Candace Grant, RMT

20/07/2025

Beyond the Foot: Why Orthotics Alone Don’t Fix the Problem

Let’s talk about orthotics — because honestly, I see them ALL the time.

Clients come in with foot pain, collapsed arches, uneven gait... and sure enough, they’ve been given orthotics to “correct” it.

But here’s the catch:
Most of the time — the problem didn’t start in the foot.

I see it in the hips, pelvis, and knees. One hip higher, one knee collapsing, feet turning out — all signs that the body is compensating for imbalances further up the chain.

When the pelvis is out of alignment, everything below it has to compensate — including your feet. So adding orthotics without addressing the root cause? You’re just covering up the symptoms, not fixing the real issue.

This is why posture therapy is so important. When we restore alignment — starting at the pelvis — things start to correct naturally.
👉 Leg length discrepancies improve.
👉 Feet realign.
👉 Gait normalizes.
👉 And the aches, pains, and tension? They ease up.

Orthotics aren’t wrong — they’re just incomplete if the body’s alignment isn’t addressed first.

If you’ve been wearing orthotics but still dealing with hip, knee, or back pain — it might be time to look higher up. That’s exactly what posture therapy can help you uncover and correct.

If you’re curious whether your pain is actually a symptom of misalignment, message me for a free posture photo assessment. Let’s see what’s really going on. 👣✨

19/07/2025

Did you know your posture is affecting WAY more than just how you look?

If your body is stuck in a forward posture — slouched shoulders, head forward, chest compressed — it’s not just bad for your joints and muscles... it actually puts your nervous system into survival mode.

That forward, closed-off position triggers your sympathetic nervous system (aka fight or flight). Your brain thinks you’re in danger, even if you’re just sitting at your desk! This leads to:
👉 Increased stress & anxiety
👉 Shallow breathing & poor oxygen
👉 Tight, achy muscles
👉 Poor digestion & sleep
👉 And eventually… chronic pain

This is why so many people feel tired, tense, and stressed — your body is literally stuck in a stress posture.

When we improve posture and realign the body, it allows your parasympathetic system (rest and digest) to kick in. That means:
✅ Deeper breathing
✅ More energy
✅ Less pain & tension
✅ Better digestion & sleep
✅ A calmer mind

Posture therapy is more than stretching — it’s about resetting how your body functions. If this resonates with you, let’s chat. A free posture photo assessment might be your first step to feeling better — inside and out.

📩 Message me to book yours!

17/07/2025

When the Neck Isn’t the Problem: A Story About Symptom Chasing and the Power of Alignment

Let me tell you a quick story about Sarah

Sarah is smart, motivated, and consistent. She stretches. She strengthens. She’s done the posture drills, the yoga, the dry needling, the massage, the chiro. She’s even researched inflammation supplements on her own. She’s tried dozens of exercises, multiple treatment providers, and just about every self-care tool out there.

And yet, for three years, her neck and upper back on the right side just wouldn't let go.

Her traps and rhomboids were always holding tension. Her right QL felt roped in. Her jaw flared up from time to time. Painkillers were occasionally needed just to stay functional—especially during busy seasons at work.

And despite how knowledgeable and proactive she was, despite how many well-meaning practitioners tried to help... nothing stuck. Until last week.

What changed?

We stopped chasing the symptoms.

Sarah’s primary complaint was in her neck and shoulder girdle. But her primary driver was elsewhere.

What we found was a classic case of neuromuscular compensation—her pelvis was misaligned, with the right ilium significantly higher than the left. Her hips were hyperextended. Her posture was “managing” itself as best it could… at a cost.

Once we introduced a structured sequence of corrective exercises—not for her neck, but for her pelvis—her whole system began to reorganize. Her pelvis is now 50% straighter. Her upper back and neck are finally starting to relax.

She’s needed no Tylenol the last few days. And for the first time in three years, she’s hopeful that real resolution might be possible.

Why share this?

Because it’s not a critique of what anyone else did. In fact, many of the techniques Sarah tried—cupping, massage, needling—are incredibly valuable. They just weren’t aimed at the right target.

Sarah didn’t need better hands-on work.

He needed a better diagnostic lens.

As RMTs, we’re often taught to work locally: someone points to their neck, and we go to the neck. That makes sense—if the issue is local. But when symptoms are compensations for misalignment elsewhere, all the local treatment in the world won’t create lasting change.

Rick’s case is just one example—but this principle applies everywhere.

We see it just as often with stubborn low back pain, hip pain, even headaches.

The nervous system is smart. When alignment breaks down—whether at the feet, pelvis, jaw, or spine—it finds a workaround. That workaround often becomes the symptom. But unless we address the underlying imbalance, we’re just chasing shadows.

Most health practitioner try to fix the symptoms instead of zooming out.
They don't ask why that muscle won’t let go.

Sometimes the problem isn't where it hurts.
Sometimes it's where the body is struggling to compensate.
As a Posture Therapist I start from that place, so even long-standing issues can begin to shift, with posture exercise programs designed for your body.

For people like Sarah it can be life changing. Changing your posture dysfunctions isn't about a quick fix.. its about creating better habits, more awareness and long term changes.

I have 2 spots available starting August for my 4 week Back to Basics program.
This is for you if
- you are ready to commit to daily exercises of 15-30 minutes a day.
- you want to improve balance and mobility
- you want to improve your posture
- you want to decreased your pain
And most of all... you are ready to take your health back into your own hands.

Align your body, Elevate your health
Candace

15/07/2025

Let me break this down for you in real terms — because this is something I see often with clients who have nagging neck, shoulder, or arm pain that just doesn’t go away.

👉 What’s Happening Here:
The C7 nerve root exits your neck at the 7th cervical vertebra (C7). When this nerve gets irritated or compressed — whether from a herniated disc, bone spurs, degeneration, or even poor posture — you might feel more than just a stiff neck.

This nerve travels from your neck, through the back of the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and sometimes right into the middle finger. That’s why when C7 is irritated, you might feel:

Pain down the back of the arm into the middle finger

Numbness or tingling

Triceps weakness (think pushing movements)

A reduced reflex in the triceps

We call this radiculopathy, but for you, it just feels like a deep, annoying, and sometimes sharp discomfort.

Here’s My Tip:
If this sounds like you — don’t ignore it. One of the best things you can start with is posture correction and nerve gliding exercises.
When your head is forward, or your shoulders are rounded, it puts added pressure on those cervical nerves. Start by:

Doing a posture reset: Sit or stand tall, tuck your chin slightly (like making a double chin), and open the chest.

Gentle nerve glides: These help mobilize the nerve without aggravating it.

Stay mindful of your head position — especially at your desk or on your phone!

Sometimes just correcting your alignment and movement habits is the first step to reducing that pain, before it becomes a chronic problem.

If this is something you struggle with — I always recommend a posture assessment to see how your alignment is contributing to the problem. When you align your body, you elevate your health!

Link to book assessment in the comments

08/07/2025

MRIs and Musculoskeletal Pain: Why More Imaging Isn’t Always Better
A therapist’s perspective on when scans help — and when they may lead you astray

As a massage therapist and posture specialist, I work with people every day who are in pain — back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, or tension they just can’t shake. One thing I hear often is:

“My MRI said I have degeneration… so now what?”

There’s no denying that MRIs are powerful tools. When used appropriately, they can rule out serious conditions like fractures, tumors, or infections. But when it comes to everyday musculoskeletal issues — the kind caused by posture imbalances, stress, repetitive movement, or ergonomics — MRIs are often overused, and even misleading.

Let’s break down why:

1. MRIs Can Trigger Unnecessary Fear
Being told “something is wrong” on a scan can create anxiety, fear of movement, and a belief that your body is damaged or fragile. This fear often causes people to stop moving or limit activity — which actually worsens the issue over time.

In the clinic, I see people tighten up physically and emotionally the moment they receive an MRI report. They begin to guard their movements, which creates even more tension and pain.

2. What Shows Up on an MRI Isn’t Always the Source of Your Pain
Here’s something most people don’t know:
Research shows that 43% of joint pain (in places like the shoulder, elbow, hip, or knee) actually originates from the spine. Yet if you go in for an MRI of your painful joint, the scan will likely pick up normal age-related changes — things like arthritis, disc bulges, or degeneration — and label them as the cause.

But in many cases, those changes have been there for years and aren’t actually the pain source.

3. Degeneration Is a Natural Part of Aging
Think of it this way:
Just like we get wrinkles or gray hair as we age, our joints and discs go through changes, too. Studies have shown that many pain-free individuals — including young adults in their 20s and 30s — already have signs of disc bulges or degeneration on their MRIs.

These findings are normal, and often don’t need fixing. But once something is labeled as “degenerative” or “abnormal,” it can lead to over-treatment, including unnecessary injections or surgeries.

4. The Risk of Misdiagnosis and Overtreatment
Because MRIs zoom in on where the pain is felt, not where it comes from, they can sometimes point us in the wrong direction.

Example:
You have knee pain. An MRI of the knee finds some degeneration or a meniscus tear. But the real issue might be tight hips, poor alignment, or even nerve tension stemming from your lower back. Treating the knee — rather than the source — may lead to repeated interventions without long-term relief.

In fact, studies show that low back pain patients who receive early MRIs are 2–3 times more likely to have surgery — yet they don’t have better outcomes than those who didn’t get scanned early on.

So, When Should an MRI Be Used?
MRI is valuable when:

There are signs of serious pathology (e.g. trauma, infection, tumor, or neurological deficits)

Conservative care has been tried and symptoms persist without improvement

The results of imaging will change the course of treatment

But for everyday aches, pains, or movement dysfunctions, your body often tells us more than an image ever could.

The Bottom Line:
Before rushing into a scan, ask:

Have I explored posture, alignment, and movement first?

Are there red flag symptoms that truly warrant imaging?

Will this scan change how I’m being treated, or just give me a label?

Your body is more than a picture — it’s a system that works as a whole. Pain is often a signal, not a sentence.

08/07/2025

Office will be closed Thursday July 10- Sunday July 13th

Impromptu trip to Shediac New Brunswick for Lobersfest.

2 bookings still available for Wednesday July 9.

08/07/2025

05/07/2025

Why Ice Is Out and Heat Is In for Injuries: A Modern Shift in Healing

For decades, we were told: "Injured? Put ice on it." But emerging research and real-world results are flipping that long-standing advice on its head.

The truth? Ice may delay healing, while heat can actually help your body repair itself faster.

Here’s why:

❄ Why Ice Is Falling Out of Favour
Ice was once the go-to for reducing swelling and numbing pain—but that temporary relief comes at a cost. By constricting blood vessels, ice slows down circulation and inhibits the body’s natural inflammatory response, which is actually the first step in healing. In short, you’re pressing pause on recovery.

🔥 Why Heat Is Gaining Ground
Heat encourages blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the injured area while helping remove waste products. It supports tissue repair, muscle relaxation, and pain reduction—all without stopping the body’s natural healing rhythm.

So When Should You Use Heat?
Heat is especially helpful after the initial 24–48 hours of an injury—when swelling has settled, and it’s time to rehabilitate, not restrict. It's also great for chronic tension, stiffness, and muscle pain, which often need circulation, not cold suppression.

Injury recovery is shifting from icing everything to supporting the body’s intelligent repair process. As we learn more, one thing is clear: promoting blood flow and function often beats numbing the pain.

Ready to support your body’s healing the right way? Ask about heat therapy options or book a posture and pain relief session with me. Let’s get you back in motion—naturally.

Candace Grant, RMT

01/07/2025

I have been learning more about Posture Ergonomics.

There are 3 key components that go into an assessment:

1. Engineering aspects.. after careful measurements are taken of 10 main points, adjustments to monitor, chairs, keyboard, desk and mouse may be recommended

2. Administrative suggestion- breaks, time outs, switch positions from sit to stand.

3. Behavioral - learning how to to improve your sitting posture, and posture exercises at your desk to maximize your productivity and focus.

This just scratches the surface of how your desk set up should be.
If you are an office worker or home based worker.. learning key positions will save you money and create a proactive approach to health prevention.

If you are curious to learn more... drop " desk" in the comments.

27/06/2025

How does your Posture affect your weight?

1. Slouching or sitting for prolonged periods of time has both a direct and indirect link to your body weight due to lack of proper functioning of your digestion, respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune systems.

2. Slouching when eating will create long term health issues as the ribs compress the diaphragm and compromise the cardiac sphincter and stomach. Which can create heartburn and improper digestion.

3. Sitting for prolonged periods of time will compress the lymph nodes around the hip area and not allow the toxics to be released properly created extra weight gain, lymphedema, and a break down of your immune system function. This also puts extra pressure on the cardiovascular system as it is unable to pump blood sufficiently to your body.

4. The position of your pelvic tilt will have a direct effect on your body weight and center of gravity pull. An anterior tilt will create a lordosis curvature making both your butt and your belly protrude. A Posterior tilt will make your butt and your low back flatten out. Both have a direct effect on your spine and joint alignments. Which means lack of abdominal and back core muscles that maintain alignment and overall health.

By learning and doing 15-30 minutes of the proper posture exercises can have a direct effect on your overall health and posture. These changes will make you stronger and more confident. Most of my clients say the sit and stand taller. Most have lost weight, or the appearance of weight loss due to their body posture positions.

Most exercises do not focus on your body position specifically but rather movement. This is great but it may not change your posture but rather enhance your deviations and your dysfunctions which means you may give up due to certain positions being more uncomfortable.

With the Posture Program we work with your body to realign and then strengthen it. Consistency is the key to any program. The better your posture, the less pain you will feel.
Are you ready to put your health back into your hands?

I am taking on 2 new clients for July start Posture Program –Back to Basics ... online or in person. Contact me for more information.

24/06/2025

How often have you tried something only to be disappointed?

You have great expectations of a quick fix solution when it comes to you pain, and your health. There is no quick fix, and you need to do the work to take care of your health. No effort means no results.

Massage, Chiropractor, Physiotherapy and ANY exercise or Nutrition program are only temporary if you don't do work on on your own. Massage, Chiro and Physio are short term solutions but you have to do work in between visits to change what is happening both mentally and physically and one affects the other. Stress can manifest as body symptoms.

So what makes Posture Therapy work?

Posture therapy works because
1. you feel changes from the first few days of exercise so it creates momentum for you to continue.

2. It is easy to do, you don't feel exhausted after, instead you feel rejuvenated

3. you can do the exercises anytime... it doesn't always have to be a full routine

4. we work with your body to realign your spine and your joints, misalignments cause muscle imbalances and deviations which cause pain, and decreased flexibility

5. You feel more confident in your mindset, and your posture

6. You decrease and eliminate your overall pain therefore less medication

Overall you start to see and Feel the difference within 1 week of the Posture Program.

This Program is available both ONLINE and IN PERSON.
Curious if the Posture Program will work for you?

Send me a DM and will can discuss your situation and I will do a FREE Posture Photo Assessment

Imagine what you could do if you eliminated your Chronic Pain?