New! SASTM Technique with Jennifer Owens, R.M.T.

This new technique targets a variety of dysfunctions including:
- Sprains and Strains
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Carpal Tunnel
- Tendonitis
- Neck Pain
- Foot Pain
- Back Pain
- Hip Pain
- Scars

SASTM is an instrument assisted massage treatment used to target fibrosis or excessive scar tissue that develops as a result of repeat strain, injury, surgery, or other mechanism. An SASTM treatment breaks down the fibrosis and adhesions, facilitating a cascade of healing activities resulting in the remodeling of affected soft tissue structures. SASTM is able to restore function and reduce pain in the body, and can be used to treat a variety of dysfunctions.

Jennifer Owens, R.M.T., practices SASTM on a regular basis, often combining it with traditional massage therapy techniques to achieve the quickest and most effective results. Jen is exceptionally knowledgeable about the body and its systems – she can answer most any question you have about an injury, ache or pain and help you to treat it effectively and immediately. If you have been experiencing an ongoing issue and haven’t been able to find relief, SASTM may be your answer. It treats the build-up of scar tissue that affects the proper functioning of the surrounding soft tissues that causes the experience of pain. Often this is related to repetitive strain injuries, an old injury that never fully healed, or simply a lack of proper stretching routines in day-to-day life.

This technique is appropriate for any lifestyle due to the speed that it gets results, but has been adopted as a quick means of healing for athletes such as body-builders so they can get back to their usual routines with little downtime. The initial appointment is usually about 30 minutes in length, allowing Jen to perform a full run-down of the injury and its cause, while taking into account any supporting structures that may be affecting your body’s optimal performance. She will then recommend the frequency of further visits, but these will usually only be 15 minutes in length once or twice a week and will quickly slow to once per month for maintenance.

“The name has its roots in the sound that the tools make when applied to a particularly dense fascial build-up. One must experience the treatment to really understand how effective SASTM truly is on almost any condition. I myself experienced pain in my wrist which was affecting my daily routine, from eating to typing, to reading a book! After only one treatment with Jen, the pain was gone! Now I see her once every 2 months to prevent build-up of the fascia, and I am good to go!”
- Alicia Patterson

Feel free to call us for more information, or to book an appointment with Jennifer! 905-864-1516



Summer Footwear now Available!

It’s only fitting with all of this wonderful weather we’ve been getting that the new Footwear catalogues for the spring and summer season are now available in office, or online! The footwear options provided through The Orthotic Group and Orthotic Energy are specially chosen so that they provide the utmost in comfort, support and cushioning while ensuring that your new Custom Orthotics can be inserted into them with no hassle. They only carry the best brands, and have a large variety of styles to choose from.

Be sure to check out the sandal orthotics as well! That’s right – you can get a fashionable sandal for those hot summer days with a built-in orthotic to ensure proper body biomechanics and foot support!

Remember – custom orthotics and shoes may be covered under your extended health insurance. Be sure to check your insurance coverage and ask us if you have any questions about our casting techniques or procedures.

Check out the following links for the online catalogues:
The Orthotic Group Footwear Catalogue
Orthotic Energy Footwear Catalogue



Stress Series: Dealing with Stress Naturally

As the last two weeks have focused more so on the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety, this week, we touch on the emotional and mental symptoms. However, Homeopathic Medicine can aid in the physical experience of pain, too. Dr. Nisha Thadani, the Homeopathic Doctor, is also a licensed Acupuncturist and finds the combination of therapies to be especially helpful in the treatment of physical pain symptoms.

Emotional Well-Being

Emotional stress caused by grief, shock, abandonment, disappointment or major life-changes such as moving home, can leave us drained and prone to illness. If left untreated or uncorrected, ‘acute’ emotional responses can become long term or chronic. In cases of severe mental exhaustion, help is required in order to reverse a potential downward spiral to nervous breakdown. Homeopathic medicine can provide an excellent early intervention and when illness has become chronic, can help rebalance the mind and emotions. Homeopathic medicine is effective in people of all ages – from children with behavioural problems and teenagers with loss of confidence, to adults going through marital breakdown or redundancy.

Connecting Mind and Body
An often overlooked connection between mind and body is the way in which even mild mental ill-health can have an adverse affect on our physical selves. American researchers found that mild depression can quicken the deaths of patients with heart problems: the incidence of abnormal heartbeat was three times higher in depressed patients. It is also now thought that stress may raise cholesterol levels potentially increasing the risk of heart disease. Homeopathic medicine is a holistic therapy which aims to help mind and body.

Homeopathy for the Mind
It is not only counseling that has a role to play in preventing serious mental illness. In a national survey conducted by The Society of Homeopaths, 87% of patients who complained of mental and emotional problems reported positive change.
Homeopathy has been found to be as effective as prescribed drugs in the treatment of anxiety. Both the MHRA and the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) say GPs are prescribing too many pills for those who do not have a serious medical condition and they advise people to seek other treatments.

Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic medicine is a safe, effective system of medicine that helps the mind and body heal. Unlike strong antidepressants or tranquillizers, homeopathic medicines do not pose toxicity problems and are not addictive.
Homeopathic remedies contain a very diluted amount of active ingredient and can be safely used alongside other forms of medical treatment and many patients become well enough to reduce or come off prescribed medicines. In 2005, doctors prescribed 29 million anti-depressants to patients: more than two million people in Britain are now taking them. Homeopathy is a viable alternative worth considering when the Government’s Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) concluded in 2005 that anti-depressants had been over-prescribed and the risk of side-effects outweighed the benefits.

* * * * *

Dr. Nisha Thadani, H.D., D.Ac., offers Complimentary 15-minute consultations so that new patients can meet with her and ask her any questions they may have about what it is she does, and how she can help with their individual situation. Please feel free to contact us by e-mail or phone to schedule an appointment.
Admin2@thehealthyfamily.ca or 905-864-1516



Stress Series: Massage Therapy & Stress Relief

Stress affects each and every one of us – and in different ways! It is important to understand your stress symptoms and what it is your body requires to deal with these symptoms, and to help prevent them from returning.

Massage Therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for the unpleasant physical – and often, even emotional – symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are countless studies illustrating the varied and valuable benefits of Massage Therapy. Follow this link for one such study that focuses on Massage Therapy and workplace stress levels – Click Here.

The relaxing atmosphere, combined with the trained massage techniques of a therapist can help to ease the tension that is carried in the muscles and can aid in the release of toxin build-up in soft tissues. Touch therapy helps to relax the mind and has been shown to boost the immune system, which can be significantly lowered when the body is experiencing an overload of stressors.

There are also preventative benefits to having regular Massage Therapy Treatments. Stress-related pain has been known to result in further pain symptoms, and even injuries due to an over-compensation in other parts of the body. For example – tight muscles in the shoulders and neck (a common place where people “carry their stress”) can cause unpleasant headaches, or may start to affect the lower back and even cause pain into the arms. It is important to stretch and treat tight muscles as soon as the pain experience occurs to avoid worsening of the symptomology over time.

Each and every one of us experience stress in our daily lives. Be sure to recognize the symptoms, and treat them early! As well – don’t neglect children’s complaints about physical or emotional stressors. Infants and children receiving massage are just as important as regular massage therapy appointments for adults.

Next week’s focus: Homeopathic Medicine for Stress & Anxiety



Stress Series: Chiropractic & Stress

    Week #1: Focusing on Chiropractic Care and the Treatment of Stress

Stress is simply a disturbance in the regular functioning of the body, and can be triggered by many different stimuli. The symptoms of stress can be experienced in many different ways. Some people experience emotional and psychological symptoms such as anxiety attacks, while others experience unpleasant physical symptoms like tight muscles and chronic headaches.

No matter how you experience your stress-related symptoms, seeing a Chiropractor can help to minimize the experience of symptoms and help to relieve any pain you may experience from tension. Chiropractic is a whole-body wellness treatment. It doesn’t necessarily mean treating a specific “illness”, but preparing your body to perform its best, deal with stressors, and continue on the path to “wellness”.

When it comes to stress Chiropractors are able to help keep the body working optimally to avoid an excess of stress related symptoms, and in some cases can treat an acute experience of physical pain. They consider spinal and musculoskeletal structure, neurological activity, vascular systems, nutrition habits, emotions, and environmental relationships when treating each patient. It is important to maintain your Chiropractic care to keep the spinal bones in alignment and from impinging on the function of the nerves.

This is just another of the many benefits of regular Chiropractic care.



Do you experience Chronic Headaches?

Among the flurry of aches and pains new patients come to see Shannon Cook, R.M.T. for, she has noticed a particularly high rate of headache frequency in her patients. She has developed a special interest in helping these patients who experience severe headaches and aims to minimize headache frequency and intensity so that patients can live their daily lives without interuption.

What is a Headache?
Headaches can be caused by a number of physical triggers – some more serious than others. One of the most common causes of headache, however, is tight muscles in the back and neck resulting in the sensation of pain in the neck and into the head – these are tension headaches. The dull ache of a tension headache is usually experienced on both sides of the head and neck, and may be associated with a sensitive scalp. Another type of headache is the vascular headache which is accompanied by a “pounding” or “throbbing” type of pain, sensitivity to light and possibly even nausea. These types of headaches are often termed “migraines” and can also be caused by high blood pressure.

How Does Massage Therapy Help?
Massage therapy can help to relieve both types of headaches by…
- easing muscle tension
- relieving muscle spasms
- releasing shortened muscles
- relaxing tension held in the muscles of the head, shoulders, and neck

“When muscle tension eases, there is less pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that supply them. Oxygen-rich blood circulation improves, which also relieves pain. Massage therapy not only helps the muscles of the body to relax but also effectively reduces the anxiety and mental stress that can cause or exacerbate headaches. Regular, ongoing massage therapy can also help to prevent headaches by helping to reduce overall stress and the muscle tension that can trigger headache pain and by helping to maintain emotional balance.” (http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Massage-Therapy-for-Headaches)

How Shannon Treats Your Headaches…
Shannon Cook, R.M.T. treats with a combination of techniques to help each patient receive the most beneficial treatment. Each patient responds differently to each technique, and she likes to work with the patient to locate the most effective modalities for each appointment and physical symptom they experience. She employs sub-occipital release techniques, trigger point therapy, scalp massage and myofascial release into her massages which she has noticed usually provide relief for patients suffering from a variety of headaches.



Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution

One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is (and always has been) the goal of getting fit, losing weight and keeping active! At The Healthy Family, we promote active lifestyles as one of the best ways to keep your body happy and healthy, so we are here to support you every step of the way in achieving your 2012 resolution!

Keep in mind that while your mind may be fully ready to engage this new lifestyle, be sure that your body is ready too! A body that is prone to inactivity is injured much more easily in an intense workout than someone who stays active the whole year through.

Keeping your spine and nervous system functioning properly with Chiropractic, and keeping muscles loose and free of fascial build-up with Massage Therapy are two important steps in preparing your body for the hard work ahead and will help you to avoid an injury that may hinder your progress. If weight loss is your resolution, consider a natural detoxification to remove toxins from your body.  A Homeopathic detoxification process is all-natural, and will start you off on the right path.

Do not hesitate to e-mail me at admin2@thehealthyfamily.ca or contact any of our skilled practitioners should you have any questions or concerns about how we can help you to achieve your New Year’s goals! 905-864-1516

Dr. Puja Goyal, Doctor of Chiropractic

Nisha Thadani, Homeopathic Doctor & Licensed Acupuncturist

Jennifer Owens, Registered Massage Therapist

Shannon Cook, Registered Massage Therapist



Check out our “Review Us” Program!

We hear so many positive comments from our patients on a daily basis, however, no one ever writes these compliments down! We’ve started a “Review Us” program to help keep track of the improvements our patients are making and to be able to spread the word to other patients who may benefit from treatments at our office.

To thank you for your feedback on our office, services, and your progress, we’ll give you a $5 credit!! That credit will be applied on your account once your comments have been verified, and you can use your credit towards Chiropractic Adjustments or Rehabilitation Products around the office (like BioFreeze, CryoDerm, Lumbar Supports, Theraband, and more!).

Click Here to Write us a Review on Google!
Simply click ‘Write A Review’ and then e-mail a copy of your review with your name and phone number to admin2@thehealthyfamily.ca for verification.

Click Here to Review us on YellowPages.ca!
Simply click “Be The First to Review” or “Write a Review” and then e-mail a copy of your review with your name and phone number to admin2@thehealthyfamily.ca for verification.

Click Here to Review us on CanPages.com!
Simply click on the “Reviews” tab, and submit your review. Then send a copy of your review to admin2@thehealthyfamily.ca with your name and phone number for verification.

Feel free to contact our office for more information – call 905-864-1516 or e-mail admin2@thehealthyfamily.ca!



HOLIDAY SALES! Great gift ideas!

Our holiday sales start Monday, November 14th and last all the way until Friday, December 23rd! We have discounts on some great gift ideas and stocking stuffers!

CHIROFLOW WATERBASE PILLOWs are BUY 1 GET $10 OFF or BUY 2 GET $25 OFF!

BIOFREEZE PAIN RELIEVING GEL/ROLL-ONs & CRYODERM PAIN RELIEVING ROLL-ONs are $3 OFF!

As well, stop by the office to pick up some of our great stocking stuffer ideas!

~ Emergen-C Vitamin C Drink Packs are only $1 each and provide your daily dose of Vitamin C! ~

~ AntiFlamme Herbal Relief Cream helps soothe aches and pains, naturally! ~

~ Superwrap is a self adhesive injury wrap that is a great support for muscles – great for active individuals to keep in their gym bag! ~

~ Rapid Relief Hot/Cold Packs soothe aching muscles – with heat or cold! ~

Call 905-864-1516 for more information or e-mail admin2@thehealthyfamily.ca!



Join us for PATIENT APPRECIATION DAY 2011!

Our 3rd Annual Patient Appreciation Day is on October 14th, 2011. This Thanksgiving season, we’d like to express our deepest thanks to all of our wonderful patients who make it a joy to come to work every day. Please join us on October 14th, for our one-day specials and gifts, or enter our draw all month long for your chance to win one of our great prizes.

Join us for a raffle all month long, and you could win 1 of 4 great prizes:
- A 30 min. Massage with Shannon Cook, R.M.T.
- A 30 min. Massage with Jennifer Owens, R.M.T.
- A GoodLife Fitness Prize Package
- A $50.00 Gift Card to a local restaurant

PLUS! If you book an appointment on Patient Appreciation Day…

ALL Chiropractic Adjustments are $5.00 OFF!!

ALL Massage Patients booked with Jennifer Owens, R.M.T. will receive a FREE Aromatherapy upgrade!

ALL Massage Patients booked with Shannon Cook, R.M.T. will receive a FREE Epsom Salts Package!

ALL Patients booked with Dr. Nisha Thadani, H.D. D. Ac. will receive a FREE Arnica Montana!

Drop by the office on October 14th for some refreshments, and take advantage of our sale on the following rehabilitation products:

Foam Rollers, Fitness Balls, Cervical Traction Devices, ChiroFlow Pillows, AdjustAir Lumbar Supports and Back Vitalizer Lumbar Supports are…
BUY 1 GET $5.00 OFF
BUY 2 GET $15.00 OFF
BUY 3 GET $25.00 OFF

Call us for more information on Patient Appreciation Day, or to book your next appointment. 905-864-1516