Mindful Body Osteopathy

🌿Spring into Action - Safely!
As the weather warms up, it’s tempting to dive back into gardening, hiking, and outdoor sports, but your body might need a little prep first!

Here are 5 mindful tips to avoid injury this spring:
1. Warm Up – Light stretches or a brisk walk before gardening or activity gets your muscles ready.
2. Use Proper Form – When lifting pots or tools, bend at the knees, not your back. Keep the load close to your body.
3. Switch It Up – Avoid repetitive strain by alternating tasks every 20–30 minutes.
4. Stay Hydrated – Muscles work better and recover faster when you’re hydrated.
5. Listen to Your Body – Discomfort is a sign to pause—not push through.

At Mindful Body Osteopathy, we’re here to help you stay active and pain-free all season long. Book a tune-up if you’re feeling stiff or sore.

🌿 Mindful Body Osteopathy

✨ Fun Fact Friday — Elbows ✨
More shoulder and elbow issues have been showing up in the clinic lately… and one of the most common questions is:
👉 “What’s the difference between Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow?”
Despite the names you do NOT need to play golf or tennis to experience them.

Most elbow tension I see is actually related to:
✔️ Repetitive strain
✔️ Gripping
✔️ Lifting
✔️ Gardening
✔️ Gym workouts
✔️ Computer or desk work
✔️ Carrying heavy objects
The elbow has 2 bony landmarks called the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus — where many of the forearm muscles attach.

🎾 Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
• Pain on the OUTSIDE of the elbow
• Often aggravated with gripping or lifting
• Common with wrist extension (bending wrist upward)
• Frequently involves tight extensor muscles

🏌️ Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
• Pain on the INSIDE of the elbow
• Often aggravated with wrist flexion (bending wrist downward)
• Can sometimes irritate the ulnar nerve, causing tingling into the ring and little fingers

But with Osteopathy… we don’t just look at the elbow.

The forearm muscles connect into the upper arm, shoulder, chest, and neck, one long connected chain.
We also consider the nerves traveling from the neck into the arm through the brachial plexus. Restrictions higher up in the body can sometimes contribute to tension further down the chain.

🫶 Somatic Support Idea
Try this gentle nervous-system-friendly reset:
1. Rest your arms at your sides
2. Soften your grip in the hands
3. Slowly bend and straighten the elbows without force
4. Exhale longer than you inhale

Slow rhythmic movement paired with longer exhales may help reduce protective muscle guarding and help the body relax tension patterns.

✨ And sometimes… one of the best things for irritated elbows and tendons is REST.

🌿Mindful Body Osteopathy

***Osteopathic Manual Therapists do not diagnose specific conditions or claim to treat/fix medical diagnoses. Osteopathic Manual Therapy works with the whole body to support balance, alignment, mobility, and overall function.

Benefits of Walking After a Treatment!👣

Did you know going for a short and gentle walk after your Osteopathy Treatment can be very beneficial? 🚶‍♂️

Here’s Why:

•Helps the mechanical correction settle in
•Helps Integrates the treatment within the body
•Increases Balance
•Increases Circulation
•Also Decreases inflammation
• Not to mention walking in nature and fresh air improves your mood by boosting your happy Hormone Serotonin! 🌞

Have you tried going for a short walk after your treatment ?

Try walking around the parking lot or down the sidewalk to the park 🌳

Mindful Body Osteopathy 🌿