Dr. Patrick Freud, DC
"Multidisciplinary chiropractic clinic in Montreal."
A trusted referral source in Montreal for over 20 years.
Practice Details
Chiropractic Education
1996
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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.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as “adhesive capsulitis”, is a condition caused by stiffness of the fibrous capsule which surrounds the shoulder joint. People with frozen shoulder may suffer a significant amount of pain in the shoulder which leads to reduced usage of the affected arm and further stiffening of the capsule. Frozen shoulder, in some cases, can be a condition which perpetuates itself through limiting the use of the affected arm and impairing recovery. People over the age of 40, in particular women, are more likely to develop frozen shoulder.
Illiotibial Band Syndrome
The iliotibial band is a wide band of rigid connective tissue connecting the hip to the tibia bone. This band is naturally quite rigid but can become even more tense in the case of iliotibial band syndrome. Overuse is the most common cause of iliotibial syndrome, with runners being the most common group affected. The symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome include pain and stiffness in the region of the lateral thigh. With iliotibial band syndrome, care should be taken to have adequate rest periods especially during intense athletic training.
Migraine & Tension Headaches
While migraines and tension headaches have some similarities, they each have unique symptoms. A tension headache is usually experienced as a chronic, even daily, nagging headache, while a migraine typically lasts for a day or two and then is gone for weeks or months. Tension headaches are a lower intensity pain that may rarely go away. They become a part of the sufferer’s life and are often misdiagnosed. Migraine headaches are typically shorter bursts of intense pain which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity.
Muscle Spasm
Muscles are contractile tissues which drive movement throughout the body. Muscles function through a delicate balance of many factors including water, magnesium, calcium, potassium, protein, fat, carbohydrates, stress, sleep and exercise. If any of these factors is out of balance the muscles may become weak or even spasmodic. Luckily there are treatments and lifestyle modifications which can help with acute spasms as well as chronically spasmodic muscles.
Nerve Entrapment (Pinched Nerve)
Nerve entrapment is a phenomenon which can underlie many otherwise unexplained painful conditions. Entrapment can be caused by many factors including sports injuries, improper footwear, poor ergonomics and muscle hypertonicity. Sciatica, frozen shoulder, complex regional pain syndrome and a herniated disc are all conditions which can involve nerve entrapment. Luckily once the impingement is resolved the painful condition usually improves rapidly and completely.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (commonly called simply “arthritis”) is a degenerative condition of the joints which affects most Canadians as they age. Osteoarthritis is a process of wearing down of the cartilage of our joints which generally progresses with age and can become debilitating in some cases. People with past injuries and people carrying extra body weight are at an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis. The symptoms that people with osteoarthritis experience most are pain, stiffness, weakness, swelling and poor mobility of the affected joint.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis is a small muscle located in the buttock under the gluteus muscles. It acts to assist in rotation of the hip and leg outward. Piriformis syndrome is suspected to be caused by a muscle spasm in the piriformis muscle, causing pain in the buttock. The sciatic nerve may also be affected by the piriformis muscle leading to pain, numbness and tingling which is felt down the leg. Siting for extended periods of time or an acute injury to the hip or buttock can increase the risk of developing piriformis syndrome.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a broad band of ligamentous tissue which attaches on the front of the heel bone on one end and onto the ball of the foot at its other end. The plantar fascia provides stability and support to the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative condition which affects the plantar fascia, typically at its connection on the front of the heel. Fibres of the plantar fascia can become damaged and lead to pain in the heel, usually at the front of the heel where the plantar fascia attaches.
Pregnancy-Related Pain
During pregnancy a woman’s ergonomics will change considerably due to the extra weight she carries which can lead to pain in the low back, hips, pelvis and more. As her body gradually prepares for giving birth at the 9 month mark she may become more uncomfortable due to progressive relaxing of ligaments throughout her body. Daytime ergonomics, sleep ergonomics, exercise and chiropractic treatment are all important factors in helping to alleviate pregnancy pain.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles which surround, stabilize and help to move the shoulder through its range of motion. The shoulder is a unique joint in that it has a very large range of motion and, while most joints are stabilized heavily by ligaments, it is mostly stabilized by muscle. Because of the extreme range of motion of the shoulder, the rotator cuff muscles are fairly prone to tearing injuries. Muscle tears are challenging for the body to recover from but full recovery is possible with proper treatment.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve of the body and runs from the hip down the thigh and leg, providing sensation and motor control to the thigh and lower leg. Sciatica is a common condition which is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. People with sciatica usually will experience pain in the buttock which extends down the back of the thigh and leg. The pain can vary in intensity, being a nuisance for some and being unbearable for others. While sciatica is a common problem which is often chronic, it tends to respond well to proper treatment and lifestyle modification.
Sprains and Strains
While sprains and strains are both acute injuries with similar symptoms, they actually involve different bodily structures. A “strain” is a condition where a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn, while a “sprain” happens when a ligament is stretched or torn. Both sprains and sprains can lead to pain and poor mobility of the affected area. A strain may lead to even more limited movement, while a sprain is more likely to lead to bruising and swelling.
Tennis Elbow & Golfers Elbow
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are two similar conditions, both being painful examples of tendinitis affecting the elbow. While tennis elbow affects the outside (lateral) aspect of the elbow, golfer’s elbow affects the inside (medial) aspect of the elbow. Tennis elbow is mostly caused by repetitive extension injuries of the elbow and golfer’s elbow is caused by repetitive flexion injuries of the elbow. Playing tennis or swinging a hammer would increase your risk of tennis elbow while throwing activities or golfing would increase your risk of golfer’s elbow.
TMJ Syndrome
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint between the jaw bone and the temporal bone of the skull. The TMJ is an important joint for biting, chewing and speaking, however, these activities can be uncomfortable or painful in the case of TMJ syndrome. TMJ syndrome can be caused by chronic grinding or clenching of the teeth, osteoarthritic degeneration of the joint or even rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. TMJ syndrome usually results in pain when the joint is most active (clenching or chewing) and the pain diminishes when the joint is relaxed.
Wellness & Preventative Care
While chiropractors are well known for helping people recover from a multitude of health conditions, they also help their patients maintain good health through lifestyle modification, exercise guidance and ongoing maintenance care. Ideally you will begin seeing your chiropractor when you are healthy and pain-free because your chiropractor can help you to maintain your good level of health, prevent injuries and keep you in balance overall.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury to the neck which is most commonly caused by rapid and forceful jerking of the neck, much like the motion of a whip when it is snapped. Car accidents, falls and jarring sports injuries are common causes of whiplash. People with whiplash may experience neck stiffness, pain and a limited range of motion of the neck. Pain can also occur beyond the neck, with headaches being another common symptom of whiplash.
Preferred Chiropractor
Authorized by Chiropractors.caServices Offered
- Activator
- The activator is a small, spring-loaded device which your chiropractor may use to assist him/her in performing adjustments. The activator helps your chiropractor to perform very specific adjustments with minimal force. While not all chiropractors use an activator device, it is one of the most used tools for assisting effective adjustment in the chiropractic profession.
- Active Release
- Active release is a patented form of soft tissue treatment which was originated by Dr. P. Michael Leahy DC. This treatment treats muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves through a gentle but specific hands-on manipulation of these tissues. Through restoring free movement of the tissue, active release restores order and balance to the body and helps to eliminate pain.
- 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.