We are happy to announce Wellness House will remain OPEN for your care during the Ontario stay at home order starting January 14th, 2021.
As regulated healthcare providers, our services are deemed essential. Rest assured; we will continue to enforce all enhanced COVID-19 safety protocols in accordance with governing regulations.
Please continue to arrive no earlier than 3-4 minutes prior to your appointment. This allows us to control the traffic in the clinic to keep everyone safe.
As a thank you for your support during this difficult year we will continue to take names until the end of January for our Thank You Draw. All patients that have come into the clinic since March 2020 are entered into the draw to win one of 4 prizes.
Wellness House will remain open during the 28 day provincial shutdown.
We will be closed for our own Christmas Holidays from Dec. 24th through January 3rd, except for emergency situations, and will resume normal business hours on Monday January 4th. We look forward to seeing you in January.
As we call a wrap on 2020, it has truly been a rollercoaster. While we have all had our own challenges to overcome in these difficult times, we hope that the worst is now behind us and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully, there is positive news around the world, and we will survive this, with vaccinations starting to roll out, water being discovered on the moon, and the use of cotton candy machines to make N95 masks. Hopefully, those masks will also have the flavour!
Our Holidays Hours
We are closed for the holidays from Thursday, December 24th through Sunday January 3rd, and will resume normal business hours on Monday, January 4th.
We will only be available for emergencies over the holidays and have set aside some time on December 29th and 30th to see those emergency patients who are unable to wait until the new year. If you end up needing us, please email: info@wellnesshouse.ca. We will not be answering the phones, but will check our messages and will call you once we have received your email.
A Big Thank You!
We want to express a heartfelt thank you for your continued support during this challenging year. We very much appreciate each one of you! We recognize how difficult this year has been for everyone and it means the world to us that you have put your trust in us.
As a small gesture, we will be holding a draw for two local gym memberships and two gift-baskets, filled with wonderful things that we have put together from local area businesses.
We would like to recognize two local fitness studios that have donated memberships:
They are absolutely fantastic and I highly urge you to check out their websites by clicking on the links above. Perhaps this could be a great way to start your New Years Resolutions?😉 Both are less than 400m from our clinic!
If you have been into the clinic post-shutdown (since June) we will automatically enter your name in the draw, one ballot per treatment! The draw will take place January 31st 2021. Good luck to everyone; there is still time to come into the clinic and have your name entered into the draw!!!
Feeling stressed out with too much going on? Try this easy 14 minute video on progressive muscle relaxation.
We look forward to continuing to serve you as we move into the new year. Please be assured of our diligence to follow heath and safety protocols. We hope that 2021 will end in celebration and that this pandemic will become a thing of the past. Until then, stay safe, and from all of us here at Wellness House, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Dr. Peter Wise, Dr. Nicole Fournier, Dr. John Hall, Dr. J’aime Goguen, Lang, Popie, Helen, Silvana, Jessica & Amanda.
Wellness House is happy to announce that we are gradually reopening as of TODAY, June 1st! There is a lot of information to share so please read to the end, it’ll only take a few minutes (promise!).
What’s covered?
Appointment rescheduling, new clinic protocols video and COVID-19 Refresh Intake Form.
Appointment Rescheduling
Throughout the week we will be contacting all patients with cancelled/rescheduled appointments during the closure for new appointment times. We appreciate your patience during this time.
Online bookings will not be available immediately as our practitioner schedules will be fluid over the next few weeks.
If you require immediate care, don’t hesitate to contact us on 613.722.7799 to book an appointment. We have designated spots available starting today.
New Clinic Protocols
To ensure the safety of patients, practitioners and staff, we have changed significantly the way we operate. Please watch the following 2 minute video to see the added safety precautions and the new flow through the clinic.
Arriving at the clinic
Wait in your car until 2-3 minutes before your scheduled appointment time
Come alone unless you are in need of physical assistance or guardian
Bring only wallet, phone, keys – no other personal items handbags etc
Entering the clinic
Use the front door off the main street to enter
Please wear your mask from home (one will be provided if required, these are very difficult to come by, so if you have one please bring it)
Sanitize your hands
Front staff with greet you safely behind plexiglas
Entering the rooms
You will be instructed to wait in one of our private treatment rooms or waiting room whilst maintaining physical distancing
Place your wallet, phone, keys on the desk, leave your shoes on and have a seat on the table
Your doctor will greet you wearing a protective mask
All tables are thoroughly sanitized and have single use face covers for every appointment
Rooms are immediately sanitized once you have left
After the treatment
When you are finished, make your way to the waiting room and stand on the X, the front desk will be able to assist you with payments and bookings
“Tap” method is preferred – we are avoiding cash and cheques
Receipts will be e-mailed to you
Please sanitize on your way out the back door to our parking lot by following the arrows
COVID-19 Refresh Intake Form
Before your next visit you will be emailed a COVID-19 Refresh Intake Form. We are taking the opportunity to ensure we have the most current patient information on file. Please take a few minutes to fill it in.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Please reschedule your appointment if you answer YES to any of the following:
1. Are you presenting with fever, new onset of cough, worsening chronic cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing?
2. Have you been in close contact with anyone with acute respiratory illness or travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days?
3. Do you have a confirmed case of COVID-19 or had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
4. Do you have any of the following symptoms: Sore throat, runny nose/sneezing, nasal congestion, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, decrease smell/taste, chills, headaches (different to your normal), unexplained fatigue, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting
5. Are you over 65 years of age, and experiencing any of the following: delirium, falls, acute functional decline, or worsening of chronic conditions?
From our first day, until our last, we have been filling our lungs and breathing non-stop. In an average life span we breath in and out close to 700 billion times… Have you ever stopped to wonder if you have been doing it right? Research has indicated to us that correct breathing improves many things, from injuries, to stress. So,during this pandemic, while our lives are far from normal, let’s take a moment to see if we tend ‘to breathe or not to breathe’ (properly).
How do we breathe?
Answer: We breathe, thanks to our diaphragm, a muscle in your core that is between your lungs and organs. As we BREATHE IN, the diaphragm contracts and pulls down, the lungs inflate, pushing the chest and abdomen up and out. Then as we BREATHE OUT, the diaphragm relaxes and raises, allowing the chest and abdomen to fall.
Why is it important?
Incorrect breathing causes pain and discomfort. It causes the accessory muscles of your neck to be overused, leading to forward head posture and chronic neck pain. Correct use of the diaphragm helps brace the core, stabilizing the spine during lifting and carrying, preventing injuries. People with chronic low back pain have altered breathing patterns during physical tasks. So, if you have chronic low back pain there is a good chance you don’t breathe right!
What are the benefits of breathing correctly?
Reduced stress
Decreased mechanical neck pain
Decreased mechanical low back pain
Decreased pain
Improved recovery from injury
Strengthening of the diaphragm
Less energy is required to breathe, by decreasing your breathing rate
1. Lie on your back on a flat surface or in bed, with your knees bent and your head supported. You can use a pillow under your knees to support your legs. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe.
2. Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your stomach moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain as still as possible.
3. Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you exhale through pursed lips. The hand on your upper chest must remain as still as possible.
Progress to sitting:
Sit comfortably, with your knees bent and your shoulders, head and neck relaxed.
Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe.
Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your stomach moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain as still as possible.
Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you exhale through pursed lips. The hand on your upper chest must remain as still as possible.
Note: You may notice an increased effort will be needed to use the diaphragm correctly. At first, you’ll probably get tired while doing this exercise. But keep at it, because with continued practice, diaphragmatic breathing will become easy and automatic.
How often should I practice this exercise?
At first, practice this exercise 5-10 minutes about 3-4 times per day. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend doing this exercise, and perhaps even increase the effort of the exercise by placing a book on your abdomen.
References
(1) De Troyer A, Boriek AM. Mechanics of the respiratory muscles. Comprehensive Physiology. 2011 Jan;1(3):1273-300.
(2) Kapreli E, Vourazanis E, Billis E, Oldham JA, Strimpakos N. Respiratory dysfunction in chronic neck pain patients. A pilot study. Cephalalgia. 2009 Jul;29(7):701-10.
(3) Wirth B, Amstalden M, Perk M, Boutellier U, Humphreys BK. Respiratory dysfunction in patients with chronic neck pain–Influence of thoracic spine and chest mobility. Manual therapy. 2014 Oct 1;19(5):440-4.
(4) Hodges PW, Gandevia SC. Changes in intra-abdominal pressure during postural and respiratory activation of the human diaphragm. Journal of applied Physiology. 2000 Sep 1;89(3):967-76.
(5) Hemborg B, Moritz U, Löwing H. Intra-abdominal pressure and trunk muscle activity during lifting. IV. The causal factors of the intra-abdominal pressure rise. Scandinavian journal of rehabilitation medicine. 1985;17(1):25-38.
(6) Roussel N, Nijs J, Truijen S, Vervecken L, Mottram S, Stassijns G. Altered breathing patterns during lumbopelvic motor control tests in chronic low back pain: a case–control study. European Spine Journal. 2009 Jul 1;18(7):1066-73.
(7) Ahmad AH, Zakaria R. Pain in times of stress. The Malaysian journal of medical sciences: MJMS. 2015 Dec;22(Spec Issue):52.
(8) Kellezi B, Coupland C, Morriss R, Beckett K, Joseph S, Barnes J, Christie N, Sleney J, Kendrick D. The impact of psychological factors on recovery from injury: a multicentre cohort study. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. 2017 Jul 1;52(7):855-66.
(9) Chen YF, Huang XY, Chien CH, Cheng JF. The effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing relaxation training for reducing anxiety. Perspectives in psychiatric care. 2017 Oct;53(4):329-36.
(10) Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, Zhang H, Duan NY, Shi YT, Wei GX, Li YF. The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults. Frontiers in psychology. 2017 Jun 6;8:874.
(11) Tekur P, Nagarathna R, Chametcha S, Hankey A, Nagendra HR. A comprehensive yoga programs improves pain, anxiety and depression in chronic low back pain patients more than exercise: an RCT. Complementary therapies in medicine. 2012 Jun 1;20(3):107-18.
This February we’re supporting the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre here in Ottawa by bringing attention to the fact that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in North America.
$10 from every new patient this month will be donated to #HERHEARTMATTERS
You can help by referring a new patient or by sharing this Facebook post to be automatically entered into a draw to win a $200 Gift Card for the Nordik Spa!
Your entire world is focused around your beautiful tiny humans, but if you come out of the baby fog (even for a second!) you may realize you’ve got some aches and pains throughout your body. Maybe it’s a sore neck, nagging pain in your lower back or a constant headache? We shouldn’t forget a lesson we’ve been taught every time we board a plane: “before you assist others, always put your oxygen mask on first.” If momma goes down, we take the whole house with us. Let’s put the focus on you so once you’re back up to speed you can give your little ones all your love and attention.
So, how can chiropractors help? Chiropractors are like mechanics of the body looking at the muscles, joints, and nerves. We help loosen tight muscles, improve joint motion, release tight ligaments and provide back saving posture advice. At Wellness House, we give customized exercises/stretches for our moms to do at home while playing with their little ones so not to add another item to the to-do list (who needs that!).
Here are the top three reasons mommas go to chiropractors:
BACK PAIN – 50-80% of women experiences back pain during pregnancy and many of these women continue to experience pain or discomfort postpartum. This is not surprising as the average weight gain during pregnancy is around 30 pounds (mostly in the belly), which changes the way you walk, exercise, and even sleep!
NECK PAIN – When your baby is born you are mesmerized, spending hours looking down feeding, holding and snuggling your baby. This can cause a huge strain on the joints and muscles in your neck and upper back.
POSTURE – During pregnancy you had a 30 pound bowling ball for a belly and now you’ve got a baby, diaper bag, car seat, stroller to lug around … oh and not to forget, this is Canada so winter gear is another struggle! Small tweaks in posture while performing these daily tasks can really help. That constant hip or shoulder issue is happening for a reason.
The Wellness House team is here to help you get out of pain, prevent pain and keep your body firing on all cylinders. After all, being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world, we can all use a helping hand. Don’t forget to look out for number 1!
Dr. Goguen is one of our Chiropractors known for taking an active approach to treating her patients. She is currently training in Powerlifting at 613 LIFT Ltd, and performs Salsa at the Azúcar! Latin Dance Company. Through her own personal experiences, she understands the importance of remaining active and doing what she loves, and she ensures that her patients are able to do the same. Dr. Goguen also keeps current in education as she is enrolled at McMaster University for Medical Acupuncture, and is currently participating in a clinical research study for her alumni at Queen’s University (more information to follow!). Feel free to book an initial consultation with her through our website or call the clinic on 613 722 7799!
Neck pain can be a debilitating problem effecting 1 in 5 people, having a significant impact on their life. For most patients, a well thought out physiotherapy treatment plan can help them to live without pain. To be successful it is important to fully understand the cause of your neck pain and to build a plan of intervention to address, compensate for, and correct the underlaying causes.
Did you know that:
• 10-20% of people will experience neck pain in a given year.
• Office workers have a higher incidence of neck pain than the general population.
• Urban dwellers have more neck pain than people who live in rural communities.
• Most neck pain is recurrent, if left untreated it will last over a person’s entire life.
• Women are more likely to suffer from neck pain than men.
• Wealthier countries report higher incidences of neck pain.
• People between 35-49 years of age are most likely to experience neck pain.
PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSESSMENT OF NECK PAIN
A thorough assessment of neck pain means, discovering which factors are contributing to the patient’s problem. Here is a some of the possible contributing factors.
• Poor posture (standing, sitting, sleeping)
• History of trauma
• Sedentary lifestyle and work environment
• History of repetitive neck or upper extremity motions
• Poor ergonomic set up (especially computer stations)
• Weak neck stabilizing musculature
• Poor shoulder blade position, strength or control
• A family history of neck pain
• Thoracic spine stiffness
• Central nervous system hypersensitivity
• Depression or anxiety
Once we understand the main factors leading to the development of a patient’s neck pain, we can do a complete examination including tests of the muscular and neurological systems as well as a physical examination of the joints. Physiotherapists also screen for more serious medical pathology and refer to the appropriate physicians if necessary. Only after we synthesize all of this information can we put together an excellent physiotherapy treatment plan.
PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR NECK PAIN
All patient’s are unique, hence have different contributing factors, each treatment plan will be specific to that individual’s problem. Research has shown that physiotherapy combining manual (hands on) therapy and exercise works better than either of those treatments alone. It is critical that your physiotherapist uses the right type of manual therapy, focused on the tissues and joints, coupled with an expertly prescribed exercise program. This is why at Wellness House we offer hands on treatments and do not utilize machines in our clinic.
