oakridge-chiropractic

Kids' Sports and Lifestyle Injuries

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:14:19 GMT

Nearly three-quarters of families with children between the ages of 5 and 18 have at least one child who participates in organized sports, either at school or on a community team. Almost one-third of all childhood injuries are related to sports activities, with the most common injuries being strains and sprains.

Chiropractic’s focus on spinal structure and the nervous system can play a role in helping kids minimize injuries and perform at their peak, especially during growth and development stages. Chiropractors are also valuable educators for kids (and parents!) about how to optimize performance through healthy habits and exercise.

Besides sports injuries, other challenges to children’s health include long periods of sitting, bending over desks doing schoolwork, and hunching over phones or tablets. Another issue is carrying heavy backpacks, which can cause rounding of the shoulders and a tendency to lean forward. This results in muscular imbalances causing muscle strain or spasm, as well as irritation to the joints of the spine and rib cage.

Regular chiropractic check-ups – and if needed, treatment – can help alleviate the skeletal and muscular imbalances that children face each day, through sports, school, or leisure activities, and can help prevent further problems later in life.

Tennis Elbow

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:12:39 GMT

Also known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow can affect anyone who overuses the tendons in the forearm near the elbow. Repetitive daily activities such as painting, cooking and typing, or recreational activities like texting (and tennis!), can cause damage as well as chronic inflammation, making it painful to bend your wrist or grasp objects with your hand. Even holding items for long periods of time can lead to this condition.

Patients typically seek help when they feel pain in the bone known as the lateral epicondyle, on the outer edge of the elbow. Pain actually comes from the bone and tendons attached to the lateral epicondyle. Along with Active Release treatments performed by an ART®-certified chiropractor like Dr. Watson or Dr. Barlot, icing the area, stretching, and limiting repetitive activities may aid in the healing process.

Plantar Fasciitis

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:11:15 GMT

Your feet have a thick, fibrous band of tissue (“fascia”) stretching from your heel to your toes. These tissues support the muscles and arch of the foot. When they’re over-stretched, tiny tears can occur. Inflammation or deterioration of this tissue results in symptoms that include pain in the bottom of your foot – at the front or center of the heel bone. You might notice that it’s worse in the morning when you first wake up and take a few steps, or when you stand up after having been seated for a long time. You’re also more likely to feel it right after exercise.

Once inflamed, you should rest and ice the area. Book an appointment with our chiropractors for ART® treatment. These treatments focus on locating and treating the scar tissues adhesions accumulated in the muscles and soft tissues with the goal of breaking down the adhesions, increasing tissue flexibility, movement and comfort, and restoring full flexibility, balance and stability.

Treatment with ART® is applied to the plantar fascia, calf muscles, and other muscles of the foot. The treatment is complemented with specific foot strengthening and stability exercises. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is another treatment option for plantar fasciitis.

Piriformis Syndrome

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:08:41 GMT

Piriformis syndrome is a common cause of posterior hip and leg pain that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated by the piriformis muscle – a muscle that is located deep in the back of the hip. As the sciatic nerve becomes irritated it can lead to symptoms such as pain, tingling and numbness along the path of the sciatic nerve, including into the buttocks and down the back of the thigh.

Excessive or repetitive use with certain sports or occupations can cause this irritation to develop within the piriformis. Prolonged sitting can also strain the piriformis as it stretches the muscle, which reduces blood flow and leads to tightness and irritation.

Problems can develop when the piriformis muscle is subjected to ongoing micro-trauma over the course of weeks or months (i.e. we continue to play the same sports, do the same jobs, or sit all day). This leads to an accumulation of scar tissue, making the piriformis tight, stiff, and inflamed, and may start to compress and irritate the sciatic nerve as it passes underneath the muscle.

The goal of treatment for Piriformis Syndrome is to break-up restrictive scar tissue adhesions and restore normal sliding motion of the sciatica nerve at the hip. Fortunately, ART® in combination with chiropractic adjustments, is a very effective therapy for Piriformis Syndrome, and both Dr. Watson and Dr. Barlot can provide treatment.

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:07:30 GMT

Patellar Tendonitis is also commonly referred to as “Jumper’s Knee.” Jumper’s Knee is pain around the patella or knee cap, often described as a dull ache deep in the front of the knee. Under the kneecap is a layer of cartilage which acts as a natural shock absorber. Injury, overuse, and aging can cause damage to that cartilage, resulting in pain and reduced mobility. Pain is often made worse when sitting with knees bent for a long time, squatting or kneeling, or when walking up and down stairs.

The patellar tendon connects the quadriceps muscle to patella and then the patella to the tibia or shin bone. Contraction of the quadriceps muscle causes the lower leg to extend through the patella tendon.

Activities involving kicking, jumping, or explosive movements rely on quick and forceful contraction of the quadriceps muscle for power. These activities are most common in sports involving jumping. However, patellar tendonitis can occur in any activity that involves contraction of the quadriceps, including running, biking, skiing, or climbing.

Jumper’s Knee pain may decrease with rest and ice, but sometimes that simply isn’t enough. One of the most effective treatments for Jumper’s Knee is Active Release Technique (ART®). This, in combination with specific resistance exercises and chiropractic adjustments, can help restore full strength.

Rotator Cuff/Shoulder Sprains/Strains

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:05:55 GMT

The shoulder is a very mobile joint. This mobility comes at the expense of shoulder stability. A small injury in one of the shoulder tendons or muscles can progress to other muscle areas becoming irritated due to compensation patterns. A very common symptom of a rotator cuff injury is the inability to lift the arm out to the side, pain when putting on a coat, or pain when sleeping on that side at night. Some people experience pain radiating down the arm towards the elbow or even hand.

Traumatic injuries to the rotator cuff can occur with falling on to an outstretched arm. Repetitive activities can also cause damage to the rotator cuff tendons. Over time, the tendons wear faster than the body can repair them and a micro-tear can develop within the tendons. Patients will often have complaints of shoulder pain prior to developing a complete rotator cuff tear.

Shoulder mobilization, soft tissue release on the rotator cuff muscles, mid back and neck treatment are some of the treatment modalities Dr. Watson or Dr. Barlot will incorporate to help improve motion to the shoulder joint. ART® is used to help restore normal length and elasticity to the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It can also help break down scar tissue and adhesions in and around the joint and associated soft tissues. Once the shoulder function has improved, shoulder strengthening exercises are usually prescribed to help keep the area functioning properly.

IT Band Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:04:37 GMT

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (or ITBS) is also sometimes referred to as “Runner’s Knee” as running for long periods of time is the most common cause. The IT band is a fibrous ligament, extending from the pelvis to the lower leg on the outside of the leg. When this ligament becomes tight, it shortens and can begin to rub against the lower portion of the femur, or thigh bone. This friction often leads to inflammation and irritation, with resulting aches and pain.

Common symptoms of ITBS include: pain during flexion or extension of the knee (walking/running); pain on the outside of the knee with gradual onset; trigger points along the outside of the leg and into the glute; and pain that worsens when running or walking downhill. Weak muscles such as hip abductors or gluteus medius can also put strain on the IT band.

Chiropractic treatment utilizes specific adjustments to correct underlying biomechanical issues as well as remove pressure on nerves. The restoration of nerve flow is necessary in the healing process of any tissue. The quadriceps, IT band, and hamstring usually respond quickly with ART® treatment which is effective in removing built-up scar tissue that interferes with proper muscle function. The hip flexors and pelvic stabilizers (deeper, postural muscles) also contribute to ITBS and may be treated as well, even if they are not symptomatic.

Corrective exercises and stretching are all part of the process that will determine the success of ART® treatments and prevention of future injuries.

Headaches and Migraines

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:02:18 GMT

Most Canadians will suffer from at least one headache in their lifetime. The reason for a headache can differ from one individual to another. There are also several types of headaches, including: migraine, cervicogenic (caused by the neck), tension-type, sinus, and cluster.

Common migraines are found more often in women than men, and usually start in young adulthood. Migraine symptoms include a pulsing headache that can be severe enough to hamper daily activities. They are often associated with nausea and vomiting, as well as sensitivity to light or noise.

Classic migraines are less common, and are often preceded by visual symptoms such as flashing lights (or auras), and a blind spot or decreased vision. Once these temporary symptoms disappear, the pulsing headache that results can be disabling and last from hours to days.

Chiropractors can assess, diagnose and effectively treat most types of headaches. Chiropractic treatment may decrease the intensity and frequency of migraines in many cases, especially common migraines.

Our chiropractors can also provide relief from migraine and headache after-effects such as restricted neck movement, muscle tension in the upper back and shoulders, as well as addressing any postural issues to help reduce the occurrence of both migraine and tension headaches.

More Than Backs!

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:59:06 GMT

Chiropractors are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the entire musculoskeletal system – the body’s bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and connective tissue.

Dr. Watson and Dr. Barlot may use a combination of techniques in their treatments. They often include chiropractic adjustments to correct joint dysfunction and/or Active Release Technique (ART®) to remove scar tissue adhesions. This approach is very effective in treating the following conditions: