Services

Chiropractic Care

What is Chiropractic?

The chiropractic discipline today is one of the largest primary-contact health care professions in Canada with over 5,000 practicing chiropractors. Approximately four and a half million Canadians use the services of a chiropractor each year.

The vast majority of patients who seek chiropractic care do so for complaints of the musculoskeletal system, most often for conditions affecting the spine.

Chiropractic is a regulated health profession recognized by statute in all Canadian provinces and American states. The benefits of chiropractic care are well recognized by other health practitioners. In a 1995 survey, 44 per cent of Ontario and Alberta physicians indicated that they refer patients for chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic manipulation is a drug-free, non-invasive manual procedure which utilizes the highly-refined skills developed during four intensive years of chiropractic education. Chiropractors assess disorders related to the spine, nervous system, and joints of the extremities and provide diagnosis, treatment and prevention of those disorders.

The primary goal of chiropractic manipulation, also referred to as adjustment, is to treat areas of decreased movement in the joints of the spine which can create a reaction in surrounding tissues (ligaments, muscles and nerves) resulting in pain, dysfunction and muscular spasm. Chiropractors are also trained to prescribe therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies including dietary counseling.

Manipulation is a highly controlled procedure which rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

Scientific study of spinal manipulation has clearly demonstrated that chiropractic treatment improves function and is effective for common conditions such as headache, neck, and low back pain. Between 86 and 96 per cent of all visits to chiropractors are for these or similar conditions.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. Where other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may compliment or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects of discomfort associated with the condition.

Chiropractic care may also be palliative, providing symptomatic relief to patients with chronic conditions. By treating the musculoskeletal elements such as disorders, chiropractic treatment improves the general well-being of the patient. In this regard, Canada’s chiropractors frequently provide complementary as one element of a patients overall treatment program.

Active Release Techniques (ART)

Dr. Hafizi has been a credentialed provider of Active Release Techniques (ART) since 1998.

The Active Release Techniques (ART) Soft-Tissue management system is a new and highly successful approach to injuries of muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments and other soft tissue s. The ART method is based on scientific evidence, that muscles, nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues develop adhesions within, around and between them after acute, repetitive injuries and chronic irritations. Adhesions cause the motion of muscles and joints to be altered and the compression of nerves, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms that characterize the cumulative injury circle and reduction in biomechanical performance.

Example of these injuries – collectively called cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) – include: rotator cuff syndrome, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), carpal tunnel syndrome, runner’s knee (patellofemoral syndrome), chronic low back pain, and whiplash associated disorder. American Federal Statistics show CTDs to have increase 670 percent in the last five years.

The ART Soft-Tissue Management System provides a way to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of CTDs. The Symptoms of CTDs include: tightness, weakness numbness, tingling, burning, and aching. Trained providers are able to diagnose the presence of inflammation and adhesions by examining tissue texture, tension, and movement.

Physicians, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical and occupational therapists, massage therapists and athletic trainers are using ART treatment procedures successfully. Worker’s compensation organizations (Colorado Division of Labour has made ART the standard of care for CTDs prior to any surgical intervention), professional and amateur athletic programs, and world-class athletes recognize the ART system as a successful way of treating and managing soft-tissue injuries.

Our clinic has had great success in treating numerous soft tissue injuries, racing from the resolution of pain and weakness from carpal tunnel syndrome and calf muscle tears, to the restoration of full range of motion without pain in chronic shoulder and neck injuries.

Orthotics and Pedorthotics

What do my feet have to do with it?

Your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. Like the foundation of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. When a small problem develops in your feet, the subtle change in the way you walk will cause a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and walking mechanics. These changes can put stress on joints higher up in your body and lead to more serious problems.

Dr. Bob Hafizi provides custom orthotics to help rebalance your feet, reducing pain and discomfort by enhancing your body’s natural movements. Custom orthotics augment treatment and add to your general well-being no matter where your feet may take you.

What are prescription orthotics?

Prescription orthotics look like insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance. Orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes – they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. Orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole – and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.

How do prescription orthotics help?

Properly made orthotics are custom molded to the support requirements of your feet. They help restore the normal balance and alignment of your body by gently correcting foot abnormalities. Nobody understands this better than Dr. Hafizi.

Dr. Hafizi provides innovative, comfortable orthotics that are a pleasure to wear as they gently reduce problems associated with pressure points, muscle strain and abnormal forces on the ankles, knees, hips and spine. Over time, custom orthotic support that is prescribed will bring you relief from fatigue and pain, allowing you to enjoy daily activities comfortably.

How would I know if I had a problem?

The symptoms of faulty foot mechanics can include any one of the following:

1. Localized foot pain
2. Bunions, hammer toes
3. Arch / heel pain
4. Leg / knee pain
5. Hip or back pain – even neck pain

What can I do?

Dr. Hafizi can prescribe foot orthotics to help correct your specific foot and body imbalance. You can help by discussing any nagging foot, leg, or back problems, and even by simply asking if your feet could be part of the problem.

Type of Orthotics

Dr. Hafizi offers a wide variety of orthotics to fit your lifestyle:

• Casual Orthotics
• Dress Orthotics
• Sport Orthotics
• Sandal Orthotics

Expert orthotic support for every walk of life

Dr. Hafizi provides custom orthotics solutions to patients using assessment tools such as GaitScan™ to custom-made orthotics, shoes and sandals, renowned for their innovative design, quality and comfort.

Fascinating foot facts

1. 25% of the bones in your body are in your feet
2. The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day
3. The average person will walk over 100,000 miles in their lifetime, or more than 4 trips around the world
4. Women have four times as many foot problems as men – blame it on fancy, ill-fitting footwear
5. More than 75% of people will experience foot problems in their lifetime

Test your need for orthotic support

If you agree with any of the statements below, ask how the products Dr. Hafizi provides can help you feel better, from the ground up.

1. My feet are sore on a regular basis
2. I spend a good portion of my day standing or walking on hard surfaces
3. I play a sport regularly (tennis, golf, basketball, etc.)
4. Standing, walking or running gives me joint pain (ankles, knees, hip or back)
5. I am over 40 years old
6. I have visible foot problems (bunions, fallen arches, corns, etc.)
7. One of my legs is shorter than the other
8. I have knock-knees or bow-legs
9. My shoes wear out quickly or unevenly
10. My feet “toe out” when I walk
11. My parents had foot-related symptoms

Laser Therapy

What is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is a safe and effective way of treating injuries or health conditions using intensely focused light emissions. Unlike the high-powered lasers used in surgery, laser therapy uses a low-intensity laser beam to stimulate cell regeneration and the body’s natural healing process.

How Does It Work?

During a laser therapy session, the laser light source is placed in direct contact with the skin allowing the light energy to penetrate the tissue. This energy interacts with the body’s biomolecules, restoring normal cell function and facilitating healing, without adversely affecting healthy cells. The effect is cumulative and over the course of several sessions, laser therapy can offer relief from inflammation and pain, restore function and promote faster healing.

Can Laser Therapy Help You?

Laser therapy can heal wounds and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries and chronic or degenerative conditions including:

• Soft tissue injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Fractures
• Contusions
• Joint conditions
• Back and neck pain
• Knee and foot pain
• Post-operative pain
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Myositis
• Fibromyalgia
• Rotator cuff tears
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• TMJ dysfunction

How Long Does a Treatment Take?

Treatments are typically 30 minutes to one hour in duration, depending on the condition being treated.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Unlike most pharmaceutical solutions and other therapeutic options, laser therapy is non-toxic and non-invasive. No significant adverse effects have been noted in over one million individual treatments.

How Many Treatments Are Required?

The average number of treatments ranges from nine to 14, but will depend on the extent of the condition being treated and its duration. Based on the genetic makeup of the cells, an individual’s response to laser therapy will vary to some degree.

Shock Wave Therapy

Shock waves – facts and features

Shock waves are audible high-energy sound waves.  They occur in the atmosphere, for example during lightning strikes, or when airplanes break through the sound barrier.

In the medical world, shock waves have been employed since around 1980 to disintegrate kidney stones, for instance.  In modern pain therapy, shock wave energy is conducted from the place of its generation – the shock wave generator – to the painful body regions, where it unfolds its healing capacities.

How do shock waves work?

Shock waves accelerate the healing process by activating the body’s self-healing powers.  They stimulate the metabolism and enhance the blood circulation.  A damaged tissue gradually regenerates and eventually heals.

Indications

Which disorders can be treated?

• Shoulder pain, e.g. shoulder calcifications
• Tennis or golfer’s elbow
• Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
• Shin pain / tibial stress syndrome
• Achilles tendon pain
• Heel pain
• Chronic neck, shoulder and back pain
• Muscle tension caused by painful muscular nodules (trigger points)
• Knee osteoarthritis

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has virtually no risks or side effects.

Therapy details

How successful is the therapy?

After only 4 or 5 sessions, over 80% of patients report painlessness or significant pain reduction.

How is the therapy performed?

The therapist localizes the pain region by palpation or shock wave localization and discusses the findings with you.  A skin gel is then applied to the treatment area to allow the shock waves to be introduced into the body almost painlessly and without any loss of energy.  After these preparations, shock waves are released as the shock wave applicator is moved over the pain region in a circular motion.

Duration and frequency of the therapy

The therapy session takes between 5 and 10 minutes depending on the disorder to be treated.  In general, an average of 5 to 8 therapy sessions are necessary at weekly intervals.

TMJ Care

Tri Performance Care