Breathing is arguably one of the most important processes – it is literally life-sustaining. So why do so many of us need to be reminded to breathe, and to breathe properly?     If you watch an infant breathing, it is perfection. Their little bellies expand as the diaphragm drops down on the inhale, and contract passively as they exhale. Their ribs move up and out as they fill their lungs, and down and in […]

Challenge yourself to get active this spring and participate in the Ottawa Physio Race on Saturday, May 3. There are options of a 2km, 5km or 10km walk/run along the canal this year. The Ottawa Physio Race began in 1988 as a way to raise awareness of the physiotherapy profession and to raise funds for the Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada. Now, 26 years later, the race remains an opportunity to raise awareness of physiotherapy, as […]

  Icing an acute injury may be a thing of the past. New research is suggesting that our bodies’ natural inflammatory response that results in symptoms such as swelling, redness, reduced range of motion and pain may actually be helpful in the healing process. Tissue damage sets off an immune response, similar to what happens when germs enter the body. This immune response is known as inflammation. When germs enter the body, the immune systems sends […]

…..well not directly – we actually have the collarbone, scapula, and humerus in between, but recent research is suggesting we take a much closer look at what’s happening around the neck in our patients with lateral epicondylitis, or more commonly known as “Tennis Elbow”. A recent study coming out of the University of Queensland, Australia, and published in the Journal of Manipulative & Physiologic Therapeutics, has found a greater prevalence of bilateral cervical spinal dysfunction (or “neck problems”) […]

OC3, in conjunction with Adishesha Yoga Zone, is now offering a Postpartum Yoga Program for new Moms. The program will be led by registered physiotherapist and certified yoga instructor, Shelagh Haynes. The cost of the program is covered by most private health insurance plans.   Why Postpartum Yoga? After the changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy and delivery, and with the new physical demands of caring for a baby, many women experience pelvic […]

The city of Ottawa has initiated a zoning study with the aim to determine suitable sites for commercial businesses within residential neighbourhoods.   We at OC3 are actively following the developments of this study, with the hope that the city will identify our clinic location (102 Lewis Street) among those to be rezoned to allow mixed or commercial use. Our clinic has been open for over two years.  The majority of our clientele live or […]

A recent study coming from the Division of Graduate Studies at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (and published within the Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 2014; 37(1): 22-31), looked to determine whether cervical spine adjustments caused a reduction in vertebral artery blood flow.  The vertebral artery is the main source of blood to the brain, and vertebral artery dissection is often the cause of stroke in young adults. The study involved 10 male participants, and […]

Tom Myers, author of Anatomy Trains, explains in this brief video [1] the connection between hydration levels and the characteristics of our fascia (connective tissue that supports and surrounds muscles, blood vessels, nerves, of the body) as we age. Essentially, dried out fascia = fraying of the connective tissue = stiffness = increased likelihood of pain and injuries. Keeping our tissues hydrated is crucial to keeping them young and supple. How do I keep my tissues hydrated, […]

I love coffee, but that wasn’t always the case.  Growing up I couldn’t stand the taste of it, but slowly, I progressed from Cafe Mocha’s, to Tim’s flavoured Cappuccino’s, “Double Doubles”, and finally to black coffee – probably too much of it I also love to run, and over the years I’ve had a mental dual between the coffee loving side of my brain, and the side that keeps whispering “don’t drink so much coffee […]