Today’s episode is the Season 5 Finale. Thank you to everyone that continues to support the podcast. I am going to take some time off to recharge. Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends. 

During today’s episode I discuss abdominal massage as a first line of defence for abdominal pain.

I talk about the relevant research and the most commonly suffered from abdominal symptom being constipation. This is a topic that isn’t discussed enough and very common in the general population. Many people do not know that manual therapy can serve as part of symptom management. Furthermore, while certain areas of manual therapy struggle to have research to measure outcomes, abdominal massage seems to be one with plenty of research published on the topic.  

We also discuss the importance of diagnosis and evaluation of abdominal pain, when abdominal massage should not be used, as well as common life style and behaviour modifications that are often suggested as a management tool to improve symptoms.

 

Have you used abdominal massage to manage symptoms of abdominal discomfort? Comment below. 

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*Episode Resources*

Gul Dogan I, Cursen C, Akbayrak T et al. Abdominal Massage in Functional Chronic Constipation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2022;102(7):pzac058. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac058.

During this episode I learn more about Relative energy deficiency in sport and take you along for the ride.  

REDs is a condition relating to energy in vs energy out. It’s often talked about in the context of elite level sport, training and its potential negative health and performance effects on athletes and individuals. 

During this episode I talk about common topics being discussed surrounding REDs, clinical guidelines that are available to help practitioners better understand REDs, as well the topic of sport culture’s influence on athletes perception of body weight, body fat, body composition and weight management. 

*Episode Resources*

Mountjoy M et al. International Olympic Committee's (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(17):1073-1097. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-106994

la Torre ME et al. The Potential Role of Nutrition in Overtraining Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023;15(23):4916. doi: 10.3390/nu15234916.

During this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Christin Sadler.. Christin is a Massage Therapist, Ph.D student, researcher and professor at the University of Ottawa, in Ontario, Canada. During this episode Christin I discuss the myths within the Massage Therapy profession. Throughout this episode Christin discusses how to better evaluate information whether this be formal research, or information online. We also discuss published work Christin has either published, or been a part of. These topics include sleep, research mobilizations and central drivers for fatigue (which was particularly interesting for me). How have you come to better understand research? Comment below. _ *Episode Resources* Behm, D. G., Blazevich, A. J., Kay, A. D., & McHugh, M. (2016). Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: A systematic review. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 41(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0235 Borges Do Nascimento, I. J., Beatriz Pizarro, A., Almeida, J., Azzopardi-Muscat, N., André Gonçalves, M., Björklund, M., & Novillo-Ortiz, D. (2022). Infodemics and health misinformation: A systematic review of reviews. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 100(9), 544–561. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.21.287654 Dutil, C., Podinic, I., Featherstone, R. B., Eaton, A., Sadler, C. M., Goldfield, G. S., Hadjiyannakis, S., Gruber, R., Tremblay, M. S., Prud’homme, D., & Chaput, J.-P. (2023). Sleep and insulin sensitivity in adolescents at risk of type 2 diabetes: The Sleep Manipulation in Adolescents at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes randomized crossover study. SLEEP, zsad313. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsad313 Morris, Z. S., Wooding, S., & Grant, J. (2011). The answer is 17 years, what is the question: Understanding time lags in translational research. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 104(12), 510–520. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.2011.110180 Sadler, C. M., & Cressman, E. K. (2019). Central fatigue mechanisms are responsible for decreases in hand proprioceptive acuity following shoulder muscle fatigue. Human Movement Science, 66, 220–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2019.04.0

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, shopping and stocking a great pantry. 

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this episode which I have already adopted in my own life is the concept of "neutrality".

What has helped you make healthy food choices in your life?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

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 suffered a hamstring injury? If so, what has helped you get over it? 

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

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, this injury is one that can become persistent quite easily. 

How have you best managed your shin splints?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

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 outlines how meditation for children may have positive carry over into adult life and the family unit. 

Have you tried meditation with your children? If so, has it helped?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

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 do to help manage the injury. Lastly, I outline the importance of exercise when trying to get yourself back to pre-injury status.

Have you torn your rotator cuff? What did you do to help get back on track?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

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 importance of exercise and movement in clinical practice. We discussed how to prescribe exercise for patients in a pain. The difference between exercise for pain management, versus exercise and performance as well as much more.

What activities have you found help you manage your pain, or mood, over this past year?

Comment below and we'll see you thin the next one!

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 5 key conversations, opportunities and chances I took that got me to where I am today. 

What stones have you been given and what were the outcomes? 

Comment below and I'll see you in the next one.

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 and better golfer, as well as how to help you recover when you are not on the course. 

What is the biggest weakness in your golf game ? 

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one! 

www.conorpcollins.com

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 discussed her tips for using social media to get attention in your practice, including TikTok which can be foreign to a lot of practitioners.

What has helped you grow your practice? Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

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 Krista Dicks. Krista is a Massage Therapist, clinic owner in Ottawa, Ontario in Canada. She is also the host of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast.

During this episode Krista offers great advice on how to build a career in manual therapy that is fruitful, versatile and sustainable. 

 

Krista offers great advice If you are feeling stuck, bored, burned out, or you’re considering leaving the manual therapy profession this episode is for you!

What has helped you reframe your career Comment below.

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 refined definition of "fuzz" and the heart centre. 

Gil also shared how his years of work in dissection have caused him to view stress, his life and how "slipperiness" is essential. 

Did you learn anything new during this episode?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one.

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 on the education system for Massage Therapists and things we would like to see change. 

From your perspective (patient or practitioner), what is the most important thing you get out of your manual therapy appointment?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Working from home is increasingly with popularity. With new opportunities comes periods of transition, setback and growth. 

Adopting a new routine takes time, purpose and effort to try and get the best from our routines. 

During this episode I discuss working from home. I offer some tips I have adopted in my own home routine based on research that exists on biological rhythms and behaviour to maximize productive when change arises.

What tips have you adopted in your at home work routine that have allowed you to get the most out of your work day?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Maintaining and prioritizing your own mind is so difficult, especially when you feel stuck. 

During this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Eryn Jewitt. Eryn is a professor and mindset coach with a specialization in sports psychology. She helps former athletes and first responders make the next in their lives as they go through career transitions. 

We discussed mindset, fear, overcoming obstacles and how to make yourself a priority. 

What is something that is currently holding you back?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one !

"Core stability"

We hear this term all of the time. From pain, to performance, to working your abdominals for aesthetic purposes, core stability is a popular topic. 

During this episode I discuss how I view core stability, the anatomy, the function and tips for exercise selection. 

I also give the 4 questions I encourage people to ask themselves when selecting a core, or any exercise, for that matter.

What is your favorite core exercise?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

During this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing counsellor, yoga instructor and author Steve Ferrell. 

We discussed mindfulness, meditation and stress. Steve outlined how triggers can influence our actions as well as provided helpful tools on how to manage the mind. 

He also discussed at the length emotional and physical pain and how a mindfulness practice can often help us explore these concepts in a different way. 

Has meditation helped you? If so, how?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

 

1 in 3 people will suffer from low back in their lifetime. A back pain episode can range from something minor to debilitating. 

The question I'm asked often is, "are there primary reasons we get a sore back?"

During this episode I discuss the process I go through when thinking about managing back pain. I outline some of the reasons a back may be sore and the strategies I take to help people get back to their pre-injury status. 

What has help your back pain ? Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Eric is a Massage Therapist and educator from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. 

During this interview we discussed persistent, or chronic pain. Eric provided great context on how pain is not always as linear as we may think, the reason pain may be present and how empowering people may be the best means for resolving a painful experience. 

If you are a practitioner dealing with persistent pain patients, or are dealing with it yourself, you'll definitely want to check this episode out. 

What things have helped you manage pain? 

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Save the date! March 27-28, 2021 B3 Conference - building your brain, brand & business 

I have teamed up with Mark and Amanda from the Coned Institute to host a virtual zoom conference with some top notch presenters. There will also be some pretty sweet prizes given out!

This 2-day conference costs a minimum donation to Food Banks Canada of $20. 

You can sign up for the conference at www.conedinstitute.com/b3conference

Can't make the date? We will arrange a playback you can score! 

I look forward to seeing you there, we'll see you in the next one!

Happy 2021! I am sure we are all finally glad to see the end of 2020. 

As always at the beginning of each year I like to reflect on the year past and look forward to the year ahead. 

During this episode I share with you my goals for 2021 and how I arrived at the overall theme of, "paying myself a dollar a day".

What goals have you set out for 2021? 

Please share them below and we'll see you in the next one.

I'm struggling with an acute bout of back pain. This has never happened to me before.

It's been difficult. On this episode I discuss my lesson learned.

Whether you are clinician, or a patient, I hope there is something in it for you.

What has helped you get through difficult times. Comment below.

Thank you, thank you, thank you !

48 episodes. What a journey it's been. During this episode I discuss the process it takes to make an episode. 

I also outline some of this year's most popular episodes and interesting comments. 

Thank you again for those that have supported, commented, like and shared the podcast this year. 

Enjoy your holiday season this year and we'll see you in the next one !

Wine, the perfect blend of art and science. 

From food, to geography, to history, to sociology the study of wine is plentiful. This past year I've taken interest in looking at all aspects of wine.  Along the way I've tasted some wines I hated and some wines I loved. 

With the holiday season approaching. I thought I'd share a little bit about what I've learned this past year, along with 5 wines I had in 2020 that I thought were special for different reasons. 

What are some of your favourite wines? Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

*Episode Resource*

Puckette, M., & Hammock, J. (2018) Wine Folly: The master guide. Penguin Random House. 

**Episode Correction**

Wine #1 was a 2015, not '14. Brunello de Montalcino.

Remember in grade 8 when we all took creatine before doing 10 exercises of bicep curls......Oh okay that was just me.

Creatine has long been used in the athletic world as a supplement to help improve strength and performance. 

Outside of performance may creatine offer help to those who have suffered a concussion?

During this episode I discuss what creatine is and how it may relate to concussion.

Have you used any supplements to help with the symptoms you have felt following a concussion? 

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Episode Resources 

Dean et al. (2017) Potential for use of creatine supplementation following mild traumatic brain injury. Concussion. 2(2):CNC34. doi: 10.2217/cnc-2016-0016

Do you know the difference between dizziness and vertigo ? There are often very tricky, and scary symptoms to navigate. 

During this episode I discuss the two major categories, as well as common causes of dizziness and vertigo. 

I finish by discussing the importance of a correct diagnosis. 

Have you suffered from dizziness or vertigo in the past? What helped you resolve your symptoms?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Episode Resources

1. Reiley et al. (2017) How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness. Archives of Physiotherapy. 7:12:1-12. DOI 10.1186/s40945-017-0040-x

2. Brandt, T., & Dietrich, M. (2017) The dizzy patient: don’t forget disorders of the central vestibular system. Nat Rev Neurol. 13(6):352-362. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2017.58.

In my discussions with many people over the past few weeks it appears winter is going to be a tough one. People have expressed that this winter more so than ever is going to be full of uncertainty, stress and anxiety. 

It got me thinking.....

I don't like winter. I am fine with the cold, I am fine with snow. 

I DON'T like darkness!

During this episode I share with you what I am going to be doing this winter to help me along the way. 

In the comments below add to the conversation. What are you going to do to help you through this winter season?

Have a great weekend and we'll see you in the next one!

It's happened again, you've been overcome by a jar of pickles. It's just too much and you lie on the floor sulking waiting for someone to come home so you can make your pickle and peanut butter sandwich....

Tennis elbow can be just that debilitating! On today's episode we discuss what exactly tennis is and isn't, as well as strategies to help manage this very common injury. 

Have you had this before ? What has helped you manage it ? Have you ever made a pickle and peanut butter sandwich?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Ever since Michael Phelps stood on the pool deck in the 2016 summer Olympics people have been wondering, "does cupping work"?

Cupping is more mainstream than ever and is a mainstay in many therapists' tool boxes. 

During this episode I discuss some of the proposed mechanisms as to why I think cupping may work. 

Have you been using cupping on yourself or in your manual therapy practice? What have you found it to be helpful for?

Comment below, and we'll see you in the next one!

When I was little I used to cook mushroom and green olive omelettes for breakfast. Sophisticated palate, or weirdo ?!

Since as long as I can remember I have loved food and cooking. My passion for food almost took me to culinary school. Instead, it has become the thing I spend most of my free time doing. 

During this episode I discuss staple foods in my day-to-day lifestyle, eating choices and cooking. 

What is your favourite meal to cook ? Leave it in the comments below. 

We'll see you in the next one!

It's been a difficult and stressful year for everyone.

During this episode I discuss the process I went through to help me decide to change my live courses towards something digital. 

What have you learned about your resilience to stress in 2020? Overall, was your year filled with distress or eustress?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Piriformis syndrome is really difficult to pin down, it can often be mistaken for back pain, hip pain or sacroiliac pain. 

During this episode I discuss how I navigate this tricky injury and discuss my favourite rehabilitation strategies to help manage symptoms. 

What have you felt has helped manage either your own Piriformis syndrome or helped your patients?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

During this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Cait Leavitt. Cait is a certified mental performance consultant with a Masters in Sports Psychology, residing on the West Coast of Canada.

Cait discusses the various elements of Sports Psychology. We spoke at length about youth sports, long term injuries, recovery and concussions. 

Cait also outlined tools for finding personal identity outside of sports, as well as how to transition out of sports when faced with retirement or career ending injury. 

We also covered the topics of keeping sports fun, mental imagery, flexibility & safety. There’s a lot in this episode for parents, athletes and clinicians. Enjoy!

Cait’s Website - www.mindwithmatter.ca

Osgoode-Schlatter "disease" is a very common presentation in children as they approach puberty. 

As children grow they can develop irritation and inflammation around the tibial growth plate. 

During this episode I discuss this often stubborn and tricky to treat condition. 

What things have you found valuable while dealing with this condition ?

Let me know in the comments below and we'll see you in the next one!

"Shoulders back and head up!"

We hear this all the time in the discussion of posture. 

Have you ever stopped and thought about the idea of posture? What exactly does better posture actually mean ?

During this episode I attempt to express my thoughts on posture. 

Does this episode cause you to reframe any ideas you've had around posture lately? 

If so comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

The number of scars produced annually through surgeries, injuries and trauma is in the millions. 

With all of these scars, it begs the question, "is there something we should be doing with these scars?"

If you are a therapist should you be working on them? If you are a patient should you be getting your scars worked on?

During this episode I provide a background on scar types as well as my thoughts on getting therapy on scars. 

Do you have a scar still causing your trouble? If, so comment below. 

We'll see you in the next one!

Treatment planning is used as an integral part of the learning process while in school. 

The question becomes, are treatment plans better in theory than utility?

During this episode I will discuss how I see treatment plans in my practice. 

Do you use treatment plans as part of your practice? If so, what helps you with formulating structure around creating them?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Your palms are sweaty as you nervously await for that split second after you hit enter. 

You've Googled splitting headache...

Let's be honest there are people that have Googled their medical symptoms and there are liars. 

During this episode I discuss my thoughts on the positive and negative aspects of having medical information at our fingertips. 

Do you think the positives outweigh the negatives? Comment below. 

We'll see you in the next one!

If you Google "hand or wrist pain", one of the first options you will discover is carpal tunnel syndrome. 

During episode I outline the anatomy of the carpal tunnel as well as my thought process around assessing and treating it. 

We finish the podcast by outlining some of the commonly used medical treatments for this often debilitating injury.

Have you had carpal tunnel syndrome? If yes, did you fully recover. 

We'll see you in the next one!

A common question I get from both students and patients is, "what is a knot"?

During today's episode I attempt to answer this question as well as discuss visible lumps and bumps under and on the skin. 

I also leave you with some important information and advice on what you should do if you have a visible lump or lesion. 

Did this episode help you understand "knots" more? If so, comment below. 

We'll see you in the next one!

On this week's episode I discuss the Loch Ness monster of back pain, the SI joint. 

This joint is often the scapegoat for many cases of back pain, but how often does it truly play a role?

Today I'll lend my thoughts on how I see this joint and instances where I think it may be the culprit. 

Do you suffer from SI joint pain? What are some things you've done to help you along the way?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

 

Heel pain may be one of the most common things I see in the clinic.

Having worked with the running community for years it is a regular part of my practice. Over the years I've seen a trend that often all foot and heel pain being described as "plantar fasciitis".

On today's episode we talk about some of the sources of why you may be experiencing foot and heel pain.

Did this episode make you think twice about your foot pain ?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

During this episode I discuss an interesting case I had in the office. It brought up a question I ask myself regularly. 

How important are x-rays and MRIs? Furthermore, when is surgery the only option that remains for a finding that may be on an image? I attempt to provide insight during the week's episode. 

Have you had an image that led to you having surgery ? If yes, how was the outcome?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one! 

Resources 

Brinjikji et al. (2015) MRI Findings of Disc Degeneration are More Prevalent in Adults with Low Back Pain than in Asymptomatic Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 36, 12, 2394-9. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A4498

Brinjikji et al. (2015). Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 36, 811–16 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4173 pmid:25430861

During this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Collins. Michael is a social worker from Omagh, Northern Ireland. 

During this episode Michael talks about his life growing up in war and conflict. Through this experience, he began to struggle with behaviours and negative feelings. 

Over time he reframed his picture of himself, looking at the good, the bad & the ugly. In all this, he made positive changes and on his 50th birthday completed his first ironman. 

During this he’s also been able to find new purpose, confidence and a new reality.

_

Buy Michael’s book: https://a.co/d/8NBd8UB

I am not sure I can think of a more difficult thing to treat than frozen shoulder. 

Often the pain and stiffness drastically affects sleep, work and activities of daily living. 

During this episode I discuss common theories about the cause of frozen shoulder and my thoughts on how to manage it. 

Have you had frozen shoulder ? If so, what helped you get back on track?

We'll see you in the next one !

For the longest time I didn't understand what truly motivated me. 

I often blindly followed others without reflecting on the various of elements of motivation and how they relate to the goals we establishing in life. 

During this episode I talk about simple steps I've taken that have help me tremendously. 

What have you found has helped motivate you? Do you ever question the path you are on ?

Comment below and we'll see you in the next one!

Reiki claims to alter life force energy. While this claim is often met with criticism is there a more scientific means by which reiki may be explained and understood?

During this episode I provide my thoughts on proposed mechanisms by which non-touch reiki and distance reiki may work.

Do you perform reiki treatments or have you received one? 

If so, do you think it matters that we attempt to explain it from a scientific background? Comment below. 

We'll see you in the next one!