Answers to some of our frequently asked questions

Ear Insufflation therapy can be used to help alleviate the harsh and painful symptoms related to migraines, headaches, sinus infections, allergies and other sinus, ear and brain related ailments.

Not sure if Ear Insufflation is right for you? To learn more about Ear Insufflation treatment contact Broadview at (613) 728-2929 or book an appointment with us online today.

Ear Insufflation uses small puffs of air that are applied to the ear drum in order to rapidly relieve migraine and headache symptoms in the patients. This treatment is quick, painless and can be done several times to maintain relief for the patient.

To learn more about ear insufflation treatment contact Broadview at (613) 728-2929 or book an appointment with us online today.

Ear Insufflation is the process of blowing air into a body cavity to treat headaches and migraines as well as ailments related to the sinus, ear and brain. Making the ear insufflation process is:

• Non-Invasive
• Safe
• Drug-Free
• Quick

To learn more about the ear insufflation process, contact Broadview Spine & Health Centre today at (613) 728-2929.

When done professionally, ear insufflation is a safe and non-invasive procedure for treating headaches and migraines. The procedure is quick and pain free, making it a great option for people who suffer from migraines, headaches and other issues related to the sinus, ear and brain.

To learn more about the Ear Insufflation process, contact Broadview Spine & Health Centre today at (613) 728-2929.

Ear Insulation therapy works by blowing small, targeted, and controlled bursts of air into the ear canal. Researchers believe this stimulates pressure-activated nerve receptors which are only found in the ear and nowhere else on the body. It is thought that pressure on these nerves resets pain centers in the brain, giving relief from headaches, migraines, sinus issues, and more.

To learn more about the Ear Insufflation process, contact Broadview Spine & Health Centre today at (613) 728-2929.

A pneumatic otoscope is a tool used for several medical purposes, among them ear insufflation therapy. The hed is designed to fit into a patient’s external auditory canal and create a seal. A pneumatic otoscope has a rubber bulb which acts as a pump. By expertly squeezing on the rubber bulb, our headache and migraine experts perform ear insufflation therapy to relieve you of your headache, migraine, and sinus symptoms.

The vestibular system is made up of parts of the inner ear and the brain that controls balance and eye movements. A vestibular order is a condition where the vestibular system is damaged, resulting in one or more of the following symptoms: Vertigo and dizziness, imbalance, vision disturbance, hearing change psychological symptoms. Vestibular damage can come as a result of disease, aging, or injury such as a concussion.

Vestibular disorders are often associated with symptoms such as dizziness, balance issues, motion sickness, visual disturbance, etc. Sometimes this can include nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and/or a reduced ability to concentrate for sustained durations.

Extended symptoms and indirect consequences of long-term effects of vestibular disorders can include psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. People with vestibular disorders tend not to move as much, and this physical inactivity can have significant consequences such as weight gain, muscle deterioration, weakness and other unwanted effects. That’s why it’s important to treat vestibular disorders early, so that symptoms and effects don’t spiral out of control to affect your entire lifestyle.

Once we do a comprehensive assessment to determine the nature and scope of your particular vestibular issues, we will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that includes specialized exercises as part of your vestibular rehabilitation therapy. These could include an ear canal repositioning exercise to address an inner disorder; or balance exercises to help reduce motion issues and restore balance for a healthier, happier, more productive lifestyle. The important thing is that a patient (a) understands what the exercises are intended to do and why & how they work; and (b) that he or she is committed to doing the exercises properly and consistently to follow through and see long-term results.

The first thing to do with our process is to come into the Broadview Spine & Health Centre in Ottawa for a comprehensive assessment. Once we’ve met with you and gotten a better understanding of the vestibular issues that you are facing, we will recommend a course of specialized treatment for you. If this includes vestibular rehabilitation therapy, you can expect to be given a series of exercises to perform both in clinic and at home. It’s important that you expect long-term results to be gained from long-term commitment to these exercises, and that you understand that you will likely not see overnight results but that you will, rest assured, be on the road to recovery. We know that vestibular disorders come with their of physical and emotional challenges. We are here to help you get better.

If you have experienced a Traumatic brain injury, stroke, or concussion and suffer from dizziness, vertigo, or migraines, vestibular therapy can help alleviate your symptoms. Vestibular rehabilitation is also helpful for people with Meniere’s Syndrome or other balance issues. To see if vestibular rehabilitation is for you, contact the specialists at Broadview Health Centre.

For most patients undergoing vestibular therapy, Initial results are felt within 48 hours. Typically a patient will feel significant improvements in about 2 weeks. After about 3 months patients will typically be back to normal or have progressed as much as much as is possible.

A concussion can negatively impact the delicate inner ear balance sensors and connections to the brain. Many people experience dizziness and vertigo after a concussion due to a malfunction in a part of the vestibular system. Vestibular therapy (or vestibular rehabilitation) can help improve symptoms experienced after a concussion. If you have suffered a concussion and are experiencing wooziness, dizziness, and balance issues, contact the specialists at Broadview Health Centre.

There are a few dietary changes that we at Broadview recommend when you are recovering from a concussion. These changes often include:

• Drink lots of water
• Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables
• Eat enough protein
• Eat foods high in Omega 3s

Everyone’s recovery from a concussion can be different, which is why we recommend a professional consult with our team at Broadview in order to properly test your levels to discover what your body needs for a full recovery.

To learn more about nutritional recommendations when recovering from a concussion contact Broadview today at (613) 728-2929 or book an appointment with us online.

After a concussion there are a few foods and drinks that you should try to avoid consuming as they have been proven to hinder healing. These foods and drinks include:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Sugar
• Foods that are high in sodium

To learn more about nutritional recommendations when recovering from a concussion, contact Broadview today at (613) 728-2929 or book an appointment with us online.

While there are some general recommendations that are common for people healing from a concussion, it is important to remember that each person is different and will require unique treatment when recovering. At Broadview, our team will run a series of tests in order to discover what your body needs to make a full recover.

To learn more about nutritional recommendations when recovering from a concussion contact Broadview today at (613) 728-2929 or book an appointment with us online.

There are several studies that investigate the effects of adding supplements and additional vitamins into your diet for concussion recovery. It is widely accepted that adding vitamins like Vitamin C, D, and E as well as increase Omega 3 fatty acids can help with recovery – especially if they are not abundant in your regular diet.

There are also three other less known supplements that are being researched and have been found to help with concussion recovery: turmeric, melatonin, and reservatrol. If you’re thinking of making changes to your diet to help with your concussion recovery, it’s important to work with a trained professional. Contact us today to learn more about our nutritional recommendations for concussion recovery.

There is so much focus on eating the right foods, doing the right exercises, and getting rest that maintained proper hydration often gets overlooked. Dehydration is a common side effect that comes as a result of a concussion, which can lead to increasing biomarkers that trigger inflammation. With increased inflammation, it prolongs the recovery period and can bring the onset of other acute symptoms and issues.

Make sure to drink lots of fluids throughout the day and pay even more attention to your hydration levels than you normally would.

Auditory Therapy has been proven to assist with several forms of dizziness that a patient may be experiencing including:

• Vertigo
• Central dizziness
• Ear dizziness
• Circulation changes
• Hemorrhage

To learn more about Auditory Therapy, contact Broadview today at 613-728-2929 or book an appointment with us online.

Approximately 20% of all concussions result in persistent problems that can interfere with return to regular everyday activities. Without adequate recovery and treatment, some prolonged hearing and balance symptoms that can result from a concussion include:

• Difficulty focusing during conversations with background noise
• Trouble hearing conversations in a quiet setting
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to regular sounds)
• Misophonia (sever sensitivity to select sounds)
• Dizziness, Nausea, and Vertigo

To learn more about how our Auditory Therapy can help you recover from your concussion, contact us today to book a consultation!

Our process for auditory therapy at Broadview is proven to help restore a sense of balance for our patients. We use a form of sound therapy that affects the part of the ear that delivers information to the brain by influencing the mechanisms in the inner ear. The process is simple and pain-free.

To learn more about our process and whether or not auditory therapy is right for you, contact us today at (613) 728-2929 or book an appointment with us online.

Auditory therapy is a form of rehabilitation that aims to recover the balance system of a patient who has suffered from a concussion. Auditory therapy uses sound therapy to send influence the mechanisms of the outer ear that are used to send information to the brain that determines whether or not your surroundings are balanced.

Head-Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy has been proven to effectively treat side effects associated with a concussion or head injury including:

• Headaches & head pressure
• Neck Pain
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision & light sensitivity

To learn more about Head-Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy contact Broadview or book an appointment online today.

Head-Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy can help effectively treat many head related injuries including:

• Brain injury
• Post-concussion syndrome
• Physical & mental symptoms

To learn more about Head-Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy and to find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure, contact Broadview or book an appointment online today.

Head-Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy can help improve brain function through a concept called neuroplasticity. Simply put, communication between the cells in your brain(neurons) that may have been lost due to brain trauma can be improved by therapy such as Head-Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy. It is important to note that neuroplasticity is always present regardless of age, however older age and multiple brain traumas can potentially make recovery longer.

While laser therapy has been effective for quite a number of patients, its efficacy and appropriateness of use depends on a number of factors. The best way to find out is by seeing your chiropractic neurologist at our Ottawa concussion clinic. We’ll do a comprehensive brain injury assessment and take a look at your medical history as well, before coming up with a plan of treatment that may very well include laser therapy should it be suitable for your situation.

The typical course of laser therapy treatment for concussion or brain injury is approximately 10 treatments across a 2-week period. This depends on a number of factors, such as the nature and scope of your brain injury, your schedule availability, etc. We’ll meet with you at the initial brain injury assessment and discuss options and goals with you up-front, to ensure that you know what to expect.

That’s the good news! Laser therapy isn’t just a temporary fix, like taking a Tylenol for a headache, but rather when done over a course of treatment offers long-term healing and mitigation of concussion symptoms. Controlled studies have shown tremendous results with laser therapy for concussion patients. We’re pleased to offer laser therapy at our Ottawa concussion clinic, incorporating it into a long-term plan for concussion recovery.

Yes, laser therapy is a very safe, regulated and well-tested procedure in treating concussions and other injuries. Low Intensity Laser Therapy is just that – a low dose of laser applied in a highly controlled, safe environment & process. Laser therapy for concussions is non-invasive, pain-free, non-toxic and recognized worldwide in its safety and efficacy.

You will feel a gentle pressure on your spine throughout the decompression treatment, but it should be comfortable. After the first treatment, your levels of discomfort or pain should be significantly reduced after getting used to the feeling of decompression. Most patients describe the treatment as a gentle stretching sensation that is felt throughout the back and or hips.

A typical spinal decompression therapy session will last 15-20 minutes and will also include additional physical therapy afterwards. Combined, the entire appointment should take roughly 45 minutes to an hour. The time for treatment varies from one person to the next depending on their condition and needs. With a thorough pre-treatment evaluation, we can determine how long treatments would take and how many you would need. Many of our patients experience substantial relief after just a couple of treatments.

In a nutshell, yes. While traditional traction techniques and spinal decompression therapy have some commonalities, there is a key difference. Spinal decompression therapy actively assesses the way your spine and body react to the therapy. This enables us to make adjustments quickly, on the fly, as opposed to traction which relies on a predetermined setting to run its course. Talk to us today about how spinal decompression therapy can benefit you.

The following conditions could potentially disqualify a patient from receiving spinal decompression therapy treatments:

• Spinal Fractures
• Advanced Osteoporosis
• Metal Implants in the Spine
• Surgically Repaired Aneurysms

Consult with our team of experts for a thorough evaluation and to determine whether or not you’re a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.

Yes and no. While spinal decompression may not directly address the brain, it does address beck and spine issues commonly associated with concussion. This way, by undergoing a holistic approach, we ensure that the entire injury and trauma are part of the recovery program, not just one segment or another. “It’s all connected,” as they say, and treating one symptom while ignoring another doesn’t make sense, does it?

Surgery is an invasive procedure, one that is more and more seen as a ‘last resort’ or something done on an ‘emergency’ basis. Rather than putting your body through the trauma of surgery, we are strong proponents of non-invasive therapies for concussion recovery. These include spinal decompression therapy, a non-invasive, outpatient therapy designed to take pressure off the spinal discs and help support spinal serves and other structures. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a less harsh (some even say gentle) approach to spine healing to reduce pain.

The number of spinal decompression treatments you will ultimately receive depends on numerous factors, most of which having to do with the nature of your spine injury as well as your overall physical condition and medical history. We’ll begin with a comprehensive injury assessment at the Broadview Spine & Health Centre in Ottawa, then set about on a course of treatment that aligns with your needs and goals.