Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

We reached out to Albertan adventurer Ina Lucila for to get her perspective on how she prepares her body for playing in outdoor spaces.

As the days get warmer and longer, the urge to hibernate and binge watch your favourite series is fading away, replaced by an ever-growing longing to spend some time in the sun.

Luckily for us, Alberta does not have a shortage of beautiful outdoor spaces to play in and explore. Our province is home to large boreal forests, pristine lakes and rivers and, of course, the Canadian Rockies.

Whether you’re hiking, climbing or paddling, here are some tips to help you prepare for your adventure:

1.Know your limits. Whether you’re planning a multi-day hike or a canoe day trip, it is important to be aware of your physical abilities and limits before you head out. While hiking is one of those activities that you can start doing without any prior experience, not all trails are created equally. Knowing your limits and staying within it (especially if you’re new to the activity) will help you stay safe. Overdoing it can make you more prone to injuries.

Do your research and plan your itinerary depending on your fitness level. For example, if you’re looking at hiking a 30km trail, consider breaking it up over two days if there’s a campsite half way. If you’re planning your first hike, start with a trail that’s less than 10kms and 400m of elevation gain. Most guidebooks will indicate how difficult a trail is. If you have your heart set on a trail that you know might be beyond your current ability, use it as a motivation to work your way up to the optimal fitness level by doing a few smaller trails or hitting the gym before the big trip.

2.Invest in the right gear. Your gear can make or break your experience. Some investments are worth every penny. If you’re getting into more technical outdoor pursuits, proper gear is essential for your safety. A good place to start is to invest in a solid pair of shoes. There are many different types of outdoor shoes, and outdoor gear shops could help you decide which pair is right for your needs. In general, your shoes should fit properly and have the right support. Those sneakers may seem comfortable for walking in the city all day long, but they won’t be a match for uneven or slippery terrain. If you’re doing a multi-day hike, you would literally be carrying everything you need on your back. Investing in a good backpack is paramount. Make sure you get a proper fitting backpack. When buying a backpack, try it on in the store. Most stores will have weights on hand so you can see how it feels. Ask the store staff for assistance in adjusting the backpack properly. A good fitting backpack transfers the load to your hips (as opposed to pulling down on your shoulders).

3.Make room for creature comforts. While there are many things to be said about packing light, having a little room for some creature comforts won’t hurt you (or your back, but just don’t overdo it). Don’t bust out those lawn chairs or air beds just yet (unless you are car camping, then by all means, go for it). If you have to carry it, definitely think smaller — perhaps a small inflatable pillow to avoid straining your neck, or a thicker sleeping pad that’s only slightly heavier. There are even gel seats for canoeing or portable folding stools so you’ll always have a comfortable seat whenever or wherever you may need it. You could even bring a golf ball to help massage those tired feet after a long day of hiking. If it helps make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable, and it only adds a pound or two on your back, it might be worth considering.

4.Prepare your body for the hike. Exercising regularly helps condition your body for strenuous outdoor activities. Your plans and your current fitness level will indicate how much conditioning you still need to do. So, if your lifestyle is more on the sedentary side, it’s a good idea to start doing smaller trails, even if it’s just around your neighbourhood. Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator will help you tackle those elevation gains better.

A proper warm-up is important for all physical activity. Outdoor activities are no exception. Take a few minutes to do a few stretches before your activity. Be aware of what muscle groups you will be working and target those muscles. Quad and hamstring stretches are good options if you’re hiking, windmills will help warm up your shoulders for climbing or paddling.

5.Welcome breaks and stretch. Outdoor recreation isn’t all about the physical pursuit. Spending time in nature is good for both body and mind. Take the time to stop and smell the roses. It will lift your spirits, and give your body a chance to recover a bit. Rest periods look different for every person. Similar to knowing your limits, you’ll be more familiar with the types of breaks that work for you the more experience you have. Some people may prefer half-hour breaks every few hours, while for others, stopping for a couple of minutes every few kilometers work better. Whatever it may look like for you, take that opportunity to stretch those muscles as well.

When you’re done your activity, resist the urge to just hop in the car and drive away. Your muscles have been working pretty hard all day. You need to make sure that you stretch those muscles to prevent them from tightening.

6.Plan for after the adventure. Recovery doesn’t end when your adventure does. It’s a good idea to have a couple of things lined up to help your body recover. Rest should be top of your list. Skipping the gym after a five-day hike isn’t a terrible idea. Give your body sometime to recover to prevent injuries. Maybe opt for a restorative yoga class to help elongate and realign your body instead. You might consider a visit to your chiropractor to help your body recover from the stress of carrying 40lbs of weight on your back.

Spending time in nature is good for the mind and the body, for anybody at any age. Taking steps to prepare your body for outdoor pursuits will go a long way in making the activity more comfortable and enjoyable.

Full-body experiences like outdoor adventuring can be incredibly fun, challenging and engaging but can also make your entire body ache. If your pain hasn’t subsided after a few days, seek advice from a chiropractor.

Chiropractors are highly educated and specially trained musculoskeletal experts. Your chiropractor can also give you nutritional advice and whole-body wellness strategies in conjunction with your chiropractic treatment. Consult with your chiropractor, or click here to find one near you.

For more news and tips, visit us on Twitter or Facebook.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

As of March 20, spring is upon us. You can almost smell the grass under the snow, feel the warmth in the breeze, taste the Easter chocolate you will inevitably sneak out of your child’s basket. And if that extra dose of sunshine is giving you the urge to clean, you are not alone.

Every year, thousands of Albertans hear the siren call of spring cleaning. Here are some tips to keep you able and spry until your house is spotless:

1. Warm Up. It can be tempting to just jump in and start tackling items off of your to-do list, but it’s important to take a few moments to warm up first. Cleaning can be a huge undertaking, not unlike a strenuous workout, so prepare your body the same way. If you are looking for a quick and easy stretch, try Straighten Up Alberta.
2. Take Your Time. You’ve heard the one about the hare and the tortoise, haven’t you? Choose a pace that is sustainable and be sure to take breaks when you need them. Taking the slow and steady approach to cleaning is likely to get you across the finish line. Taking a fast, hard run at it may tire you out quickly, and can even lead to injury.
3. Stay Hydrated. Dehydration can make you weak and dizzy, which will in turn hinder your ability to clean. Be sure to drink lots of water and/or have water-rich foods on hands to snack on, such as fruit.
4. Get Help. If you are climbing ladders or moving couches, always have another adult on hand to spot or help you. Even the strongest of us can suffer from falling injuries or pulled muscles.

Arms, back and shoulders aching?

Even with all the right preparation, spring cleaning works your arm, back and shoulder muscles in ways that they are not used to. If your pain hasn’t subsided after a few days, seek advice from a chiropractor.

Chiropractors are highly educated and specially trained musculoskeletal experts. Your chiropractor can also give you nutritional advice and whole-body wellness strategies in conjunction with your chiropractic treatment. Consult with your chiropractor, or click here to find one near you.

For more news and tips, visit us on Twitter or Facebook.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

As of March 20, spring is upon us. You can almost smell the grass under the snow, feel the warmth in the breeze, taste the Easter chocolate you will inevitably sneak out of your child’s basket. And if that extra dose of sunshine is giving you the urge to clean, you are not alone.

Every year, thousands of Albertans hear the siren call of spring cleaning. Here are some tips to keep you able and spry until your house is spotless:

1. Warm Up. It can be tempting to just jump in and start tackling items off of your to-do list, but it’s important to take a few moments to warm up first. Cleaning can be a huge undertaking, not unlike a strenuous workout, so prepare your body the same way. If you are looking for a quick and easy stretch, try Straighten Up Alberta.
2. Take Your Time. You’ve heard the one about the hare and the tortoise, haven’t you? Choose a pace that is sustainable and be sure to take breaks when you need them. Taking the slow and steady approach to cleaning is likely to get you across the finish line. Taking a fast, hard run at it may tire you out quickly, and can even lead to injury.
3. Stay Hydrated. Dehydration can make you weak and dizzy, which will in turn hinder your ability to clean. Be sure to drink lots of water and/or have water-rich foods on hands to snack on, such as fruit.
4. Get Help. If you are climbing ladders or moving couches, always have another adult on hand to spot or help you. Even the strongest of us can suffer from falling injuries or pulled muscles.

Arms, back and shoulders aching?

Even with all the right preparation, spring cleaning works your arm, back and shoulder muscles in ways that they are not used to. If your pain hasn’t subsided after a few days, seek advice from a chiropractor.

Chiropractors are highly educated and specially trained musculoskeletal experts. Your chiropractor can also give you nutritional advice and whole-body wellness strategies in conjunction with your chiropractic treatment. Consult with your chiropractor, or click here to find one near you.

For more news and tips, visit us on Twitter or Facebook.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

Life only ever gets busier – at least, that’s what it feels like sometimes. Between work, caring for dependents, keeping the house clean, getting the car in for maintenance, taking your dog to the groomer’s and on and on …

With all of life’s demands, family time can be hard to prioritize, which is why it’s so important to make the most of the time you have together. With Family Day in Alberta (Feb 19) just around the corner, you may be racking your brain to find a child-friendly, senior-accessible, affordable activity that everybody can enjoy. What to do?

Here are some activities to consider for your multigenerational family:

1. Get into nature. If you are lucky enough to live close to a botanic garden, river valley, or public park, why not take your family? Experiencing nature (even just trees) can be a refreshing change of pace in the midwinter, and these facilities are typically designed to be stroller and wheelchair-friendly. Plus, even light walking will contribute to your weekly physical activity goal. Indoor options include the Calgary Zoo and Edmonton’s Muttart Conservatory; outdoor options include Olds College Botanic Gardens, the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs near Calgary, Albert Botanic Park and the Cascades Of Time Gardens in Banff.

2. Cook together. “The party always ends up in the kitchen” is an old adage, and there’s good reason for that: nothing bonds people together quite like food does. If your family members are delighted by tasty food, take the opportunity to instill those great cooking habits early and get the whole family to contribute to the chopping, stirring and tasting! If you have children, this is a great moment to teach them how important and easy it is to cook healthy meals. You can get lots of recipes online, at the library or bookstore. For extra points, get an older adult to teach their “specialty” to the family.

3. Play cards. If your body is injured or needs rest, never fear – you can always enjoy some game time with your family! Playing cards or board games allows you to build precious memories, while also sitting down and resting. If you are sore in any particular place, it’s easy to strap an ice or heat pack to yourself in this position, as well (click here to find out which temperature is better for your injury).

4. Stretch it out. Unless you have space or mobility restrictions, stretching together can be a really relaxing, healthy way to spend time with your family. Straighten Up Alberta offers a program that is easy for both kids and adults to participate in – and it’s so short that you can integrate it into your daily or weekly routine, long after the events of Family Day conclude. 

Fit Chiropractic into your Lifestyle

Your chiropractor is trained to do more than diagnose and treat injuries. Chiropractic students complete classes in physiology, biochemistry and nutrition as part of their core curriculum. As a result, your chiropractor can also give you nutritional advice and whole-body wellness strategies in conjunction with your chiropractic treatment.

For more news and tips, visit us on Twitter and Facebook.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

You go outside, only to find your hands freezing and nose running. You drive to work in the pitch-black of darkness and step outside after a long day on the job, only for it to be dark again. It can be hard to stay motivated and committed to fitness and activity during the winter months.

While it can be easy to lose sight of your activity levels until you’ve thawed out a little, research has shown it’s important to exert yourself in the winter months. As the darkness and cold creeps in, your serotonin (or feel-good chemical) levels drop. Consistent exercise and activity is a great way to combat this. Getting up and moving in the winter also boosts immunity by keeping the lymphatic system active.

With the Olympic Winter Games and Alberta Winter Games on the horizon, winter activities are going to be top of mind as well!

Below are some tips to keep active during the winter months:

1. Get outside and move. This option embraces the cold. Alberta is full of opportunities to use the frigid weather to your advantage. Skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing or skating are all great options to keep you moving outside. You can also check what’s going on locally, as most communities regularly host fun events during the winter months. For instance, on February 7, you can take part in Winter Walk Day, an Alberta-wide initiative which encourages people of all ages to get outside and move during winter. Last year saw over 100,000 participants – take a winter stroll, join a chiropractic clinic or organize your own walk.
2. Activity in your day-to-day life. Being active doesn’t always have to mean sweating it out. Making little, conscious decisions to get up and move can do wonders for your overall health. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get out and shovel the snow by hand (using the correct technique, of course). Get up from your desk and take a short walk every few hours. It’s little activities like these that can help break up the monotony your body can feel during the winter months.
3. Join a gym. A great indoor option is to join a gym. Joining a gym doesn’t just have to mean running on a treadmill or lifting weights. A lot of fitness facilities offer a variety of indoor activities and classes for you to participate in. This may include basketball, swimming, squash, yoga, etc. This may be cost prohibitive for many, but still remains a great option.

Exercise your best with the right advice
Chiropractors are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the musculoskeletal system (the body’s bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and connective tissue). Visits to your chiropractor can identify potential dysfunction that may be occurring to ensure your bones, muscles, joints and nerves are working together properly, which reduces stress placed on ligaments. Your chiropractor can tell you what type of exercise best suits you before you embark on a new exercise regimen. They can also help work with you to identify areas of weakness to work on and activities you should avoid, to keep yourself strong and healthy.

For more information like this, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

It has been two short weeks since the start of the new year. Two short weeks since you promised yourself you would learn to love kale salads, commit to going to bed early and finally learn how to work those intimidating machines at the gym. Have you?

Blue Monday, the day that is deemed the most depressing day of the year due to broken resolutions, cold weather and seasonal debt, falls on January 15^th this year. If you are feeling the gloom setting in, don’t fret – it’s not too late to press reset on your health-related resolutions. Here are some tips:

1. Start Small
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Adequate sleep, healthy eating and exercise are healthy choices that become healthy habits with enough practice. So start by making small healthy choices every day, such as choosing to drink one more glass of water every morning or taking a five minute walk at lunch.

2. Set SMART Goals

Resolutions can seem like goals, but they often lack the necessary strategy to get you moving. Re-evaluate your resolutions and turn them into SMART goals, meaning:

• Specific – what are you going to do?
• Measurable – how often are you going to do it, or to what end?
• Achievable – is it realistic?
• Relevant – why do you want to do it, and/or how will it change your life?
• Time-bound – what is your deadline?

For example, instead of saying “I’m going to work out more”, say “I will commit to 30-60 minutes of activity 2-3 times a week for the next six months, in order to increase my level of energy and feel healthy”.

3. Have a Reward System

Because we don’t often see immediate results from changes to our healthy habits, rewards can be an important tool to keep you motivated in the meantime. Whenever you reach an important milestone, reward yourself with something that makes you feel good – just try to make it something that doesn’t work too much against your goals and efforts.

4. Forgive Yourself

If you are like most people, breaking resolutions will make you stress out and feel guilty – which actually works against you. Stress is unhealthy for both your body and your mind. If you have a bad week where it feels like you have worked against your progress, just take a deep breath, reset and try to put it in perspective. You will have many more weeks until the year is over. Each week is a fresh opportunity to try.

Your Chiropractor Can Help

Your chiropractor is trained to do more than diagnose and treat injuries. Your DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) can also give you nutritional advice and whole-body wellness strategies in conjunction with your chiropractic treatment.

Students on the road to becoming DCs will receive classes in physiology, biochemistry and nutrition as part of the core curriculum. Your chiropractor can be an excellent resource to assist you in your quest for healthy choices and better all-around health.

For more blogs and information like this, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

A large part of chiropractic is helping patients find patterns in their lifestyles that may be contributing to their pain. Your chiropractor can also help identify ways to adapt some of your current habits or routines to place less stress on your joints.

One possible way we are putting unneeded stress on our bodies is through the way we exercise. Changing from a very high impact exercise routine to a lower impact one can go a long way in helping your body feel energized and pain free.

What is the difference between low impact exercise and high impact exercise?

A workout is low impact if at least one of your feet remains in contact with the ground at all times. Walking, hiking, rollerblading and most step aerobics and cardio dance workouts are low impact. Water aerobics, swimming, cycling and using an elliptical machine, put even less stress on your joints than the previous mentioned low impact exercises because both feet stay on the ground at all times and your body is supported during movement.

A workout is considered high impact if both feet leave the ground at the same time. Some high impact workouts include: running, jumping rope, skipping, jumping jacks and plyometric based workouts.

How might a low Impact exercise help with joint pain?

A low impact exercise routine is less jarring on the body and joints, and less intense overall. With a high impact routine your body and joints must absorb the impact of your high impact movement. Think about when you are running. Every time your foot hits the ground it sends a shock to your corresponding joints. If your joints aren’t prepared to handle the stress, it could mean pain for any interconnected joint in your body.

How do I know if I should switch to a low impact routine?         

Low impact exercises are best for beginners, people with arthritis or osteoporosis, older adults, pregnant women and those affected with bone, joint and connective tissue injuries.

If you are currently engaging in a high impact exercise routine and aren’t experiencing any associated pain, great. Those who have a baseline of fitness and are not at risk for joint problems are able to handle the stress that comes with high impact exercise. It’s also a good idea though to also mix in some low impact activities as all that high impact activity could add up over time and eventually cause an over-use injury.

What can I do if I’ve already injured myself exercising?

Seeing a chiropractor is a great place to start. Chiropractors are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the musculoskeletal system (the body’s bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and connective tissue).

Visits to your chiropractor can identify potential dysfunction that may be occurring to ensure your bones, muscles, joints and nerves are working together properly, which reduces stress placed on ligaments. Your chiropractor can tell you what type of exercise best suits you before you embark on a new exercise regimen.

They can also help work with you to identify areas of weakness to work on and activities you should avoid, to keep yourself strong and healthy.

For more blogs and information like this, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

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. So 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.

How are my feet inter-connected to my back and why does this cause me pain?

Your body has three main shock absorbers: your feet, your knees and your spine. The shock of walking, running, jumping etc. is first felt by your feet. If your feet can’t handle the shock, it passes the impact absorption to your knees. When your knees are ill-equipped to handle the shock it passes the absorption to the last stop on the chain, your back. Your back will eventually fatigue and begin to cause you pain, especially if there is a misalignment in the lower region or the pelvis.

Why can’t my feet handle the shock in the first place?

Most of the problems associated with our backs caused by our feet are simply because of the surfaces we walk on. Our feet were designed to walk on grass, sand, dirt, mud and other natural terrain. Human innovation has brought us cement, tile, wood, etc. which are actually detrimental to the health of our feet and in turn our back. Natural terrain is suited to the shape and structure of our feet. This causes our arches to be supported and causes the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the foot and ankle to work in a supportive fashion.

How can I prevent this cycle of pain?

Shoes- Find the right kind of shoe to support your foot type. If you have flat feet or have a minimal arch, shoes that have a good amount of cushioning or stability will work best to absorb the shock.

If you have a pronounced arch, “Minimal” shoes are a specialized option to consider. These shoes are designed to promote the foot striking the ground with the front or middle of the foot rather than the heel.

Sorry folks, there are no high-heels on the planet that are going to do anything good for your feet or back, so try and wear them as sparingly as possible.

Chiropractic adjustment – A visit to your chiropractor can do wonders. First, they will check the joints in your feet and ankles are working properly. Your chiropractor will perform an examination, which could include examining your feet, analyzing your gait and posture, requesting an x-ray and checking your shoes for improper wear.

If it’s determined that your feet are the cause of your back pain, your chiropractor  will develop a program, which may include an adjustment of the foot to stabilize your postural foundation and to help relieve related stress/pain to the rest of your body.

Custom Orthotics – Your chiropractor may also suggest individually fitted, orthotic arch supports if they’ve determined your feet to be the cause of your back discomfort.

Orthotic arch supports are heat moldable plastic shoe inserts designed to support the arch on the inside of the foot. Orthotics also help in realigning your foot’s ankle joints and bones.

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Originally posted by the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

It is hard to live in Canada and not be aware of Canada’s current Opioid Crisis. An estimated 2,000 Canadians are dying annually from prescription opioids. Our country is facing a national crisis. Currently, Canada is the second highest consumer of prescription opioids in the world. Evidence points to back pain and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions as one of the key drivers.

Headlines related to chronic pain and fentanyl overdose are rising in frequency and urgency. Many chronic pain patients have been universally mismanaged by all health professions even with the best intent and the best minds clamoring for solutions.

Chiropractic can be a piece in the puzzle in the development of an effective opioid reduction strategy. By providing prompt access to effective health care options, like chiropractic care, evidence suggests that we can reduce reliance on opioids to treat acute and chronic MSK-related pain.

In fact, new guidelines released by the Canadian Medical Association Journal, recommend a coordinated multi-disciplinary healthcare team, which includes chiropractic, be used to help manage pain and avoid the dependency of opioids.

Albertans and all Canadians deserve earlier access to conservative chiropractic care for their MSK health issues before they become chronic pain sufferers. It is now understood that current solutions in the pain management of non-cancer conditions affecting the MSK system (bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints) have become too reliant on opioids.

Chiropractic is a safe, evidence informed option to treating chronic pain, and our high patient satisfaction levels make chiropractic a popular option for patients looking to address pain and improve function.

Federal and provincial governments are widely recognizing the crisis that exists with opioid addiction and overdose. The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) has engaged in months of advocacy with the federal government and other health professions to build awareness and understanding that available evidence points to back pain and other MSK conditions as a leading reason for opioid prescribing. We have also had the opportunity provincially to discuss how conservative treatment options like chiropractic can contribute significantly to the health care of Albertans who suffer from pain.

As the national media discuss the link between over-prescribing and the opioid crisis, it appears that the public needs the expertise of chiropractic services more than ever.

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Chiropractic care can be helpful for a variety of chronic, or long-lasting, medical conditions. These include spinal issues, sciatica, chronic pain, headaches, and many others. But what about non-orthopaedic chronic medical conditions – diseases that do not primarily affect the bones, joints, and connective tissue? These problems include diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, lung disease, etc. Is it safe to have chiropractic treatments if you suffer from any of these conditions?

Keeping Everyone on the Same Page

Whether you have chronic medical conditions or are completely healthy, it is important to keep your entire healthcare team apprised of your situation. This means letting your primary care physician, chiropractor, dentist, surgeon, and other specialists know your complete medical history as well as any changes. All of your medical providers should be informed of your medication types as well as dosages and frequencies, hospital admissions, surgical procedures, allergies, and other medical information.

Only by having complete information will your chiropractor and other healthcare providers be able to make informed decisions for your effective treatment and safety. For instance, your chiropractor may elect to delay spinal manipulation if you’re still healing from a surgery. You should always defer to their experience and expertise if they feel that a treatment may carry a safety risk.

However, you should know that chiropractic treatments are generally safe, even for patients with chronic illnesses. Still, let your primary care physician and any specialists know before you seek chiropractic therapy.

A Look at Two Conditions

Let’s examine two widespread chronic conditions – type 2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Type 2 diabetes usually appears in adults and is a systemic disease, meaning it affects your entire body. The primary symptom is high blood sugar, but this can cause other issues like increased thirst and urination, greater susceptibility to heart disease, and diabetic neuropathy – shooting pain and numbness in the hands and feet.

There is currently no evidence that standard chiropractic treatments can worsen type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, while it is not likely that chiropractic can improve the main staple of diabetes – high blood sugar – treatments may be able to help with the symptoms of neuropathy. As always, inform your endocrinologist and primary care physician that you wish to receive chiropractic treatments, and also let your chiropractor know that you’re diabetic, as well as updating them on your blood sugar control and symptoms.

COPD is a common disease among smokers and former smokers, though it may affect non-smokers as well. It manifests mainly as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Patients with COPD may have reduced lung volumes and sometimes require supplemental oxygen.

As with type 2 diabetes, a search of the published literature reveals no instances of adverse COPD patient effects with chiropractic therapy. In fact, several randomised, controlled studies found that COPD patients sometimes benefited from manual spinal manipulation delivered by a qualified chiropractor in the form of increased lung capacities, better lung function, and greater exercise capacities.

Despite these results, again, you should consult with your pulmonologist or family doctor before undergoing chiropractic treatment if you have COPD. Be sure to also let your chiropractor know about your COPD and overall health.