Alignment First

Alignment First Alignment First is where your journey to recovery will start. You will get scan with our RADIATION-F

06/08/2025

Teeth to Toes Seminar — This Saturday, June 14th (Attend In-Person or Online)

Hi everyone — Geoff Dakin here.

If you’re a massage therapist looking to grow your impact, improve your outcomes, and protect your body from burnout, I want to personally invite you to a special event happening this Saturday, June 14th.

It’s called Teeth to Toes, and it’s a multidisciplinary seminar featuring myself, upper cervical chiropractor Dr. Jeff Scholten, and neuromuscular dentist Dr. Curtis Westersund. Together, we’ll walk you through how posture, bite alignment, and whole-body neuromuscular function are deeply connected — and how RMTs can play a pivotal role in solving complex chronic pain problems.

This isn’t a pitch for a new modality. It’s a real, behind-the-scenes look at how we actively collaborate to help patients who have already tried everything else — and how massage therapists can be a powerful part of that equation.

And just for attending, I’m giving every participant — whether in person or online — a free copy of the newly updated Second Edition of my Amazon bestseller, The Body Mechanic’s Handbook. That’s a $25 value, yours to keep.

Even better — I’ll be drawing one lucky attendee’s name to win a $930 prize package that includes a full Discovery Session, four corrective therapy sessions, and a customized Alignment First Protocol exercise prescription at my clinic, Alignment First Inc.

If you’ve ever wondered:
• How to stand out in a crowded massage therapy marketplace
• How massage therapy fits into a true multidisciplinary model of care
• Or how to get better outcomes without working harder or wearing out your body…

This seminar is for you.

It runs from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Mountain Time) — and you can attend either in person or virtually.

Seats are limited, so register now… here’s the link:

https://www.eventcombo.com/e/teeth-to-toes-evolving-the-way-we-treat-pain-and-dysfunction-75665

See you Saturday.

Geoff

📣 Calling all Calgary RMTs!Get expert insights on head-to-toe care in this live 3-hour seminar.✅ Click the button to reg...
05/24/2025

📣 Calling all Calgary RMTs!
Get expert insights on head-to-toe care in this live 3-hour seminar.
✅ Click the button to register today

The Insufferable Arrogance of Geoff DakinLet me tell you a story. The subject of our tale is a man named Geoff. But not ...
08/23/2024

The Insufferable Arrogance of Geoff Dakin

Let me tell you a story. The subject of our tale is a man named Geoff. But not just any Geoff—oh no, this is Geoff with a G, the kind of spelling that conjures up images of ivy-covered universities, leather-bound books, and centuries-old family crests. His parents, in their infinite wisdom, chose this particular spelling to ensure he stood out, to mark him as just a tad more special than the run-of-the-mill Jeffs of the world. And stand out he did.

From a young age, Geoff was destined for greatness—or so he thought. You see, Geoff wasn’t born with just a silver spoon in his mouth; he practically had the entire cutlery set. He breezed through life with the effortless grace of a man who knew he was destined for more, for better, for greatness. And when he discovered massage therapy, it was as though the heavens had parted and a divine light had shone down, declaring, "This is your calling, Geoff. Go forth and heal."

But Geoff didn’t just become a massage therapist. Oh no, that would be far too pedestrian for our protagonist. Geoff became The Massage Therapist, capital T, capital M, capital Everything. In his mind, he wasn’t just another pair of hands kneading away at knots and tension—he was a maestro, conducting a symphony of relief with every touch. Patients didn’t just come to him for treatment; they came to witness the marvel that was Geoff Dakin in action.

Geoff’s clinic was a shrine to his perceived brilliance. The walls were adorned with testimonials, framed in gold, no less, proclaiming him a miracle worker, a healer, a veritable wizard of the human body. Every success story fed his ego until it swelled to an unbearable size, dwarfing even the most grandiose of egos. And when patients whispered, “No one else could help me, but Geoff... Geoff is different,” he would nod knowingly, as if to say, “Yes, I am. Aren’t you lucky to have found me?”

In Geoff’s world, he wasn’t just a massage therapist; he was a misunderstood genius, a rare breed of expert whose talents defied explanation. He walked with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, a man who believed his hands were guided by some divine force that mere mortals could never understand. When he entered a room, he didn’t just walk in—he made an entrance, shoulders back, chin up, as if to say, “Behold, for I am here.”

Geoff’s arrogance was as cinematic as it was insufferable. Picture him in slow motion, striding through his clinic, bathed in a halo of soft light, his every move accompanied by the swell of an invisible orchestra. He would greet patients with a magnanimous smile, the kind that said, “Don’t worry, you’re in the presence of greatness now.” He would speak in a tone that suggested he was imparting ancient wisdom, his words carrying the weight of someone who believed himself to be not just skilled, but chosen.

And the stories! Oh, the stories Geoff would tell. He would regale anyone who would listen with tales of his conquests over pain, each one more fantastical than the last. “There was this one patient,” he’d begin, leaning in as if sharing a secret, “who had been to every specialist, tried every treatment, but nothing worked. Then they came to me. And within minutes—minutes—I knew exactly what to do. It was like solving a puzzle only I could see.”

Of course, in reality, the magic wasn’t in Geoff at all. The truth is far more mundane and, dare I say, non-intuitive. The real secret to his success was The Alignment First Protocol, a system so effective it could make almost anyone look good. But Geoff? Oh, Geoff had convinced himself that the Protocol was merely an extension of his brilliance. After all, wasn’t it his hands doing the work? His mind unraveling the mysteries of the human body? Surely, the Protocol was great because Geoff had made it so.

And so, our tale ends with Geoff, striding confidently through life, blissfully unaware that his perceived genius is merely a reflection of the Protocol’s true brilliance. Geoff Dakin, the insufferable, arrogant, over-the-top caricature of himself, continues to bask in the glow of his unearned success, a man who has yet to realize that he is not the source of the magic—he is simply its most fortunate beneficiary.

But let’s not burst his bubble, shall we? After all, every story needs a hero, even if the hero is only heroic in his own mind.

On the other hand, perhaps you'd like to see if there's some substance beneath the shine. Maybe you'd even like to experience the benefits of the Alignment First Protocol for yourself, without having to endure Geoff’s swagger in person. Well, here’s your chance.

Geoff Dakin, the "miracle worker" himself, is offering a unique opportunity to join the inaugural session of Practical Rehab: Using the Alignment First Protocol to Solve Chronic Back Pain. This six-week video course will walk you step-by-step through how to improve your quality of life. Each week, you’ll get access to a Q&A Zoom call where Geoff will answer all your burning questions. But that’s not all—since this is the first group through the course, you’ll also receive four one-on-one Zoom sessions with Geoff, where you can get personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs.

As a bonus, participants will receive signed copies of Geoff’s two books, giving you even more tools to keep your back pain at bay. And because this is a special inaugural session, you’ll enjoy a 50% discount in exchange for allowing video and images from the course to be used for future educational and marketing purposes.

Considering that the normal cost of just the four one-on-one sessions with Geoff almost covers the complete cost of the course, this is an offer that won’t be repeated. So why not take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime deal? Don’t wait—join us and discover where the real magic lies.

This is your chance to solve the problem, not just the symptoms, and finally reclaim the life you deserve.

I’m proud to be recognized by Canada’s leading health and fitness magazine!
08/19/2024

I’m proud to be recognized by Canada’s leading health and fitness magazine!

2024 Top Doctors & Medical Champions – Alignment First

The Alignment First Protocol treats the root of pain not the symptoms. It is designed to reduce nervous system load and mechanical irritation with a series of ten specific corrective exercise progressions. When a patient begins at Alignment First, the clinic uses 3D Motion Capture Technology to give an overview of the positional relationships between the major joints.

“People are often startled to see how malaligned they are,” says Dakin. During the initial Discovery Session they determine if the client and the Alignment First Protocol are a good fit. “We can only do so much on the treatment table – to have lasting success we need to leverage the benefits of a consistent, evolving practice of personally prescribed corrective exercises. The posture re-education process is transformative!”

Read all about Alignment First and how they can help you, click the link: https://impactmagazine.ca/uncategorized/alignment-first/

08/02/2024

Understanding Biomechanical Health

Biomechanical health is poorly understood because it isn’t intuitive.

Because everyone owns a body, we tend to overestimate our knowledge about how they function.

Believing that back problems derive solely from one body system or another is woefully unsophisticated and inadequate. This perspective leads to misunderstanding and failure in the rehab world.

Success requires a nuanced understanding that the body is a system of integrated systems.

Effective rehabilitation requires recognizing that posture is the net effect of a three-dimensional web of soft tissue tension relationships, managed by the neuromuscular system in a beautiful dance as it communicates with the other systems of the body.

A posture professional needs to reason from first principles. This means understanding that training the human body to manage energy, gravity, and momentum requires a basic grasp of physics.

Just as an engineer understands that designing a boat or bridge can't be done with simple arithmetic—requiring the sophisticated language of calculus instead—posture professionals must comprehend the complex interplay of forces acting on the human body.

Training the body involves more than just stretching or strengthening muscles; it’s about optimizing how the body handles forces to maintain alignment and function.

This is where the Alignment First Protocol (AFP) comes in, grounded in a deep understanding of physiology and biomechanics.

If this sounds interesting, ask to join my back pain solution group, Practical Rehab!

My first ever video course (also called Practical Rehab) launches next month! Stay tuned...

A Cautionary Tale: Lori's JourneyLori’s story is a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing postural and alignm...
07/08/2024

A Cautionary Tale: Lori's Journey

Lori’s story is a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing postural and alignment issues early on to prevent long-term suffering and the need for invasive treatments.

Background

Lori’s challenges began over 20 years ago when she was involved in a car accident. Initially, she had pain, but not enough to take it seriously. As I hear people say all the time, "I didn't let it stop me!"

About five years ago, Lori started experiencing severe right groin and inner thigh pain, right hip pain, and pain extending from her right quad down to her knee and foot. She also suffered from lower back pain, spanning from L3 to S1.

A Timeline of Pain and Treatments

Five Years Ago:
Lori's right iliopsoas bursa ruptured, causing significant discomfort.

Four Years Ago:
Lori underwent emergency back surgery (L4/5 decompression) due to complications from her car accident years earlier.
Post-surgery, she developed new pain in her right groin and inner thigh, which couldn't be linked to the bursa.

Recent Developments:
Lori was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her right hip, and recent MRI results showed deterioration in both her hip and spine.

Exercise, including walking, yoga, stretching, and elliptical training, exacerbated her symptoms. Weight-bearing activities, particularly vacuuming, intensified her pain, whereas rest provided some temporary relief.

Misaligned and Misunderstood

Over the years, Lori sought help from various practitioners, including osteopaths, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and chiropractors. Unfortunately, these treatments consistently increased her symptoms rather than decreasing them.

When I first met Lori, her pelvis was wildly asymmetrical, and both hips were externally rotated as her nervous system attempted to create a more stable base of support for her postural house of cards. Her upper body was amazingly symmetrical in spite of what was going on in her lower body posture. Functionally, she really struggled with some very basic, simple corrective exercises.

When Lori returned to the clinic for her first reassessment, she reported worsened rather than improved symptoms, though she had practiced her Alignment First corrective exercise routine diligently. She went on to say that the exercises felt rather easy to perform, but her symptoms were a nightmare afterward. Despite attempts to adjust her regimen, Lori's malalignment issues persisted, and her pain increased.

The Outcome

Lori canceled her third appointment and informed me that she was experiencing increased pain since starting the exercises. She decided to revisit her orthopedic surgeon, likely leading to a second spinal surgery.

The Lesson

Lori's case highlights the critical need for addressing postural and alignment issues from the onset. Her car accident led to years of misalignment and pain, which were not accurately interpreted, nor adequately addressed. This neglect ultimately necessitated surgery. Post-surgery, the continued lack of proper alignment care led to further deterioration, demonstrating the importance of a holistic and alignment-focused approach to rehabilitation.

Call to Action

Don’t wait for pain to dictate your actions. Prioritize your biomechanical health now. And also, don't assume your alignment needs are being addressed simply because you are under care with a healthcare professional! Not all rehab care is equal.

You are your most important healthcare advocate. Talk to your healthcare pros to make sure you are at least in the process of getting your postural house in order to avoid the kind of long-term suffering Lori endured.

Remember, taking care of your body today can save you from invasive treatments tomorrow. Love your body so that you can love your life!

Hey Everyone,Geoff here, and I’ve been mulling over the best ways to share corrective advice that can be a real game-cha...
06/24/2024

Hey Everyone,

Geoff here, and I’ve been mulling over the best ways to share corrective advice that can be a real game-changer for just about anyone. You know me—I’m cautious about throwing out random exercises because what helps one person is often problematic for another. Recently, we dived into the wonders of Therapeutic Breathing. Today, let’s shift our focus a bit lower—down to our trusty feet and ankles.

Now, many of you dealing with chronic back, hip, and/or knee pain might also find that your foot and ankle posture is not quite up to par. One of the frequent culprits in this department is something called Tibial Torsion. This fancy term simply means that your tibia (the big bone in your lower leg) isn’t lining up with your femur (the thigh bone) the way it should. Typically this results in your lower legs and feet pointing outwards and you leaving footprints in the snow or sand like Donald Duck.

So why does this matter? Well, this misalignment is usually your nervous system’s way of trying to give you a broader base of support, which sounds nice in theory. But the side effects are less pleasant—it can wreak havoc on your feet and knees. Instead of walking off the ends of your toes, you end up spinning off the inside of the balls of your feet. Over time, this can lead to bunions—those lovely bony bumps that can be as painful as they are unsightly.

Let me share a quick story about a new patient of mine who’s dealing with a severe case of Tibial Torsion. Her right side is much worse than her left, and she’s also got a classic case of knock knees (Genu Valgum). Her doctor told her that her right knee is “bone on bone,” yet she doesn’t feel any knee pain. However, she’s terribly unstable when she walks and mentioned that she’s been falling on cobblestone streets in Europe since her youth. She believes these falls caused her arthritis, but I explained that it’s more likely the other way around—her misaligned hips, knees, and feet created undue stress on her joints, leading to osteoarthritis. It’s a classic case of pressure plus movement equals friction, and friction equals wear and tear.

Here’s some of the advice I gave her, which might also help you:

Mind Your Positioning: Practice being more mindful of your foot and knee positioning. Try to stand and walk with your feet parallel to each other and keep your knees pulled slightly apart.

Stretch Those Calves: Regular calf stretching can increase ankle mobility and reduce muscle shortening in your calves and feet. This will help make sure you have enough ankle range of motion to walk properly.

Squat Like a Pro: Whether you’re doing a deep weightbearing squat or a more gentle supine version, make sure your feet are as parallel as possible and pull your knees far apart like a frog. This helps reeducate your lower legs and thighs into a healthier positional relationship. Over time, this will also encourage your feet into better posture.

Remember, this isn’t an overnight fix—it’ll take months of diligent practice. But trust me, the payoff will be worth it.

So, can you spot any of these imbalances in your own body? If you’ve got questions or need a bit more guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re all in this together, and I’m here to help you on your journey to better alignment and pain-free living.

Yours in health,

Geoff

Friends,One thing I’ve seen time and time again is that most people can establish a diligent corrective exercise routine...
06/24/2024

Friends,

One thing I’ve seen time and time again is that most people can establish a diligent corrective exercise routine but have a hard time maintaining it once their pain goes away. Their fear disappears, but so does their motivation.

If you’ve ever read ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear, you might be familiar with the idea of reducing friction to help build better habits. Basically, the easier it is to perform an action, the more likely we are to do it consistently. So, by reducing friction associated with a habit, we increase the chances of making it a part of our daily routine.

“Reducing the friction associated with good behaviors makes them easier to perform and increasing the friction associated with bad behaviors makes them harder to do.”

James Clear gives a great example of someone who wants to start running every day. If we have to spend time finding our running shoes, figuring out where to run, and changing into appropriate clothing, this creates a lot of friction that could deter us from following through with the habit. And we think, “eh, maybe I’ll run some other time.”

But if the night before we put our running shoes in plain sight, plan a route, and have our running clothes ready to go, this reduces the friction and makes it far easier to follow through with the habit. It’s like setting yourself up for success by taking away all the excuses!

People often ask me if there is a best time of day to practice their corrective exercise routine. While there’s no hard science pinpointing an ideal time, there is evidence suggesting that getting in the habit of practicing at the same time each day helps reduce the situational friction in establishing a daily practice habit. Research has shown that exercising at the same time each day can help create a lasting habit by aligning with our body's circadian rhythms and making the behavior more automatic over time (Kaushal, N., & Rhodes, R. E. (2015). Exercise habit formation in new gym members: A longitudinal study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38(4), 652-663).

I encourage my patients to do their Alignment First exercises in the same location at the same time of day. People report finding it helpful to keep a mat and any necessary equipment in a designated spot where they can’t miss them. By having a visible cue in their environment, they’re reminded to do their exercises every day. Just by reducing the friction to start and having a visible cue, they find it easier to begin and maintain the exercise habit.

Personally, I’ve placed small reminders around my home and workspace—like sticky notes or posture correction devices—that prompt me to adjust my posture regularly throughout the day. These subtle cues have significantly increased my awareness and consistency in maintaining good posture. It’s amazing how a little nudge can make such a big difference!

So, are there any areas of your life where you’ve found that reducing environmental friction has helped nudge you towards a behavior you care about? Or, are there any areas of your life that you could improve just by reducing this friction? Share your experiences—I’d love to hear what works for you.

Have a great week!

Geoff

I had a patient ask me about my book, The Body Mechanic's Handbook, for a friend. When I went on Amazon to grab a link t...
05/06/2024

I had a patient ask me about my book, The Body Mechanic's Handbook, for a friend.

When I went on Amazon to grab a link to share, I noticed this...

It seems weird to me that people would buy my book and Dr. Stuart McGill's book at the same time. Although there are some common underlying principles to our work, the systems are dramatically different.

Anyway, I suppose it is rarely a bad thing to be linked to a world renowned expert in your field!

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#119/8989 MacLeod Trail
Southwest Calgary, AB
T2H0M2

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Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

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+14037199192

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Alignment First Creation

Geoff Dakin is a Registered Massage Therapist in Calgary who has been working in the acute injury/chronic pain treatment and athletic training field since 1989.Geoff has created his own proprietary corrective exercise system that he calls the Alignment First Protocol©. In 2016 Geoff published an Amazon bestselling book called The Body Mechanic’s Handbook; Why You Have Low Back Pain and How To Eliminate It At Home, in which he describes how to use the Alignment First Protocol© to solve chronic pain problems at home. In 2018 he published the second edition of that book. After working throughout North America for over 30 years, Geoff believes that the Alignment First Protocol© is the most effective way to help patients train their bodies out of pain-producing postures and create lasting relief from chronic pain problems, and he’s got the testimonials to back that up.