Call today: 416-906-0767
Custom Orthotics
Having arch pain? Heel pain? Get your feet assessed to see how orthotics can help give you the support you need. Along with your chiropractic care, custom orthotics are effective devices to help with ankle proprioception and provides support for all three arches of the feet! Email or call to arrange your custom orthotics appointment. New patients are required to first book an initial assessment. The orthotics appointment includes the biomechanical assessment, gait analysis, and 3D foot scan by Footlevelers scanner. All documents are provided upon dispensing the orthotics for insurance purposes.
email: dr.mdavidovic@gmail.com
416-906-0767
Have you been in a car accident? Compassionate care is available here!
Have you been hurt in a car as a driver, passenger or as a cyclist or pedestrian? You are automatically eligible for 12 weeks of care under the Minor Injury Guideline. As a licensed provider, I can directly bill on your behalf to make the process smoother.
If you have a minor to major injury and are looking for an assessment to begin your claim, look no further. As a primary care provider, you may come to a chiropractor to start your treatment under the Minor Injury Guideline. After a car accident, please notify your insurance company so they can provide you with a claim number/file. If you have waited a while and are now noticing pain and require care, I can assist you with any forms you have received from your car insurance company. I am here to assist you in your healing and to make this process less stressful for you as the bundle of forms can seem overwhelming. Come to a trusted provider who will provide a safe and caring environment.
Benefits to coming to an independent chiropractor vs. rehab chain:
I offer quality care with ample treatment time in a beautiful, zen clinic space
I explain all diagnoses, treatment plans and recovery times with you
I offer a closed concept office space (compared to open concept health care settings seen in bigger chain rehab clinics where everyone is exercising together or overhearing each others conditions or treatments. I value your privacy and will do my best to ensure you are comfortable and feel secure
Dr. Maria Davidovic Chiropractic
1246 Yonge St. Suite 303
Toronto, ON M4T 1W5
dr.mdavidovic@gmail.com
416-906-0767
Been in a motor vehicle accident? Have Whiplash?
Have you been in a motor vehicle accident as a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian?
Even if you haven’t felt immediate pain after a car accident, you may start to feel pain 24hours or even weeks post collision. Whiplash can present itself with minor, moderate or severe symptoms. It is very important to report the accident and seek appropriate care. If you have been in a car accident, you are automatically eligible for coverage under the Ministry of Injury Guidelines. Book your initial examination to ensure you recover and continue to lead your pre-accident life in a healthy state. I offer a caring environment with evidence based care and rehabilitation to assist in recovery.
Involved in a motor vehicle collision? call or email today to get the help you need and deserve.
call 416-906-0767 or email dr.mdavidovic@gmail.com to book your assessment now. Visit www.drmdchiropractic.com
Dr. Maria Davidovic Chiropractic
1246 Yonge St. Suite 303
Toronto, ON M4T 1W5
416-906-0767
dr.mdavidovic@gmail.com
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): what is it and how effective are non-surgical treatments?
What is CTS? CTS is a repetitive strain disorder caused by compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel. It is the most commonly compressed nerve in the upper limb. Office workers, manual works are predisposed to repetitive strain wrist injuries due to the nature of computer work and repetitive wrist movements. Symptoms of CTS are pain, paraesthesia, and numbness in the fingers and hand, specifically the palmar aspect of the thumb, index and middle fingers, and radial half of the ring finger (aka the part of the ring finger closest to the middle finger.) Often, symptoms of CTS worsen at night. People often hear about cortisone injections providing instant relief and don’t hear much about all the other treatment interventions available under the conservative treatment section. In a research review, there is strong and moderate evidence for the effectiveness of corticosteroids (oral and injected) providing the most benefit, however, it’s still unclear in research as to how, but there appears to be an anti-inflammatory/neovascular role at play.
There weren’t any positive long term results with steroid use, only short term. Some serious and common side effects for steroid injections are osteonecrosis (the spontaneous break down of bone) and tendon rupture! A safe and effective intervention found in the research review was splinting, particularly night time splinting was found to be more beneficial than wearing a splint on a continuous basis. There is supporting evidence that targeted massage therapy is more effective than general massage for CTS. There isn’t any conclusive long term evidence for any treatment approach so far. Ergonomic keyboards were found to be moderately beneficial in reducing pain and improving hand function (for short term results only) when compared to a standard keyboard.
Surgical intervention outcomes:
According to surgical intervention, patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome or whose symptoms have not improved after four to six months of conservative treatment (like after seeing a chiropractor) should be offered surgical decompression. Endoscopic and open techniques are equally effective, but patients return to work an average of one week earlier with endoscopic repair (the less invasive surgery). Surgery may provide improvements in some but doesn’t guarantee full recovery and CTS may reoccur. A good diagnosis and ultrasound/nerve conduction tests to rule out anything else is important.
In my clinical practice, I’ve had positive long-term patient outcomes thus far with the following combined treatment interventions for the upper limb: targeted Graston technique®, targeted active and passive muscle release technique, not just for the wrist, but along the median nerve path in the upper limb and neck, electro-acupuncture, mobilizing/adjusting the cervicothoracic spine, kinesiotaping and nerve glides/specific stretches and active at home exercises. There may be neck or upper limb involvement like a “double-crush” of the median nerve so examining these areas are integral. I found the combination of treatment to be highly effective in my practice, granted as the research review states, it’s important to have a good diagnosis and if the pain persists, I always recommend patients to speak to their general practitioners about ordering blood work to rule out any diseases that may be causing inflammation; to request an ultrasound and to be referred to a neurologist for nerve conduction tests to rule out anything else that may be contributing to the condition. Wearing a wrist brace may keep CTS from worsening and help decrease symptoms by keeping your wrist in a neutral position, but it won’t help much to decrease tension and any restriction in the wrist and arm area. The tension and restriction in the wrist joints and other areas may be contributing to the pain, numbness and weakness. A course of treatment along with patient education would be my first recommendation.
If you’d like to arrange a chiropractic appointment, email dr.mdavidovic@gmail.com or call
416-906-0767
Reference: Huisstede BM et al. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Part I Effectiveness of Nonsurgical Treatments – A Systematic Review. Department of General Practice and Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 2010; 91: 981-1004.
December Newsletter 2014 *Happy Holidays*
Here is the link to the pdf newsletter: DEC2014PrintLetter
It’s that time of year AGAIN! With the hustle & bustle of the holiday season, don’t forget to take good care of your immune system with adequate rest, a good diet, exercise and throw in your chiropractic “tune-up” visits, and your spine and nervous system will be good to go! While for some, this season can be a pain in the neck, figuratively speaking, many others suffer from acute or chronic headaches stemming from the neck. Read below on how chiropractic care can help you or someone you know.
Research Review
Efficacy of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Cervicogenic Headache (HA).
Cervicogenic headache is a secondary complaint from a disorder within the cervical spine or soft tissues of the neck. It is pain referred to the head from joint structures in the upper cervical spine. Patients with headache are frequently treated with spinal manipulative therapy, which is moving a “stuck” or restricted joint beyond someone’s physiological range in order to restore normal, pain-free motion.
According to research, SMT is effective in reducing HA intensity, duration and medication intake, and may also help to decrease headache frequency in Cervicogenic HA patients.
In my practice, I utilize MANY therapeutic techniques such as, the aforementioned, spinal manipulative therapy, cervical mobilization, which is challenging a restricted or “stuck” joint within someone’s physiological range of motion, Graston Technique®, Muscle Release Therapy, Kinesiotaping, therapeutic exercise, acupuncture and thoracic spine manipulation, which is also effective in decreasing neck pain (see next page.)
If you are experiencing neck pain and headaches and are unsure as to why that is, call or email to book a free 15 min consultation to find out how Chiropractic Care can help you.
Thoracic SMT for cervical spine pain and HA
Because of biomechanical, anatomical and nerve relationships between the cervical and thoracic spine, disturbances in the thoracic spine could contribute to the maintenance of neck pain. Treatment directed at the thoracic spine may have hypoalgesic (a decreased sensitivity to pain) or biomechanical effects on the cervical spine.
Preliminary evidence suggests that thoracic spine SMT may result in an immediate decrease in pain and an increase in cervical range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain. (Flynn et al, 2001)
In a controlled study (Cleland et al.), they demonstrated that patients with mechanical neck pain who received thoracic spine manipulation experienced a significant immediate improvement in neck pain as compared to a sham manipulation group. The results showed a clinically significant reduction in pain at rest in subjects with mechanical neck pain immediately and 48 hours following a thoracic SMT.
You can follow me on Twitter & Facebook where I will be re-posting a headache diary and some easy neck exercises/stretches. Here’s wishing you a safe, healthy and happy holiday season with all the best to come in the New Year! J
One of the best gifts you can give this holiday season to a friend, colleague, family member, or significant other is sharing your experience with chiropractic care and your health accomplishments in 2014.
Invite a friend to come in for a free 15 min Consultation to learn more about Chiropractic Care
Cesar Fernandez-de-las-Penas et al. (2007). Changes in Neck pain and active ROM after a single thoracic spine manipulation in subjects presenting with mechanical neck pain: a case series. JMPT, 30:4.
Fernandez-de-las-Penas, C et al. (2005). Spinal Manipulative Therapy in the Management of Cervicogenic Headache. Headache, 45:1260-1270
Spring 2012 – What is Graston Technique?
What is Graston Technique®?
It’s a patented form of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IAST) which allows clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue & restrictions. It is grounded in the works of Dr. James Cyriax, an Orthopedic surgeon.
What is the Technique used for?
Graston Technique breaks down collagen cross links, splays and stretches connective tissue and muscle fibers, increases skin temperature, helps alter reflex changes in chronic muscle holding patterns, increases the rate and amount of blood flow to and from the area, increases cellular activity (fibroblasts and mast cells), and increases histamine response (secondary to mast cell activity).
What is Scar tissue?
It is damaged tissue which heals in a haphazard pattern (scarring) that results in a restricted range of motion. It can cause pain which prevents the return to optimal functioning prior to injury.
How are the instruments used?
- The tools are used to help the clinician detect adhesions/scar tissue/or restrictions in the tissues.
- Break up the scar tissue to be absorbed by the body.
Minor discomfort during treatment and some bruising may occur after, which is a normal response and part of the healing process.
Who uses Graston Technique?
- Hospital based outpatient facilities
- Onsite treatment in Indiana University and University of Michigan
- NBA, NHL and Major league Baseball trainers
- Chiropractors
The technique is equally effective in restoring function in acute and chronic injuries, pre and post-surgical intervention.