December 2007

You are invited to KWC's Patient Appreciation Day!
Please stop by between 9-6pm on Thursday December 20 for some food, drink and good cheer.

Chiropractic Tip of the Month: Lift Light, Shovel Right • A shovelful of snow weighs 5 to 7 pounds. To clear your sidewalk and/or driveway, you have to move several hundred pounds worth of snow, on average. • A 2003 Pollara survey of 500 Ontario chiropractors concluded that snow shoveling was a leading cause of back injury during the winter months. • The following tips can help prevent injuries related to snow shoveling: Don’t let the snow pile up: If the weather report calls for several days of snow, frequent shovelling will allow you to move smaller amounts of snow at once. It’s far less strenuous in the long run. Warm up: Before tackling any strenuous activity take the time to warm up with some overall conditioning (a 10- to 15-minute walk, even on the spot, should do it), followed by some simple stretching. Pick the right shovel: Use a lightweight pusher-type shovel. If you are using a metal shovel, spray it with Teflon first, so snow won’t stick to it. Push, don’t throw: Always push the snow to the side rather than throw it. That way you avoid lifting heavy shovelfuls of snow, and sudden twisting or turning movements. Bend your knees: If you find you have to lift a shovelful of snow, as with lifting any heavy object, you need to use your knees and your leg and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting, while keeping your back straight. Take breaks: If you feel tired or short of breath, stop and take a rest. Shake out your arms and legs. Stop shovelling immediately if you feel chest pain or back pain. If you have back pain that is severe or that persists for more than a day after shovelling, see a chiropractor. If you have chest pain that is severe, see a medical doctor immediately.

Please note as of January 1, 2008 there will be a new Fee Schedule for Chiropractic Treatments:

Subsequent Treatment: $38.00
Package of 12 Chiropractic Treatments: $420

KWC Staff Profile of the Month: Dr. Cynthia Chan, DC

Dr. Cynthia Chan graduated with Cum Laude and Clinic Honours from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1997. In 1995 she received her acupuncture certification from the Open International University (Columbo, Sri Lanka) and in 2000 she completed an acupuncture recertification in Beijing. Dr. Chan has completed the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association's (ICPA) Level One program and is also certified in the Webster Technique for pregnant women. Recently Dr. Chan has added the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique to her adjusting protocol.

Dr. Chan is dedicated to educating the public on chiropractic and health promotion. She has spoken on such topics as chiropractic and pregnancy, nutrition, ergonomics and stress-management at schools, health fairs and corporations.

Dr. Chan believes that acupuncture and chiropractic care can work synergistically to stimulate the body's innate healing centers. She has gained a deep appreciation for the human body's form and function through her past training in ballet and modern dance and through her current physical activities: Ashtanga yoga, volleyball, spinning classes, tennis, Pilates and running.

As a creative side project Dr. Chan is currently co-producing a play by Neil LaBute called Fat Pig. Performances begin January 17, 2008 and run until February 3, 2008. For more information please email infofatpig@rogers.com.

King West Chiropractic Health Centre respects your privacy.  To review our Privacy Policy, click here.