Meet Melissa Kennedy, Manual Osteopath at Vivo! in downtown Galt, Cambridge ON. Melissa is praised constantly for her hands-on osteopathic treatments which provide countless benefits such as pain reduction/pain relief, improved range of motion, body re-alignment and whole body health & healing. Not only is she a gifted practitioner, she offers realistic and down-to-earth treatment protocols and inspiring guidance.

Getting Personal with Melissa:

Describe yourself in a few "three-worded sentences"
I am innovated. I work collaboratively. I’m hard working. I enjoy nature. I love animals. I’m an introvert. Reading relaxes me. I love learning.  I am amenable. I am candid. I love sci-fi.
 
Describe your role as an osteopath
My role as an osteopath is to bring back a quality of life that the patient thought had been lost. A return to health, to life.
 
What are your "top" most treated health concerns/goals in the past month

1. Lower back pain
2. Neck and shoulder pain
3. Sinus flush/Lymphatic flush
4. Stress Relief

 
Your most common or most favourite health concern and why?
The most common health concern I see in the office is lower back pain. However, my most favourite thing to treat is stress.  I enjoy treating stress because it allows me to use counseling in addition to the hands-on treatment . It takes work to build enough rapport with a client for them to feel comfortable to be open with you. When they finally do feel credulous, the release of emotions is enough to rejuvenate not just the mind but the body as well!
 
What are 3 future aspirations?
- To narrow down what I love most about Manual Osteopathy, and specialize in that field.
- To own my own clinic and have a group of like-minded practitioners working along side me.
- To leave an impact on the community around me.
 
How has your education or past experiences contributed to your clinical skills?
My past education and work experience in health and fitness as a Personal Trainor has given me the joy in knowing what the human body is truly capable of. Learning that 60 year olds can move just as well as 20 year olds in the gym, and that despite major injuries, the body is capable of fantastic things. This has made me realize that I don’t want to just be an Osteopath that makes you feel better...I want to be an Osteopath that leaves you feeling that your body is able to do way more than you could ever imagine.
 
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, I am. I will try my best to accommodate your schedule because your health and wellness is my priority. 

For treatment bookings or to gain more information, contact Vivo! (519-267-8486) or email Melissa at [email protected]

If there is one common topic of conversation among parents and parents-to-be, it is sleep! Or should I say - lack of sleep?  
 
It is true what they say, about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure. There are things you can do with your new baby that will help to set a good foundation for healthy sleep.
 
Sleep Tips for Expectant Parents:

#1: We’ve all heard horror stories of babies having their nights and days mixed up. There is something simple you can do that doesn’t take much effort, to avoid this problem. Divide the day into two 12 hour sections. It doesn’t have to be a time set in stone, but let’s say 8-8. For example, you would put baby to bed around 8pm and from then until 8am you will keep feedings quiet, dark and in baby’s sleep area. At baby’s next wake up around 8am, you will take her to a bright, noisy area of the house. This helps to differentiate day from night. Keep night time dark, quiet and boring and keep day time bright, noisy and stimulating.
 
#2: Routine, routine, routine! The consensus among sleep experts is that a routine is very beneficial because it helps cue the body and mind that sleep is approaching. It is never too early to start a routine – in fact it’s a good idea to start one right away! That being said, if your baby is older – now is still a great time to start! A routine should be 20-30 minutes. Any shorter, and it may not be enough to complete the transition to sleepy time. Any longer, and they may not understand that it is a transition from awake time. One of the last steps of the routine should be a feeding so that baby has a full stomach before going to bed.
 
#3: Since baby stomachs are very tiny, they cannot hold much. They will likely need to wake in the night to eat for their first few months. I recommend keeping night feedings dark, quiet and boring so that baby doesn’t think it’s party time. Doing the feeding close to the sleeping area is easiest. Try not to have your phone or tablet light shining onto baby’s face. It is a good idea to respond to all hunger cues in the night, because they simply need to eat. Do not limit feedings – in the womb, they didn't know hunger. That being said, don’t assume every whimper is for hunger.

Meet Bridget Jensen | Better Bedtime - Infant & Child Sleep Solutions
Bridget Jensen is a Certified Sleep Consultant who resides in Waterloo Region. As a mother of three young children, she understands the tremendously important role that sleep plays. She is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and a member of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants.
 
She understands that there is no “one-size-fits-all” sleep solution for all families. It isn’t as simple as “do nothing” or “leave them to cry all night.” Every family is different, and therefore the strategies to learn how to sleep vary. A number of factors come into play when determining the right approach for teaching a little one healthy sleep habits: Age, developmental milestones reached, parenting style and much more.
 
Bridget’s calm and supportive demeanor are beneficial while working with families all over Ontario and beyond. Bridget is dedicated to helping parents learn the skills to teach their children to become independent, healthy sleepers. Bridget has always felt passionate about sleep being a priority in her family’s life and that a better bedtime can happen for your family every night.