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 ...
General Information
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. ...
Energy and Focus – Ebbs and Flows
Those ebbs and flows in energy and focus that you experience throughout the day - perfectly natural. Pushing through or reaching for a shot of caffeine can have adverse health consequences. Better to respect your body; exhale and unplug, close your eyes or take a walk. You'll feel refreshed and ready to go again in no time. This information isn't new, but back ...
Trauma – The Body Keeps the Score
One does not have be a combat soldier, or visit a refugee camp in Syria or the Congo to encounter trauma. Trauma happens to us, our friends, our families, and our neighbors. ~ Bessel van der Kolk As a hands-on therapist, I see the effects of trauma on the human body all too frequently. From infants who experienced a difficult birth to adults of all ages who ...
What? I Have to Get Undressed!
Clients are occasionally caught off guard when I ask them to get undressed (to their underwear) before we start the hands-on portion of our session. Apparently this surprise is not uncommon. A recent U.K. study found that the lack of forewarning about the need to undress for treatment was one area where osteopaths did not meet patients expectations. You can read ...
Habits – You Have the Power to Change
When I'm working with clients, we often discuss habits - eating, moving, working, sleeping, or other aspects of self-care. And I frequently make suggestions for better health - cutting back on sugar, walking daily, sitting less or going to bed earlier. However, many people, myself included, find it difficult to change their habits, even if they have the best ...
Get Outside – For Your Body and Your Brain
"A city within a park." – Toronto's slogan that appears in many places, including the small park at the end of my street. Thirteen percent of our city is parkland, yet I find it difficult to feel truly connected to nature without making an effort. Maybe because most of my daily walking destinations are along concrete sidewalks. I make a point of finding green ...
Help! I Feel Worse. Is This Normal?
It’s not unusual to feel slightly worse after treatment. It can take time to process the therapeutic input and self-correct toward better health. As your body adjusts and releases tensions, you may experience an exacerbation of symptoms or re-balancing reactions. Local tenderness, stiffness, achiness, headaches, diarrhea, fatigue or menstrual cycle changes are ...
Breastfeeding — What Your Baby Knows
Trust your baby, trust yourself. ~ Teresa Pitman, La Leche League Help with breastfeeding is one of the most frequent reasons I see newborns. I get referrals from midwives, doulas and lactation consultants, including the International Breastfeeding Centre. When I assess an infant, I look for physical strains that might be inhibiting breastfeeding or creating ...
The Shoes You Choose
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. ~ Dr. Seuss Feet are your foundation; their health impacts your whole body. The shoes you choose make a big difference. What should you look for on your next shoe shopping mission? A lightweight, flexible sole. Your feet need to be adaptable and mobile. ...