Good Morning!

We are bringing you the latest update on our exciting move.  There has been a great deal of action at 1091 McKenzie as we prepare to transition our Health Within family to the new facility.  CLICK ON THIS LINK TO CHECK OUT THE CONSTRUCTION PICTURES.  The entire team has been working together… from orchestrating construction to transferring all of your treatment notes into the new “paperless” system.  We are almost ready!

The big question has been… WHEN are you moving?

Although the site is still under construction, we are excited to tell you that we have set a date… Monday, December 7th!  This means that your final appointments at Health Within will be on Thursday, December 3rd.  From Monday, Dec 7th onward you will be visiting us at BackFit!

PLEASE NOTE… If you have not yet done so, please ensure that you confirm your future appointmentswith Tania this week.  We will carry your current appointments over to BackFit unless you have talked to Tania to make any changes to your schedule.

We sincerely appreciate your patience during this time of transition.  Growth and change is never without its challenges, but it means a great deal to have you embark on this journey with us!

Go to www.healthwithinupgrade.ca to see more photos and the answers to your most frequent questions.

In good health,

Drs. Craig & Marissa

Good Afternoon!

We have designed a website to give you a “sneak peek” and answer more questions about our upcoming amalgamation with BackFit.

www.healthwithinupgrade.ca

We genuinely thank all of you for your support.  Many of you have expressed your excitement and anticipation to us already.  For others, we recognize that it will take more time out of your day to come and visit us… but we are confident that once you experience the new facility, you will be thrilled!  If you have any further questions about your appointments or personal care, please feel free to email us or call the office. 

We want you to know that easing the transition for each of you is of primary importance to us and we will continue to keep you informed about the details of this exciting move! 

In good health,

Drs. Craig & Marissa

Dear friends,

With a new year just around the corner, we have made some big choices at Health Within and want you to be a part of them.  Please take a moment to read about the upcoming changes to our practice.

Five years ago, when we opened the doors of Health Within in “Sidney by the Sea”, we were so honoured to be embraced by a community of people who place a high value on spinal health and overall body wellness. Because of this commitment to your health and our practice, Health Within has expanded into every corner of this office.  Our program of care now includes Pettibon spinal equipment, wobble chairs, cervical wall traction, spinal decompression therapy, kinesiology training sessions, orthotics, wellness seminars, spinal fitness educational classes and home exercise programs.  This centre has become a part of the lives of over 1500 people like you – families and athletes who value a healthy functioning spine, not just for now but into the future. 

In the last five years much has changed, but one thing has remained the same: our promise to give our very best in service and care.  To continue to uphold this promise, there are additional services and exciting rehabilitation equipment that we want to make available to you as a part of your spinal fitness program. 

In order to fulfill our vision of enhancing your current care, we will be moving into a new, more spacious facility.  Health Within will be amalgamating with BackFit Spinal Health and Fitness in Royal Oak.  We realize that this may be a greater distance for some of you to travel for your appointments; however we are confident that you will see the value in this new facility.   

In addition to the same personalized care and spinal treatments that you are currently receiving, these are among the many added benefits that you can look forward to at our new location:

·         5,600 square feet of total back rehabilitation

·         CORE – a spinal fitness gym

·         Whole body vibration platforms

·         New spinal decompression tables

·         Convenient key-fob check-in

·         Paperless, computerized charts (a “greener” philosophy)

·         Immediate access to digital x-ray images

·         A larger team which includes 4 doctors

·         Acupuncture

·         Spinal fitness and rehabilitation classes

Throughout the last five years, we have been honoured to play a role in your health and we would like our partnership with you to continue.  Many of you have made us a part of your fitness and training regime.  Others have made us part of your family wellness checkups.  Now, as we celebrate the past and embrace the exciting times ahead, we would like to sincerely thank you for your support and patronage to Health Within and look forward to sharing our new facility with you at 1091 McKenzie Ave.  We are confident you will be thrilled!  

We are excited about this new journey, and look forward to answering any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Drs. Craig and Marissa Bentham

What will happen to my current appointments?

Your current appointments can remain the same.  Ultimately, everything can stay the same for you unless you would like to make changes.  In fact, we will be opening up more hours and our Core gym and spinal decompression therapy appointments. 

What will happen with our staff?

Our friendly and caring staff will be part of this move and will be waiting to greet you at our new facility.

Will my fees be the same?

All of your existing fees will remain the same.    

What are some other benefits to this new location?

When you are under regular care at our new office, you will receive a complimentary membership to our “CORE” gym!  In addition, you will now have access to 2 different types of decompression therapy tables.  Our new facility also offers exciting equipment (such as vibration therapy) to follow your treatments, at no additional charge.

Why not expand on the current property?

Recently, there has been a great deal of uncertainty around the future of our current location due to its development potential.

Where is the new location?

BackFit Spinal Health and Fitnessis only 10-15 minutes from the Saanich Peninsula, conveniently located near Quadra and McKenzie (across from Monkey Tree Pub).  The facility is easily accessible from the Pat Bay Highway and is a central location for the Greater Victoria area.  There is a large parking area just outside the front doors.   

What about my acupuncture and Chinese Medicine integration?

For patients of Dr. Jeff Jones and Mikiala Christie, we will still be in direct communication with them regarding your integrated care. 

What can I expect?

The same great care and service, with access to even more exciting things in the world of spinal health!

Greetings,

As many of you may know, I was injured while playing hockey last week.  I have torn the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in my left knee.  There is a good chance I will require surgery, as well as concentrated rehabilitation.

I have to admit that this injury has become challenging for our family and practice… as all you know, an injury free body is paramount for our work.  As challenging as this is, I strongly believe that these times help us to build strength and resilience and can often bring unexpected blessings.   Thank you all for you kind words and healing thoughts so far.

While I am on my healing journey, you will be seeing more of my wife, Dr. Marissa, in the practice.  We appreciate your understanding during this time.  Please stay consistent with your care in the office, and at home, as I will be doing the same!  For anyone who has specific questions or concerns, please email me directly at drbentham@gmail.com or call me on my cell 250.896.1020. 

I am still available for exams and consultations.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bentham

Mehmet Oz, MD, host of The Dr. Oz Show, sorts out the best treatments for your aching back.

Chiropractic treatment: Even when the pain is in the lower back, the problem tends to be with the entire spine, says Victor Meir Nazarian, a Los Angeles–based chiropractor. Chiropractors employ manipulation—adjustment of the vertebrae— to help align a patient’s spine, and often prescribe regular visits. “People come in only when they’re in pain,” Nazarian says. “But we need to think of our spine the way we do our teeth, using preventive care to stay healthy.”

Physical therapy: The lower back must flex, extend, and rotate, says physical therapist Peggy Brill, author of two books on managing pain through exercise. Yet most of us sit immobile for hours at a time. That’s why physical therapists prescribe walking and other gentle exercise, such as stretching and core strengthening, following a flare-up of back pain. Usually, after 72 hours patients will begin to feel better, says Brill.

Stress relief: Stress is the source of most low back pain, according to John Sarno, MD, professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at New York University. Though Sarno doesn’t dispute that the pain is real, he believes it stems from buried emotional issues that trigger tension in the body and ultimately deprive nerves and muscles of oxygen; relief comes through understanding this link and by learning to deal with negative emotions constructively.

Surgery: “Think of this as the last resort,” says Paul McCormick, MD, a professor of neurological surgery at Columbia University. Surgery may be necessary in some cases of curvature of the spine, narrowing of the cavity that surrounds spinal nerves, and nerve inflammation or disk degeneration—but these conditions are rare, McCormick says: “Ninety-nine out of one hundred patients will recover without surgery.”

My Recommendation: The research is positive on chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and stress relief—they all help ease back pain. (As Paul McCormick says, with rare exceptions, surgery is unnecessary.) The key is to get moving again as soon as possible after the pain hits, and then make sure you take steps to prevent a return. I see low back pain as a warning about overall fitness: If you’re active, your hips and back are flexible, your core strength is good, and you’re coping well with the emotional challenges in your life, your back probably won’t bother you. Overlook one of those areas, however, and your back will let you know. And while the emotional link to back pain is controversial, there’s no question that stress can play a part in muscle tension, especially in the lower back and hips, leading to trouble.

Last week, a patient who is relatively new to our office, said to me, “Hey Doc, I want you to know I feel so much better since starting my spinal decompression treatments.”  As I am always excited to see progress, I smiled and said “FANTASTIC!” 

However, I also smiled and said, “Told you so.” 

Normally I am not that cheeky, however, 6 weeks before, that same patient asked me a VERY COMMON question that comes up OVER AND OVER. 

During the first 5 visits that same patient had asked me, “Why do I feel sore after my decompression treatments?” 

My response was, ”Hang in there… IT WILL IMPROVE.”

If you are going for your first workout in 20 years, you are going to feel it.  If you are getting the braces on your teeth tightened, you are going to feel it.  If you are doing your first cleanse, you are going to feel it.  When you start working on healing and stabilizing your spine, whether through spinal adjustments or decompression therapy, YOU WILL FEEL IT! 

Trust in the healing process.  It takes time, it takes commitment, and it takes an understanding of the process.

Get educated about your spine, take care of it now and for the long haul… It is the only one you have.

If anyone else would like to share their healing success story from a tough start through to a happy ending,  PLEASE SHARE.  You may end up inspiring others who are going through the same process.

Have a fantastic week!

Good morning everyone!

Did you know that eighty percent of the North Americans suffer from back pain?  If you fall into that category and are seeking the help of a chiropractor, follow these tips to get you on the fast track to a happier and healthier spine!

1.  AIM FOR A DOZEN CRUNCHES EVERY DAY.  Most lower back problems are exacerbated by weak abdominals.  When your abs are weak, the gluteal and hamstring muscles have to work harder to keep your spine stable.  Long term instability can lead to disc compression and early degeneration.

2.  CHANGE YOUR POSTURE FREQUENTLY.  By changing your posture you will vary the location of stress on your spine.  If you sit all day, try standing for periods of time.  If you always lean back on your chair, move forward to sit without support.

3.  TRADE YOUR OFFICE CHAIR FOR A SWISS BALL OR WOBBLE CHAIR.  Swap out your desk chair for 20 minutes every hour with a “swiss ball”, Sissel “sit fit” or a Pettibon “wobble chair”.  This will do two critical things; hydrate and revitalize your spinal discs and strengthen your core.

4.  ADJUST THE SEAT IN YOUR CAR.  If you recline your car seat too far back, you will have to crane your neck forward to see in front of you.  This will put dangerous strain on the lower neck and lead to a common condition called forward head syndrome – ultimately undoing any spinal corrections you have had.

5.  MAKE THE SWITCH TO A CONTOURED PILLOW.  With a properly fitted contoured pillow, you will have your neck perfectly cradled for 8 straight hours.  If you sleep on your side, draw your knees up toward your chest and place a pillow between your knees.  If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees.  Adopting either of these postures will take tremendous stress off your lower back.  Check out the “Normalizer” – one of my favorites.

6.  LOSE THE WALLET.  Sitting on a 1 inch billfold will create a postural deviation and lead to excessive pressure on your discs and sciatic nerve.

7.  OPT FOR SPINAL MAINTENANCE.  Just like tartar builds up on your teeth, stress and pressure builds on your joints, discs and nerves- leading to serious problems.  By maintaining healthy alignment and using tools like decompression therapy, you can ward off excessive stress and maintain a healthy, pain-free back into the later years of your life.

“The popping sound may come from a rapid release of gas bubbles that from in a joint when it is stretched.  It can occur when you bend you neck ore wrist, or twist your back, for instance.   It usually is harmless, but if you’ve had an injury or if the cracking is accompanied by pain or swelling, notify your doctor or a spine specialist.  It could be a sign of arthritis or other joint problems.”

University of California, Berkeley Wellness letter  June 2008

What are the most common reasons we get misaligments (subluxations) in the spine?

1.  Macrotrauma- Classic injuries that result from trauma to the spine through car accidents, sports injuries and falls.

2.  Microtrauma- Repetitive stress injuries as a result of chronic bad posture (school, workstations, car, etc.), a chronic sedentary lifestyle and overuse injuries.

Unresolved trauma leads to TISSUE INJURY.

Tissue injury leads to SCAR DEPOSITION in muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and discs.

Scar deposition leads to DECREASED MOTION in the surrounding joints and tissues.

Decreased motion leads to DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE.

Degenerative joint disease can and will create DAMAGE TO YOUR NERVE SYSTEM.

If you don’t want to end up with back problems like 80% of North Americans, take care of your body, spine and nervous system for life!

Did you have a great Earth Day on Wednesday?  I sure did!

We were asked to be part of an Earth day event for 700 middle school kids at the Mary Winspear Centre and wow it was fun!  Check out these pictures…

This event was put on by “Creatures of Habitat” (creaturesofhabitat.ca) and the goal was to educate our youth on both environmental wellness and personal wellness.  We educated students that in the same way you can create a toxic environment, you can create a toxic body.  What really blew me away was how engaged these kids were and how much they already understood about this topic.  Our environment needs everyone’s help, and we must realize that the waste and toxicity we dump into our oceans, streams and land returns right back to us on our dinner plates.  Creating a healthier body and a healthier planet go hand in hand!

Thanks to all the other volunteers who made this day possible.  And to all the new kids who are joining our blog… keep your footprint small, keep moving, and make healthy choices for yourself and your environment… you are our hope for the future!

FACT- Every person in North America produces approximately 4.5 pounds of garbage every day.  Times that by the population of North America- that means 2.3 billion pounds of garbage a day!  If we don’t stop this, our planet will literally become TRASH.  Commit to cutting your waste by half!