Any baseball fans out there?

To the small subsect of my readers who are also Blue Jay fans. A most bizarre, ridiculous, and possibly unprecedented event happened this weekend. In the midst of the media and the Blue Jay organization wondering where all the Jays' fans are (see 2nd worst attendance in baseball), the Rogers' Blue Jays organization just inflicted a self strike on its image. If you read beyond the headlines reporting the Jays taking two of three from the Yankees this weekend, you'll discover that either the Blue Jay organization or the Fan590 (both owned by Rogers) muzzled the team's number one beat reporter: Mike Wilner. Mike, a regular member of the Jays' radio broadcast team was asked/told/mandated to miss the New York Yankees series this weekend on the heels of doing his job by asking critical reporting questions of the manager, Cito Gaston. Although Cito is beloved by this city thanks to his role as manager 17 years ago when we last won the world series, he is not and should not be exempt from the typical day to day questioning of the reporters. Following a terrible loss to the first place Tampa Bay Rays, Mike Wilner questioned our manager about his use of the bullpen. Unsatisfied with Gaston's short answer, Wilner followed up with a second question, second guessing the manager's philosophy of managing the bullpen. Wilner was quickly asked to move on. Wilner wrote about this exchange on his blog, answered question on The Jays' Talk radio show after the game, and that is the last we've seen or heard of Mike Wilner.

As a hockey fan, I find it absurd that the Maple Leaf's head coach can manage to answer highly intellectual hockey questions and criticism after every game, but the moment the Blue Jay coach feels uncomfortable with a critical question from the #1 reporter the Jays have, he is quickly muzzled, suspended, or whatever has transpired over the weekend.

This story is just getting started. It has significant potential ramifications for the media and the way we cover our sports teams, for the Blue Jays, Fan590, and Rogers corp.

As a big Jays fan, and one who especially enjoys the critical analysis of the game, this is a story I will follow closely.

Moving Update

Hi folks,
To my regular readers (or, reader - I know there is at least one of you), I thought I'd give you a quick update regarding the goings on with my practice. As you may recall, I am changing office locations in July. If it were not for the fabulous new location I would be sad about leaving Wellpoint. But, alas, I am really excited to introduce you to my new office at Satori Urban Wellness - around the corner.

Shortly, this week, you will receive a snail-mail letter introducing you to the new practice location.

Next week, I will send out a mass email with all the same information - for you electronic people!

I am also re-branding myself. Soon I will no longer be "Bend Chiropractic & Laser Therapy". Rather, the understated "Dr. Michael Berenstein - Chiropractor". I'll be launching my new website soon too. Look out for it, it's member features, and newsletter.

My new blog will be built right into the new website too so this blog will cease to exist. I'll keep writing at the new blog though. Stay tuned ...

LOST in Review

For six seasons and 17 episodes Lost - the t.v. show - was steeped in mystery, asking the characters and viewers questions about spirituality, faith, science, fate, and free will. Incomplete answers to these questions only left further questions in their wake. The final episode did not disappoint by staying true to its nature. We are left with no more story and many questions. The questions we are left with though transcend the t.v. show. Certainly there are smaller picture questions that would be fun to know the answers to, but fundamentally this t.v. show was not about those answers. It was about the larger questions that do not have answers.

Why was Walt special?
Why did Eloise Hawking know so much?
Why was Desmond so uniquely special and what happened to him on the island in the end?
Who dropped the Dharma food feeding all our Losties?
What about the Hanso foundation and their funding of the Dharma initiative?
What was Widmore's true intentions in seeking out the Island?

These, and so many more, are fun questions. But, they don't help us understand the bigger questions:

Was Jacob and his brother Man-in-Black (MIB) really special? Or were they just boys who grew up to be men believing they were special?
What does that light at the heart of the island truly represent? All that is good with the world? Was MIB spit out because he was inherently bad?
Did Jack really impart special protective powers to Hurley by having him drink from the water bottle? Or, is it more important that Hurley believed he was imparted with such power?
And, the biggest question of all is what did the ending mean? Were our losties redeemed on the island allowing them to pass through to the next phase of the afterlife? Or, did they all die in the original plane crash sending them all to purgatory, rendering the island life a mirage?

I, for one, don't think it matters. In the end, our characters that we grew to love needed purpose and love and through their life (or afterlife) on the island were redeemed. It is all a matter of perspective. Was the island life purgatory and the Flash-Sideways their next phase of the afterlife? Or, was the island life real and the Flash-Sideways the first phase of their afterlife? I don't think it really matters. We saw an incredible ensemble of characters achieve purpose, love, and redemption on their journey together. After all, it is all about the journey. Without the end, the journey is not worth taking. Richard figured that out in the end when he was returned to a mortal life. And, how you behave and treat people matters in the end. Ben figured that out as well. He was flawed, like so many of our losties, but I 'believe' he will achieve his redemption too.

I am sad Lost is over. But what an amazing story filled with excitement, love, sadness, and wonderful questions we can try to answer from hereon in.

UPDATE: More theories and explanations continue to filter in during these post-Lost days. I won't bore you with blog after blog of theories, but suffice it to say I will be happy to discuss at length as we strive for wellness in the office!

"LOST" Week

Normally I reserve this blog for writings about chiropractic, wellness, fitness, and the latest research. But, as many of you know, this is an exciting week in the world of pure entertainment. The final episodes of the greatest t.v. show ever air this week on Tuesday and Sunday. My wife and I, my brothers, parents, friends, and millions more have been looking forward to this week. Explaining LOST to you if you are not familiar with the show is too difficult for this blog. So I will not attempt such feat. Just a quick blog to remind everyone of this exciting, momentous week in t.v. entertainment.

Is this blog about health or wellness? Sort of. Having a fictional story to escape life can be very therapeutic. LOST is just that for me. The story, the mysteries, the confusion has brought family and friends together, challenged our minds, made us think outside the box and thoroughly entertained us for six years.

We'll miss you LOST ... until we buy the boxset and re-watch you!

Spinal Manipulation and the "pop"

I just read an excellent, interesting, and relevant research review of an important concept in the world of physical therapy. Serendipitously, I read this research only moments after a regular patient of mine left the office after we discussed this very topic - the topic of spinal joint "cavitation" - otherwise known as the "popping" sound you hear when you have your joints manipulated.

The question being asked is whether or not it is clinically important to hear the "pop" when manipulating a joint. Does the "pop" lead to improvement of the patient's symptoms or is it simply the act of the manipulation? The latest research sheds some light on this.

First, let's review what the "pop" / cavitation is. The popping/cracking sound you hear when your joint is manipulated/adjusted is the sound of gas escaping the joint space as the two bones are moved. Just like opening a can of soda, as the gas escapes it makes a sound. Bones are not actually "cracking", it just sounds that way. The bottom line with manipulation is that the act of manipulating improves joint mobility, realigns joint position, and reduces pain levels.

Today, in fact moments ago, my patient and I were discussing the fact that her low back spinal joints didn't "pop" when we adjusted them. My previous knowledge of this topic allowed me to explain that the "pop" is not necessary to still achieve mobility, alignment, and pain relief. Well, the research now supports this notion.

This research is and should be encouraging to both therapists and patients. Both therapists and patients can get caught up in the expectation and reliance on the "popping" sound for confirmation that a treatment has been effective. We all should rely more on the process of manipulation, rather than the audible sound it makes.

So, just a quick blog to update you on this important chiropractic topic - just in case you were wondering about the "pop".

Till next time ... thanks for reading!

Exciting News!

As of last week, it is now official. After almost five great years practicing chiropractic at 1240 Bay (aka Wellpoint Health Centre), I will be changing my office location as of July 1st.

But, if you love my current location due to its proximity to either the subway, your family physician, beautiful Yorkville, or all of the above, don't fret because I'm not going very far. In fact, only a short minute walk from where I am now is where you'll find me in the future: 33 Hazelton Avenue (corner of Hazelton Ave & Scollard) in Yorkville will be my future home. I will be sharing space at Satori Urban Wellness. It is both an exceptional wellness clinic with fantastic holistic health providers (massage, physio, naturopath, acupuncture, etc.) and also an award winning spa. So, patients (and therapists) get the best of both worlds: excellent health care and the most serene environment.

I am really excited about the move for many reasons:
1. Beautiful, relaxing, friendly atmosphere.
2. Combining my skills and services with the other like-minded holistic healers.
3. Staying close to where you're used to finding me.
4. Steps from the subway and parking.

The only thing missing is that I won't be in the same facility as some of your family physicians. However, I will be maintaining my excellent relationship with all the Wellpoint family doctors so nothing will change in terms of coordinating health needs with your medical team!

More information is sure to follow. I will be sending out emails and snail-mails as July gets closer. I look forward to chatting about this with you all in person.

In the meantime, check out: Satori Urban Wellness

Trigenics (TM)

The evolution continues. I just finished a two day continuing education seminar this weekend - 10 intensive hours focused on shoulder rehabilitation and spinal manipulation. Courses like these really inspire me to get back to work the next day and build on the healing capabilities of chiropractors!

So, at your next visit, be very excited for your adjustments or your next shoulder rehab session - I've got a few new awesome healing techniques for ya'. In fact, some of them even seem like magic - take only 6 seconds per area - but believe me when I tell you it isn't magic - it's neurological science. I'll explain when I see you.

Both courses this weekend were presented by the Trigenics institute - a manual medicine technique that focuses on neurological re-patterning. Tight muscles? Let's loosen them quickly! Weak muscles? Let's strengthen them. Quickly.

I can't wait to see you and help you all out even better than I have in the past!

See you Monday!

The Evolution Has Begun

Have you ever gotten out of bed in the morning after a sleepless night with extra pep in your step? I know, this sounds absurd, but it describes me today. It might sound overly dramatic to say that today is the first day of the rest of my professional career, but it is what I believe. Let me explain:

I feel privileged to have helped so many people recover from their aches and pains in the first five years of my practice. I've helped acute and chronic back and neck pain sufferers, those with rotator cuff strains/tears and other sorts of sprains and strains throughout the body. I hope and plan to continue to offer my current and future patients the same level of commitment to injury recovery.

However, I think, and have come to know, that I can do more. Perhaps I have not been communicating the right message to my family, friends, and patients. Evidently I have been sending the message that pain relief is what Dr. me is all about. This is part of what I am about, but the evolved message resonates with me much louder: Dr. me will help you attain a higher level of wellness. In doing so, old, current, and future injuries will be helped and prevented. A wise friend and colleague helped me learn that, as a chiropractor, I can do so much more to help my patients by putting more emphasis on spinal health. Read on to learn why.

A question I am often asked by new patients is: "What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?" My answer often depends on the patient who has asked the question, but it usually sounds something like: "Well, there is not much of a difference. We both will treat your current injury with manual medicine, modalities, and exercise to ensure you get relief and correction of your injury." I will go on to explain that chiropractors are trained as spine specialists and therefore have the extra skill set of manipulating the spine for quicker and more sustainable relief of spine related injuries - which there are many. This answer sounds more and more incorrect to me with every passing moment of my life. Let me rephrase my answer with the correct emphasis on what chiropractors really specialize in:

Chiropractic works because you are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord, and out to every organ and tissue. Signals sent back to the brain confirm if your body is working right. Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine called a "subluxation" can interfere with this vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications. Health often returns with improved nervous system control of the body.

And where do these "subluxations" come from? Generally speaking, they come from the physical, chemical, and emotional stress of our day-to-day lives. More specifically, these subluxations comes from poor posture, repetitive strain on the core of the body, chemical stress in the form of pollution, junk food, smoke, drugs, and emotional stresses of family, job, money, etc., etc.

What does this revitalized commitment to chiropractic mean for me and my patients? It means that I am even more committed to the health and well being of my patients. I will continue to welcome patients with all sorts of aches, pains, and health concerns. I will continue to provide injury relief, exercise instruction, and orthopedic support. But, my commitment will not end there. When willing, I hope to engage my patients in a lifelong journey of spinal health for the ultimate purpose of increased energy, efficiency, and self-healing. This is what true wellness is all about. It is not merely the absence of disease. It is the pursuit of optimal living.

Fit-in-15

Below is the official advertising for a fabulous idea created by Canadian chiropractors. Simply put, we're all too busy. Some have found the time and motivation to stay active and pursue fitness and athletics. Others have not. Unfortunately, patters develop and we end up stuck in our ways. We come home, plop on the couch, and then it's bedtime and we do the whole thing over again the next day. Fit-in-15 makes fitting some fitness into your daily routine really easy. The website has easy to follow instructions on fitting 15 minutes of strength, flexibility and cardio into your life. Check it out. Not sure if you can do these activities? No problem. Come see me for a screening and we can review the exercises together to make sure you can do them.


Do you?
Want a more energized lifestyle?
Have difficulty finding time to be active?
Feel guilty about not being more physically active?
Want to get started with little or no expense?

Would you like to?
Lose weight
Sleep better
Reduce stress
Have more energy
Bend over more easily
Be stronger
Improve your posture
Have more endurance
Catch your breath more easily
Feel more satisfied with your level of fitness

If you answered yes to any one of the above, then FIT-IN-15 is a good place to start if you have been inactive and are having trouble making time to fit-in some focused activity. Fifteen minutes a day can be the beginning of a habit that can grow and help you achieve your fitness goals. You'll feel good about fitting it in, and feeling good is an important factor in your overall health.

Dust off your running / walking shoes!

The sun is shining, the olympians have us motivated, and the annual CMCC Backs in Motion walk/run for chiropractic education is upon us!

If you're a runner, this is a great opportunity to warm up for the spring and summer season: 5km or 10km. Last year I ran the 5km in about 28minutes! A personal best for me. This year, I'm aiming for 20 minutes!! Of course, I won't come close and probably cross the finish line around 27minutes. I can only aim for personal bests.

Not a runner? No problem. Get out and walk the 5km. Anything to get those muscles and joints moving.

I hope to see you there.
Click HERE for more information and registration.

Ten Reasons to Stretch

Sorry it has taken so long to post a new blog entry. I was waiting for my last entry (shoveling tips) to prove useful. But, it appears as though we're not really going to have a Canadian winter this season. Fine by me. Of course, this has not stopped me from enjoying the Winter Olympics. Besides the usual pride and occasional (maybe more than occasional) disappointment, it is especially amazing to watch and admire the strength, flexibility and overall athletic capability of the Olympians.

Does it inspire you to be more athletic? Stronger? More flexible? I hope so. We can all stand to be a bit stronger, flexible, and healthier. Below is some information about stretching. If the Olympians stretch, perhaps we all should.

Stretching pumps irritants and inflammation away from muscles, and increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients to muscles and joints. This process promotes tissue healing and injury repair. Here are some more reasons why stretching can be beneficial:
1. Reduces muscle soreness after exercise
2. Accelerates tissue healing
3. Improves balance and co-ordination
4. Improves posture
5. Promotes muscle relaxation
6. Boosts your energy levels
7. Relieves back and joint pain
8. Reduces the likelihood of back pain
9. Promotes total body relaxation and a greater sense of well-being
10. Maintains lifelong flexibility