Fairfield Chiropractic & Massage
337A Cook St # 1 V8V 3X5 Victoria, BC, Canada

IT'S WORLD SPINE DAY! All it takes is 3 minutes to make a difference in your posture. Do you have the time? Check out www.straightenupcanada.ca #posturebreak

We have our monthly 'Pillow Draws' up and running again. Refer in a friend or family member for a chance to win a FREE PILLOW. Call 250-361-9311 for more details.

Check out our new updated website at www.fairfieldchiropracticandmassage.com

Unfortunately in life, hindsight is 20/20. It is easy to look back after an injury and see how it could have been prevented. As a Chiropractor, I see quite a few patients that come in for treatment with home or workplace injuries and remember if it happened at home, you are NOT covered by WorkSafeBC. Here are some helpful tips for ladder safety during these busy spring cleanup months: -Use the right ladder for the job. It is important to inspect the ladder before use to mak...e sure it’s integrity is appropriate for the job at hand. -Wear a helmet! This is especially important if you are working over a hard surface, such as concrete. -Make sure you are setting up the ladder on level ground. -Set the ladder at an angle ratio of one foot horizontal from the wall for every four feet as the ladder extends vertically. -Wear a tool belt! This way you have both hands and at least one foot on the ladder at all times. -Secure the ladder at both the top and bottom. See more

Health Check Active Lifestyle = Longer Life - Fights heart disease. According to Health Canada, exercise can cut your chance for a heart attack in half. - Increases the level of HDL, the good blood cholesterol and decreases LDL, the bad blood cholesterol. - Reduces likelihood of strokes by lowering high blood pressure.... - Delays fatigue by causing the heart to beat stronger, increasing lung capacity, boosting circulation and making muscle cells more efficient. - Strengthens bones and also keeps joints limber, which may prevent certain forms of arthritis. - Burns off calories by raising your body’s metabolic rate, burning calories at a higher rate, not only during the exercise period, but for several hours later. - Improves sleep by relaxing the muscles and tissues of the body. - May reduce the likelihood of getting some cancers by reducing stress. - Bolsters mental health. Endorphins, found to counter depression and serotonin, believed to give people a feeling of accomplishment, are both released in the brain during exercise. - Strengthens muscles, improves their tone and boosts their flexibility. See more

"The chiropractor is to the spine what the dentist is to the teeth, although I promise there won’t be any blood or sharp instruments involved." Dr. Chris Votova

Health Check Epigenetics is the influence of the environment on the expression of genes. What this means to you is that you can affect the way your DNA expresses itself; it is not a hard wired destiny. According to a consortium of European Epigenetic Researchers, one of the most important diet-related epigenetic changes is ‘methylation’. Methylation is a biochemical process that helps repair DNA on a daily basis. It controls homocysteine, an unhealthy compound that can dam...age blood vessels. We need an optimal level of B vitamins to keep methylation working. In the estimation of one international research group, until we understand more about the links between diet and epigenetics, one approach is to consume foods that provide the building blocks for methylation of the body: Leaf vegetables, peas and beans, sunflower seeds and liver are good sources of folic acid. Choline comes from eggs, lettuce, peanuts and liver. To boost your intake of methionine, try spinach, garlic, Brazil nuts, kidney beans or tofu. Chicken, beef and fish are also good sources. Sample oysters for zinc and eat fish, eggs, cheese and milk for Vitamin B12.

The 'health chain' consists of exercise, nutrition, sleep and a positive mental attitude. The spine and nervous system play a role in every aspect of this chain. If the chain is kinked or the spine is not moving as it should, it can adversely affect this chain and decrease the expression of health. Until spinal replacement becomes an option, doesn’t it make sense to have yours checked regularly? And if it does become an option in the future, just ask someone with dentures if they would rather have their original teeth back!

With the weather improving, there are more opportunities to travel and explore, but the down side is the long time spent behind the wheel of the car. There are a few tips you can follow to prevent unnecessary strain: * Keep your head straight and held high * Shoulders back, chest out * Stomach tucked in... * Back and legs supported * DON’T tilt your head or body, as this will create strain Try to adjust the headrest so that it supports the middle of your head, with the seat as far forward as possible so you don't need to reach for the wheel. Take breaks! When on a longer trip it’s wise to take a break every 2 hours. This is true for any sort of travel; don’t stay in the same position for too long.

If you have experienced any of the following symptoms when you work at your computer for long periods of time aching wrists, tingly or numb hands & fingers, pain in your forearms, sore neck and shoudlers, strained and tired eyes ... you may have improper computer posture. The following information will help you to maintain proper alignment while using the computer. Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor The keyboard should be placed so that your wrists are straight, with arms and ...hands parallel to the floor when typing. Split keyboards are helpful in keeping the hands and arms at the correct angle. The back edge of the keyboard should be an inch or two lower than the edge that is closest to you. Bending or extending your wrists will put a strain on them and could cause pain or numbness in your hands or fingers. Your arms should be relaxed so that there is no shoulder tension. The best position for your elbows is a bend of 90 degrees. Press lightly on the keys of your keyboard and use a palm rest for your wrists when you are not typing. Do not use the palm rest while typing and do not rest your wrists on the edge of the desk or table. The mouse should be as close to the keyboard as possible to avoid reaching. Place your monitor so that your eyes are at the center of the screen or up to 20 degrees below eye level. If too high or low, the monitor will put a strain on your neck and eyes. Arrange your desk so that the screen is 18 to 30 inches from your eyes to prevent eye-strain. Desk lights should face away from the monitor to prevent glare. See more

There is no better way to maintain your health than exercise and luckily for us, the spring months are a great time to get started. Latest research shows that your brain also benefits from physical activity, that is to say, exercise improves cognitive function.

Posture Standing - Maintain a straight spine, rather than slouching to the side. - Avoid slouching forward; open your chest up and pull your shoulders back. - Keep your chin up with your head centered over your shoulders.... - Keep feet slightly less than shoulder width apart. - Keep knees slightly bent. - Wear comfortable shoes. - Avoid standing still for long periods of time; rather, sit down or move around. Posture Seated - Keep back straight, knees bent and head centered over shoulders. - Be aware of your posture throughout the day and be sure to maintain a neutral spine no slouching. - Take mini breaks on a regular basis when in a prolonged position and remember to stretch. - Have the right equipment and tools for working in a prolonged position; use ergonomically designed furniture and keep a lumbar support in your car for chair crises.