Bryan Lok Osteopathy, West (2025)

06/18/2024

And.... we're back almost 2 years across the pond in the UK and Europe. Learning about history and osteopathy in various cultures was extraordinary and eye-opening, but we are happy to be home and proud to be Canadian.
🍁
So whenever you’re ready, our doors will be open for you at our Bathurst/Queen and Summerhill locations.
📍

03/22/2022

This is a common question I receive from my patients.
TLDR: Yes. Osteo treats the whole body; this includes the head, shoulders, back or wherever the cause of the headache is coming from.
Headaches (HA) can be caused by a variety of factors - a simple google search will give you a comprehensive list. A major contributor of HAs can come from the neck, where many muscles work in concert to keep the head level and straight.
One of the many ways your osteo can help is by making sure your knees, hips, back, and shoulders are all moving well so that your neck will have much less of a burden to keep your head straight, thus reducing unnecessary tension, and a reduction of symptoms.
Does osteo treat HA?
❌No, osteo treats the body, not the condition.
So can osteo help with HA?
✅Definitely yes! Osteo helps balance tensions, improve drainage and supply, and so much more!

03/17/2022

Cracking things is never the goal of an Osteopathic treatment. We move your body and its joints around and adjust tension and compression in and around those joints to address structural asymmetries or restrictions in motion. As we do our work, joints can sometimes crack and make a popping sound. Though it may sound and feel good to some, this is never the goal of the treatment and it’s never done in an aggressive, forceful, or painful way.

01/29/2022

Snap💥Crackle💥Pop💥
Oh the sweet sound of tension release. What actually happens when you crack your joints? Is it safe to DIY?
TLDR: ✅It’s generally safe if not forceful. ❌Avoid if habitual or repetitive (wear & tear). If accompanied with adverse effects (pain, numbness, bruising, paralysis, etc) - see a professional.
The cracking sound comes from two typical reasons: rubbing between two structures (bone on bone, tendon on bone, etc) and releasing of gas from joint spaces. Other reasons are also possible (eg, actually snapping of bone/tendon/ligament 😳).
If you find sweet relief from cracking your back, knees, neck, knuckles, ankles, etc with natural and gentle movement, it is likely from the releasing of gas from these stiff joints - which leads to more joint movement and less discomfort. Some people find even just the sound oddly satisfying 👀
When does safety become a concern?
❌There is associated pain, numbness, discomfort, paralysis, etc. In this case, please see a professional! There can be swelling or irritation on or close to a nerve or vessel. Continuing to crack can lead to further damage.
❌It is forceful. Cracking by gently turning your body in the morning is generally safe. Whipping your body with uncontrolled overpressure is not. This can indicate that soft tissues around the joint need to be addressed before the pop can naturally come with a gentle stretch as opposed to uncontrollably whipping it. Leave the big ones to the professionals 👍
❌It is repetitive. In this case, the snapping or cracking sound may be from two structures rubbing poorly against each other - this is typical in the knees, shoulder, and hands as there are many thick tendons around those joints. These situations may cause wear and tear over time. If you hear a click every time you do a shoulder raise - try a different exercise or consult a professional.
❌When it is habitual. Eg, cracking you knuckles. We get it, it is satisfying, addicting, and tension releasing. But over time, it leads to damage and instability to the joint structure. The good news is that you can overcome this habit! Try spacing out your need to pop to once a day, 2 days, 1 week, etc.

01/06/2022

Online booking is still open, COVID questionnaires are sent, cleaning procedures are done between each treatment, and updated cancellation policies. Stay healthy with osteopathy and we'll see you soon!

11/18/2021

What should I do after a treatment? - 4 R's.
Reintegrate.
After treatment, your body has “reset” to a new dynamic balance. It's time to go for a short walk or some form of light movement to re-integrate your body into your new posture! Your osteo may give gentle movement exercises to help with the integration process.
Rest.
Don’t go for a big workout and try to hit your PR after your session. Your body needs time to rest and to heal. Treatment itself should be relaxing. Try to prolong that by planning post-treatment activities accordingly!
Rebook.
Plan ahead. Your practitioner should tell you when to book again. Give your practitioner the appropriate time to re-evaluate your progress.
Review.
In the 3-4 days post-treatment, be aware of the health changes that you experience. Decreased pain/soreness, smoother and more regular washroom visits, increased energy and mood changes, and more! Discuss these with your osteo!
Depending on your situation this may vary, please consult your osteo for further questions!

10/24/2021

“Oh, it’ll go away…”

”Why hasn’t it gone away yet??”
Too often, patients come in after waiting too long for an injury to resolve on its own. To their credit, it often does! But there will come the inevitable time when it doesn’t. The quicker you can identify it, the better the prognosis! Don’t wait too long before you seek treatment. In a minor case, yes the body does self-heal and resolve. However, in other cases, the body will compensate for the injury and heal over the compensations, which will likely help short-term, but furthers the problem long-term!
If this describes what you’re going through, consult a professional asap so you do not have to go through and think through this healing process alone.

10/13/2021

Cyclists roam in and through the Beaches all year round. What are some osteopathic considerations for bikers?
Disclaimer: I am not a professional cyclist. The following information is based on my assessment of body mechanics, personal experience, as well as experiences of fellow cyclists.
For one (of many factors), flexion and extension capabilities of the entire spinal column plays a key role in the health and performance of cyclists. Starting from the bottom of the spine, the coccyx, sacrum, and thoracic spine naturally operate in a flexed (curved forwards) position while the lumbars and cervicals naturally rest in extension (e.g. looking up or bending back). However, due to many factors, including comfort (resting your arms on the handle), aerodynamics, and postural mechanical advantages (posturing in a way that gives best power output), the movement capabilities in the spine can be limited (e.g. lumbars will be flexed for the most part). In a healthy person, this position is tolerable for some time. However, prolonged cycling in this position can greatly add stress to the spine and its surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Add prolonged desk work after your morning ride to this equation and you have a recipe for chronic back, shoulder, neck, leg, digestive, or even excretory issues.
Small suggestion = Rest and Reach!
Does this resonate with you? It might be time to get that checked out and see your local osteo!

10/10/2021

Should I exercise? Is it good for me? When should I start?
Short answer: yes, safely and in moderation! Consult a professional.
Long answer: as with most things in life, it's not as black and white as you would think. So, it depends.
Our bodies were designed to move and function at an optimal amount. How much is optimal? Well that depends on your body and your needs. An athlete with goals of winning must exercise frequently to maintain high-performing functions. A stay-at-home father with general fitness/energy/health goals may benefit from regular exercise at a lower intensity. He may only go on brisk walks every other day and swim once or twice a week. A busy work-from-home desk job worker may benefit best from taking intermittent breaks (water in, water out), walking around the home, and doing gentle stretches throughout the day.
You can extrapolate that each person has different health and social needs, goals, concerns, responsibilities, etc. Though there are many many many benefits of exercise, at the end of the day, exercise adds stress to the body. Therefore, too much and improper exercise can definitely be detrimental! Consulting a professional for dosage and having self-awareness is key to getting the right amount for you.
How does osteopathy fit into fitness goals? Seeing an osteo BEFORE embarking or in the early stages of your fitness journey can help prepare your body to function better before adding the stresses of exercise to it. It can also help with injury prevention. Osteopathic treatment DURING your exercise journey can help your body keep up with the added demands and make sure it is staying healthy. Osteopathy AFTER your exercise plan (e.g. after your marathon) can help your body as it rests and rejuvenates. We need to manage and make sure the stresses and strains do not add up to chronic problems.
At the end of the day, exercise is only one part of a healthy lifestyle.

10/05/2021

Mobility.
One of our goals is to make sure your body is moving well in all areas - as it should! Old and current injuries or habitual strains (whether it is prolonged slouching on the couch or regular exercising) can lead to areas of immobility or hypermobility within the body. This can be due to the body’s response of self-protection (eg, an ankle sprain), the body’s response to the stress put on it (stiff back/neck from prolonged sitting), or the body’s compensatory response to all of the above. With an understanding of body mechanics, the osteo’s job is to assess mobility patterns in the body as well as mobility preference in individual joints. Improved mobility leads to improved health, function, and mechanical efficiency. This further leads to a decrease of your symptoms 🏌️‍♂️ (eg. aches and pain) and improved daily performance 🚴‍♀️(going on longer walks, less fatigue, improved fitness goals, more play time with your children!)👨‍👧‍👦

10/02/2021

The reviews are in! Search us on google to see what people have to say...
We strive to help you improve. If you have benefitted from our services, likes, reviews, and referrals are the best way to say “Thank You!” Please leave a review on our Google and page to help others discover Osteopathy!

09/28/2021

OSTCAN Certified means that its members meet the rigorous Educational and Professional Standards as well as adhere to the OSTCAN Standards of Practice.

Here are just a few…

✅ Minimum 4 Years (4200 Hours) of Osteopathic Education including 1000 Hours of Supervised Clinical Training

✅ Pass the OSTCAN Certification Exam

✅ Clean Vulnerable Sector Report / Police Check

✅ Professional Malpractice and Liability Insurance

09/14/2021

Osteopathy treats the body as a whole. We do not diagnose or treat medical conditions specifically. We care for each of our patients individually and try our best to understand your symptoms and experiences. Many times, symptoms are not the cause, but rather an effect of an underlying issue. Osteopathy seeks to solve the causes rather than treat the symptoms. With that said, symptoms will often be relieved as well!

09/14/2021

Osteopathic treatment can look like gentle stretches and active movements in different positions. This is a hands-on therapy; as such, consent will be obtained before starting each session ✅. The treatment is generally relaxing 💆. If you experience discomfort or pain at any time 🙅‍♂️, please let your practitioner know and he can change his approach or stop treatment completely 🙆‍♂️. Treatment typically lasts for 20 minutes but can go longer depending on your personal needs.

What to wear? We will be moving in various positions, so please wear comfortable clothes to move in. Please refrain from wearing dresses, skirts, yoga pants, stiff denim, etc.

Further questions? Send us a DM!

09/10/2021

We respect your boundaries and we promote good hygiene! The operator will wear a mask at all times 😷. Tables, door k***s, and POS systems will be sanitized before and after every treatment. Hands and forearms will be washed and sanitized before and after every treatment. Gloves, tissues, and masks are available upon request.

09/10/2021

Meet your practitioner!
Bryan M.OMSc., R. Kin., began his journey in healthcare as a student athlete, personal trainer, and student athletic therapist in Montreal. There, he completed his Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology at McGill University and furthered his career in Toronto as a personal trainer, childrens coach, and Kinesiologist. Bryan continued his education at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton ON where he completed his Masters of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences. He appreciates the role that manual osteopathy plays in a multi-faceted approach to holistic healthcare.
Bryan is dedicated to providing excellent and curated treatments to each of his patients. His course of treatments aim to uncover root causes while alleviating symptoms along the way.
On his days off, you can find Bryan jogging with his wife, playing basketball, volleyball, and frisbee, or casting his lucky lure.🎣
Bryan is a native English speaker and is able to communicate in Cantonese as well.

09/09/2021

What is Osteopathy?
We treat the body while keeping everything else in mind (symptoms, postures, habits, etc). Osteopathy is a manual therapy (hands-on) that is holistic in nature. We assess the body in all layers: skin, fascia, ligaments, muscle, and bone. In correcting imbalances, we facilitate the body’s innate self-healing and self-regulating processes. This leads to improved drainage, supply, and overall performance of the body and quality of life.

There is no magical treatment (though it may feel like it!). The body is wonderfully complex, so it may take time and patience to reach our goals. Every step and small victory in health should be celebrated (including your willingness to read this post 🎉).

Your health is an important part of your life journey and you do not have to walk it alone.

DM for more questions and booking inquires! 📩

Bryan Lok Osteopathy

06/18/2024

03/22/2022

03/17/2022

01/29/2022

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11/18/2021

10/24/2021

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10/05/2021

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09/28/2021

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