The Concast

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...

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 t...

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 dis...

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. T...

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 w...

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 discus...

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 si...

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. R...

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 h...

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 c...

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...

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 ev...

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...

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, sh...

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 suffer...

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...

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 ou...

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 d...

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 impor...

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...

I am as good for a slice on the golf course as anyone.  With golf season approaching I thought it would be great to sit down with someone that is far better at the sport than I am. During this episode I have the pleasure of chatting with Mark Cormier. Mark is strength coach and college instructor from Hamilton, Ontario in Canada.  Mark and I covered topics like swing sequencing, training to become...

During this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Dylan Crake, a Massage Therapist and Registered Kinesiologist from Ottawa, Ontario in Canada. Dylan and I discussed different elements of the business of Massage Therapy and how to grow your business as a new therapist. We covered topics like being unique in your practice and how to incorporate exercise into your treatments. Lastly, we discus...

I don't know about you, but it seems like jaw pain is on the rise.  With increased complaints, come an increase in questions. During this episode I discuss my perspective on jaw pain and some of the categories I consider when helping others to manage it.  Have you suffered from jaw pain? What has helped you manage it in the past.  Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

During this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Gil Hedley. Gil is an integral anatomist from the United States and has spent much of his life examining, and teaching others to appreciate, the textures and layers of the human body.  Our conversation allowed us to dive further into to depth on some of his well known analogies pertaining to the human body including the onion tree, his re...

During this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Taylor James. Taylor is an RMT and movement coach, as well as CMTBC board member, with a massage therapy practice in Vancouver, British Colombia in Canada.  During this episode Taylor and I discussed assessment, treatment and exercise choice and the differences between research and what's relevant to the patient's experience. We also touched o...