Dr. Melinda Lam
Dufferin and Steeles L4J2Z1

Think of all the stresses that you're exposed to in a day. Physical stress from sitting at your desk or caring for your new born, psychological stress in the form of anxiety or information overload, and social stresses such as interpersonal conflicts. Although there are some stresses that can (& should) be avoided, it's unrealistic to say you'll quit your job, hire a full-time assistant, and move to an island where there are no driveways to shovel. ... The only way forward is to adapt. In my humble opinion, one of the most important parts of my job is to provide you with long-term solutions that help you adapt. Not short-term bandages that give you temporarily relief. This quote from @thestrengthjedi 's course perfectly depicts my treatment philosophy. #GTAmobilechiropractor #mobilechiropractor #thornhillchiropractor #northyorkchiropractor #chiropractor #rehab #adapt #hardwork #strength #optimism #happiness #happy #mood #healthcare #wellness #healthiswealth #resilience #progressiveoverload #sleep #lowbackpain #sciatica #tenniselbow #progressiveoverload #justloadit #motionislotion #exercise #activity

A story on adaptability and your version of being better: make a plan and stick to it. 8 years ago, I stood on the gym floor of Columbia Ice Fields at the University of Waterloo in @andeepoohn 's strength and conditioning class. I attempted this exact task but the bar didn't move. I never tried again. Recently I told myself I was going to pick it up this time. Like the people I work with every day I was going to walk the walk to get to my version of better, faster, stro...nger. Armed with high quality, well researched methods, I made 3 schedules & plans: training, kitchen, and sleep. I stuck with it for the next two months. Today I picked it up once. This is just the beginning of more. I know this because our body's limit is more than we give it credit for. It changes with stress & adaptation to stress. Injury and pain too is like this. You are working towards something you can't do yet. Typically, I hear "I can't do [activity] because I have a bad [body part], and it's been like this for years". Your age, injury severity, and chronicity is a drop in the bucket. Multiple factors influence where you are today, not just this one you've fixated on. If you want to accomplish something, make a high quality plan and stick to it. You're limited by your preparation. Not by your age, anatomy, or any other excuse we make for ourselves. Shift your mindset: I can't do it YET. #GTAmobilechiropractor #mobilechiropractor #thornhillchiropractor #northyorkchiropractor #adapt #strength #optimism #healthcare #wellness #healthiswealth #resilience #progressiveoverload #sleep #lowbackpain #sciatica #progressiveoverload #deadlift #gym #barbell #exercise #activity #fitness See more

Regular physical activity and other health related habits can be enjoyable, or not. Sometimes it’s structure & discipline. Instead of looking for something to motivate you, shift your mindset. Think of these habits as something you simply have to do to reach your goal the same way you go to work because you have bills to pay. It’s an added bonus if you enjoy it. There isn’t a way around the hard work. For most things, if you make a sound plan & stick to it for about 6... weeks you’ll see improvements. Faster, stronger, less pain, more mindful, well-nourished, and quality sleep. Secondly, are the habits you’re building sustainable? If you can’t keep them up, you’ll end up slipping further and further away from what you hope to achieve in the long run. As a tour guide for your injury & performance goals, I’m here to help you with the hard work. I’m not here to give you an easy way out by fixing something about you. I help you make a plan & stick to it. Consistency over intensity. On the blog today, link in bio. #GTAmobilechiropractor #mobilechiropractor #thornhillchiropractor #northyorkchiropractor #hardwork #strength #optimism #happiness #happy #mood #healthcare #wellness #healthiswealth #resilience #progressiveoverload #sleep #lowbackpain #sciatica #tenniselbow #progressiveoverload #justloadit #motionislotion #exercise #activity #wheelpose #urdhavadanurasana

Reductionist thinking: attributing current or future pain/injury to your "bad form" while performing a movement. My favourite reductionist view: your back hurts because you have bad form when you’re lifting. You’re using your back & not your legs. Good form is all leg movement, no back movement. I was trained to maintain neutral/"straight" spine (which is still helpful advice, don't get me wrong) and had the fear of McGill put into me. I thought my back didn't bend at a...ll and that's why I never injured my back when lifting things. Wrong. Even when your back looks straight, you are bending. But maybe just not to the absolute maximum (Edington et al, 2019), (Holder, 2013). If the cause of back pain isn't distilled down to our "bad form", what is the cause? No one knows for sure, but we have a pretty good idea it has to do with how you manage all your stressors and the steps you take to build resilience & anti-fragility. Don't sweat the small stuff, fry big fish. On the blog today. Link in bio. #GTAmobilechiropractor #mobilechiropractor #thornhillchiropractor #northyorkchiropractor #flexion #deadlift #strength #optimism #happiness #happy #mood #healthcare #wellness #healthiswealth #resilience #progressiveoverload #sleep #lowbackpain #sciatica #tenniselbow #progressiveoverload #justloadit #motionislotion #exercise #activity See more