5 Signs Your Injury Isn't Just Going Away on Its Own
It’s easy to hope that a sore shoulder, aching foot, or tight back will simply "work itself out" with time. In some cases, minor injuries do heal with rest and care, but other times, ignoring symptoms can cause the problem to get worse — turning a simple strain into a long-term issue.
At Mountain Health and Performance in North Vancouver, we specialize in helping our patients prevent pain from becoming chronic. If you're wondering whether your injury requires more than just time, here are five signs that your injury might not be going away on its own — and how we can help.
1. Pain Lasts More Than a Few Days
If you’re still experiencing pain after 7–10 days, it’s a sign that your injury might need professional attention.
True healing should begin showing signs within the first week. If the pain doesn’t improve or even gets worse, it could suggest deeper tissue damage, joint dysfunction, or an injury that requires active treatment.
Our chiropractors can assess the source of the pain and help speed up the healing process, allowing you to avoid developing chronic issues down the line.
2. The Pain Is Getting Worse, Not Better
While mild soreness after an injury is common, if your discomfort is getting more intense instead of improving, it’s time to seek help.
Increasing pain may indicate that inflammation, tissue damage, or misalignment are getting worse, and leaving the injury untreated could lead to more complex problems.
Our chiropractors can help address these issues early, using targeted treatments to reduce pain and restore healthy function, ensuring you heal effectively.
3. You Feel Weakness, Instability, or Loss of Function
If your injured area feels unstable, weak, or not functioning properly (like a knee that "gives out" or a shoulder that can't lift fully), it’s a sign of something more serious than a mild muscle strain.
Loss of joint function and instability can indicate underlying issues such as joint misalignment, tendon injury, or nerve irritation.
Visiting a chiropractor in North Vancouver can help you restore stability to the joint, address any restrictions, and support your body as it heals naturally.
4. Swelling, Bruising, or Sharp Pain Persist
While swelling and bruising are typical immediately after an injury, they should start to subside within a few days.
If they don’t, it may be a sign that something more serious is going on internally. Persistent sharp pain (as opposed to a dull ache) is often a sign of joint irritation or restriction, which can limit your movement and cause long-term issues if left untreated.
Sharp pain like this can often be relieved with chiropractic manipulations to reduce pain and improve mobility, helping to restore function and alleviate the discomfort caused by misalignment or joint dysfunction.
5. It’s Starting to Affect Your Daily Life or Other Areas
If your injury is preventing you from doing daily activities, like walking, sitting, or enjoying your usual exercise routine, it’s time to get professional care.
Compensating for an injury by altering your posture or movement patterns can often lead to secondary issues, like back or hip pain, making the injury harder to heal in the long run.
At Mountain Health and Performance we can help you address the root cause of your injury before compensation patterns lead to more widespread discomfort or injury.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Ignoring or putting off treatment can lead to longer recovery times, chronic pain, and even recurrent flare-ups. At Mountain Health and Performance, we use evidence-based therapies like shockwave therapy, Class IV laser therapy, and chiropractic care to not only provide pain relief but also support lasting healing.
When you treat the issue early, you can avoid the risk of the problem becoming chronic, and you’ll recover faster with fewer setbacks.
Don’t Wait for It to Get Worse
If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your injury, it’s time to take action. At Mountain Health and Performance, we’ve been helping North Vancouver residents restore mobility and manage pain for over 25 years.
Our team of practitioners is here to guide you through the recovery process using personalized treatment plans designed to reduce pain and restore function.
Don’t wait for your injury to get worse.
Book your consultation today and take the first step toward feeling better.
Dr. Amy Wiggins
BKin, DC
North Vancouver Chiropractor
The Top Benefits of Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)
Massage therapy has long been associated with relaxation—but today’s Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) do much more than help you unwind. At Mountain Health & Performance in North Vancouver, our RMTs are trained to assess and treat soft tissue dysfunction, injury, and pain using evidence-based techniques tailored to your health goals.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or looking to optimize athletic performance, here are the top benefits of RMT—and why it’s an essential part of our multidisciplinary approach to care.
✅ 1. Reduces Muscle Tension and Pain
One of the most well-known benefits of massage therapy is its ability to relieve tight muscles and reduce pain. By working on specific muscle groups, RMTs can improve tissue pliability, reduce trigger points, and ease movement restrictions—helping you feel and function better.
Common areas treated: neck and shoulder tension, low back pain, TMJ dysfunction, hip stiffness, and calf tightness.
✅ 2. Improves Circulation and Healing
Massage therapy enhances blood flow and lymphatic drainage, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing metabolic waste. This improved circulation supports the body’s natural healing process—especially valuable during injury rehab or recovery from intense training.
Bonus benefit: Better circulation can also reduce swelling and inflammation in targeted areas.
✅ 3. Supports Recovery from Injury
Our RMTs work closely with our chiropractors to support your rehabilitation plan. Whether you're healing from a sports injury, sprain, strain, or overuse condition, massage therapy can:
Reduce pain and guarding
Improve soft tissue flexibility
Support range of motion restoration
✅ 4. Helps Manage Chronic Conditions
Many clients find regular massage therapy helps manage chronic conditions such as:
Tension headaches and migraines
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
Arthritis-related pain and stiffness
TMJ disorders
Sciatica and nerve-related pain
At Mountain Health & Performance, your RMT will tailor each session based on your unique history, symptoms, and goals.
✅ 5. Reduces Stress and Enhances Well-Being
Massage therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system—reducing stress hormones like cortisol and promoting a sense of calm. This can lead to better sleep, lower anxiety, and even improved immune function.
It's not just about relaxation—it's about whole-body health.
✅ 6. Improves Athletic Performance and Recovery
For athletes and active individuals, massage therapy plays a vital role in:
Enhancing mobility and flexibility
Reducing post-exercise soreness
Preventing overuse injuries
Supporting performance longevity
Our RMTs work with recreational and elite athletes to keep their bodies moving at their best.
Why Choose RMT at Mountain Health & Performance?
Located in North Vancouver, our clinic takes a collaborative, evidence-informed approach to care. Our Registered Massage Therapists are an integral part of our multidisciplinary team, working alongside our other practitioners to deliver personalized, effective treatment.
Whether you’re seeking pain relief, stress reduction, or injury recovery, our RMTs are here to help you move, feel, and live better.
Book Your RMT Appointment Today
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of massage therapy in a professional, patient-focused environment, we’d love to help.
👉 Book online here.
Dr. Matt Wentzell
BKin, MSc, DC, FRCCSS(C)
North Vancouver Sport Chiropractor
Shockwave and Class IV Laser Therapy: A Powerful Duo for Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common and stubborn causes of heel pain. If you've been waking up with sharp pain under your foot or struggling with discomfort that limits your daily activities, you're not alone.
At Mountain Health and Performance, we understand how frustrating it can be when pain lingers despite rest, stretching, and traditional treatments.
That's why we offer a powerful, proven combination: Shockwave Therapy and Class IV Laser Therapy. Together, these advanced therapies help stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, and get you back on your feet faster.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue that supports your arch — the plantar fascia — becomes irritated and inflamed.
Symptoms often include:
Sharp heel pain, especially with your first steps in the morning
Discomfort after periods of rest
Tenderness along the bottom of the foot
Plantar fasciitis can be notoriously difficult to heal because the foot is under constant use. Without the right treatment approach, the condition can become chronic and severely impact quality of life.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy uses high-energy sound waves to target damaged tissues. It works by:
Stimulating blood flow to the area
Breaking down scar tissue and calcifications
Triggering your body’s natural healing response
Research shows that Shockwave is highly effective for chronic plantar fasciitis, often succeeding where traditional treatments have failed. Most patients experience noticeable pain relief and improved mobility after just a few sessions and long term healing will occur in the months following the treatment plan.
What Is Class IV Laser Therapy?
Class IV Laser Therapy is a cutting-edge treatment that delivers concentrated light energy deep into tissues.
The laser works at a cellular level by:
Reducing inflammation
Accelerating tissue repair
Enhancing circulation
Unlike lower-powered lasers, a Class IV laser penetrates deeper, reaching areas traditional therapies often miss. Treatments are comfortable, soothing, and non-invasive — and they enhance your body’s ability to heal naturally.
Why Combining These Treatments Works Even Better
While Shockwave Therapy and Laser Therapy are both effective individually, combining them offers even greater results.
Shockwave kickstarts the healing process by stimulating tissue repair and breaking up chronic adhesions.
Laser Therapy reduces inflammation, calms irritated tissues, and speeds up cellular regeneration.
Together, they create a comprehensive healing environment — addressing both the cause of your pain and the inflammation that keeps it going.
This dual approach is especially beneficial for patients with long-standing, stubborn plantar fasciitis who haven't seen success with other treatments.
What to Expect During Treatment
At Mountain Health and Performance, your care plan is personalized to your needs.
Typically, a course of Shockwave and Laser Therapy involves several sessions spaced over a few weeks.
Shockwave treatments take only a few minutes and can cause mild discomfort (similar to a deep tissue massage), but many patients find it very tolerable.
Some individuals feel temporary soreness or a slight flare-up after sessions — this is a normal part of the body’s healing response.
Laser treatments feel warm and relaxing, with no discomfort.
There’s little to no downtime after treatments, and improvements often build with each session.
True tissue healing and long-lasting relief typically continue to progress even after the treatment series has ended.
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Living
If heel pain is limiting your life, it’s time for a different approach. At Mountain Health and Performance, we've been helping patients move better and feel better for over 25 years with evidence-based, innovative care. To our knowledge, we’re the only clinic offering both these services in North Vancouver.
Our experienced team is here to guide you toward lasting relief with treatments that work.
Ready to take the first step?
Contact us today to book your consultation and find out if Shockwave and Class IV Laser Therapy are right for you.
Dr. Amy Wiggins
BKin, DC
North Vancouver Chiropractor