Groin injuries are a very common lower limb musculoskeletal injury that can plague athletes in all sports. Commonly suffered in, but not isolated to field sports, the most commonly injured muscle is the adductor longus. This can cause symptoms of groin pain, tightness and weakness. During this week’s episode I discuss popular exercises used to address groin injury, which can hopefully help reduce injuries from becoming a nagging recurrrence. What has helped you get over your groin injury? Commen...
Oct 22, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 43
This is one of the most common questions I get from patients, colleagues and friends. During this week’s episode I discuss the topic of concussion prevention and whether we can truly prevent or mitigate risk of injury. I also outline some of the popular marketing strategies in the world of concussion prevention. Have you heard of any of the topics in today’s episode? Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!
Oct 15, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 42
This past week I was tagged in a post on Facebook with this very question. Amongst the comments there were questions about Dr. notes, assessment, treatment and much more. It also wouldn’t be 2021, without a few laughter emojis and passive aggressive comments towards the original person who posted. The post did get me thinking about this question. I thought maybe rather than write a response I’d talk about it. So enjoy this week’s episode. If you sow this post do you think my answer is reasonable...
Oct 08, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 41
There’s nothing better than getting back from a great run. Running is so popular for the simple fact that all you have to do is start doing it. The entry to the sport is often cheap in terms of monetary output. There are also many great benefits to running including improvement in cardiovascular health and endurance. Not to mention all of the amazing running communities that exist worldwide that are bringing like minded people together on a daily basis. During this week’s episode I discuss the t...
Oct 01, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Trying to get your Massage Therapy license following graduation can be one of the most stressful things a student goes through. With the uncertainty of the exam it’s often difficult to know how, or what to study to become successful. During this week's episode I provide a few tips I think have worked well in my 15 years of preparing students for the OSCE. What helped you pass your exam and get your Massage Therapy license? Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!...
Sep 24, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 39
ACL injuries are so prevalent in athletes and the general population. From acute traumatic events, to seemingly benign plant and twist injuries on the soccer field, or ski hill ACL, injuries cause allot of upset. Further aggravation is caused by a long recovery process post-surgery, if that is the route you decide to take. During this week's episode I discuss all things ACL. Have you torn your ACL? If so, what has help you get back to your pre-injury status. Comment below and we'll see you in th...
Sep 17, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Earlier this week I saw a young man riding his bike with his helmet on and chin strap undone. As he road past me I thought to myself, "that is about as useless as trying to cut a tree down with a butter knife". Helmets have been around forever. As technology advances helmets become better. Unfortunately, amongst the great advancements there unfair claims made in the marketing of certain types of helmets. During today's episode I discuss the importance of helmets, helmets and concussion and addre...
Sep 10, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 37
TOS ! TOS ! TOS! One of the most popular syndromes taught in massage therapy school is thoracic outlet syndrome. This is a compression syndrome, similar to carpal syndrome syndrome, but involves structures of the neck. Depending on the individual the brachial plexus, subclavian vein or artery may be compromised leading to a variety of patient presentations. Luckily surgery and invasive medical procedures are seldom needed to help alleviate symptoms from thoracic outlet syndrome. Have you suffere...
Sep 03, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 36
I’ve never understood the diagnosis of bursitis outside of traumatic, or infectious. A bursa is a sac of fluid, or a fluid filled shape in the body responsible for managing compressive, tensile and other forces that go on within the body as we move. I’ve often wonder, are we making an injury out of something that is simply a normal process of stress, strain and movement within the body? I discuss my perspective during this week’s episode. What do you think? Comment below and we will see you in t...
Aug 27, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 35
As some of you know I got a puppy. His name is Huxley and he is a 10 week old yellow lab. Now that I am a dog father I have to try and figure things out and fast. It’s been a challenge to say the least. Shout out to all of the human parents out there, I have no idea how you do it! During this week’s episode I discuss what my puppy has taught me in the first 3 weeks of having him. What lessons have you learned from your pets? Comment below and we will see you in the next one!...
Aug 20, 2021•29 min
Do you perform a monthly skin cancer self-assessment? Skin cancer does very well with early intervention and treatment. As a manual therapy I discuss and get asked questions regularly on skin health. As with the majority of cancers early detection is key. During this episode I outline the 4 most common types of skin cancer, discuss how to perform a routine skin self-assessment and outline measures you can take daily to prevent skin cancer. Did you learn anything new during this episode? Comment ...
Aug 13, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 33
During this episode I review the following discussion points within the Massage Therapy industry. -The concept of "no pain, no gain" -Can we breakdown adhesions, or "scar tissue" with our hands -Can Massage Therapy flush out toxins -Does Massage Therapy improve blood flow -Can your therapist put things back in place for you -Does Massage Therapy improve inflammation -Does Massage Therapy improve tone -Is bruising therapeutic -Does Massage Therapy reduce swelling -Can Massage therapy lengthen tis...
Aug 06, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 32
With big life changes coming my way I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Overwhelm is something that is always around and can come and go. It’s dynamic and ever-changing. Overwhelm can present both positively and negatively. While the positive aspects can be so great, the negative consequences of overwhelm can set us back, hold us down and prevent us from moving forward. During today’s episode I discuss how overwhelm has affected my life, and some tools I have found along the way that have helped ...
Jul 30, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 31
When I was younger my parents gave me worry dolls to help me sleep. I sat on the side of my bed, told them my troubles, placed them under my pillow and went to bed. Every night I’d rinse and repeat. Sleeping is one of the biggest challenges people face. From tossing and turning, sleeping less to having poor quality sleep, a poor night’s sleep can have negative consequences in the days following. The benefits of good quality sleep are endless. From healthy brain aging, to the positive management ...
Jul 23, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 30
On Saturday July 12, Conor McGregor suffered a dramatic injury while fighting Dustin Poirier for the 3rd time. As he stepped back in his stance, his leg caved out from underneath him. This unfortunately, is not the first time we have seen an injury of this type in MMA this year. Just a few months ago Chris Weidman suffered the same injury under similar circumstances. Could these injuries in some way be related? During this episode I break down Conor’s injury and the circumstances surrounding it ...
Jul 16, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Neck pain and whiplash is one of the common reasons people visit their family physician. Whiplash injuries while having classifications and categories are broad and complex in nature. Recovery can range from something as straight forward as a 2-week timeline, to something more drawn out and frustrating. At times these injuries lead to permanent symptoms and disability. During this episode I discuss a few thoughts on whiplash injuries and how I see them in the clinic. I discuss the relationship b...
Jul 09, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 28
One of the most challenging things for individuals that have suffered a concussion is a return to their pre-injury status. For each person this may look a little different. Some may want to return to professional sports, while others want to return to work, school or simply spend more time with their grandkids. While all of these activities may look a little bit different they are grounded in a similar foundation of re-adaptation of a system and its elements. One of these adaptations is the brai...
Jul 02, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 27
This week’s episode was inspired by a post on instagram. The post had a runner battered, bruised and bloody from treatment to the IT band. Runner’s knee is an injury that many runner’s go through. It’s very common in new runners, as well seasoned runners as they increase volume in their programs. During this episode I discuss the potential causes and my thoughts around how to help runner’s knee. Runners are some of the passionate group of athletes I’ve met. Getting a runner back to running can b...
Jun 25, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 26
On this episode I discuss my recent knee injury. The irony of the injury is I was training to prevent the very injury I suffered during the process. It was a silly accident and if I tried to re-create it 100 times over again it wouldn’t happen. During this episode I discuss what I think injured, the steps I have taken in the almost two weeks following my injury and how I feel currently. Have you had a knee injury ? What helped you get back to your pre-injury status? Comment below and we will see...
Jun 18, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 25
CTE in brief, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition associated with a history of repetitive head impacts (RHIs) or sub-concussive blows. CTE may be present in individuals with, or without, a substantial concussion history and is most often discussed in the context of contacts sports. Diagnosis of CTE occurs after death when the brain is examined under autopsy. More recently the scientific community has coined the term TES, or traumatic encephalopathy syndrome to try and better characteriz...
Jun 11, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 24
When I was in school I was taught a very specific way of how to measure the length of someone’s legs. Once a leg length was established I was then taught how to systematically correct a length length discrepancy, while at the same time relieving a patient of their symptoms. The process of learning this frustrated me. I found it confusing, while also feeling as though I didn’t understand what I was learning. When I left school this was one of the first things I abandoned, mainly because I lacked ...
Jun 04, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 23
On May 20th, Toronto Maple Leafs captain, John Tavares, suffered a scary injury in the 1st game of the teams' Stanley Cup playoff series. John was struck at a high rate of speed by the knee of Montreal Canadians forward Cory Perry. The collision lead to a scary on ice scene, resulting in John being transported to hospital via ambulance. He was medical cleared after thorough imaging and medical evaluation. As he begins his road to recovery, there will be three injuries the Maple Leafs medical sta...
May 28, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 22
During this week's episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Jocelyn Kirton. Jocelyn is Massage Therapist from Victoria, British Colombia in Canada. Throughout this episode Jocelyn and I discussed a variety of topics within pelvic health. We cover topics like access to care, unsuccessful treatments as well as the frustration, anger and embarrassment patients often go through during the process of trying to find answers. We pay particular attention to men’s and male pelvic health during this epi...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 21
During this week's episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Pam Rocca. Pam is an author and woman's nutrition and lifestyle coach from Barrie, Ontario in Canada. Throughout this episode we discussed food choices, body image, exercise and the various relationships we can have with food. Pam shares her thoughts on food through her own personal journey, as well as some great tips for meal prep, shopping and stocking a great pantry. One of the biggest lessons I took away from this episode which I ...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 20
How many times have you pulled your hamstring? I know in my many years of playing competitive soccer it was plenty. Unfortunately, for many people this story is all too familiar. Hamstring injuries can be quite common and can often develop into something persistent. During this episode I discuss common things I see in practice when helping people with pain in the back of the leg. Have you suffered a hamstring injury? If so, what has helped you get over it? Comment below and we'll see you in the ...
May 07, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Shin splints are a pain in, well frankly, the shin....Seen commonly in the running and athletic community this injury can plague people and become very debilitating. Shin pain can happen for many reasons. During this episode I discuss some of the common causes of shin pain. Lastly, I outline what shin splints are and ways you can help manage them. While all injuries are important to get ahead of, this injury is one that can become persistent quite easily. How have you best managed your shin spli...
Apr 30, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 18
During this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Taes Leavitt. Taes is part of the Juno award winning performance group, Splash n Boots, as well as the founder of the Big Heart Journey, a meditation program for children. During this episode Taes provides valuable tools on how to integrate meditation into your children's lives. We discuss bullying, tantrums and so much more. Lastly, Taes outlines how meditation for children may have positive carry over into adult life and the family unit. H...
Apr 23, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 17
One of the more common injuries I see in the clinic are rotator cuff tears. The question I always ask myself is, "does the physical nature of the tear matter in the context of patient recovery?" During this episode I outline what happens when a rotator cuff is injured and the considerations taken in recovery. I also discuss the strategies I take in clinic, as well as what other disciplines may do to help manage the injury. Lastly, I outline the importance of exercise when trying to get yourself ...
Apr 16, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 16
During this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Johnston. Jamie is a Massage Therapist, firefighter and founder of the website The Massage Therapy Development Centre. Along with being a Massage Therapy educator, Jamie has a clinical practice. When he is not in clinic he spends his time helping to manage athletes in Hockey Canada's development program. Jamie and I discussed the importance of exercise and movement in clinical practice. We discussed how to prescribe exercise for patie...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 15
An opportunity someone gave you, advice you received, or chance you took that elicited a long term repeating and endless effect. This is what I call the ripple effect. It's always interesting to think back on a moment in time and see the positive, or negative, fallout from nothing but a brief interaction or thought. During this episode I discuss the positive "stones" I have been given in life and 5 key conversations, opportunities and chances I took that got me to where I am today. What stones h...
Apr 02, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 14
