Julia Farquhar Osteopathy
55 Erb. St. E, Unit 306 N2L 4K8 Waterloo, ON, Canada

I know we're all well-used to masking after wearing them for months now, but here are some reminders to make sure you're masking up correctly. I hope you're all keeping well and healthy!

This fascinating episode of Brené Brown's always thought-provoking podcast gave me lots to ponder during my morning walk. It's worth a listen to understand more about how stress affects us physiologically--and about what we can do to deal with its physical effects on our bodies. https://brenebrown.com//brene-with-emily-and-amelia-nagos/

Me: How did you feel after your last appointment? Client: Like Heaven! (pauses) I should have come to you a lot sooner. Great words to hear on a Monday morning!

Don't let your guard down now! (Image by @thoughtsofaphd)

For the last 16 years, my osteopathic services have been HST-exempt. As of September 2020 (and effective immediately) the Canada Revenue Agency is now requiring all Osteopathic Manual Practitioners to charge HST. Starting today HST will be added to my current fees.

Here I am, all geared up and ready to go! I'm back at the clinic post-lockdown and am starting to see clients again (acute and emergencies first, please).

COVID-19 PSA: excellent (also cheeky) infographics about mask use. If you do use disposable masks (or gloves) dispose of them properly! Don't leave them on the ground (or anywhere else) for someone else to pick up.

Time for an update! Here's a version of what I sent out to clients this morning. Hello, all. It's been a while since I've been in touch so I thought I'd send out a quick note. Yesterday I went into the clinic for the first time in a long time just to see it--and to water my plants (some of which are looking healthier than others). It felt great to be back there again.... Though things are changing in Ontario as parts of the province and country start to re-open for business, nothing has changed yet for osteopathy clinics and we all remain closed at this time. I have been keeping busy researching re-opening procedures and am continuing to collect the personal protective equipment (PPE) I will need to keep all of us safe during treatment. Don't be surprised, for example, to see me in a mask, eye protection, and scrubs. I won't be greeting you with handshakes and you won't come over to sit at my desk before your treatment. Some of you have asked about when I'll be back in the clinic. I am hoping for early June but, again, that will be predicated on provincial orders and on my ability to source all of the equipment I need as much of it is still in high demand for front-line healthcare workers. Along with just trying to keep up with day-to-day living (even previously simple jobs like getting in groceries now seem monumental, don't they?) I've been working on keeping body and brain active. I've been "attending" some Zoom courses offered by some of my favourite course providers and next week will be doing a week-long version of a course I've wanted to do for years. (This isn't the sabbatical I have long thought about, but it sure is something.) I have been getting out for walks and spending time outdoors in the garden I'm lucky to have, which never looks this good this early in the year! I hope that all of you are keeping well and healthy and that you are caring for yourselves in the best ways you can. Continue to be kind to yourselves and to one another as we make our way through the strange world of Covid-19. Be well, Julia

I just went for my first post-isolation walk! I went to my clinic to see what medical supplies I had stored there, and then emailed my local hospital to see what, if any, they can accept for donation. Do I feel anxious offering to give away my unopened masks, gloves, and alcohol gel? Sure! However, manual osteopathy is not considered an essential service at the moment, and I am not sure when I'll be able to reopen my clinic. If front-line healthcare workers can use these supp...lies NOW to help prevent further spread of COVID-19 they they deserve to do so. I'll source more when it is time for me to move more freely throughout the community and return to work. How about you? Is there anything you can share? Please see if you have any supplies that your local hospital can use, and then get in touch with them. Also, please share this message freely (make it viral!). Ask anyone you know (massage therapists, physios, chiropractors, hair stylists, tattoo artists, body piercers, etc.) if they can share any of their stash of these items with essential front-line healthcare workers. The sooner we can get this virus slowed and stopped the sooner we can all get on with whatever life will look like next. Thank you! <3

Too good not to share (thank you Rachel Brown)! Take care of your mental health, everyone. That way we can take better care of one another.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (and many other viruses!) is to wash your hands, often. Here's a link to show you how.

Feeling anxious about COVID-19? You aren't alone. Here are some recommendations from the Centre for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov///prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

NOTICE OF IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF OSTEOPATHIC CARE: I returned on Sunday evening (March 15, 2020) from a vacation outside the country. Based on recommendations from Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and the Waterloo Region Public Health unit for all returning travellers, I immediately began a 14-day period of self-isolation and began contacting clients to postpone and reschedule upcoming appointments. At 9:00 pm yesterday (Monday, March 16, 2020) I received an e...mail from my professional association, the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OAO), recommending that all members (s)uspend all non-essential manual therapy treatments until further notice. Finally, this morning (Tuesday, March 17, 2020) a province-wide state of emergency has been declared in Ontario. The intersection of all of the above means that my clinic is closed entirely until Monday, March 30, 2020. After that date and until further notice any upcoming appointment you have scheduled may need to be cancelled and rescheduled as I will be providing acute/emergency osteopathic services only per the above recommendations. Though this an inconvenience for all involved, in most cases delaying osteopathic visits for a few weeks is unlikely to cause any significant harm. That said, if you need acute or emergency osteopathic care, please email me at [email protected] to arrange for treatment after Monday, March 30, 2020. Once the suspension has been lifted, I will contact everyone whose appointment has been cancelled to reschedule. Please be aware that new rules and regulations around treatment will likely be in place at that time. I’ll discuss those later, but these will be related to keeping everyone healthy and safe. I know that this global pandemic is a frightening time for many and an inconvenience for us all. You will do good things for your body and mind by keeping moving and managing stress as best you can. Consider staying home if that is possible for you but keep in contact with your friends and loved ones in any safe way you can. I look forward to welcoming you back to the clinic as soon as I am able to do so. Be well until then, Julia

NOTICE OF IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT: I returned on Sunday evening (March 15, 2020) from a vacation outside the country. Based on recommendations from Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and the Waterloo Region Public Health unit for all returning travellers, I immediately began a 14-day period of self-isolation and began contacting clients to postpone and reschedule upcoming appointments. At 9:00 pm yesterday (Monday, March 16, 2020) I received... an email from my professional association, the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OAO), recommending that all members (s)uspend all non-essential manual therapy treatments until further notice. Finally, this morning (Tuesday, March 17, 2020) a province-wide state of emergency has been declared in Ontario. The intersection of all of the above means that my clinic is closed entirely until Monday, March 30, 2020. After that date and until further notice any upcoming appointment you have scheduled may need to be cancelled and rescheduled as I will be providing acute/emergency osteopathic services only per the above recommendations. Though this an inconvenience for all involved, in most cases delaying osteopathic visits for a few weeks is unlikely to cause any significant harm. That said, if you need acute or emergency osteopathic care, please email me at [email protected] to arrange for treatment after Monday, March 30, 2020. Once the suspension has been lifted, I will contact everyone whose appointment has been cancelled to reschedule. Please be aware that new rules and regulations around treatment will likely be in place at that time. I’ll discuss those later, but these will be related to keeping everyone healthy and safe. I know that this global COVID-19 pandemic is a frightening time for many and an inconvenience for us all. You will do good things for your body and mind by keeping moving and managing stress as best you can. Consider staying home if that is possible for you but keep in contact with your friends and loved ones in any safe way you can. I look forward to welcoming you back to the clinic as soon as I am able to do so. Be well until then, Julia

It's time for a little rest, relaxation, and recharging. I'll be out of the office until Monday, March 16. See you then!

Client QotD: "I feel like pizza dough!!"

Here's some food for thought of a Monday, and an interesting perspective on cardiovascular health. https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/do-we-really-need-cardio/