Featured

2020 Welcome to our Blog!

January 01, 2020

In our ongoing attempts to keep up with technology we have added various social media. This will help to keep you informed about our health services and the latest events at the our clinic, excited about your health choices, and updated on health matters relevent to you.

On our Facebook Page we will post links to pertinent articles and news clips important to making good decisions about your health, entertaining videos that will inspire us towards wellness, and educated opinions on various current health events. By “liking” us on Facebook, you will stay updated and be alerted to the latest information! So please click on the Facebook Tab on the right column of this blog and please tell your friends!

Many of you are receiving our regular email newsletters which contains some of our available massage therapy appointments for the coming week by our fantastic Registered Massage Therapists. However, these appointments times can change quickly and at times, others can come available. We all live busy lives and it can be challenging to know our exact schedules. If you sign up for our LAST MINUTE MASSAGE CLUB by sending a request to our front office, we can TEXT you when your preferred times come available so you can decide if you want that particular appointment!

Lastly, our WEBSITE has been updated and we have a new look! This is our main resource for education as we have detailed information on the services offered at our clinic, treatment options and the various tests and techniques available to you. You can also book an appointment online!

As always, please feel welcome to contact us with any questions or information or topics that you would like to discuss. It is our passion to keep you informed on the latest health trends and choices available to you! Foremost, we want you to live a healthy passionate life!

~ Dr. Gertz, Pacific Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

How Sitting is the New Smoking

August 29, 2023

Break Up with your sitting with some walking!

There’s no sugar-coating it: North Americans sit a lot, especially if you reside in a tech-savvy area of Vancouver like Yaletown. Two-thirds of the North American workforce sits for all or part of their workday.1 When you don’t adjust your posture frequently enough, you’re more likely to experience discomfort while sitting–and you’re inviting a whole host of other musculoskeletal problems along with it.1

Today, on average, sitting takes up more than half of an adult’s waking hours.2 What’s worse is that, according to Mayo Clinic cardiologist Martha Grogan, “for people who sit most of the day, their risk of heart attack is about the same as smoking.”3 Based on current trends, researchers predict the number of hours we spend sedentary will likely increase.2

There are other health risks that come from being more sedentary: prolonged time spent while sitting or reclining can tamper with your glucose levels and your metabolism.4 It’s also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.4 The good news is that if you break up those long periods of sitting, you can reduce your risk of having diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.4

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada5 recommends at least thirty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity–such as brisk walking or bike riding–at least five days out of the week. If you work Monday to Friday, consider adding a few steps to your commute, or taking two 15 minute walk breaks each workday.

Here are some more helpful tips to help break up your sitting time6,7:

  • Create a schedule to remind you to stand up and move. Programming your day can help you stick to something you may otherwise forget to do. A good goal is 5-10 minutes of activity per hour. For example, if you have a job that involves sitting most of the day, plan to spend five minutes every hour up from your chair and moving around the office (like getting coffee, walking around the building, or taking a restroom break) and spend the other five minutes doing stretches.
  • Walk around on your lunch break. Invite coworkers from your office to go for a walk with you at lunch. You can check out a nearby park or take a new route around the neighbourhood.
  • Park further away and walk. Whether you’re running errands or parking at work, you can choose to park further away and walk those extra few steps to your destination.
  • Walk around the house while talking on the phone or during commercial breaks of your favourite show. You might find other opportunities throughout the day too!
  • Use a Variable Height Desk – there is no rule as to how long you should spend sitting vs standing. However, the main idea is that changing positions frequently is best. Experiment with the number and amount of times spent standing throughout the day.

Little changes can go a long way to improve your posture and decrease a number of health risks. Ask Dr. Gertz on your next check up appointment for some stretches, core strengthening exercises and if your work ergonomics can be improved. Of course, regular adjustments  at Pacific Chiropractic can help reduce the chances of stiffness, misalignments or even nerve pressure from building up…at least, that’s what our patients tell us!

References

  1. Fenety A, Walker JM. Short-term effects of workstation exercises on musculoskeletal discomfort and postural changes in seated video display unit workers. J Am Phys Ther Assoc. 2002; 82(6): 578-89.
  2. Healy GN, Eakin EG, Owen N, et al. A cluster randomized controlled trial to reduce office workers’ sitting time. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016; 48(9): 1787-97. doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000000972.
  3. Winslow, R. The guide to beating a heart attack: first line defense is lowering risk, even when genetics isn’t on your side. The Wall Street Journal. April 16, 2012. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304818404577347982400815676. Accessed November 25, 2016.
  4. Benatti FB, Ried-Larsen M. The effects of breaking up prolonged sitting time. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015; 47(10): 2053-61. doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000000654.
  5. Stay active. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. 2016. Available at: http://www.heartandstroke.ca/get-healthy/stay-active#How-much-activity-do-I-need. Accessed November 22, 2016.
  6. Storrs C. Stand up, sit less and move more, researchers say; here’s how to do it. CNN. August 6, 2015. Available at: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/06/health/how-to-move-more/. Accessed October 14, 2016.
  7. Sit less. The Heart Foundation. Available at: https://heartfoundation.org.au/active-living/sit-less. Accessed October 14, 2016.

(From JCCA e-toc)

COVID Protection Measures at Pacific Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

January 12, 2021

As health care providers, your chiropractic and massage therapy healthcare team want you to know we are taking your safety very seriously.

Sanitization in Yaletow

As a doctor, I rely on information which is scientifically proven and medically backed and, accordingly, are closely monitoring and adhering to the advice given by public health officials.

Our commitment to putting the health and safety of our patients and staff first is unwavering. We have always taken pride in the cleanliness of our clinics and we would like to advise you of some of the risk mitigation measures we are taking to help protect you and the community

during this time:

  • Continuing the sanitization processes for all medical equipment, tools and treatment tables after each individual use
  • Air filtration system in waiting room and massage therapy treatment rooms with the use of HEPA filtration, ionization and UVC air sanitization
  • Continuing and increasing sanitization protocols to all clinic touchpoints including, but not limited to, door handles, desks, display units, and payment terminals
  • Hand sanitization stations throughout the clinic and entry/exits
  • Masks are mandatory within the office
  • Spreading out visit times to minimize contact with others
  • Removing and spacing out waiting room chairs to allow for social distancing.  (During this time, we also ask patients to arrive as close to their appointment as possible to limit time spent in common areas)
  • Removing all magazines from our waiting rooms
  • Continuing to follow safe hygiene practices

Our clinic has always prided itself on providing quality care, with little to no time spent in the waiting room prior to your appointment. We have successfully accomplished this by increasing patient appointment times and running a “lower volume” clinic. It is just one way I prefer to provide quality care. Further, every treatment room is isolated (as opposed to other rehab or physio clinics with open treatment rooms).  As a result, any possible interaction with other patients is greatly limited.

If you have an upcoming appointment at one of our clinics and

  1. are experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or
  2. have travelled in the past 14 days or have been in contact with individuals who have travelled outside of Canada, or
  3. have been told to quarantine or you have been in contact with someone who has been told they have COVID19 and are in quarantine

….we request that for everyone’s safety you contact our team by phone or email to reschedule your appointment. Please be advised that ignoring these guidelines could result in refusal of treatment upon arrival.

BC Health Services Authority has valuable information and recommendations to follow which you can access through the following link:  http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19

As the situation continues to evolve, please be assured that we will be constantly reassessing and adapting our processes to adhere to the latest updates and health guidelines. If you have any questions and/or concerns, you can email us at: [email protected]

We hope you’ll find it of use.

Stay Safe and Healthy,
Dr. Gordon Gertz

Pacific Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

Preparation for Your Visit

January 11, 2021

PREPARATION FOR YOUR VISIT

Our commitment to putting the health and safety of our patients and staff first is unwavering. We have always taken pride in the cleanliness of our clinic and we would like to advise you of some of the safety measures and procedures we are following to help protect you and our staff during your upcoming appointment.

Please check the box next to all 5 questions approximately 24 hours prior to your appointment:

  1. Please arrive at your recommended appointment time and not early. We are attempting to reduce any potential contact with other patients, and have reduced our waiting room to one chair. If possible, please use your bathroom facilities prior your arriving at the clinic
  2. Please do not arrive at the office sweaty. If you use a bike to commute – please allow yourself enough time to cool down and dry off.
  3. Please bring a mask to your appointment.
  4. Your temperature will be taken upon arrival prior to entering the clinic.
  5. Shara will direct you to the specific treatment room.

Please be aware that all treatment tables, chairs and touch points have been sanitized prior to your arrival.

The visit will proceed with both doctor and patient wearing a mask.

After your visit:

  1. Please proceed directly to the front. Our payment terminal is “tap enabled”.
  2. Please use the hand sanitizer dispenser on the way out. There are dispensers on both sides of the front door.

Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to see you!

Clinic Set to Re-open on Tuesday May 19

May 09, 2020

Please note that with the improvement of the situation in BC and the gradual relaxing of physical distancing guidelines, we are anticipating the office will reopen on Tuesday May 19, 2020 for regular chiropractic services and Registered Massage Therapy.

We will be reaching out to all of you first who have had their regular appointments postponed, and updating your treatment schedules. We will be following all recommended safety guidelines and we will be sending out a notice of what to expect and how to prepare for your visit prior to your appointment. Click here to read the notice – PREPARATION FOR YOUR VISIT. 

Please note that we are continually monitoring advisories by the public health authorities closely and will update you if we need to extend this projected re-opening date.

We apologize for any inconvenience the period of temporary closure may have caused. Trust that we recognize the importance of your health care appointments and appreciate your understanding as we navigate this unprecedented and challenging situation together.

EMERGENCIES:  URGENT APPOINTMENTS WILL STILL BE SEEN UNTIL THE RE-OPENING ON MAY 19 ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE OR TO SEND AN EMAIL REQUEST – CLICK HERE

Our office has implemented recommended precautions and made various changes to create a safer environment for the health of our staff and patients. Please read more here:   COVID19 Office Preparedness information

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Dr. Gordon Gertz

UPDATE: COVID19 Temporary Office Closure – May 4

May 04, 2020

Dear patients,

As the health and safety of our patients and staff is of the greatest importance to us, in following public health authority recommendations on social distancing we have made the difficult decision to temporarily continue the closure of our clinic in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Please note that with the improvement of the situation in BC and the gradual relaxing of physical distancing guidelines, we are anticipating the office will reopen on Tuesday May 21, 2020 for regular chiropractic services followed by Registered Massage Therapy sometime thereafter.

We will be reaching out to all of you first who have had their regular appointments postponed, and updating your treatment schedules. We will be following all recommended safety guidelines and we will be sending out a notice on what to expect for your visit, and any preparations required.

Please note that we are continually monitoring advisories by the public health authorities closely and will update you if we need to extend this projected re-opening date.

We apologize for any inconvenience this period of temporary closure may have caused. Trust that we recognize the importance of your health care appointments and appreciate your understanding as we navigate this unprecedented and challenging situation together.

EMERGENCIES:  URGENT APPOINTMENTS WILL BE SEEN DURING THIS TIME ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE OR TO SEND AN EMAIL REQUEST – CLICK HERE

When the office re-opens or before any emergency appointment request, please read the our COVID19 Office Preparedness information prior to attending your appointment.

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Dr. Gordon Gertz

Don’t Be A Laptop Loser!

March 23, 2020

Laptops and Ergonomics: this is almost a contradiction! With a fixed design, if the keyboard is in an optimal position for the user, the screen isn’t and if the screen is optimal the keyboard isn’t. This results in a higher incidence of repetitive strain injuries than the desktop computer. Laptops were originally designed for convenience during travel, meetings and for their portability. They were not designed for continued or permanent usage. However, the incidence and popularity of usage as a user’s primary computer has increased dramatically. Walk into any coffee shop in Yaletown, and one could make a study of poor ergonomics! Ouch! Combined with a poor work station at home, it’s even worse now with many people forced to work from home during this crisis.

There are several factors will increase the likelihood of future chronic pain.  The furniture in hotel rooms, trains, cars, or planes, and at home, is invariably inadequate for laptop use. Lighting conditions are often not adjusted for laptop use. Therefore, glare, combined with improper viewing angle and lack of display adjustability often results in awkward posture. The narrow viewing angle of Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) is poorly suited to sharing, discussion, and collaboration with multiple people.

Research carried out by Dr Benedyk discovered that 57 per cent of respondents to their student survey had experienced aches and pains as a result of their laptop use, with an overwhelming majority unaware of proper ergonomics on using laptops. 649 undergraduate and postgraduate students from a range of nationalities completed the set of survey questions. 166 teaching staff responded to a separate online survey. The most prevalent aches and pains were in the neck (21 per cent), shoulders (21 per cent), wrists (16 per cent), back (15 per cent) and eyes (11 per cent). Many survey respondents admitted to having frequently positioned their laptop on their laps (42 per cent), in bed (29 per cent) and on the floor (13 per cent).

Common Signs and Symptoms of Overuse Injuries from Poor Laptop Ergonomics:

  • Muscle fatigue, aches which initially subside during rest
  • Tight band of pain across shoulders or back
  • Pain or stiffness when changing positions, or rising from bed in the mornings
  • Difficulty in finger, thumb or wrist movement
  • Difficulty gripping things
  • Numbness, tingling, weakness, burning or pain
  • Headaches
  • Blurry vision
  • Difficulty concentrating due to discomfort
  • To name a few!!

Some Simple Tips:

1. Put the laptop in a docking station or sit it on some books so that the top of the screen is roughly level with your forehead

2. Attach an external keyboard and mouse and set these up in an ergonomic fashion whenever possible. A wireless keyboard and mouse can be purchased relatively inexpensively these days.

3.  Move the laptop close enough so you do not hold your head forward to see what is on the screen. Sit back in the chair and keep your head directly over your shoulders.

4. Avoid working on the hotel bed or at a table that is too high or low. Use a small pillow to support your lower back.

5. Buy a roller bag or backpack with straps to decrease strain while transporting the laptop, instead of a shoulder or handbag.

6.  Avoid working in lighting that is too bright or behind your screen to avoid leaning in to see the screen creating eye strain.

7. Set a reminder to pop up to let you know when it is time to stand up and stretch!

8.  When working from home, take advantage of your space, roll out a yoga mat and take some regular stretch breaks.

IMPORTANT:

The reality is that our bodies are really not designed to be sitting for the amount of time that we do these days. We are designed to be in motion!!  Our joints, bones, ligaments and muscles respond best and are the healthiest when they have regular use. So if you have a job that requires sitting for long periods of time, make sure you incorporate a regular exercise routine into your leisure time activities. You should stand up every half hour just to get the blood flowing through your neck, back & legs. Stand up and stretch by walking around a bit. This will relieve tension from your system and reduce overall stress.

If someone you know is suffering from the results of poor work ergonomics needlessly, start with calling our office to schedule yourself, or someone you know in for a check up appointment to see what treatment options are available to you.

~Dr. Gertz

COVID 19 NOTICE OF TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURE

March 21, 2020

COVID 19 NOTICE OF TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURE

March 21, 2020

Dear Patients,

As the health and safety of our patients and staff is of the greatest importance to us, in following public health authority recommendations on social distancing we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close our clinic in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Please be advised that Pacific Chiropractic and Massage Therapy will be closed effective immediately until Tuesday March 31, 2020.

All scheduled appointments during this time period will be postponed, and patients will be contacted as soon as possible to reschedule.

You can book future appointments from our online booking system, “Request an Appointment” form submission (both located on our website), send us an email or call to leave a message. Note: only regular RMT appointments or new chiropractic appointments can be booked using the online booking system.

Please note that we will be monitoring advisories by the public health authorities closely and will update you if we need to extend this projected re-opening date.

When the office re-opens, please read the our COVID19 Office Preparedness information prior to attending your appointment.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  Please read any prior notices in this blog.  We recognize the importance of your health care appointments and appreciate your understanding as we navigate this unprecedented and challenging situation together.

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Dr. Gordon Gertz

Pacific Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

COVID 19 PREPAREDNESS AT OUR CLINIC

March 10, 2020

COVID 19 PREPAREDNESS AT OUR CLINIC

March 10, 2020

Dear Patient,

As health care providers, your chiropractic and massage therapy healthcare team share in the increasing global concern about COVID-19. We want you to know we are taking the situation very seriously. As a doctor, I rely on information which is scientifically proven and medically backed and, accordingly, are closely monitoring and adhering to the advice given by public health officials.

Our commitment to putting the health and safety of our patients and staff first is unwavering. We have always taken pride in the cleanliness of our clinics and we would like to advise you of some of the risk mitigation measures we are taking to help protect you and the community during this time:

  • Continuing the sanitization processes for all medical equipment, tools and treatment tables after each individual use
  • Continuing and increasing sanitization protocols to all clinic touchpoints including, but not limited to, door handles, desks, display units, and payment terminals
  • Inserting sanitizer dispensers at points where you may touch door handles
  • Spreading out visit times to minimize contact with others
  • Removing and spacing out waiting room chairs to allow for social distancing.  During this time, we also ask patients to arrive as close to their appointment as possible to limit time spent in common areas.
  • Removing all magazines from our waiting rooms
  • Continuing to follow safe hygiene practices

Further, every treatment room is isolated (as opposed to other rehab or physio clinics with open treatment rooms).  As a result, any possible interaction with other patients is greatly limited.

If you have an upcoming appointment at one of our clinics and are experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or have travelled or been in contact with individuals who have travelled outside of Canada, we request that for everyone’s safety you contact our team by phone or email to reschedule your appointment. Please be advised that ignoring these guidelines could result in refusal of treatment upon arrival.

 BC Health Services Authority has valuable information and recommendations to follow which you can access through the following link:  http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19

As the situation continues to evolve, please be assured that we will be constantly reassessing and adapting our processes to adhere to the latest updates and health guidelines. If you have any questions and/or concerns, you can email us, submit a request online or give us a call.

For information on safe hygiene practices we are providing the following Health Canada link for your convenience: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html

We hope you’ll find it of use.
Stay Safe and Healthy,
Dr. Gordon Gertz

Pacific Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

Setting Health Goals and Your Success in 2019

January 04, 2019

An excerpt from The Power of Discipline 
by Brian Tracy

Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals, and then to work toward them every day, will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor.

It seems that only 3% of adults have written goals and plans, and they earn more than the other 97% put together.

Why is this? The simplest answer is that, if you have a clear goal and a plan to achieve it, your focus is fixed on a set course of action. Instead of becoming sidetracked by distractions and diversions, your time is focused on a straight line from start to finish. This is why people with goals accomplish so much more than people without them.

The tragedy is that everyone thinks they already have goals. But what they really have are hopes and wishes.

A wish has been defined as a “goal with no energy behind it.” Hope is not a strategy.

Goals that are not written down and developed into plans are like bullets without powder in the cartridge. People with unwritten goals go through life shooting blanks. Because they think they already have goals, they never engage in the hard, disciplined effort of goal setting, the master skill of success.

USA Today reported on a study a couple of years ago. First, researchers selected people who made New Year’s resolutions. Then they divided these people into two categories: those who made New Year’s resolutions and wrote them down, and those who made New Year’s resolutions, but neglected to write them down.

Twelve months later, they followed up on the respondents in this study. What they found was astonishing! Of the people who made New Year’s resolutions but neglected to write them down, only 4% actually followed through on their resolutions.

However, among the group that took a few minutes to record their New Year’s resolutions, 44% followed through on them. This difference of more than 1100% proves the simple act of crystallizing resolutions or goals on paper increases likelihood of success.

In my experience (Brian Tracey) of working with several million people over the past twenty-five years, the disciplined act of setting goals, making plans for their accomplishments, and then working on them daily, increases the likelihood of achieving your goals by ten times, or 1000%.

This does not mean that goal setting guarantees success, only that it increases the probabilities of success by ten times. These are very good odds to have working in your favor.

———————————————–

As you ponder your goals and objectives for 2019, keep in mind a “category” for health.  When we think about goals, we may often set multiple categories to envision our future achievements such as financial, relationships, career, etc. However, keep in mind that none of these things mean anything without your health. What do you want to achieve with regards to your health for 2019? What changes will you make? Nutrition? Exercise? Overcoming a health challenge? Or simply making sure you are in optimum health in order to support and achieve your other goals? Do you want to be healthy OR just not be sick? (proactive vs reactive) How are you going to achieve this and what methods will you use to help improve and maintain your health? I would encourage everyone to remember that “things in your life work better when you’re in proper alignment” and “it’s easier to keep you well than to get you well”.  So, consider alignment, good posture and prevention as part of your list.

What ever and how ever you decide to think about your health, remember, at Pacific Chiropractic and Massage Therapy in Yaletown, we are always here to assist you in the best way that you decide. We always welcome your questions and we are here to assist you to achieve your health goals. As we start this new year, I would challenge you to examine your health habits, and shift your energy towards making proactive, preventative health decisions – write them down and review them periodically. Make this year the one where YOU took charge as opposed to reacting to a crisis!

Best wishes in 2019,

 Dr. G