snow to one side and avoid throwing it as much as possible. If you have to throw, avoid twisting and turning position yourself to throw straight at the snow pile. Bend your knees. Use your knees, leg and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting while keeping your back straight. Watch the ice. Course sand, ice salt, ice melt or even kitty litter can give your walk and driveway more traction, reducing the risk of a slip or fall. Wear proper footwear. Shoes and boots with solid treads on the soles can help to minimize the risk of slips and falls. Take a break. If you feel tired or short of breath, stop and take a rest. Stop shoveling immediately if you feel chest or back pain. Doctors of Chiropractic are highly educated and specially trained spine care experts. If you experience back pain related to winter activities, consult your chiropractor. See more

What to look for in a winter boot and how your chiropractor can help When that first snowfall hits, many of us scramble to unearth last year’s winter boots from the back of the closet. If you’re realizing they’re a bit tired, it may be time to hit the shoe store for a new pair. Choosing a winter boot that won’t just provide protection from the elementsit will protect your joint health too. Why does choosing the right boot matter? Foot pain doesn’t just start and end in the f...ootit can be the source of much bigger pains in your body. Foot pain is often the culprit for things like hip or lower back pain, which is why it’s so important to be assessed by a chiropractor to ensure you’re treating the correct pain source. Choosing the correct shoe is the first step in ensuring you are looking after your overall joint health. What should you be looking for? When you think about proper footwear for winter, you probably think of good grip. While grip is essential, it’s just on piece of the puzzle. Comfort First and foremost, you need to find a winter boot that is comfortable. You should be able to walk in the boot for long periods of time and not feel any points of rubbing or tightness. Pay close attention to the way your heels and toes feelany points that feel like they’re rubbing against the shoe can create problems down the line. Wide spacing The second thing to look for is a boot that’s a bit wider than your typical shoe. Because of the cold, you’re likely going to be wearing thicker socks, so you need extra room for your foot to move around. Having a shoe that’s too tight is going to create stiffness in your foot and can lead to various conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis and hip and back pain. Cushioning Lastly, pay attention to how your foot feels in the shoe when you walk. Your foot should feel supported and cushioned. Be sure to flip the boot over and check the treaddoes it physically raise off the sole or is it flush? Raised tread is going to give you more grip and stability in the winter, minimizing the risk of slips or falls. How can a chiropractor help? Chiropractors are specially trained in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal-related conditions, which includes your feet. If you’re experiencing pain when you walk, a chiropractor can assess the pain and recommend a treatment plan. Your feet shouldn't hurt when you walk -- if you're experiencing pain, consult a chiropractor.