Your Content Goes Here Pregnancy is a wonderful part of life that families and mothers get to enjoy before welcoming home a new member of the family. However, it can become quite uncomfortable for the mother when spinal problems develop. As we all know, the ligaments in the pelvis need to expand and relax to make room for the growing baby, and this can often lead to problems in this area as well as the low back. The added weight of the baby growing can also place extra pressure on the spine leading to low back pain, pelvic pain and sciatica. All of these problems are a result of the shifts and changes to the pelvis that take place as the woman's body makes room for the baby. The delivery process can also place a great deal of strain on the low back and pelvis. Sometimes spinal discs can bulge as a result of the tremendous amount of pushing that the woman needs to do during labour. The other common problem that can develop during the pregnancy or delivery process is muscle strain. As the pelvis expands and changes, the muscles need to as well. This causes strain on the muscles that become inflamed and painful. Another lesser known issue can result in pain years after delivering a baby - It is a result of spinal epidural injections that are commonly offered during labour to ease pain. Since the injection is piercing through spinal tissue and into the spinal canal, disc ruptures and other tissue damage can occur. This is not always felt right away but some chiropractors have noticed a correlation with epidurals and unexplained back pain several years after giving birth. If you or someone you know is pregnant and experiencing any of these issues, it may be necessary to seek the advice and treatment of a trained chiropractor. You might be thinking, is it even safe to receive chiropractic care during my pregnancy? Yes! Chiropractic is very safe for both mother and baby and can help reduce pain, and other complications during pregnancy and delivery. A Chiropractor will make the appropriate accommodations to their treatment style and table so that the pregnant mother is both comfortable and safe during a chiropractic treatment. Some of these accommodations include, using special pillow or tables that accommodate the baby bump and using instrument adjusting techniques or other techniques that do not involve twisting of the low back. Many chiropractors are trained to administer safe and effective adjustments during pregnancy, it is important to ask around and see if the chiropractor you are thinking of visiting has any experience delivering this type of treatment. Pregnant mothers can see a chiropractor right up until the day before they deliver the baby. And, they can return for visits as soon as they feel comfortable right after delivering the baby. They may also wish to bring their newborn for a check up too. Sometimes during the birthing process, a [...]

Your Content Goes Here Occupational therapy (OT) is a type of health care that helps to address challenges that are interfering with a child’s ability to do the things in their life that are most important to them! This may include everyday activities such as: - Self-Care: Getting dressed, eating, toileting - Being Productive: Going to school or work, participating in the community - Leisure Activities: Play, making friends, sports and recreation How Will OT Support My Child? OT uses a strength-based approach to determine a child’s current skillset and then help to teach skills, modify tasks, and create a supportive environment so that children can have success with their most meaningful activities. Our OT is trained to support the development of a number of foundational skills that may be impacting your child’s participation. These could include: - Sensory processing and self-regulation - Fine motor skills - Gross motor skills - Executive functioning skills (e.g., attention, organization, time management) What Do OT Sessions Look Like at Pathways to Hope? At Pathways to Hope, we have a Registered Occupational Therapist providing: 1. Occupational Therapy Assessment – Includes 1:1 direct assessment, caregiver interview and written summary report. 2. Occupational Therapy Treatment – Includes 1:1 direct treatment and caregiver education. Our OT prioritizes a strengths-based, play-based and family-centered approach to care. Sessions are individually designed with your child’s skills and interests in mind. Our hope is that sessions will be fun, empowering, and informative. We emphasize parent involvement and education so that caregivers feel empowered to support their child with ongoing skill development outside of OT sessions. To join our OT waitlist, email us at pathwaystohopebrant@gmail.com or call us at 519.751.0728.

Your Content Goes Here During the winter months in Canada, many people are experiencing common illnesses like colds and flus.  This is especially true after the holidays when we have been gathering with friends and family.  For some, it can also be a stressful time of year and so it is vitally important to everything you can to boost your immune system so that you can avoid being sick, or at least significantly reduce the chances of falling ill. What can I do to support my immune system? Vitamin D: The first and most important thing you can do to boost your immune system and protect against illness is take Vitamin D daily.  Vitamin D is very important for many functions and throughout the winter, especially in Canada, we are not exposed to the sun very much.  In order to get your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun, you need to expose large parts of your body to the sun for extended periods of time, so even during the summer, not everyone is getting enough vitamin D.  The good news is that getting vitamin D is easy.  Simply take at least 1000 IU daily of vitamin D.  If you buy the drops, this amounts to one drop per day.  If you have been around people who are sick or are feeling you might be getting sick, you can increase this to 5 drops (5000 IU) per day for 3-4 days. Bundle Up: Another way to keep your immune system healthy is to bundle up when going out in the cold.  The cold weather itself does not cause sickness but it does reduce our immune system's ability to fight off viruses.  Our immune system functions best at higher temperatures, which is why we spike fevers.  Our body is trying to fight the infection, so it increases our internal temperature (fever)  so that it can attack the infection more effectively and efficiently.  Make sure you keep a hat on your head and protect your neck and chest from the cold so that your body's internal temperature does not fall. Prioritize sleep: Getting plenty of sleep is also an important part of keeping our immune system functioning optimally.  Our body heals and restores itself during sleep, so if we are sleep deprived, we are more prone to getting sick.  In order to get good rest, our room should be dark, and all devices such as phones and tablets should be removed from the room or put on "airplane mode.  It is also a good idea to stop using these devices right before bed.  Instead, try reading a book or other activity that does not involve screen time.  This can make a dramatic impact on sleep quality. Final thoughts Our immune systems need continual support to stay strong and fight off viruses during the winter months.  Implementing the things we have discussed in this article will help, but remember, that despite our best efforts we can still [...]

Your Content Goes Here The chiropractic profession has been around for over 100 years and there are still many questions regarding the profession and what it is all about. In this article we will talk about 2 of the most common questions about chiropractic care. What is the cracking sound some people hear when being adjusted? Traditionally chiropractors use their hands to adjust people which can create "cracks" or "pops" in the spine. Although this method is still widely used today, there are also many other methods that can be employed in order to adjust the spine and treat other problems that chiropractors are trained to diagnose. Firstly let's explain what actually happens when the spine "cracks" or "pops''. The word crack implies that something is breaking, which is definitely not the case when it comes to a routine chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractors are trained to gently move vertebrae by applying forces to the spine in specific directions with the goal of improving function and alignment. When a chiropractor's hands are used to achieve this, pops can sometimes be heard or felt because gas is being released from the joint that is being adjusted. This sensation usually feels good, as a flood of "feel good" biochemicals can rush in after this type of adjustment. This method of adjusting the spine has received the most controversy in the profession because of this sound, but it is completely safe and as mentioned, these types of adjustments feel good when delivered. If the sound or idea of your spine "popping" during an adjustment would make you uncomfortable, there are many other methods that chiropractors can employ that do not involve the sound of "popping". The most popular alternative is using an adjusting instrument, or activator as they are most commonly known, to adjust the spine. Do chiropractors just treat back and neck pain? Although back pain and neck pain are the two most common reasons people choose to visit a chiropractor for, there is so much more they can help with. During their schooling chiropractors learn about each and every joint and muscle in the body and the conditions related to them. They also learn how to treat these conditions, so if it hurts, a chiropractor can likely help. Some common conditions that people are visiting their chiropractors for are: plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, shoulder impingement, knee pain and hip problems. The chiropractor will assess and diagnose the condition first, and then make recommendations for treatment that could include; adjustments, muscle work, exercises, acupuncture, or other modalities. Whatever the case, the work a chiropractor does will be non invasive, safe and effective. Chiropractic is great for people of all ages and all conditions related to the muscles, nerves, bones and joints in your body. If you have any other questions about chiropractic care, feel free to contact our office and book a consultation with one of our chiropractors. Dr. Spenser Dougley DC, FR, FRCms [...]

Your Content Goes Here We’ve all heard the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. And it does. But, what I’ve come to discover is it that it takes small collection of handpicked "special forces" to raise a special needs child. And it’s not just anybody…it’s not quantity, it’s quality. So often our kiddos don’t get the inherited pleasure of being delighted in. As a parent you have to have a keen sense of who truly honors them, enjoys them and sees them beyond their challenges. It’s a mix of intuition and mystery. You have to trust and hold out for the good ones.  There is no negotiating on this. Volunteers are few. It requires us as parents to take stock and create a vision for our child and our family.  You mustn’t adopt the one handed to you with the diagnosis. As this vision gets clearer you can slowly bring it all into fruition. The players will appear. And it’s not static, it will require care:  nurturing, letting it all breathe every so often, pruning out parts and recalibrating.  You will have to expel some and pull in others. You’ll find over time, some people become less effective than others and some you have yet to meet. It’s a living thing. You have to be prudent. It comes down to love…who holds love in their heart for your child,  who wants them to live in their highest expression of self… who sees both the possibility and dares to be surprised along the way. That’s the kind of village that our children thrive in....and it takes us to make it happen. So, envision and share with your trusted ones… listen, keep an eye out, stay true to the courses and your village will come. Karin Francis is a Registered Psychotherapist who just joined our team at Pathways To Hope. As the parent of a special needs child, Karin is able to provide support to other families and caregivers by combining her education and professional experience with her personal and lived experience. For more information about Karin, or to book a free consultation, call us at 519.751.0728 or email pathwaystohopebrant@gmail.com

Your Content Goes Here Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition, hallmarked by widespread pain for greater than six months, combined with possible combination of cognitive dysfunction, IBS or other gastrointestinal involvement, and fatigue or sleep disturbances. It is no surprise after hearing that list of symptoms that many patients dealing with this condition are also dealing with feelings of stress, deterioration of mental and physical health, and feelings of social isolation. The cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood, but the main aspect is nervous system sensitization(5). Simply put, this means that a history of injury, physical trauma, or a fear of these events have put the body into high alert for these to occur again. Since pain is the body’s way of telling the brain about danger, this phenomenon is presumably the body’s way of saying: “Hey, you don’t seem to be getting the message that we’re in danger here, so let me scream louder.” An attempt to be helpful that does not end up being very helpful. There is a high degree of stress and frustration for fibromyalgia patients, due in part to the difficulty in getting a diagnosis and the lack of evidence on treatment paths. Because fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion, with no diagnostic tests available, it can take a long time to receive a diagnosis. In addition, there are no standards of practice to guide practitioners and patients often react differently to treatments, which makes implementing standards of practice difficult. Personally, I believe that with more research and understanding, we will find that fibromyalgia is a category of conditions, rather than a single diagnosis, however it will likely be a long time before this theory is proven, or disproven, by science. What we currently know about fibromyalgia is that there is a strong correlation with mental health conditions. This is likely due to events prior to developing fibromyalgia symptoms, since there is often a history of traumatizing injury and/or abuse in people with fibromyalgia, as well as events after developing fibromyalgia symptoms, since fibromyalgia is one of the most debilitating chronic pain conditions(2) and fibromyalgia patients are often type A go-getters(1), the combination of which is very difficult to deal with. Goal setting for treatment is, of course, done by the patients, but from a practitioner perspective, the two main goals are to improve pain symptoms and improve sleep quality, and doing so by soothing the dysregulated nervous system. My personal favourite way of doing this is through mindfulness-based training(4), however cognitive behavioural therapy(3) and certain antidepressant medications(3) are both well researched in this area. As with most chronic conditions, a multidisciplinary approach is best to help deal with fibromyalgia. As a Naturopath, my treatment plans for fibromyalgia often include mindfulness, exercise, correcting nutritional deficiencies and eliminating food triggers, working on sleep hygiene, and adaptogenic herbs that are known to improve the body’s ability to tolerate stress. This blog was written by Dr. Crysana Copland, Naturopathic Doctor at Brant Mental Health Solutions. [...]

Your Content Goes Here As wonderful as the holiday season can be, it can create additional challenges for those raising a child/children with autism. In this blog, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, Alisa Gagne explains 5 ways to help manage potential overwhelm over the holiday season. Let your child know what is happening ahead of time: This can help alleviate a lot of anxiety if you talk to your child before an event will happen (talk about: who will be there, what you’ll be doing, what coping strategies can be used) Plan for sensory overload/meltdowns: Consider practicing with your child what they can do when they feel overwhelmed (e.g. asking for a break). Redirect to a different, calmer activity when they feel overwhelmed (e.g. reading a book). Pre-arrange a space where your child can go when they need a break. Try to keep routines consistent when you can: A lot of children with autism thrive on routines. While this can be thrown off over the holidays, try to keep routines like mealtimes and bedtimes the same. Bring familiar toys/items to help your child feel comfortable. Practice opening gifts and taking turns: Practice responses like “thank you”, even if they get a gift they don’t like. Allow your child (and yourself) the ability to create boundaries and to say no: Allow and encourage your child to take breaks and ask for what they need. Communicate to family and friends how long you can stay and communicate what you and your child might need to have a successful visit (e.g. what your child can eat, what sensory needs they have, etc.). We hope you have found these tips helpful and that you can enjoy the holiday season and find time to rest and recharge!

Your Content Goes Here Mental health awareness is growing in our community, however there remains a need for advocates to maintain this momentum. Advocacy (literally: to add a voice) can be grouped into three broad categories: self, individual, and system. Self advocacy Self advocacy is essentially the ability to speak for yourself, to understand your strengths and weaknesses, and to communicate your needs and desires. Individual advocacy Individual advocacy is supporting and standing by someone to help when their rights and needs are not being recognized or addressed. System advocacy System advocacy targets information and policy change at the local, provincial, and federal levels. You do not need to be a professional to advocate for the needs of your child, yourself, or anyone for whom you can be a voice. You simply need to care. There are a lot of roles and ways to advocate and they can be looked at in three areas: 1. Support, 2. Education, 3. Values. Support can broadly be seen as having someone’s back, being a member of a team. You are helping them be heard, clarifying their rights and needs/wants surrounding decision making. This may involve communication with the other professionals involved. Often this a is a large welcome relief to the individual. Staying educated on current practice, research, and programs, and being able to evaluate the appropriateness is helpful in empowering individuals with the right information. Standing for what you believe and helping others who need it, championing a cause, brings inspiration to individuals and can help effect change. How can I be an affective advocate? 1. As an advocate for your child, you will need to learn, ask for, and organize the information in a way that will help you prepare for interactions with the professionals and family/community members involved. 2. You will need the information to collaborate with the education and medical communities. 3. You will need to stay calm when faced with frustrations. 4. You also will need to recognize when you need to reach out for assistance, and get help. 5. Throughout it all you need to be brave! Research indicates the overall positive long term effects of early advocacy, both in education and health. It is challenging and frustrating at times, but it is also rewarding and empowering for your child. To set up a free consultation with our education advocate/consultant, Mike DeBruyn, reach out to us at 519.751.0728 or email pathwaystohopebrant@gmail.com. For more information about Mike click here https://www.pathwaystohope.ca/team/mike-debruyn

Your Content Goes Here Those who are in a helping profession often forget about self care. Especially when it comes to the health of their spine. But the spine is vitally important, and should be maintained so that a career in a helping profession can last a lifetime. This article will give practical advice about caring for the health of your spine if you are in a helping profession. The tips provided here will help those who are nurses, doctors, dentists, counsellors and any other profession that involves caring for patients on a daily basis. The tips are also useful for those who support these professionals such as admin assistants and receptionists. 1. Stretch Stretching the spine is something that can be achieved in as little as 20 minutes per day and can help relieve tight sore muscles. Stretching requires no equipment and can be done almost anywhere. Those in a helping profession often experience stress which can cause chronic muscle tension in the neck area and upper back. Stretching is so simple yet so effective for maintaining flexibility and helping to prevent injuries at the workplace. There are plenty of good stretching routines that can be found online, and taking the time to search for one that suits your particular needs is a worthwhile investment of time. If you are mostly sitting at work, then incorporating postural stretches is key to a good routine. Those who sit also want to focus on stretching their neck or cervical spine, because this will often become tight while sitting all day at work. It is also the area where many people hold their stress, so it should be part of everyone's routine. If your job requires a lot of lifting and assisting patients then be sure to work on stretching your low back or lumbar spine. This is the part of the spine that gets injured the most when lifting, so be sure to stay limber and stretch before every shift to reduce the chance of injury. If you don't know where to begin, consider a beginner yoga class or video. These routines usually incorporate the necessary stretches for your spine and will help you uncover areas you need to focus on more. 2. Wear Good Shoes Supportive footwear should be considered in any profession that involves the person being on their feet. It is especially important for those who are on hard concrete or tile floors, like in a hospital. Make sure your shoes have a good amount of cushion in the heel to prevent heel pain. This is a common problem people can develop known as plantar fasciitis. Good footwear helps preserve our spine health too because if our feet are not supported properly, then this can put pressure on the knees, hips and low back, which can all become problematic if the feet are not supported. 3. Desk Ergonomics Those who work at a desk for long hours need to consider proper desk ergonomics. [...]

Your Content Goes Here 1. Not all Physiotherapists are the same. Just like other health care providers, Physiotherapists may differ in their approach to caring for patients. The biggest difference you will notice when attending a physiotherapy clinic, is whether or not the treatments are performed by a registered physiotherapist or by their assistant. Although there is nothing wrong with either approach, some people prefer to work with the same person each time they visit the office, in a private setting. If you are thinking about visiting a physiotherapist and you want a one-on-one approach, then it is important to ask if they perform their treatments in this manner. The other main difference amongst physiotherapists is in their technique. Every Physiotherapist is required to hold a certificate of registration that proves they have passed the necessary exams and are legally able to practice in Ontario, however, they are able to learn various techniques outside of school and many choose to do so. Some Physiotherapists perform acupuncture, cupping, taping, manual therapy, etc. These techniques are all useful in certain situations and it is the physiotherapists job to determine the best approach for their patients based on a thorough assessment. 2. You do not need a doctor referral or diagnosis to be seen by a physiotherapist. In Ontario, you do not need a doctors referral to seek the help of a physiotherapist, if you feel you could benefit from their services, then you can call and see one at any time. Often times, your doctor will refer you to see a physiotherapist, if he or she feels it is necessary, but if you want to skip that step and find a physiotherapist, you can call one today. Although you do not need an diagnosis to visit a physiotherapist, if you have had an Ultrasound or x-ray recently, they might want to see the results of those tests, as this can impact their treatment approach. A physiotherapist will make their own diagnoses based on the testing and exam procedures they perform in the office. This should include, but is not limited to testing: range of motion, performing various orthopedic and neurological tests, as well as palpating (feeling) the affected area. Some physiotherapists might also use different gadgets or devices to assess their patients, which can provide valuable data that is used to diagnose. During the treatment plan, a physiotherapist will also reassess, and compare that to their original findings. This is the evidence needed to see whether or not their approach is working, and is used to change treatment strategies and approaches if necessary. 3. They can help with a wide variety of ailments. People will often wonder whether or not they need a physiotherapist. The short answer is, if it hurts or feels stiff, a physiotherapist can most likely help. People will also seek the help of a physiotherapist if they are tired of popping pain pills or if their doctor hasn't given them the answers they [...]