Dr. Hilda Ma, DC
Practice Details
Chiropractic Education
1994
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Areas of Focus
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is a fibrous band of tissue which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. With excessive use, inadequate rest or traumatic injury the Achilles tendon can begin to undergo degenerative changes. The main symptom of Achilles tendinitis is pain in the region of the Achilles tendon in the back of the ankle.
Arch Pain
Pain in the arch of the foot is a common symptom which affects many Canadians. The most common causes of arch pain include standing on hard surfaces for long periods, carrying excess body weight and/or poor footwear. Your chiropractor will fully assess your ergonomics and biomechanics in order to accurately determine the cause of your arch pain. For optimal results your chiropractor may recommend a combination of lifestyle modification and in-office chiropractic treatment.
Back Pain
Back pain is a symptom rather than a condition but it is an issue that most Canadians will suffer with at some point in their lives. There are many possible causes for back pain and for this reason it is best to have thorough assessment with your chiropractor in order to arrive at the correct diagnosis. While one person’s back pain may be caused by poor posture, another person’s may be caused by a muscle spasm or a herniated disc. Back pain is a condition which chiropractors treat very frequently and effectively.
Bursitis
A bursa is a sac filled with fluid which acts as a cushion between two structures in the body. Bursas are located throughout the body including at the shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee and feet, among other areas. Bursitis often occurs due to repeated low grade trauma to the bursa over time, although an acute injury can also initiate a case of bursitis. A person suffering from bursitis will typically experience pain in the area of the affected bursa which may come on gradually or, less commonly, begin suddenly and intensify rapidly.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a path through the wrist which the median nerve and several tendons of the arm travel through on their way to the hand. Normally the bones and ligament which form the carpal tunnel allow enough space for these important structures to pass through without being compressed. With overuse of the wrists and fingers, especially with poor ergonomics, the pressure inside the carpal tunnel can increase and compress the median nerve. This compression can lead to pain, tingling and numbness in the hand and fingers.
Disc Herniation
The spine is a large and complex series of joints. Between each pair of vertebrae sits a soft but firm cushion called the intervertebral disc. This disc cushions impact between the vertebrae and protects them from damage. The most common symptom of disc herniation is pain which travels down the path of the spinal nerve which is impinged. For example, when the L5-S1 disc herniates pain is often felt down the sciatic nerve distribution of the buttock, thigh, leg and/or the foot.
Ergonomic/Posture Problems
Healthy posture is an essential factor in maintaining a strong and stable spine. When posture and overall ergonomics are compromised, misalignment, muscle weakness and pain may develop. Chronically poor posture and ergonomics are a significant barrier to full recovery from injury and painful conditions in general. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain and neck pain are heavily influenced by a person’s posture. Your chiropractor will fully assess the impact of postural imbalances on your body and make the necessary changes for optimal recovery.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition which is considered a “diagnosis of exclusion,” meaning this diagnosis is given after ruling out a large number of other possible conditions. The reason for this is because the cause of fibromyalgia is not 100% clear and also few high quality tests exist that can diagnose it with accuracy. For this reason fibromyalgia is seen as a collection of possible symptoms, including chronic muscle pain, persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction and depression, among others.
Services Offered
- Joint Mobilization
- Joint mobilization is a manual therapy which involves creating passive movement in a specific joint without the patient’s assistance. Your chiropractor may isolate your affected joint and move it through a specific range of motion in order to loosen any restrictions on it and to increase blood flow to the joint. These movements are typically gentle but can have a profound effect on the joint.
- Manual Adjustment/Manipulation
- Chiropractors perform joint adjustments, also known as manipulations, in order to realign vertebrae and most other bones in the body. Chiropractors are experts in assessing and treating musculoskeletal conditions and the adjustment is one of their main tools for accurately correcting bony or joint misalignment. A chiropractic adjustment consists of a high velocity, low amplitude thrust which gently corrects the misalignment of the joint.
- Orthotics
- Orthotics is a discipline of medicine which focuses on designing and prescribing a medical device which is used to improve a person’s posture and movement. The most common form of orthotics used by chiropractors is in the form of custom shoe inserts (or custom shoes) which are designed based on patient’s individual bio-mechanics. These orthotics help to correct gait imbalances and improve overall body ergonomics.
- Rehabilitative Exercise
- While many treatments exist for painful conditions, few are as pivotal to a person’s recovery as rehabilitative exercise. While your chiropractor will provide you with necessary treatments in their office, they will also likely recommend specific exercises aimed at aiding recovery and preventing reoccurrence. These exercises aim to strengthen the affected area, as well as strengthening supporting musculature, in order to optimize your recovery.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Chiropractors have extensive training in soft tissue manipulation and mobilization. Your chiropractor will likely perform some soft tissue work on you if you are suffering with a painful condition or joint restriction.
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a treatment which uses a low intensity electrical impulse in order to stimulate a certain nerve or group of nerves. The stimulation which TENS provides is an effective means of loosening tight muscles, increasing blood flow to an area and encouraging healthy lymphatic flow. Your chiropractor may use TENS to treat a broad range of conditions as it is a versatile treatment which can help many painful conditions.