Dr Christopher Notley - Chiropractor / Athletic Therapist

07/24/2025

🔥 Hot vs. Cold Water for Muscle Recovery: What You Need to Know! 🧊

Ever wonder if a hot bath or an ice bath is better after a tough workout? A recent study in The Journal of Physiology sheds some light on this!

While cold water immersion (like ice baths) is often used, research suggests that hot water immersion (HWI) actually improves muscle regeneration, while cold water immersion doesn't show the same benefits for regeneration.

Here's the science breakdown:

🔥 Hot Water Immersion: Can help by increasing blood flow, delivering more nutrients and oxygen to damaged muscles, and potentially helping remove waste products faster. It also showed a reduction in markers of muscle damage!

🧊 Cold Water Immersion: The study found no significant change in muscle regeneration, though its effects on pain and soreness are still being debated in research.

So, while both have their place in recovery routines, if your goal is to actively improve muscle regeneration, the latest science points towards embracing the heat!

Always listen to your body and consult with a professional for personalized recovery advice.

07/15/2025

Understanding Lumbar Disc Irritation with Hip Pain



Understanding Lumbar Disc Irritation with Hip Pain | Dr. Notley

58% of hip pain actually comes from your lower back, not your hip joint. Discover why months of hip treatments aren't working and learn the evidence-based approach that helps 85% of patients recover without surgery. Get the real solution to your persistent hip pain.

07/10/2025

Do you feel a tight, nagging sensation between or under your shoulder blades that just doesn’t go away with stretching, massage, or posture work?
You might be surprised to learn it’s not always a muscular issue. A 2025 study found that 72 percent of people with cervical radiculopathy, a condition where a nerve in the neck is irritated, reported pain around the shoulder blade.
Even more interesting, this scapular pain often appeared weeks before any neck or arm symptoms. The most commonly involved nerve root was C7, noted in 56 percent of these cases.
This means that persistent shoulder blade discomfort might actually be an early clue that a neck nerve is involved, even if your neck or arm feels fine right now.

Why this matters:
Understanding this link can help you or your provider catch the issue earlier, before it progresses or leads to more widespread symptoms.

What you can do:
If you have ongoing tightness or pain in this area that hasn’t responded to the usual approaches, it may be time to explore the possibility of a nerve-related cause. Talk to your healthcare provider or send us a message to learn more.

Reference:
Carmichael, J., Weber, K. A., Rubinstein, S., Svoboda, E., & Bade, M. (2025). Scapular pain in cervical radiculopathy: A scoping review. North American Spine Society Journal, 23, 100619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xnsj.2025.100619

07/10/2025

Do you feel a tight, nagging sensation between or under your shoulder blades that just doesn’t go away with stretching, massage, or posture work?

You might be surprised to learn it’s not always a muscular issue. A 2025 study found that 72 percent of people with cervical radiculopathy, a condition where a nerve in the neck is irritated, reported pain around the shoulder blade.

Even more interesting, this scapular pain often appeared weeks before any neck or arm symptoms. The most commonly involved nerve root was C7, noted in 56 percent of these cases.

This means that persistent shoulder blade discomfort might actually be an early clue that a neck nerve is involved, even if your neck or arm feels fine right now.

Why this matters:
Understanding this link can help you or your provider catch the issue earlier, before it progresses or leads to more widespread symptoms.

What you can do:
If you have ongoing tightness or pain in this area that hasn’t responded to the usual approaches, it may be time to explore the possibility of a nerve-related cause. Talk to your healthcare provider or send us a message to learn more.

Reference:
Carmichael, J., Weber, K. A., Rubinstein, S., Svoboda, E., & Bade, M. (2025). Scapular pain in cervical radiculopathy: A scoping review. North American Spine Society Journal, 23, 100619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xnsj.2025.100619

Do you have pain between your shoulder blades?

07/09/2025

There are multiple types of headaches, one of which is migraines. Check out this guide and book an appointment if migraines are affecting your life.

Migraines affect over 39 million Americans, causing debilitating pain that disrupts daily life. As a chiropractor specializing in neurological conditions, I've helped countless patients find lasting relief through targeted spinal care and comprehensive treatment approaches. Furthermore, research sho...

07/03/2025

What are Tension Headaches

06/24/2025

Discogenic Lower Back Pain Guide - Dr. Christopher Notley





Your Discogenic Lower Back Pain Guide

Evidence-based guide to discogenic back pain. Discover effective treatments, recovery timeline, and start your healing journey today. Proven strategies.

06/17/2025

Comparing hamstring activity with three different kettlebell swings

https://youtu.be/4K3JcaEUzGc

I found this paper, Hamstring Myoelectrical

Dr Notley, Winnipeg Chiropractor and Athletic therapist, reports on research comparing three different kettlebell swings and their effects on the hamstrings

06/16/2025

Why is Pain Worse at Night?

If you have ever wondered why you experience more pain at night check out the link below

Q&A Time: Why is Pain

Why is my pain worse at night

06/16/2025

This is my favourite problem to treat. If you have headaches and neck pain at the same time you may be experiencing a cervicogenic headache.

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment Guide Comprehensive Care for Neck-Related Headaches | Dr. Christopher Notley, Chiropractor Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the upper cervical spine and neck muscles. These secondary headaches affect approximate...

06/15/2025

Heat vs Ice

Key points:

1. You can never go wrong with ice.2. Always ice for the first 72 hours.3. If you use heat and within a half hour to an

Key points: 1. You can never go wrong with ice.2. Always ice for the first 72 hours.3. If you use heat and within a half hour to an hour you feel stiffer and more sore then you should be icing.4. Use moist heat over dry heat.5. Use a wet towel between the heat/ice and your… Read More »Heat vs Ic...