The psoas (with a silent p) – your deep core muscles so often ignored. In my practice I find they contribute to a wide range of symptoms. Low back, SI joint, or knee pain. Gastrointestinal distress, menstrual discomforts, fatigue and even headaches. Prolonged sitting is one contributor to short, tight, weak psoas muscles. But stress can be an even more ...
Self-Care
Sleep & the Science of Your Circadian Clock
Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together. ~ Thomas Dekker Are you sleep deprived? Professor Michael Rosbash believes most of us are. He and fellow biologists Jeffrey Hall and Michael Young received the 2017 Nobel prize in physiology for their insights into our internal biological clocks. You can read Nobel Prizes 2017: Everything you ...
Time for a Coffee Break?
In late September I decided it was time for a coffee break. As in no more; I quit. I didn't start drinking coffee until my early 30's. My partner at the time kept urging me to try it. When we started triathlon training, I decided a latte for a pre-workout boost might work. It did, and in no time I was hardcore - no milk or sugar for me; I'll take it black, ...
Pillow Fight – Mobility vs Stability
I think my pillow might be the reason for my stiff neck. I can't seem to find one that's comfortable. What do you recommend? ~ FAQ Every time I see someone in a movie sleeping with their head propped up on a super high pillow I cringe. And hotel pillows - aargh – so thick and never comfortable! A pillow that’s too high keeps your neck at an unnatural angle. ...
Silence is Golden
This morning, like most Sunday mornings, we were listening to Michael Enright on The Sunday Edition. His Digital Sabbath essay, a follow up to an earlier Digital Detox story, struck a chord. I'm happy to chat and socialize, but I'm very sensitive to noise. I love having a few hours home alone with the TV and stereo off, basking in the (relative) silence. I ...
My Day of Mindfulness
Friday the 13th is often considered unlucky; this past one was most fortunate for me. I participated in a full day Mindfulness Core Concepts workshop. It's part of the health professionals program at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies. What an enlightening day! My introduction to meditation was as a kid. My unconventional father took our entire family to ...
Gravitate Toward the Good – Ann Douglas
Sure, you want to be aware of what's happening in the world, but that doesn't mean that you have to be plugged into your Twitter or Facebook feed 24/7. Give yourself permission to take breaks. And aim for a balanced media diet. Don't just focus on the really bad news. Gravitate toward the good, too. ~ Ann Douglas I've cut way back on social media this year. It ...
Immune Boosting – Move Your Fluids!
The movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health – a key principle of osteopathy. Your immune system vessels don't have a pump so they rely on muscular contraction and changes in pressure to move lymphatic fluid. Regular and frequent whole body movement keeps those fluids flowing freely. My colleague, restorative exercise specialist Petra ...
Walking the Footpath to Better Health
Get outside, go for a walk and take your shoes off! One of my favourite destinations to combine all three is the Jenna K. Morrison Reflexology Footpath in Dufferin Grove Park. (You can read more about the history and design of the footpath in this article.) It's an opportunity for urban feet to enjoy a change of pace from flat concrete. Walking the infinity ...
Your Pelvic Floor & Whole Body Health
I just got back from my great-niece’s first birthday party in Ottawa. I adore her! It seems she's inherited my passion for hands-on helping. Future osteopath? I find the drive tedious, so we decided to take the train. An opportunity to view the brilliant fall colours and catch up on reading. Sadly, Via Rail’s new seats are bum-numbingly uncomfortable. ...