Bio-Structural Integration™ and Mother Nature!

Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides quick relief of pain! 

It is a unique, trademarked process at Osteoklinika! Over 15 years ago we discovered that therapy centered around only one system simply does not work! 

Why? The body functions as a unit. When we get injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop misalignment, the muscles will be in spasm, connective tissue and fascia become tight, the inflammatory process sets in, even internal organs can be affected. Every cell in our body works synergetically together to maintain homeostasis.

When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In our method of Bio-Structural Integration™ we address the dysfunction at every level.

Within one treatment Cranial Osteopathy is used to release central nervous system lesions. After that Osteopathic Structural Adjustments are used to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. 

Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle.

All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment. After the structure is realigned, we recommend BioFlex Low Intensity Laser Therapy to deal with inflammation. Now the healing is stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints.

The program of rehabilitation is around 5 weeks long and provides consistently over 90% of success in bringing back a pain-free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you shouldn’t give up! During many years of my practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult- to-treat conditions. 


Before You Pop That Pill ...


When most people experience headaches, joint pain, or other aches in their body, they turn to aspirin or another anti-inflammatory drug.

Aspirin was originally derived from the herbs Meadowsweet and Willow Bark and later synthesized by the pharmaceutical industry to create a patentable product, which they do to increase profits. When natural compounds are synthesized in a laboratory and then marketed as drugs, they typically cause side-effects that the food and herb sources do not usually cause.

Unfortunately the list of side-effects on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) is lengthy and not worth the risk for most people. It ranges from gastrointestinal irritation to death.  Fortunately, there are many foods that contain salicylates or salicylic acid, which is the active ingredient in aspirin.

Licorice Herb

Meadowsweet

Before you pop that pill, consider the many fruits, vegetables, and herbs that contain natural aspirin:

• Apples

• Avocados

• Blueberries

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Cherries

• Chili peppers

• Cucumbers

• Currants (including dried currants)

• Dates

• Eggplant

• Figs

• Grapefruit

• Grapes

• Kiwi

• Licorice (the herb, not the candy)

• Meadowsweet (an herb)

• Paprika

• Peaches

• Plums and prunes

• Radishes

• Raspberries

• Spinach

• Strawberries

• Turmeric (the spice)

• Willow bark

• Zucchini

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/27-foods-that-contain-natural-aspirin.html#ixzz34FTkbaWl

My approach is very unique and effective. It took me many years to develop specific protocols to treat inflammation and conditions affecting the lower back, shoulders, knees, feet, wrists and other parts of the body. Ask me about Bio-Structural Integration!  To discuss your situation, please call me at 905.660.8810 or email me at Andrew@osteoklinika.com.  - Andrew Subieta M.Sc., R.M.T., CLT

Plantar Fasciitis: A Very Painful and Dangerous Problem in Your Feet!

I have been writing about this subject for several summers now.  "Plantar Fasciitis" is a very painful and potentially dangerous problem in your feet!  However in this article from CNN they say, "It promotes this good mental state of health," he said.

"It's hard to be in a bad mood when you're wearing flip-flops."

With a litany of stubbed toes, sprained ankles, broken bones and blistered feet, our feet are hurting.

According to the National Foot Health Assessment 2012 released in June, 78% of adults 21 and older have experienced one or more foot problems in their lives.

One common culprit of North America's foot pain, especially during the summer, is the flip-flop.

Whether it is on the beach, at the grocery store or even in the office, people love to free their feet. But flat sandals are nothing but bad news, says Bob Thompson, executive director for the Institute for Preventive Foot Health, who doesn't own a single pair.

"There's no heel support and structural support ... on that little slab of rubber."

Flip-flops have been around since at least 1500 B.C. They have been the choice of footwear for everyone from ancient Egyptians to California beach bums to Northwestern University's women's lacrosse team during a 2005 visit to the White House.

Providing wearers with ease and emancipation, flip-flops are hard not to love, said Brian Curin, president and co-founder of Flip Flop Shops.

"It promotes this good mental state of health," he said. "It's hard to be in a bad mood when you're wearing flip-flops."

Despite the shoe's popularity, Thompson said there are many risks involved with wearing flip-flops.

Flip-flops aren't always easy on the feet.

Although feet were designed to walk barefoot on Earth's natural surfaces (grass, sand or gravel), they were not prepared to endure the concrete, asphalt and steel that covers so many landscapes today, Thompson said. These unmovable surfaces are harsh on bare feet, and the thin rubber sole of many flip-flops does little to adequately absorb the shock they produce.

Whether you are standing still or in motion, your feet are your first point of contact with the ground. The way your feet are positioned provides the foundation for the body's skeletal alignment. A flat shoe provides little arch or lateral support and even slight shifts in stance over time could lead to misalignment, causing pain in the knees, hips and back.

"Everything in your body starts with how you strike your heel to the ground," Thompson said.

With nothing to keep a wearer's foot in place, flip-flops can also lead to tumbles, twisted ankles and even broken bones. "You're taking your five toes and grabbing your shoe to make sure it doesn't slide out," Thompson said. "That action of the toes grabbing the shoe on the toe box is not normal."

Shoes should flex where your foot bends, said Noreen Oswell, a podiatrist at The Foot Center at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers in Los Angeles. But the rubber soles of most flip-flops just bend all over the place, while the stiff soles of some stylish varieties may not bend at all, she said.

Flip-flops' straps can also rub as a wearer walks, creating friction that leads to blisters. And because the lightweight sandals offer virtually no protection, it's more common for wearers' feet to get cuts, scrapes and bruises.

"A little layer of rubber -- it will protect you from a stone or a glass, but a nail could puncture that," Thompson said.

Oswell said wearing flip-flops can be seriously detrimental for people whose feet are already at risk: For people with diabetes, who often have poor circulation and feeling in their feet, wearing flip-flops can expose them not only to injury but to infection. Those with balance issues may find it hard to feel secure when wearing rubbery flip-flops. And for those suffering from obesity, sporting the unstructured shoe can add strain to feet that are already stressed with carrying extra weight.

The real problem is that people are wearing flip-flops while doing everything from skateboarding to gardening to running errands, Oswell said.

"It's not that they wear them," Oswell said. "They over wear them."

But Curin said researchers, who typically refer in their studies to cheap rubber flip-flops that can be purchased at discount stores, must realize not all flip-flops are created equally.

"They seem to miss that whole other part of the industry that is creating really good footwear with innovation and technology," he said.

Curin said oftentimes it is such sandals that alleviate problems, not cause them.

"I know a lot of people, both customers of our shop, friends and family, and people in the industry that wear flip-flops because they have problems," he said. "It's more comfortable, easier to put on and off, and there's breathability."

Rather than buying a $2 pair of rubber flip-flops at the drugstore, Curin suggests spending the extra money on a pair with deep heel cups, high arch support and comfortable toe support, such as those from OluKai and Reef or FitFlops.

Oswell agrees that there times when wearing flip-flops can be beneficial. In the health club locker room or at the community pool, flip-flops can protect feet against fungi and wart-causing viruses that can be acquired by walking around barefoot.

The simple sandals can also shield feet against the beach's hot sand, which might otherwise cause skin to burn and blister on your walk to the water.

But flip-flop use should be limited, experts say. Oswell's go-to shoe for everyday wear is a pair of tennis shoes.

"The number one best shoe for everybody is a good athletic shoe — something that laces up and has good structure to it," Oswell said.

Thompson said people should always wear padded, acrylic-blend socks, which wick moisture away from the foot, under properly fitted shoes that have plenty of toe room and support.

Crocs, which have some structure, cushion and breathability, can be an easy alternative to flip-flops, while sandals with a substantial foot bed and softer and broader straps are also a better option, Oswell said.

For people who insist on indulging in flip-flops' cool convenience, Thompson's asks them to avoid uneven surfaces and wash feet thoroughly after the sandals come off.

"I tell people I'm not going to change your lifestyle; I just want you to know what the concerns are," he said. (CNN)

We can work on this at OsteoKlinika and can offer a faster solution with Low Intensity Laser Therapy! Contact us at 905.660.8810 and please don't wait until it is chronic!  Have a wonderful and pain-free summer!  

The Riper The Banana the Better for You!

Good nutrition:  It is never too late to turn it around!  

It is a fact that nutrient content of fruits change slightly as they ripen. As a banana ripens and turns yellow, its levels of antioxidants increases. These antioxidants in ripe bananas protect your body against cancer and heart diseases. But while overripe bananas certainly have nutritional value, they also lose some benefits. In full ripe bananas with dark spots on skin, the starch content changes to simple sugars that are easier to digest and may raise your blood glucose levels quickly, but it could be harmful for people with diabetes. Also, the micro-nutrients like vitamins and minerals decrease as the bananas ripen.

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) is a cytokine, substances secreted by certain cells of the immune system that have an effect on other cells. This is indeed helpful in fighting abnormal tumor cells in body.

Research done on ripening bananas has proved that the levels of TNF-α induction increased markedly with dark spots on skin before the entire banana peel turned brown. The research concluded that the activity of banana was comparable to that of Lentinan, a chemical immuno-stimulant that is intravenously administered as an anti-cancer agent. So, ripe banana can act as an anti-cancer agent by stimulating the production of white blood cells in the human cell line.

Both green and yellow bananas are high fiber foods rich in potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, and vitamin C. They have high calorific value because of their high sugar levels. A medium sized banana provides about 105 calories. Also, bananas are very good for our Gastro-Intestinal tract and aid in digestion. Therefore, eating one or two bananas is indeed good for health. Once bananas ripen fully, store them in the refrigerator to minimize further vitamin loss.

Fresh bananas with brown patches on the skin are ripe enough to eat immediately. Make sure to avoid over-ripe bananas whose skin has turned brown or split open.

And yes, you can share this healthy information with everyone! ‪#‎gobananas‬ ‪#‎osteoklinika‬ ‪#‎AntiCancer‬

At Osteoklinika our goal is not only to relieve pain but to treat pathological changes that occur in the tissues of the body that led to discomfort, inflammation and restricted range of motion. This approach addresses many musculoskeletal conditions down to the cellular level, therefore speeding up recovery. We call it the method of Bio-Structural Integration™.  Our objective is to find the source of the problem, correct it and allow the body to return to a normal physiological balance and this can occur at any age! We are also interested in good nutrition! It is not too late to turn it around!  Please call me at 905.660.8810 or visit my website at www.osteoklinika.com. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc. R.M.T. C.L.T.

Migraines and Bio-Structural Integration™

Can osteopathy help treat migraines? YES! Osteopathy is a highly effective treatment for headaches and migraines. 

Headaches are unfortunately very common, and there are many types and causes. Some people can suffer from more than one type.

"Tension Headache" is along term muscle tension in the shoulder and/or neck may result in a tension headache. Often associated with stress, worry, overwork and daily anxieties.

Even more debilitating are migraines!!

Definition of a Migraine Headache

A migraine in the majority of cases, is a painful sometimes disabling headache that is preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. Migraine pain can be excruciating or even incapacitating for hours or even days. A migraine is also often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Cause of Migraine

A migraine headache is caused by dramatic changes in the blood vessels in the neck. The vessels or ‘pipe’, take fresh blood to the brain. Dysfunctional signals from nerves and hormones (chemicals) force the pipes that deliver blood to the brain to contract and then dilate. The first phase, or contraction phase, may last minutes, hours, or days. During this phase, symptoms can be spots in front of the eyes, difficulty concentrating, and cold fingertips and hands. This is called an “aura”. Many people recognize this phase of their headaches; many others don’t at first notice any symptoms but can learn to recognize it.

When the blood vessels dilate, the headache pain starts. The blood vessels over-react. Instead of just going from a contracted state back to normal, they dilate much wider than normal. This forces blood into the head faster than it can drain out, causing pressure on the brain and a release of certain chemicals and lots of pain.

There are a number of different processes that can cause the dysfunctional imbalance of chemical messengers and nerve signals leading to a migraine. However, as different as many migraine sufferers situations may be, the main cause of the mixed signals which cause the problem is a misaligned neck bone. The blood vessels to the head live in the neck. There are channels inside each neck bone to house and protect the pipe that delivers the blood to the brain. If each of the seven neck bones is aligned in sequence the pipe is well protected and the brain’s blood supply comes in hard and fast when in need of extra oxygen and steadily at rest. However if one bone is out of sequence, and it is surprisingly always the same bone on every migraine sufferer, the pipe is kinked. We all know from hose pipes that a kink in the pipe causes a huge increase in pressure. In gross simplification, this is akin to what causes migraines.

Some forms of migraine can stem from irritation of the nerves close to the neck vertebrae or may be triggered by muscle tension.

Treatment

Osteopathic treatment for migraines works by realigning the bone in question, (as well as others which influence it to 'misalign') thus removing the kink in the pipe restoring the blood vessels to normal function.

Osteopaths and massage therapists are trained to diagnose the cause of your headache. In some cases you may need to be referred elsewhere for medical profession intervention.  In severe cases, our Bio-Structural Integration™ process will include all the elements of the problem, including the muscle tension, and we will work with you until all the issues are resolved as well as possible.

Because migraines occur in a two-phase process, with levels of certain chemical signals high in one phase and low in the other phase, treatments can either miraculously help or occasionally make the headache worse, depending on timing. Typically migraine sufferers will find sleeping on one side more comfortable than the other side, and this is also because of the misaligned neck bone.

As we know that the majority of headaches are caused by tension and poor posture, Bio-Structural Integration™ is ideally placed to provide treatment and relief in these areas. Prolonged muscle tightness in the neck leads to the joints and nerves compressing which causes pain. Movement of fluids, particularly blood and lymph also become restricted. Poor circulation affects oxygen delivery to the brain and prevents waste product removal – this also creates pain and discomfort.

Pain killing drugs used to treat the headache do not deal with the cause and so do not bring the improvement that Osteopathic manipulation and treatment can offer.

The Science of It 

Embryologically, the head and the first and second cervical vertebrae (neck bones) are formed by the first and second cervical segment. (Your skull and first and second neck bone are made from the same piece.)

As they originate from the same segments they ought to have some relationship between them. So any abnormality at the level of the first and second cervical vertebrae can give rise to pain in any part of the head, the temple and the forehead. As it happens elsewhere, local pain at the level of the cervical vertebrae may be completely absent and the patient may complain only of a headache.  

Bio-Structural Integration at Osteoklinika

At Osteoklinika our goal is not only to relieve pain but to treat pathological changes that occur in the tissues of the body that led to discomfort, inflammation and restricted range of motion. This approach addresses many musculoskeletal conditions down to the cellular level, therefore speeding up recovery. We call it the method of Bio-Structural Integration™.  Our objective is to find the source of the problem, correct it and allow the body to return to a normal physiological balance and this can occur at any age!  It is not too late to turn it around!  Please call me at 905.660.8810 or visit my website at www.osteoklinika.com. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc. R.M.T. C.L.T.

I Hate My Varicose Veins!

So many men and women say this when they visit our clinic for pain relief.  

In varicose veins, the valves do not function properly, allowing blood to remain in the vein. Pooling of blood in a vein causes it to enlarge. This process usually occurs in the veins of the legs, although it may occur elsewhere. Varicose veins are common, affecting mostly women, however an increasing number of men are coming forward asking for treatment. 

Causes:

• congenitally defective valves
• pregnancy 
• thrombophlebitis 
• occupations such as teachers, traffic police, food servers, hairdresser, etc.  

Primary varicose veins occur because of congenitally defective valves, or without a known cause. Secondary varicose veins occur because of another condition, such as when a pregnant woman develops varicose veins.




Symptoms:

• heaviness, aching pain in the legs  


• visible, enlarged veins 


• mild swelling of ankles 


• brown discoloration at the ankles 


• skin ulcers near the medial malleolus

Tips for Avoiding or Helping Varicose Veins: 

• Wear compression stockings.  There are so many to choose from today and not as unsightly as in the 'old days'.


• Exercise regularly to increase circulation and to allow blood to move freely through your legs.


• Elevate your legs when resting as much as possible.


• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.


• Avoid wearing tight clothes, especially at the waist.  

Some Natural Remedies for Discomfort:

• Carrot juice and spinach juice in 300ml : 200ml proportion is good for varicose veins.


• Massage rosemary oil onto affected parts.


• Taking an Epsom salt bath at least twice a week has been found to benefit the condition. Natural remedies for varicose veins like this one provides instant relief from associated discomfort.


• Another one of the natural remedies for varicose veins that have been proved to be effective is the application of essential oils. 12 drops of cypress and other essential oils are added to 4 ounces of a carrier oil like almond oil and applied to affected areas in upward strokes.


• One of the most effective natural remedies for varicose veins is preparing a mixture of 2 cups of calendula flowers, leaves and stem in melted lard. After a period of 24 hours this mixture is heated and strained. Application of this strained liquid over affected areas would provide relief.

Mild forms of exercise, yoga and deep breathing routines are also helpful for varicose veins. Try these natural remedies and you may find relief.


Call Andrew Subieta for a consultation and ask how we do at Osteoklinika!  905.660.8810 or visit our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information.  

HIRING NOW! Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (DOMP) at Osteoklinika

The successful applicant should possess excellent communication skills, a desire to further build their own practice, and have a desire to work with a varied case load. Your skill set must include training in Osteopathy in the cranial field, plus bio-dynamics phases.  The applicant must also be comfortable with a varied list including acute injuries, stress induced health problems, chronic illness and much more! 

At Osteoklinika we offer multiple rehabilitation services and as such the applicant should enjoy being part of the dynamic team, willing to do what it takes to build a great practice.  This is an excellent business opportunity to build your practice in a very nice community. 

If you are looking for a good environment to build your business and also be a part of our business, with an option for full-time or part-time, Osteoklinika is the right place for you!  There will be a 3 month trial period, during which time both parties will have an opportunity to evaluate the status of the position.  The contract may be extended if all parties are amenable to the terms of renewal following the fulfillment of the original contract. 

 

If this sounds exciting and seems a great opportunity to bring or start your practice, please email to arrange a meeting and discuss in more detail.  Also feel free to look at our website for more information. Your academic and other relevant references will be required.  - Andrew Subieta M.Sc., R.M.T. C.L.T. (Manual Osteopathic Practitioner)

www.osteoklinika.com or andrewsubieta@hotmail.com or 905.660.8810 to apply!

Osteopathy is What You Can Do For Back Pain!

There are many different causes of back pain, and almost any segment of the spine can be damaged and give rise to pain. Disorders of other parts of the body, particularly the lungs, kidneys and female reproductive organs can also cause backache. Dr Guy Ashburner (on behalf of the osteopathic profession) describes an osteopathic approach to treating this common condition.

DIAGNOSIS

Since pain anywhere in the back can be a symptom of a serious disorder, it is important to have an idea of what might be causing your pain, so that you can decide what action to take. Without a diagnosis, effectiveness and safety come into question. This is an important point to note when seeing any therapist or health professional.

The keystone to osteopathic management is diagnosis. Osteopaths offer not only a diagnosis but also the reasons why symptoms started (unless blatantly obvious) and why the pain has kept recurring over a number of years. The length of the initial evaluation allows the osteopath to make such specific diagnosis.

HOLISTIC PRACTICE

Osteopathy uses a holistic approach to aches and pains. Holistic means that as an osteopath one considers all factors past and present that have had or are having an effect on that patient. This should include psychosocial, spiritual and physical factors. Continuous emotional or psychological stress can produce functional changes in the body, which become structural if they are perpetuated. Osteopaths take a holistic approach with evaluation and treatment. They don’t simply treat the part that hurts, but look at the whole picture.

Holistic does not mean that one has to treat from head to toe, or that one has to use many types of treatment to achieve one’s aim.

In contrast to a holistic approach allopathic medicine takes a reductionist approach to the management of back pain. A reductionist approach zones in on the symptomatic area (there’s the pain rub it, stretch it, ultrasound it, etc.). This approach addresses a part but not the whole of a specific problem.

OSTEOPATHIC PRINCIPLES IN MANAGING BACK PAIN

These are an integral part of the overall evaluation and management of every patient.

The body is a unit. As the osteopath approaches the diagnosis of the patient’s condition, the unity of the body should be kept in mind. It is never good practice to isolate the focus of the examination to a single body part, even though the symptom may seem related to only one area. A clear example is lower back pain. Pain in the lower back may be predisposed to or maintained by flat feet, dysfunction of the knee or hip, sacro-iliac joint dysfunction, pelvic imbalance, muscle imbalances anywhere in the body, or restrictions of the upper back, essentially postural imbalance that has caused compensation from the feet to the head. The osteopath must consider all facets of interrelatedness of the body.

Structure and function are interrelated. The osteopath must recognise that an abnormal structure is likely to result in abnormal functioning of that body part. Likewise, longstanding abnormal function will eventually affect the structure involved by creating a compensatory position or motion pattern, changes in the structure itself, or stresses on the structure that will result in a breakdown of tissue. A treatment plan must focus on improving the structure and function of the patient to the nearest normal possible for that patient, even when those restrictions found do not seem to be related to the problem at hand. The musculoskeletal system is the osteopath’s route to the treatment of many conditions both of that system and other systems connected to it by the nervous and circulatory systems.

The body is self-regulating and self-healing. The osteopath will use the body’s ability to repair and maintain itself. It is then the role of the osteopath to know when and where to intervene to assist the body in its healing process. Osteopathic considerations in doing so include:

• Maintaining good circulation to involved body parts.
• Treating all restrictions that interfere with motion of any body part or mobility of the patient in general.
• Removing any sources of pain or discomfort that are treatable manually.
• Preventing dysfunction of spinal segments that may send inappropriate feedback to involved structures through the nervous system.

CASE HISTORY

A detailed case history is taken starting with details of the patient’s symptoms, as well as when and how they began. If you are unaware of how your pains started be assured that the osteopath will usually reveal these reasons through analysis of your medical history and physical examination.

EXAMINATION

Following a careful history (which includes viewing any relevant medical reports) a physical examination is begun of all of the areas the osteopath deems relevant for the individual patient. An osteopathic evaluation is done of the body’s biomechanics, namely structure, posture and physical movements.

In the case of lower back pain an osteopath will examine the whole spine, pelvis, hips, knees, ankles and feet, with orthopaedic testing of these structures. This will be followed by neurological tests. Other clinical examinations may include the respiratory and cardiovascular systems where relevant. Examination leads to diagnosis.

Diagnosis, clinical findings and an appropriate treatment plan with projected recovery will be explained and discussed.

TREATMENT

The aim of osteopathy is to correct problems in the body frame, making it easier for the body to function normally and reducing the chance of problems occurring in the future. It is a ‘hands-on’ therapy that restores the normal structure of the musculoskeletal system, which in turn improves the function of the nervous, circulatory and immune systems and allows for faster healing and reduced pain, congestion and restriction within the body. Hands-on treatment ranges from very subtle techniques used for babies through to more robust techniques for athletes.

Osteopathic management of back pain should include advice on the following.

Posture

Posture is a vital part of our health. In fact without good posture our health and in particular our back health will suffer.

Sitting posture

As most working people are sedentary, correct sitting posture is essential. Correct work station setup is an important part of spinal health.

Hard/firm chairs with a gap at the base of the backrest for one’s bottom to fit through are the best option. Soft seats or sitting reading on a soft bed are the worst options and can contribute significantly to back pain. The best practice for sitting posture is as follows: as you sit bend forward halfway, then wriggle back in your seat as far as possible until you can’t move back further. Then sit up. Your back is now nicely supported and you should have a normal concave curvature to your lumbar spine. If you don’t sit in this position during your working day you will almost be guaranteed back pain now or at a later date.

In your car try the posture described above, and move your seat closer to the steering wheel. This will help those who spend a lot of time driving.

Standing Posture

When standing, try to balance in a neutral position so that your weight is distributed on both legs, rather than on just one leg. Then grab hold of your hair on top of your head quite hard. This will bring you into an optimal standing posture, much like our hunter-gatherer ancestors viewing the horizon for danger. Maintain this posture for a couple of months and your nervous system will get used to it and it will eventually become habitual.

Proper Hydration

Believe it or not water is vital for back health. We are made of 67% water. The more dehydrated you are the faster your back will degenerate. Spinal discs are hydrophilic and absorb water especially when the spine is not loaded, for example as we sleep, lying down. Muscles need to be well hydrated otherwise dehydration will cause shortening of muscle fibres resulting in compression and restriction of spinal joints. So drink plenty of water and avoid diuretics such as coffee and tea.

Aerobic Exercise

Take regular aerobic exercise. The more inactive you are the stiffer and more problematic your back will be. Good aerobic options are the step machine (remember not to hold onto the hand rails as in the real world there are none on the mountain and you will get a better workout), cycling, swimming, walking and running depending on your level of fitness and the state of your back. If you have a bad back avoid the cross trainer as this will only aggravate your lumbar spinal joints if they are already under strain.

Stretching

Always stretch after 5 – 15 minutes of aerobic exercise. Warm muscles are more pliable than cold ones. So if you want better results warm your muscles before your stretches or yoga class. Don’t stretch everything – it will be more productive to stretch what is necessary as recommended by your osteopath. For instance the buttock muscles have a very close relationship with your back. The tighter they are the more problematic your back will be. When you stretch ensure that you feel no more than mild tension, and no pain. The more flexible your muscles are the less pain you should experience. There is a definite correlation between short hamstrings and increased episodes of back pain.

CONCLUSION

In order to maximize recovery, prevent recurrence and fit each person’s schedule, osteopathic advice and treatment are tailored to the individual. - NATURAL MEDICINE magazine

At Osteoklinika our goal is not only to relieve pain but to treat pathological changes that occur in the tissues of the body that led to discomfort, inflammation and restricted range of motion. This approach addresses many musculoskeletal conditions down to the cellular level, therefore speeding up recovery. We call it the method of #Bio-Structural Integration ™.  Our objective is to find the source of the problem, correct it and allow the body to return to a normal physiological balance and this can occur at any age!  It is not too late to turn it around!  Please call me at 905.660.8810 or visit my website at www.osteoklinika.com. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc. R.M.T. C.L.T.