Bio-Structural Integration™: Why Should I Choose An Osteopathic Manual Practitioner?

What is Osteopathy?

Traditional Osteopathy, as presented by the Canadian College of Osteopathy, is defined as:

 “A natural medicine which aims to restore function in the body by treating the causes of pain and imbalance. To achieve this goal the Osteopathic Manual Practitioner relies on the quality and finesse of his/her palpation and works with the position, mobility and quality of the tissues.”

Natural Medicine is a term used to convey the idea that with an osteopathic treatment, nothing is added (medications or remedies) or subtracted (surgery) from the body. Instead, the osteopathic philosophy embraces the notion that the body is naturally able to heal itself. The practitioner of Traditional Osteopathy works with the body to enhance this natural ability to self-regulate and self-heal.


Difference between Osteopaths and Chiropractors: 

Palpation (sometimes referred to as listening) is a diagnostic skill that the Osteopath uses to feel or sense the state of the tissues or systems being examined. This encompasses the many sensory aspects of touch, such as the ability to detect moisture, texture, temperature differential and subtle motion. 

This ability to detect almost imperceptible motion provides the Osteopathic Manual Practitioner with the capability of perceiving the inherent motion present in all living organisms. This palpatory ability is not a gift — rather it is a trained skill that takes years to develop.

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners palpate by a gently yet intentionally touching the tissues or systems under examination. With experience Osteopathic Manual Practitioners learn to palpate not just superficially but also very deeply within the body. This sensory information is received through touch receptors on the fingertips and palms and through the proprioceptors (motion and position sensors) embedded deep in the joints of the hands, wrists, arms, and even in the shoulders.

The ability to detect minute modifications in the quality of the tissues is the assessment skill that allows the Osteopathic Manual Practitioners to help prioritize a patient's course of treatment. These tissue qualities include congestion, dehydration, scarring, stiffness, density or loss of resilience, as well as motility that is an infinitesimal movement inherent to all living tissues. It is this sensing of the quality of the tissue, in combination with the position, mobility and vitality of the tissues, that allows the Osteopathic Manual Practitioners to determine the tissues or systems that need immediate attention.

The major difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor is that while the Chiropractor is primarily focused on the spine and joints (and the muscles to a point); an Osteopath is also concerned with the rest of the body.  He or she might treat patients with respiratory problems, digestive problems or any other number of problems that might not seemingly be related to the spine or joints.

The main point to remember is that, no matter which professional gets chosen, excellent care will be provided from both Osteopaths and Chiropractors and it is a good idea to try both and make your own decision!

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810.

Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.  

The Olive Leaf: The Tree of Life

Olive Leaf is a gift to us from "The Tree of Life," diet for the maintenance of good health and the prevention of disease. Extending an Olive branch has been a traditional means of offering peace since ancient times, and the Olive Leaf has remained the symbol of peace and prosperity to this very day.

The Olive Leaf is a powerful and effective medicinal that contains tremendous healing properties for the immune, cardiovascular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and lymphatic system. It is particularly beneficial in fighting viruses and bacteria in the body such as Shingles, Herpes, E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Klebsiella pneumonia and can help to wipe out colds & flu viruses faster than most medications. Olive Leaf also has the ability to significantly lower blood pressure and maintain it at a healthy level. It contains a compound called Oleuropein which helps to prevent the constriction of arteries, increase blood flow, and improve functioning of the heart. It also helps to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and prevent the risk of strokes and heart disease. Olive leaf has been known to benefit those suffering with diabetes, high cholesterol, bronchitis, gastritis, and auto-immune disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, addison disease, guillain-barre syndrome, arthritis, colitis, lupus, celiac disease, eczema, scleroderma, psoriasis, cardiomyopathy, graves disease, and HIV. Olive leaf contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties which helps to improve circulation, reduce swelling, and increase energy and flexibility in the body. It is also a great digestive aid and helps to remove excess acidity from the body.

Olive Leaf extract can be found online or at your local health food store in liquid, tincture, cream, and phyto-cap form. Dried olive leaf can be found in tea and capsule form. Consider adding olive leaf to your medicine cabinet for a potent natural remedy and an incredible immune booster. (Thanks to Medical Medium) 

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.  

Our Eyes Need Our Help - Naturally!

Vision problems are quickly becoming a common disease in this day and age. With an exponential increase in the number of hours we spend in front of a computer or TV screen, the phenomenon comes as no surprise. 

Our eyes get strained when we look at an image, the eyes focus on it and the light rays enter the eyes through the iris; this is then focused on the cornea or lens of the eye. The image formed is then transmitted to the brain, which tells us what we are seeing. All this activity needs the coordination of both the structures of the eyes and their muscles.

When we look at objects like a computer or phone screen the eyes and the muscles around the eyes are worked excessively as they are trying to adjust to the light that is emitted from the screen. This constant adjustment to quickly changing images or text is what causes the structures within the eye to get strained. According to leading eye surgeon, Dr Rohit Shetty of Narayana Netralaya:

‘The human eye was not made to look at images we see on the television or phone. The adjustment it has to make is one of the greatest reasons for their deterioration.’

In order to rectify this damage Sri Ravi Shankar says, ‘It is necessary to improve the circulation to our eyes and the optic nerves to keep them healthy, as they are constantly at work.’

There is something we can do.While visual errors are mitigated by a large number of factors one of the leading causes is strain and fatigue of the eye. To help you help your eyes recover, here are some Ayurvedic tips according that will keep the damage to your eyes in check.

Exercises for the Eyes

Stimulate your eye muscles:

This exercise is simple, but must be done every morning. On waking up, wash your face with water (preferably cool or a little cold water). Then fill your mouth with water, close your eyes and splash cold water onto your eyes.

This exercise helps stimulate the muscles of the eyes, due to the pressure exerted by the water filled in your mouth. The splash of cold water on your face helps enliven the nerve endings and rejuvenates the skin.

Massage overworked eyes:

This is a great exercise for people who work for long hours in front of computers. Hold your eyebrows between your thumb and index finger, in such a way that the thumb is above the eyebrow and index finger below. Now, gently press and straighten your eyebrows, exerting gentle pressure on all the points. Then, take your thumb and gently roll it around your eye ball, i.e: along your eye socket. Do this exercise every three to four hours to improve the circulation around your eyes.This exercise improves circulation around the eyes helping them bounce back from the fatigue of constantly looking at a computer screen (Read: Computer vision syndrome)

Exercise the muscles around your eyes

This exercise is done to stimulate the muscles around your eye balls (that are present within the eye socket). Rotate your eyeballs, first to the right and left, then upwards and downwards. Do this in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction for about three to four repetitions.

Give your eyes some much needed rest

This technique has been practiced in ayurveda for a number of years. Later picked up by optometrist Dr Bates, it was named palming. To  do this, rub the palms of both your hands for 30 seconds – till you feel warm between the two palms – then place them gently over the eyes. Hold this position for about one minute or till the heat decreases. Slowly open your eyes. Beware not to look directly at bright light after this; allow your eyes to gradually acclimatize to the change in the environment.

Bat those eyelids

Blinking is the eyes natural way to renew the moisture in the eyes and give it some much needed relief. To help your eyes relax, make it a habit to blink after every five to six seconds.

Get some shut eye

Sound sleep is very essential. It not only allows your body to heal and rest, it also gives your eyes much needed relief from bright lights and strain. Sleeping also is a time your body repairs itself, so getting enough time to nap helps the renewal process in the body, especially in the eyes. Experts say that meditating for about ten minutes before you go to bed is the best way to ensure sound sleep. 

Diet for healthy, stress free eyes

Apart from all the exercises you perform your diet is an essential aid to the repair and renewal process. Here are some diet tips you should follow for healthy eyes:

Almonds, raisins and figs are elixirs for the eyes. To help them cope with the demands of your day-to-day activities with this home remedy. Soak six to ten almonds, fifteen raisins and two figs (anjeer) overnight in some water. Eat them on an empty stomach in the morning. The high amount of fiber and vitamins in these fruits helps speed up the digestive processes and helps the body get rid of toxins, thereby helping in resolving eye related problems.

Another good home remedy for eye related disorders is to have one cup of carrot and Indian gooseberry juice, on an empty stomach in the morning. Carrot and Indian gooseberry (amla) have a lot of vitamin A and are store houses of antioxidants that help beat the ill effects of oxidative-stress in the body.

The benefits of copper as a micro-nutrient are innumerable, but one of its greatest benefits is that it is a very potent antibacterial agent. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend drinking one litre of water, stored overnight in a copper vessel, lends innumerable healing properties to the eyes and other vital organs.

Include foods rich in Vitamin A into your daily diet. Foods like carrots, green leafy vegetables, gooseberries, oranges, or fig and almonds are packed with this essential vitamin.

Lastly, avoid a lot of meat, spicy and preservative-laden foods. They lead to the buildup of toxins, that the body finds extremely difficult to flush out. These toxins build up and lead to various diseases including vision related problems. 

Naturally, this can really help your eyes!

 Image source: pathtoayurveda.com  Borrowed from:  Pavitra Sampath

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.  

This is Aspertame!!

Top Pharma-Brand Of Children’s Vitamins Contains Aspartame, GMOs, & Other Hazardous Chemicals. Kids vitamins are supposed to be healthy, right?

Well then, what’s going on with Flintstones Vitamins, which proudly claims to be “Pediatricians’ #1 Choice”? Produced by the global pharmaceutical corporation Bayer, this wildly successful brand features:                                                          
shocking list of unhealthy ingredients, including:

Aspartame
Cupric Oxide
Coal tar artificial coloring agents (FD&C Blue #2, Red #40, Yellow #6)
Zinc Oxide
Sorbitol
Ferrous Fumarate
Hydrogenated Oil (Soybean)
GMO Corn starch

http://earthweareone.com/top-pharma-brand-of-childrens-vitamins-contains-aspartame-gmos-other-hazardous-chemicals/

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.  

Eyebright: For Eye Related Problems

Eyebright is a tiny herb that grows readily in backyards, fields, and pastures. It contains anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergenic properties!

As the name suggests, eyebright is known for being particularly beneficial for eye related problems such as conjunctivitis, cataracts, blurry vision, weakened vision, and swollen, puffy eyes. 

Eyebright is also excellent for alleviating symptoms related to sinusitis, colds, seasonal allergies, and respiratory ailments. Eyebright can also enhance memory and improve overall cognitive performance. As a topical cream or poultice, eyebright can significantly improve acne and skin irritations. Eyebright is commonly found online or at your local health food store as a tea, capsule, tincture, cream, or salve. Eyebright is often combined with bilberry for enhanced benefits. If you find it in tea form, steep for at least five minutes in order to fully extract its healing properties.  - Medical Medium

Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides a quick relief from pain. - Andrew Subieta

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.  

Mindful Snacking vs. Thoughtless Snacking

The primary purpose of snacking is to take the edge off pre-mealtime hunger without exceeding your everyday caloric needs. 

Mindful snacking - or eating a nutritious, properly-portioned snack when hunger strikes - boosts your intake of essential nutrients and health-promoting food substances such as fiber and antioxidants.

Careless snacking, on the other hand, can easily take you over your daily energy requirements while providing little to no nutritional benefit - a practice that can contribute to the development of a range of health problems.

Weight Gain 

Snacking out of habit, boredom, stress or frustration rather than out of hunger often leads to weight gain. Frequent snacking is also more likely to take you over your daily calorie budget and result in excess weight, especially if you eat energy-dense snacks or your servings are large. High-calorie foods and beverages, oversized portions and frequent snacking have caused the average American adult to take in almost 600 calories more per day than in the late 1970s, according to BBC News. Researchers suggest that these factors, combined with higher levels of physical inactivity, are the source of the obesity epidemic in the United States.

Health Repercussions, Including Inflammation

Many of the most widely consumed snack foods are high in refined carbohydrates or added sugar and low in nutritional value. Non-diet soft drinks, cookies, candy, pastries, granola bars, chips, pretzels and crackers generally contain more calories and are less satiating than fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Consuming too many refined or sugar-rich foods can cause high blood triglyceride levels while decreasing levels of health-promoting HDL cholesterol and may contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress. These conditions are indicators for an increased risk of developing heart disease, especially when accompanied by excess weight. Try not to let your children watch T.V. with coke in one hand and chips in the other!

Tooth Decay

Eating frequently increases the risk of tooth decay. When your teeth come in contact with food more often, the bacteria in plaque has more time to produce enamel-damaging acids. This is particularly true for carbohydrate-rich foods, because the simple sugars that make up carbohydrates are what feed plaque bacteria. Sticky foods, or those that leave food particles between teeth or in molar pits - including dried fruit, granola bars and crackers - take longer to dissolve and therefore fuel acid production for significantly longer. To promote oral health when snacking, eat the whole snack at one time instead of nibbling it intermittently. Rinse your mouth with water afterward to remove food particles, then brush and floss if possible.

Considerations

Eaten two or three hours before lunch or dinner, a small, nutritious snack can both tide you over and help prevent you from overeating at mealtime. To make snacks part of a healthy diet, consider your energy needs and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you don’t overspend your daily caloric allowance. Reserve sugary treats for special occasions, and avoid foods that provide nothing but empty calories. Such foods have little nutritional value and are generally not satiating.

Instead, select whole foods that are nutrient-rich, provide some amount of fiber and are relatively low in calories. An ounce of almonds and a small apple, for example, provide about 240 calories, 7 grams of fiber and a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  (Ten pretzel twists and a 16-ounce bottle of non-diet cola, however, give you 411 calories, 1.7 grams of fiber, nearly 100 grams of refined carbohydrates and 43 percent of the daily value for sodium!)

It is serious when inflammation creates joint problems and other health problems due to overeating, and wrong-eating, especially when you are trying to do your exercise and inflammation already exists!  It is a no-win situation. Call Osteoklinika if you find yourself suffering with pain.

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.  

Self Heal

Self heal (or heal-all) is a wonderful medicinal flower and herb which as the name suggests has tremendous healing properties. It is often taken as a tea or a tincture for sore throats, fevers, diarrhea, inflammation, and heart and liver problems. Self-heal contains powerful antioxidant and antibiotic properties which has given it a reputation for being excellent for the immune, cardiovascular, and lymphatic system. It can help provide relief from tension headaches, edema, bronchitis, infections, viral conditions, vertigo, sensitivity to light, and high blood pressure. It also contains detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, hemostatic, and astringent properties. Self heal has the unique ability to help pull heavy metals out of the body and is particularly beneficial for the liver. Originally called “Heart of the Earth”, self-heal is a member of the mint family and has been given great reverence for hundreds of years due to its incredibly vast healing abilities. Self-heal is also excellent as a gargle for sore throats and as a mouthwash for canker sores and bleeding gums. Topically, it can be used as a poultice, salve, or cream to help aid in the healing of cuts, wounds, bee stings, hemorrhoids, conjunctivitis, goiters, lipomas, and varicose veins. For women, self-heal is especially beneficial for lymphatic issues such as swollen breasts, fibrocystic cysts, and sore nipples, apply nightly for best results. Self-heal herb, tincture, tea, cream, or salve can be found online or at your local health food store. Self-heal is a small, but powerful herb worthy of a spot in your home medicine cabinet. - Medical Medium


For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.