Valley Spine and Sports Rehab

01/05/2026

Phrenic nerve palsy is a condition where the phrenic nerve—which controls the diaphragm—doesn’t work properly, leading to diaphragmatic weakness or paralysis on one or both sides.

What the phrenic nerve does
• Originates from C3–C5 (“C3, 4, 5 keep the diaphragm alive”)
• Powers the diaphragm, the main muscle of breathing

This particular case is new so we are starting with ART(specifically through scalenes and omohyoid where the phrenic nerve pierces through, using a breath assist). Home care exercises include a focus on diaphragmatic breathing.

I bet you’re surprised how chiropractic and other conservative care plans of management can help!

What can we help YOU with?

carletonplacesportsinjury kanatasportsinjury activereleasetechnique chiropractic medicalacupuncture womenshealth almonteont thefriendlytown

12/18/2025

Still some spots to claim for our “donate what you can” initiative, in support of a community member in need of a “leg up” this holiday season.

Myself, and graciously both Haley and Chandler, are donating our time to raise some funds. This is the 3rd year of doing this and I truly believe we all need a helping hand from time to time.

Psst… I have a secret goal of raising $2k!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you and yours 🎄❤️❄️💫,

The team of Valley Spine & Sports Rehab

12/12/2025

That’s right!!! Coming at you in early 2026, Valley Spine and Sports Rehab will be offering Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (in-person & virtual consults).

Hair collects minerals over weeks to months, so HTMA gives more of a long-term snapshot compared to blood work, which reflects moment-to-moment levels.

What HTMA CAN Be Useful For

Clinically, practitioners use HTMA to look for patterns rather than single values:

✔ Mineral imbalances
• Low magnesium
• High calcium / low magnesium patterns
• Low sodium/potassium ratios
• High copper / low zinc (“copper dysregulation”)

✔ Stress patterns

Mineral ratios (like Ca/P or Na/K) can reflect prolonged stress responses.
It’s not diagnostic, but can be useful context in chronic fatigue or burnout cases.

✔ Possible heavy metal exposure

HTMA can indicate exposure trends (e.g., high arsenic from well water, high aluminum from environment).
Blood is better for acute exposure; HTMA is better for long-term accumulation patterns.

✔ Guiding nutrition + supplementation

This is the most common use—adjusting:
• magnesium
• zinc
• trace minerals
• copper balancing
• adrenal-supportive strategies
• diet tweaks

How Practitioners Typically Use It

If you plan to integrate it into your clinic:

1. Collect sample

Usually 1–1.5 inches of hair from the nape of the neck.
Some labs allow p***c hair if head hair is dyed.

2. Analyze mineral patterns

Most common ratios:
• Ca/P – metabolic rate
• Na/K – stress, inflammation patterns
• Ca/Mg – tension vs relaxation
• Zn/Cu – immune + hormone balance
• Fe/Cu – oxidation patterns

3. Build a plan

Typical adjustments:
• magnesium glycinate
• trace mineral support
• zinc (short-term)
• copper balancing strategies
• diet changes
• lifestyle supports (sleep, stress, hydration)

4. Retest every 3–6 months

Mineral patterns shift slowly. And so our your health.

12/10/2025

✨Community Initiative✨

On December 21st, I will be opening up the office for “donate what you can” appointments for current and past patients.

We’ve all gone through tough times. And I have such gratitude for the people that have housed me and fed me in my own times of struggle. All proceeds will be given to a local family that is experiencing challenging times, right at the holiday season.

Almonte is truly an incredible and inspirational community and we, as a family and as a small business, are blessed that we have been welcomed with such open arms.

How this will work:

* Express an interest in booking an appointment on this day and please let me know if AM or PM is your preference. 📅

* Look out for an email with more specific time details. First come, confirmed.

* Yes- you can donate any amount and you are welcome to donate without an appointment.

Thank you to all for offering a helping hand during this holiday season. As a community, we can make a bigger impact.

With thanks 🙏🏻 🎄💫❤️❄️

10/01/2025

09/22/2025

More testimonials 💛we love our patients too!!!

09/08/2025

https://mailchi.mp/61f3bf9a4257/fall-updates. Fall Updates!

I always felt like the start of September felt like more of an appropriate time for a new start.  The change in season and, for some, the start of the school year feels more like change to me!

08/21/2025

As Dr. Lindsay returns to the office this fall, she’s thrilled to be (finally!) offering chiropractic care for our equine partners on a limited basis.

Dr. Lindsay has grown up in the Ottawa Valley horse industry. Her family farm, Sunset Farms, in Stittsville was one of the area’s most long-standing, and well-known, facilities in the area. It was known for hosting many horse shows and events from the 1960s onwards. Lindsay grew up riding from an early age, participating in field hunting, pony club and horse showing (eventing, hunter/jumper/equitation and dressage). Under the guidance of her mother and horse trainer, Grits McMullen, Lindsay obtained her Equestrian Canada Coaching certification in 2005. She went on to successfully coach many developing equestrians until she began chiropractic college.

Lindsay now competes in the amateur jumper divisions with her mare Paradigm (“Pippa”). Due to having her two boys, she’s had a break in competing but has taken the time to further her skill set and knowledge regarding equine biomechanics.

More details to come!

05/13/2025

well hey there! Check out the latest (& greatest) newsletter -

It's been awhile since I sent a newsletter!  We've made it to the other side of winter and there's something about summer that makes space for new activities and goals.  My favourite part of my day-to-day is celebrating the little victories, be it getting back on the "workout wagon", figuring out ...

01/03/2024

And we’re back!

Looking forward to serving the Lanark county community (& beyond!)

12/06/2022

Hot off the presses! New newsletter with some great tips on healing! Huge congrats to Jane Beall on guessing the correct gender and delivery date for Mr. Harvey (and thanks for the name suggestion of "Andrew")!

11/24/2022

One week with the clinic’s newest co-worker ❤️