HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

January 23rd, 2012

The first day of the Chinese New Year is Monday January 23, 2012.
This year we celebrate the Year of the Dragon, and in Chinese culture, this means it is a BIG year laden with all of the powerful and fortunate qualities the Dragon is said to bestow.

The Dragon in Chinese culture is viewed as a creature of great power, protection and good fortune. It is regarded as the Supreme Being among all creatures having the ability not only to live in the deepest depths of the ocean, but also to fly to heaven, and coil its long serpent like body on earth taking the shape of mountains. Being such a divine mythical animal, the Chinese believe that the Dragon can ward off wandering evil spirits, protect the innocent and offer safety to all that hold his crest. Success, high achievement, and prosperity are listed among the Dragon’s arsenal of good qualities, which rank it one of the most popular of Chinese symbols.

Holding rank also as one of the four creatures of the world’s directions (East), the Dragon stands for new beginnings, and in Chinese medicine is representative of the Liver energy, spring season (new beginnings), the colour green and the wood element.
** The three other directional representative creatures are:
Tortoise: (Black Warrior) = North, Winter, Black, Water, Kidney
White Tiger (Kirin) = West, Fall, White, Metal, Lung
Red Bird (Phoenix) = South, Summer, Red, Fire, Heart

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective this means we can expect a year filled with power, achievement, high energy and success. Additionally, 2012 is considered to be a ‘Yang’ year adding further fuel to an already energetic and ‘hot’ natured year of the Dragon.

For those with an already strong liver qi or energy (or those who are ‘yang’, ‘hot’ types) be aware of how much you take on this year. You will be extra energized and feel super-charged to push for greater success and achievement. While this is the year to do it, too much of a good thing can be harmful to your health. If you suffer from migraines, this year, you may see an increase in their frequency (as it is a liver/yang year). Also, being a yang-liver-power filled year, tempers may flare more easily – take time to nurture the more yin-calming side of life. Practice Yoga, take time to relax, and try to maintain a balanced emotional state.

Conversely, for those who have a hard time starting projects or seeing them though to completion, this may be the year you see some success and feel more motivated to get things done! The liver’s energy rises, and represents new beginnings, and growth (just like the Spring season) – so take advantage of this year’s fresh energy to do things you have always wanted to do, but never have.

According to TCM theory as well, this Dragon year should bring with it a robust spring and summer season, and perhaps with it a prolonged allergy season.

Whatever this year brings for you, regular or “seasonal tune-up” acupuncture treatments can help! I’m always happy to answer questions and help you achieve balance through TCM!

All the best to you!
Dr.Kim

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INFANT MASSAGE AT HOME

August 17th, 2011

By Holly Samson, RMT

Although Moveo sees a huge athlete population, we want our clinic to be as inclusive as possible. This means treating pregnant women-athletes or not. Naturally the topic of baby massage comes up a lot so I thought discussing some of the basics might be of interest to you new or soon-to-be moms and dads out there.

I was inspired by Paula Jasper’s work years ago when I was in school and since then have enjoyed showing moms and dads how to massage their babies. A common misconception is that an RMT does baby massage but the only time you would ever have an RMT treat your baby is if there were a pathological reason to do so ie: torticollis, post fracture etc. Otherwise an RMT is there to show those people emotionally invested in the child how to perform infant massage.

Aside from the obvious benefits including increased communication and bonding between parent and babe, infant massage has also been found to increase: immunity, sleep, circulation, motor and neurological development. It has been linked to decreased: crying, fussiness, gas, colic, constipation and release of the stress hormone Cortisol.

A very important area of study has been the application of infant massage to preterm babies in the NICU. Despite the fear of overstimulating these babes, recent studies are proving that the benefits of increased weight gain, increased developmental scores and early discharge far outweigh the risks.

Another is the use of infant massage to improve the mother-infant bond for mothers with post-partum depression and the results have been positive. More research is being done in both areas.

Infant massage is easy and fun-any parent can do it. Even 5 minutes a day can yield all the benefits mentioned here. Becoming a new parent is an exciting time but it is an adjustment. Anything that can help the transition go more smoothly is a great thing-especially if it means getting more sleep!

Here are just some very basic tips to performing Infant Massage at home:

When should I massage my baby?

Babies love routine so at around the same time everyday is great especially around nap or bath/bedtime and it’s never too early to start!

Are there times I should avoid massaging my baby?

-48 hours after immunization

-Baby has a fever

-Baby is hungry or needs a diaper change

-Baby has just eaten

Babies also have their own ways of telling you it’s not a good time by displaying negative cues such as: looking away, crying, squirming, making erratic movements, pushing your hands away, etc.

What should I use, if anything, to perform Infant Massage?

You don’t have to use anything at all but skin-to-skin is best and using a hypoallergenic lotion or olive oil (avoid nut-based oils due to unknown allergies) is ideal for a more flowing, relaxing massage.

General Infant Massage pointers:

Try to do the massage in the same way every time, even if you only do it for 5-10 minutes. Your baby will start to relax when you start because he or she will know what’s coming next.

Use gentle strokes that push blood toward the heart. Over the abdomen use gentle clockwise strokes to improve digestion. The area over the sacrum (very low back) is especially relaxing because it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Move the limbs in gentle circles-small circles then big circles- this is good for range of motion of the joints. Don’t forget to include fingers, toes and scalp!

At first your babe may only want to do a few minutes and that may increase over time. Some babies can tolerate longer durations than others and this is perfectly alright. Just like adults, some babies receive massage better than others. Be open to what your baby likes and dislikes, use your instincts and enjoy! You may find infant massage is as relaxing for you as it is for your child.

When asked if I massaged my own daughter Sydney, 2, when she was a baby, I can’t help but laugh. Turns out my baby was not a big fan of massage. Go figure right!?

If you want to know more about Infant Massage please don’t hesitate to contact me at holly@moveo.ca. I look forward to hearing from you!

Photography by Rebecca Kehtler

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Cycling and Disc Injuries

August 8th, 2011

Disc Injury and Cycling
Dr. Jenn Turner
As Seen in Triathlon Magazine Canada Vol 6 Iss 4 July 2011
There are many professional cyclists and triathletes that have had to retire, or take significant time off their sport because of a disc herniation. This injury can occur in the cervical spine- the neck, or the lumbar spine- the low back, and can be a debilitating injury. Cycling can be a major contributing factor to disc failure as the mechanism is usually repeated lumbar bending requiring only moderate compressive loads. Symptoms can range depending on the severity of the injury to back pain, leg pain, foot pain, weakness in the affected leg, numbness and/or tingling. X-rays are usually negative.

Joanna Zieger, is one professional triathlete who had a disc herniation in 2009 that affected her season and cyclist Carlos Sastre of the Cervelo Test Team suffered a disc herniation after a crash at the 2010 Giro d’italia. After a month and a half of severe pain, inability to race or train, and intense rehabilitation, he was able to race the Tour de France without it affecting his cycling.

The spine is made of many small bones stacked on tope of one another, called vertebrae. Nerve roots branch out from between the vertebrae to serve the various areas of the body. The discs, are the material mostly comprised of water that is between each spinal vertebrae in the entire length of the spine. They have multiple important purposes; to allow slight movement between vertebrae, to hold the vertebrae together, shock absorbers between the bones. They are made of two layers–a tough outer layer and a gooey inner layer. The outside layer of the disk may grow brittle with age, losing some of its water content. A ruptured or herniated disk occurs when the tough outer layer ruptures, allowing the jelly-like contents of the disk to spill. This can then irritate the nerve roots as they emerge from the spinal cord, producing pain and numbness in the back, neck, arm or leg. This pain can follow the path of the entire nerve through its course.

It is very difficult to confirm the diagnosis of a disc herniation without the help of an MRI or a CT scan. If the studies are negative, and other injuries are ruled out, usually the diagnosis is a frustrating Non Specific Chronic Low Back Pain. This is due to the bike position and the tissues being stretched for a long period of time which decreases these tissues’ ability to “stabilize” the segments in the back. This allows for a loss of control and unprotected movement through the certain segments of the back which are experiencing the excessive stretching, sometimes referred to as “ tissue creep”. This mechanism can also be the cause of a disc herniation. When the muscles are unable to support the spine, and they begin to compress or shear the discs.

The treatment should focus on strengthening and mobility in the hips. There are very few cyclists that are not restricted through the hips. Exercises that focus on range of motion in the spine is counter-productive as part of the problem is too much motion in the spine to begin with. Strengthening of the muscles that support the spine is also recommended. This strengthening should be endurance based, as it is the prolonged position that causes these muscles to fail. Bike position is important as well, to place the spine in a desired “neutral” position to begin with.

If this injury can’t be rehabilitated, in a small number of cases, surgery is the answer. Back surgery has come a long way and is considered quite safe. A discectomy is where they remove part or all of the disc between the vertebrae. This releases the pressure from the nerve and the pain is reduced immediately. Rehabilitation is also very important in this case as well, as now this area is vulnerable to re-injury. An orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon will decide if surgery is recommended in a case-by-case basis.

Dr. Jenn Turner is a chiropractor who works with many elite triathletes and cyclists. As the chiropractor for the national cycling team, she knows the importance of strength to protect the back in cycling as her athletes spend most of their day on a bike. To contact her email drjennturner@gmail.com.

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A Change for One of Moveo’s Partners

June 22nd, 2011

Robyn Smith, one of Moveo’s co-owners and physiotherapists, has decided to pursue a career shift and will be leaving the company at the end of June. Robyn has been passionate about her work with Moveo and has truly enjoyed the process of building a company that she is proud of with her partners, Jenn Turner and Leah Davis. She will miss working with the team, but she is looking forward to new opportunities in the field of healthcare and international health.

A note from Robyn:

These past few years have been full of continued education, career exploration and soul searching for me. Although I love the work that I do here, I have always wanted international health to be a large piece of my long-term career plan. Particularly since my return from India, I have been striving to find a balance between doing meaningful and rewarding work here as well as abroad. Through this process I have developed a strong interest in program and project development because it allows me to be a part of new things and challenges me to figure out how to make them sustainable. My goal is to carve out a balanced career between project development locally, in the realm of health and rehabilitative care, and abroad, in the field of international health.

I have loved every minute of my work with Moveo. It has been such a positive experience and fantastic learning opportunity. I look forward to remaining in close contact with the team, both as friends and colleagues. They are amazing!

Although we are sad to see her move on to new ventures, we are all wishing her the best of luck and have no doubt of the success and excitement ahead of her!

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MEET THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE MOVEO TEAM- INTRODUCING LARISSA VISHNIAKOFF!

June 20th, 2011

Larissa graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelors degree in General Science and a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. She has spent her time since graduation exploring both public practice at Surrey Memorial Hospital as well as a couple private practices. Larissa has embarked on post-graduate courses in Manual Therapy, Shoulder Rehabilitation, and Movement Impairments. Larissa also has her Level 1 coaching NCCP certification and experience coaching competitive swimming. She was also a competitive swimmer for the Richmond Rapids Swim Club for 11 years and now currently enjoys triathlons, trail running, hiking, and pilates.
The experience of following patients from surgery and acute illness to active rehabilitation and return to sport have helped guide Larissa into the type of therapist she aspires to be: holistic and well-rounded. She is very excited to be part of the team at Moveo who also share this aspiration.

To book an appointment with LARISSA call MOVEO 604-984-8731

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MOVEO ADDS A NEW TEAM MEMBER!

April 27th, 2011

We Welcome Kim Graham, who will take on Kelsey’s maternity leave and join the Moveo team for GOOD!

Kim graduated from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Vancouver (ICTCM) in 2002 at the top of her class, completing 4 of her total 8 years of study in both Eastern and Western medicine.

Upon her graduation from ICTCM in 2002, and successful completion of the Provincial Acupuncture licensing exam, she furthered her studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine to include the treatment of Addiction and Mental Illness, which were of special interest to her. Since then, she has continued to work with a wide variety of clientele from addicted and mentally ill populations to endurance athletes throughout the lower mainland.

Further to her successfully completing the Provincial licensing exams for Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (R.Ac) and Herbology (R.TCM.P), she also achieved the highest level of certification in BC by completing the Provincial Doctorate Licensing Exam for Traditional Chinese Medicine entitling her to the designation of Dr.TCM.



This extensive training in both Eastern & Western medicine has given Kim an exceptional understanding of the human body, and a unique holistic perspective of how it works. “Balance in all things”, she believes, is the key to leading a healthy, happy life. 



Since moving to the North Shore in 2002, Kim has taken advantage of all the athletic opportunities that it offers. It is not unusual for her to ski, bike, swim and run all in the same day! Last year she discovered love for triathlon and after completing her first Half-Ironman distance in Oliver, the dream of one day conquering Ironman was born.

Kim has taken her passion for healthy living beyond her practice of TCM and acupuncture to help motivate and inspire others. In 2007 she became certified as a BCRPA Group Fitness Leader, and later as a Yoga Fitness Leader through Red Door Yoga. She currently teaches bootcamp style group fitness classes in West Vancouver with her own fitness company, and has helped many ‘first-timers’ cross the finish line of their first race.

As part of the Moveo team, Kim looks forward to meeting and working with you to help you achieve or recover your optimum health & balance.

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UCI Track Cycling World Championships

April 3rd, 2011

Dr. Jenn Turner, writes about her experiences as the national team chiropractor for the Canadian Cycling Association at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships:

After traveling with the Canadian National Track Cycling team for the season, the Grande Finale took place on March 23-27 where the best cyclists in the world competed at the World Championships in Apeldoorn Holland.

I have been working very consistently with the team for the season, seeing them every 2 weeks at their home training base in Los Angeles and the World cups in Colombia, Beijing, and Manchester. This is helpful as I have been able to follow their progress as well as address any injuries or issues that have popped up along the way.

Being a resident in the sport chiropractic program, I have a plethora of tools that I use with the riders; Active release techniques, or ART being my favourite, to help release adhesions or muscle activation, Graston, muscle flushing, spinal and extremity manipulations and rehab exercises. I have been able to work closely with their strength and conditioning team in LA, their coaches, their physiologists, psychologists and performance analyst to do the best I can do with these athletes.

The world championships proved to be a challenge for the Canadian Team as the best cyclists in the world were all present to prep for the upcoming Olympics in 2012. After a week training camp in Apeldoorn, the rookie team sprint, led off the racing with a personal best performance to get the team started on a high note. Day 2 saw the Women’s team pursuit- Tara Whitten, Laura Brown and super star speedskater Clara Hughes take the stage. Moveo regular, Zach Bell, who raced the points race in the Beijing Olympics, placed 6th, which was a little disappointing to him as he had won a medal at each world cup he has raced in this year, making him a favourite for this event.  Canada finally got to celebrate a win as Tara Whitten, defended her title as Women’s Omnium World Champion! It was a very happy ending for the racing and made all the efforts worth it.

It has been very rewarding working with the team, I have developed friendships within the staff and team and had fun developing “Dr. Jenn T…V”, and learned a lot on my international experiences with therapists from other countries, I even got to go for a run with a previous World champion and multiple Olympic medallist-turned-coach one morning! I look forward to my many ventures and hard work along the road to the Olympics in 2012.

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OFF SEASON INJURIES

March 4th, 2011

This article about off season injuries, was written by Dr. Jenn Turner and appeared in the December/January issue of  TRIATHLON MAGAZINE CANADA.  Dr. Turner writes for the magazine on a regular basis, and her latest assignment was to talk about injuries specifically relating to the injuries seen training INDOORS in prep for the next triathlon season.

Now that the winter months are upon us, and the weather can be less than stellar across the country, its time to resort to alternative means to get the miles in on the bike.  These methods can include rollers, stationary trainers or spin bikes and classes and all are great ways to maintain fitness and improve technique on the bike during the off season. Click here to read more…….

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Sign up Now for Moveo’s “RUN BETTER” Clinic

February 14th, 2011

February 25, and 26th, join Moveo and strength and conditioning coach, running specialist, Curb Ivanic for our “RUN BETTER” Clinic to help learn better technique, running drills, get an analysis done and be a better, more efficient runner! Call the clinic for details.

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Low Back Pain- Part 2

February 1st, 2011

4. How is the cause of LBP diagnosed?

Your practitioner at Moveo will take a thorough history of your LBP including when it started, your function and what makes your pain better or worse. A comprehensive physical examination will include observation of the posture and mobility of your spine, and assessment of the muscles and joints of your low back. To get an idea of other areas that may be indirectly contributing to your LBP, your practitioner will then assess the alignment and biomechanics of your lower extremity from your pelvis, hips and knees down to your feet. A video gait analysis may be performed to provide an even more detailed assessment of your muscle activation patterns and joint mechanics when pain is provoked by walking or running.

5. Treatment

What makes Moveo’s treatment approach so unique?

Moveo is committed to a strong and cohesive multidisciplinary approach towards client care. An atmosphere of open communication and collaboration between physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and acupuncturists allows for each client to receive the most optimal and timely care throughout their rehabilitation. This team approach typically results in clients requiring fewer treatment sessions and enables them to get back to their sport and life activities as quickly as possible.

During your initial assessment, your practitioner will determine what treatment option(s) would be most effective for your particular presentation. They will help to create an individualize treatment program that may include any combination of the diverse services we offer. The goal is to provide you with the right kind of services at the right time in order to facilitate the most efficient recovery possible.

What does a treatment plan for LBP look like at Moveo?

For an acute episode of LBP, your practitioner will aim to help you control pain and inflammation in the first few days following injury in order to optimize healing and prevent chronicity. This may involve modalities such as ice and heat, soft tissue work, and education on positions of pain relief and specific positions or movements to avoid.

From the examination, your practitioner will identify factors which may be contributing to your LBP and educate you on how to reduce or even eliminate the stresses responsible for your symptoms. Awareness about proper body mechanics during activities such as lifting, driving, or during specific sport skills can play a major role in both managing and preventing back pain. Specialized treatment options such as Active Release Technique (ART®), Graston® and other manual therapy techniques may be used in conjunction with exercise and modalities to relieve pain and spasm, help reduce stiffness and regain motion in your back.

There is strong evidence that exercise is an effective intervention for LBP (1), and that exercise reduces both the pain intensity and the amount of activity interference resulting from symptoms (2). Depending on the cause of your LBP your practitioner may prescribe specific strengthening and stretching exercises to correct for muscle imbalances, and start you on a graduated exercise program consisting of strengthening, flexibility and aerobic exercise.

In the presence of pain, muscles can be inhibited or ‘turned off’. Evidence has shown that two components of what is widely known as our “core” muscles, the  transversus abdominus and multifidi are inhibited in the presence of LBP. Without proper activation and control, there is a higher risk of injury recurrence and prolonged pain. Your practitioner will take you through a progressive core stability training program until you are able to functional integrate your core muscles into your activities pain free.

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