Today is National Meditation Day, and today we explore the endless benefits of meditation. As the Clinic Director & Founder, Osteopathic Manual Therapist and a certified Yoga Instructor, I find tremendous value in meditation, not only for me personally but also professionally.
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Ian Paron - Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
There’s a problem. You’re in pain and are feeling limited in your ability to perform the activities you normally enjoy. You’re not able to play with your children; or maybe simple things like taking the stairs are causing you difficulty. You may love to exercise but you have a tweaky shoulder or bad back. Whatever the symptom is, it’s keeping you from living your best life. Dr. Erin Sherwood- Chiropractor Spring has finally sprung! With the snow melting, it reveals the return of green grass and spring flowers popping through the soil. Most notably, it also reveals the dead fall and leaves that I was not able to rake before the snow hit us last year. Every spring, I see an increase in patient’s coming to the clinic with lower back pain after raking and spring cleaning their garden beds. I too have also been left with an achy back following a long day of raking if I have not taken the proper steps to ensure my entire spine is working and moving optimally. Andrea Lee- Clinic Founder and Osteopathic Manual Therapist & Stacey Kerslake Whether it is work related, or just the stresses of everyday life- trying to balance all that is weighing on your plate, these unrelenting pressures can have you feeling exhausted, lacking energy and even experiencing unexplained physical pain, this is what we call burnout. Burnout can be detrimental to your mental and physical health, while also leaching into your personal life and relationships, so it is vital that it not be ignored. It does take time, and it is important to have the right pillars in place. So how can you combat burnout? We break it down for you.
Andrea Lee- Founder & Osteopathic Manual Therapist As many of us counted down to 2022, we looked forward to another year of fresh starts, new outlooks and we secretly hoped that we would see the end of COVID.This winter has been difficult for many of us, as new lockdown measures were introduced, and it was hard to stay focused on our goals. With Spring right around the corner, it’s important to shift our focus and not lose sight of what you intended to accomplish this year. The timeline may have shifted, but the intention is still strong.
Resolutions vs reality- can you really conquer your New Year’s Resolutions? When it comes to setting resolutions, it’s important to understand that not everyone makes them, and not everyone commits to them, and that is ok. However, it’s important to shift our thinking when it comes to making resolutions. At the center of it, New Year’s resolutions are about goal setting and building a strong foundation for new habits. Whether you are looking to pick up a new hobby, drink more water or practice self care, it’s all about creating that opportunity for new habit building. Today on the blog, we discuss why you should make a New Year’s Resolution, and the various ways you can go about making them, and how to set yourself up for success. Andrea Lee- Clinic Founder & Osteopathic Manual Therapist
Andrea Lee- Clinic Founder and Osteopathic Manual Therapist & Stacey Kerslake- Writer
As you prepare to hit the slopes this winter, it is extremely important to be aware of the physical demands that snow sports have on the body. Although, skiing and snowboarding can be safe, unexpected injuries can occur if you are not properly prepared. Each year our clinic sees an increase in patients with ski and snowboard related injuries, and many injuries can be prevented with proper physical preparation, proper, well-fitted equipment and of course a little common sense. Andrea Lee, Osteopath M.OMSc & Stacey Kerslake
We experienced our first snowfall of the winter last week, and now that the dreaded Canadian winter is here, we are digging out our winter gear, and dusting off our snow shovels. Many people underestimate how strenuous shovelling can be, however, every year, our clinic sees an increase in shovelling related injuries, with low back strain being the most common of injuries. Other snow shovelling injuries include sore muscles, herniated disks, broken bones, and even heart attacks, especially in adults over 55. It is extremely important that you are warmed up and prepared before heading out to move the white stuff. We have broken down the steps you need to take before, during and after snow shovelling to ensure you are taking the best care of your body, while preventing injury. Andrea Lee, Osteopath M.OMSc It is 3pm... we are 3 coffees in and slowly starting to feel sluggish and slightly unproductive. Aside from indulging in those sugary-delicious holiday cookies that have been taunting us in the lunchroom all day, what else can we do to increase our energy levels and gain focus?
Andrea Lee M.OMSc, Osteopathic MT, Yoga Instructor Charu Shankar Yoga Instructor Have you ever noticed the amount of tension that our bodies hold due to stress? You may have noticed after an exceptionally stressful day, that you have a headache or are fatigued, but did you notice any physical pains that may have increased due to your stress? Our body often tenses up after a stressful experience as part of a psychosomatic stress response. This is a normal response to stress and is often paired with a typical sympathetic response such as increased respiratory rate, increased heart rate, or increased sweating. There are a few key areas of the body that are most affected by this psychosomatic response:
1) Shoulders, neck, and jaw 2) Diaphragm 3) Hips and pelvic floor |