Complementary and integrative medicine in the management of headache

Complementary and integrative medicine in the management of headache

A migraine often presents as an intense throbbing or pulsing sensation on one or both sides of the head, it is frequently accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting.

Migraines are commonly associated with triggers: hormonal changes, food and additives, stress, sleep, physical and sensory factors, changes in the environment and certain medications.

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There’s a strong link between anxiety and depression, and sleep problems, and it goes both ways

There’s a strong link between anxiety and depression, and sleep problems, and it goes both ways

"Good sleep is essential for our mental well-being. Just one night of disturbed sleep can leave us feeling cranky, flat, worried, or sad the next day. So it’s no surprise sleeping problems, like difficulty falling asleep, not getting enough sleep, or regularly disrupted sleep patterns, are associated with anxiety and depression."

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Cupping Therapy

Cupping Therapy

Cupping is a technique where a vacuum is created in a cup, drawing the skin up into the cup decompressing the layers of the epidermis and subcutaneous superficial fascia. Cupping has been practiced in most cultures in one form or another throughout history but the true origin of cupping therapy remains uncertain.

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Physicians, now more than ever are recommending conservative treatment

Physicians, now more than ever are recommending conservative treatment

Physicians, now more than ever are recommending conservative treatment including massage as part of a multi-modal approach for patients suffering from low back pain, anxiety and stress.

This is supported by recent recommendations from Canadian Medical Association, The American College of Physicians, Center for Disease Control, Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) and The Mayo Clinic.

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Acupuncture and Knee Pain

Acupuncture and Knee Pain

Slowly but surely modern approaches to acupuncture are being evaluated in a scientific manner. This is a good thing, because there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence that acupuncture is effective and a growing body of scientific evidence that patients benefit from evidence based acupuncture treatments.

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Effects of stretching and manual therapy on shoulder range of motion

Effects of stretching and manual therapy on shoulder range of motion

It has been documented that changes in rotator cuff stiffness are associated with the ROM deficits in pitchers, so rehabilitation programs that decrease tissue stiffness and improve range of motion have potential clinical implications for injury prevention.

If the goal is improving shoulder range of motion, a number of papers have demonstrated the effects of soft tissue mobilization or stretch training on tissue stiffness, shoulder internal rotation and horizontal adduction.  

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