Optimal Health Chiropractic Centre - Bowmanville

Although mask mandates are ending March 21 in most settings, they will still be required in all healthcare settings. Until we are instructed otherwise, masks will be required by all patients, practitioners and staff to enter the building. We appreciate your ongoing cooperation.​​​​​​​​
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Are you a new mom or haven’t felt like your body is the same since kids? If you’ve experienced back pain, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or painful in*******se after childbirth, GROWCO can help.​​​​​​​​
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Dr. Emily Sinclair, a GROWCO ambassador, is offering post natal rehabilitation classes where you’ll be provided with the guidance and knowledge to reconnect to your core and pelvic floor. You’ll step into a strong, empowered and confident body after bringing a baby into this world. Join her as she works to raise the standard of postnatal care. ​​​​​​​​
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The sessions will be held virtually March 25, April 1 and April 8 from 1-2pm. As an introductory special, there will be no cost for attending the sessions. ​​​​​​​​
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To register please send an email to [email protected].​​​​​​​​
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Reach out to us if you have any questions.​​​​​​​​
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Happy Family Day from all of us. We hope you’re enjoying the long weekend with loved ones.​​​​​​​​
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Just a friendly reminder we will be closed Monday for Family Day. We hope you're able to spend the day with those you love.​​​​​​​​
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Many Canadians will experience back pain at some point. A common concern of patients is if they’ll be like this for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, beliefs like this are associated with greater levels of pain, disability and medication use. Back pain can absolutely be scary and disabling. So here are some facts about back pain that you might find reassuring.​​​​​​​​
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Ongoing back pain can be worrisome, but it’s rare to be life-threatening.​​​​​​​​
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Age is not related to the onset or progression of back pain.​​​​​​​​
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Chronic back pain is not often associated with serious tissue damage.​​​​​​​​
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Diagnostic imaging is often not helpful in determining the cause of back pain.​​​​​​​​
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Pain during movement does not mean you are causing further damage - it means you are using tissues that are sensitive.​​​​​​​​
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Poor posture does not cause back pain.​​​​​​​​
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Back pain is not caused by a weak core.​​​​​​​​
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Everyday movements and activities can contribute to the strength and resiliency of your back.​​​​​​​​
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Back pain flare ups are related to changes in activity, stress and mood; they do not mean more tissue damage.​​​​​​​​
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Low-risk, non-invasive treatments are helpful.​​​​​​​​
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I could write a post on each of the above and barely scratch the surface. Reach out if you have questions or want to learn more about any of the above. We are always here to help educate our community and reduce fear surrounding back pain.​​​​​​​​
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Source: O'Sullivan et al. Back to basics: 10 facts every person should know about back pain. BJSM 2020;54:698-699.​​​​​​​​
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We do have your back! We help you get back to the activities you enjoy faster. Call us to find out how.​​​​​​​​
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Curious about the benefits of massage?​​​​​​​​
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- promotes mental alertness​​​​​​​​
- improves circulation​​​​​​​​
- muscle relaxation​​​​​​​​
- improves healing time​​​​​​​​
- increases metabolism​​​​​​​​
- improves joint mobility​​​​​​​​
- reduces stress​​​​​​​​
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Call us to book in with Lisa if you think you could benefit from the above.​​​​​​​​
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No one likes to be unable to participate because of pain or injury. We can help you get back to the activities you enjoy faster.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Don't forget we are here tomorrow. As always, open six days a week to care for you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Did you know we got a new website last year? The talented folks created this amazing site for us. It's the place where you can learn about the clinic, our history in Bowmanville, our amazing practitioners and what we do best. Click the link in our bio to take a look.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There are times when we all want a quick fix. The truth is when it comes to your health, what works is time and repetition. That could look like giving our bodies a couple of days to deal with inflammation. It could be eating your veggies and drinking enough water every day. It could be getting in your steps day after day. It could also look like frequent treatment. Your biggest investment is your health. Make sure your time and efforts are well spent.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The snow is here! Here are a couple of quick tips in order to avoid needing our help this winter season.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pick the right shovel - shovels with a curved handle and that are plastic versus metal are better choices.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Push where possible - avoid repetitive lifting and push the snow. Pushing from the centre of body is helpful as well as it will reduce rotation about the spine.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Lighten the load - move smaller amounts of snow more often.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Break frequently - divide the work into smaller amounts, especially when dealing with lots of snow.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We are always here for you if you need us. But try these suggestions to see if makes shovelling more manageable for you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The clinic is closed today on account of the snow and road conditions. We have done our best to get ahold of everyone who had appointments booked. If you need to reschedule, leave a message and we will call you back tomorrow. Thank you for understanding. Stay safe!

I want this space to be a trusted source of health information for our patients, community members and beyond. So tell me, what types of things do you want to learn about? Comment below!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Lisa has available appointments this week. Give us a call to schedule.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And we are back! From all of us at Optimal Health, we hope each of you were able to celebrate the holiday season with those you love in a safe way. We want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy start to the new year. We are looking forward to sharing more about who we are, what we do and some helpful tips this upcoming year.

Happy thanksgiving from all of us. We hope you’re enjoying the long weekend with loved ones.

Just a reminder we will be closed on Monday for Thanksgiving. We are in the clinic until Saturday to care for you should you need us.

Don’t forget Dr. Willson is on vacation next week. She’ll be in the clinic tomorrow so call for an appointment if you want to see her before she’s off. Don’t worry though - Dr. Sinclair and Lisa will be in the clinic next week to take of you too.

Happy Thursday!

Do you suffer from headaches? Did you know there are different types of headache? Scroll through the pictures in this post to see the different characteristics of each.

Wonder what ones we can help with? ALL of them! Chiropractic and massage both have therapeutic benefit for each type of headache. Give us a call if you need some help managing your symptoms.

Someone’s adding to their skill set! Dr. Sinclair is away from clinic today and tomorrow learning acupuncture. So we will be closed tomorrow, but Dr. Willson and Lisa are back in the clinic Monday.

I was planning on throwing in some punny humour and making light of this to brighten up the dreary day. But when I sat down to write, something else came out.

Who else thinks this can be the tag line for the last year and a half? Yes yes, it is a bit of chiro humour, but it’s true. These past months have required all of us to make minor and sometimes major adjustments along the way. I’m learning myself that it’s not always easy, but sometimes necessary. So if you’re struggling with this, know you’re not alone.

A big welcome to the newest member of our team, Dr. Emily Sinclair. She’s a recent graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and we are grateful to have her at OHCC. She treats patients of all ages, but has a keen interest in pregnancy and pediatric care. Check out .emilysinclair where she’s been sharing all kinds of knowledge.

If she’s not at the clinic, you would find her on the soccer pitch or undertaking a DIY project.

Dr. Sinclair is at the clinic Tuesday to Saturday.

We are back in the clinic Saturday’s! .emilysinclair (who we’re introducing later this week) is available between 9-1 for chiropractic care. Give us a call if you need our help!

Lunchtime reading. Our learning never ends.

Meet Lisa. She’s been a massage therapist at the clinic for 10 years. Some of you may also know her from the gym - she’s a spin and yoga instructor too. She’s passionate about fitness and encourages us all to keep moving!

Lisa recently brought home a new puppy, Roscoe. He’s cute and a bit of a rascal. She is determined (and in our opinion, succeeding) at making him into a great dog.

She’s at the clinic Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

If you’re a chiropractic patient, you’ll recognize this photo. This is one of the chiropractic treatment rooms. Most of our day is spent in here, helping patients get back to the activities they enjoy faster.

Here’s the simple answer: whatever you like better. Honestly, there is no right or wrong. The easiest way I explain it is this:

Ice cools the skin and reduces pain; you move better, you heal faster.

Heat warms tissues up; you move better, you heal faster.

So next time you’re hurt or sore, pick one and see how you feel. If it isn’t working for you, try the other. It’s really as simple as that.

Want to know when we can help you? We are now open SIX days a week to help get you back to the activities you enjoy faster!

Monday 9-6
Tuesday 9-6
Wednesday 9-7
Thursday 9-6
Friday 9-6
Saturday 9-12

Call or email us to find out when your practitioner is in the office.

Hello! It’s Dr. Willson (or Amanda). Technically, I’ve been at Optimal Health since I was a kid. First as a patient, then covering vacations for Dr. Lott (the clinic’s founder who’s now retired) and now practicing full time since taking over the clinic in August of 2019.

The last couple of years have been a ride - getting to know everyone here and then that little thing called the pandemic. I’m excited for you all to see what we’ve got planned for the clinic.

If you’re a patient, you know my happy place is in the treatment room. I love helping people get back to the activities they enjoy and showing them often it’s simple changes that make the biggest difference.

I’m in the clinic full days Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Say hi if you see me and ask any questions if you have them!

That cute little building on the corner of Church and Temperance? THAT’S US! Officially, it’s 152 Church St. in Historic Downtown Bowmanville. We are so lucky to be a part of such a lively and lovely downtown. Thanks for all you do.