Author: Dave MacAskill

Take time this season to care for your body, stay active, and keep your spine aligned for a healthy spring ahead.

We’re here to help you feel your best—every step of the way.

As the days get a little longer and we start to see the first hints of spring, April is a great time to reset your routine. After a long winter, it’s common to feel extra stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Colder weather and less movement can take a toll. Chiropractic care can help restore mobility, improve posture, and get you feeling like yourself again.

With spring activities around the corner, whether that’s getting outside for more walks or starting yard work, now is the perfect time to make sure your spine and nervous system are functioning well. When your body is properly aligned, you’ll notice better flexibility, balance, and overall comfort as you move through your day.

If you’ve fallen behind on appointments over the winter, you’re not alone. April is a fresh start. Book your next adjustment and head into spring feeling balanced, aligned, and ready for the season ahead

Orthotic care is available at our clinic in which we can provide you with a biomechanical gait scan and customized orthotics for your personal needs – often covered by private insurance!

Don’t let your pain stop you from tending to your greens! Follow these tips and get back to doing what you love.

Thank you all for your heavy support in our Toy and Food drive ran during the holidays. Above Dr. Dave and Dhruv Manghat our front desk staff can be seen with all the generous donations that our patient base provided us with. Your love and support went a long way to help women and children in need at The Denise House!

We wanted to share the thank you note sent to us by them below:

Our toy drive has since ended but if you are still interested in providing aid then please reach out to us or The Denise House by visiting their website thedenisehouse.com or call at 905-728-7311. 

Thank you again!

Happy New Year!

As we welcome 2026, we want to take a moment to thank you for trusting Back to Balance Chiropractic with your care. It’s been an honor to be part of your journey toward better health and well-being.

This year, we’re excited to continue supporting you in reaching your goals, feeling your best, and staying balanced—both in your body and your daily life!

Here’s to a year filled with good health, happiness, and balance. Let’s make it a great one, together!

Stay well,
Dr. MacAskill and the Back to Balance Chiropractic Team

Holiday Back-Care Guide: Stay Merry, Bright & Pain-Free

The holiday season brings fun and festivities—but also extra physical demands. Between shopping, cooking, decorating, and winter weather, it’s easy to strain your back without realizing it. Use these practical tips to stay comfortable and injury-free throughout the season.

Lift Smarter, Not Harder

Holiday tasks often involve lifting heavy boxes, groceries, or gifts. Protect your back by bending at the knees, keeping your spine neutral, and holding items close to your body. Avoid twisting while lifting—turn your whole body instead of rotating your back. If something feels too heavy, split the load or ask for help.

Don’t Slip on Ice

Winter conditions make falls more common. Choose shoes or boots with strong traction, take small steps on icy surfaces, and keep your hands free to help maintain balance. Clearing walkways and using salt or sand can also reduce risk around your home.

Decorate Safely

Hanging lights or reaching for high places can strain your shoulders, neck, and lower back. Use a sturdy ladder instead of stretching onto your toes or leaning over furniture. Move the ladder frequently so you’re always working within a safe distance rather than reaching too far.

Pace Your Holiday Prep

Holiday preparations can lead to hours of bending, standing, wrapping presents, or cooking. These repetitive motions add up. Give your body a break by pausing every 30–45 minutes to stretch, walk around, or reset your posture. Even short breaks can prevent muscle fatigue and stiffness.

Carry Bags Evenly

Shopping season often means multiple heavy bags. Carrying weight on one side pulls your spine out of alignment and can lead to muscle imbalances. Distribute bags evenly between both hands or switch to a backpack-style bag that spreads weight across both shoulders. Consider making more frequent trips to the car to reduce strain.

Stay Warm

Cold temperatures cause muscles to tighten, making them more susceptible to injury. Dress in layers, warm up before outdoor chores, and consider gentle stretches before shoveling, walking, or carrying items in the cold. Keeping your core warm helps maintain flexibility and reduces the risk of strains.

Don’t Ignore Your Body

Mild holiday aches can turn into bigger issues if left unaddressed. Pay attention to stiffness, fatigue, or discomfort, and don’t push through pain. Gentle stretching, staying hydrated, and maintaining good posture can help—but chiropractic care can also support mobility, alignment, and overall comfort during this busy season.

Ready to stay aligned through the holidays? Book your adjustment with us today and keep your spine feeling its best all season long.

Whether you’re hitting the open road or catching a flight, summer travel is exciting—but it can be hard on your spine. Long hours of sitting, carrying heavy bags, and sleeping in unfamiliar beds can quickly add up to aches and pains. Here are some practical, chiropractor-approved tips to keep your spine healthy and happy wherever summer takes you.

 Set Yourself Up with Supportive Seating

Before a road trip or flight, take a moment to adjust your seat. In the car, tilt the seat so your hips are level with or slightly higher than your knees, and use a small pillow or rolled-up sweater to support your lower back. On a plane, bring a travel neck pillow and lumbar support to keep your spine aligned in those tight seats.

 Support Circulation with Compression Hosiery

Long periods of sitting can lead to swelling in your legs and feet—and even increase the risk of blood clots. Wearing light-to-moderate compression socks improves blood flow, reduces fatigue, and helps prevent swelling. They’re especially helpful for people with varicose veins, pregnancy, or a history of circulation issues.

Don’t Skip Your Orthotics

Custom orthotics aren’t just for daily wear—they’re a must-have for travel days. Walking through airports, standing in long lines, or spending hours exploring a new city can strain your feet and lead to pain in your knees, hips, and back. Orthotics provide essential support, absorb shock, and promote proper alignment, so you can stay comfortable and mobile throughout your trip.

Move and Stretch Regularly

Try to stand up and stretch at least every hour or two during long travel days. Do some light movements like neck rolls, calf raises, ankle circles, and shoulder shrugs to keep your body loose and your circulation flowing.

Get Adjusted Before and After You Travel

A chiropractic adjustment before your trip helps ensure your body is aligned and ready for the journey. After you return, an adjustment can address any tightness, soreness, or imbalances caused by travel stress, poor sleep, or heavy lifting.

✈️ Ready to Travel Pain-Free?

Your vacation should leave you feeling refreshed—not dealing with back pain. Ask us about compression hosiery, orthotics, and pre-travel tune-ups to help you stay comfortable and aligned from takeoff to touchdown.

Celebrating Moms with the Gift of Wellness

Mother’s Day is a time to honor the incredible women who nurture, support, and care for their families day in and day out. But while moms are busy looking after everyone else, it’s important to ask—who’s taking care of them?

This May, we’re shining a light on the importance of self-care for moms and how chiropractic care can play a meaningful role in supporting their well-being. Whether you’re expecting a baby, chasing after toddlers, or guiding teenagers through life’s ups and downs, your health matters every step of the way.

For Expecting Moms: Gentle Support Through Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, filled with excitement and change. However, as a mother’s body adapts to support a growing baby, it can also bring discomfort. Many expecting moms experience challenges such as low back pain, hip discomfort, sciatic nerve irritation, and pelvic misalignment. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is both safe and gentle, focusing on maintaining pelvic balance and reducing strain. These adjustments can ease common discomforts, support better positioning for the baby, and may even lead to a smoother labor and delivery experience.

Postpartum and New Mom Life: Restoring Balance

The postpartum period is a time of adjustment—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Caring for a newborn often involves repetitive motions such as nursing, lifting car seats, and hours of rocking or bouncing, which can put significant stress on the spine and shoulders. Postpartum chiropractic care can be incredibly beneficial in this phase, helping to realign the spine after delivery, improve posture, and relieve tension in the neck, shoulders, and back. By supporting healing and recovery, chiropractic adjustments can help new moms feel more comfortable and balanced during this important time.

For the Busy, Always-On-the-Go Moms

Whether managing a career, a household, or both, today’s moms often carry a heavy physical and mental load. The stress and strain of a busy lifestyle can build up over time, affecting energy levels, mood, and mobility. Chiropractic care offers a natural, drug-free way to release tension, restore mobility, and improve overall function. By prioritizing regular care, moms can better manage daily stress and stay energized, strong, and ready for everything life throws their way.

Supporting Moms from the Ground Up: The Role of Orthotics

Sometimes, the root of back, hip, or knee pain starts at the feet. Custom orthotics are designed to provide proper support and alignment from the ground up, which can significantly reduce strain on the body—especially for moms who are constantly on their feet. Whether you’re walking, lifting, or chasing after little ones, orthotics can improve posture, reduce fatigue, and support better spinal health. When paired with chiropractic care, orthotics can be an essential part of a holistic wellness plan that keeps moms moving and feeling their best.

A Gift of Wellness: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish

This Mother’s Day, give yourself—or a mom you love—the gift of wellness with our special Mother’s Day Wellness Package, available through May 31st, 2025. We’re offering $100 off the initial chiropractic assessment for all moms. The package includes a comprehensive new patient consultation and exam, along with a small gift from us to celebrate the incredible moms in our community. It’s a meaningful way to prioritize self-care and say, “You matter,” with benefits that go far beyond the holiday.

1. Get Active and Stretch Those Feet: After a long winter, your feet want to move. Spring is ideal for walking, hiking, and running. Stretch your feet and ankles before putting on your sneakers and hitting the path. Stretching your feet improves circulation, flexibility, and stiffness.
   Some easy stretches are:-
   Toe stretches: Sit comfortably and lift toes up for 15-30 seconds.
   Ankle rotations: Lift one foot off the ground and spin your ankle clockwise and counter clockwise 10 times on each foot while seated.

2. Choose the Right Footwear: Slipping into flip-flops or sandals is tempting as temperatures climb. Although fashionable and convenient, these may not provide enough foot support. Unsupported shoes can cause plantar fasciitis, heel discomfort, knee, and back pain.
   Find shoes with:
   Arch support: This distributes foot pressure and reduces strain.
   Good cushioning: absorbs shock and reduces impact whether walking or jogging.
   Correct fit: Tight or loose shoes can create blisters, calluses, and gait issues.
   If you’re unsure about the best footwear for your feet, it may be worth consulting a foot doctor or chiropractor. They can provide personalized advice on the right type of shoes and whether orthotics would be beneficial for your specific needs.

3. Moisturize to Keep Skin Soft and Healthy: Winter can dry and crack your feet, so moisturize now. Intensively moisturize your heels, balls, and cuticles with a creamy foot cream. Use a pumice stone or foot scrub to remove dead skin and keep your feet soft. Moisturizing your feet prevents cracks and blisters when wearing sandals and open-toed shoes and keeps them looking good.

4. Pamper Your Feet with a Good Foot Massage: Spring is about self-care, so treat your feet. Regular foot massages relieve stress, reduce tension, and enhance circulation. Simply roll a tennis ball or foot roller under your feet for a few minutes each day.

5. Consider Orthotics: Orthotics can be an effective solution for individuals experiencing foot pain or discomfort. These custom devices are designed to fit your specific foot shape and can provide targeted support where your feet need it most. Orthotics can rectify structural abnormalities, reduce strain, and improve alignment for various foot and ankle conditions. Regular use of orthotics, especially in supportive shoes, can reduce long-term pain, improve comfort, and avoid injuries. If you have chronic foot pain, see a podiatrist or chiropractor for an orthotic examination and they can best advise you on better foot health.

6. Consider Chiropractic Care for Foot Pain Relief: Did you know that chiropractic care can help alleviate foot pain? Chiropractors don’t just treat back and neck pain—they can also assist with issues related to the feet, including misalignments, postural issues, and improper walking patterns. Chiropractic adjustments can help improve foot mobility, reduce pain, and promote overall wellness. If you’ve been experiencing discomfort in your feet or legs, it might be time to schedule a visit with your chiropractor. They can assess your posture, gait, and alignment to determine if any adjustments or lifestyle changes can help.

Winter brings beautiful snowy landscapes, cozy nights by the fire, and holiday fun. Unfortunately, these conditions also increase the risk of slips and falls, making caution essential during the colder months. However, icy sidewalks and snowy driveways also make it a prime season for slips and falls. At Back to Balance, we care about your safety and want to help you stay injury-free this winter. Here are some essential tips to keep you on your feet:

1. Wear Proper Footwear

Invest in winter shoes or boots with non-slip soles made of rubber for better traction on icy surfaces. Avoid smooth-soled shoes and high heels when walking outdoors.

2. Walk Like a Penguin

When walking on icy ground, take short, shuffling steps. This technique helps maintain balance by increasing the contact area with the surface and lowering your center of gravity. Keep your arms out to your sides for balance and your center of gravity over your front leg. Imagine walking like a penguin—slow and steady wins the race on ice!

3. Keep Your Hands Free

Resist the temptation to carry multiple items while walking in winter conditions. Keep your hands out of your pockets for better balance and quicker reaction time if you start to fall.

4. Use Salt and Sand

Treat walkways, driveways, and steps with salt, sand, or kitty litter to improve traction. Regularly clear snow and ice from these areas to reduce hazards.

5. Take Extra Caution When Getting In and Out of Vehicles

Always check the ground before stepping out of a car. Use the vehicle for support and step down with caution to avoid slipping.

6. Stay Active and Improve Balance

Regular exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility, and balance can help prevent falls year-round. Exercises like yoga, tai chi, strength training, and balance drills are particularly beneficial. Activities like yoga, tai chi, and chiropractic care can improve stability.

7. Know How to Fall Safely

If you do fall, try to fall with a bent elbow or knee to absorb the impact and protect your wrists. Falling on your side is generally safer than landing on your hands or back.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Slips and falls can lead to misalignments, muscle strains, and joint pain. Chiropractic adjustments can restore alignment, alleviate pain, and improve mobility. If you experience a fall this winter, don’t ignore lingering discomfort.

Stay safe this winter and remember: prevention is the best defense against slips and falls. If you need help recovering from a winter-related injury, contact Back to Balance today for an appointment!

February is the month of love, and what better time to show some extra care to the part of your body that helps keep you standing tall and feeling great—your spine! While we often associate heart health with exercise and a balanced diet, there’s another key player in keeping your cardiovascular system in top shape: your spine. Let’s explore the surprising connection between spinal health and heart health, and how chiropractic care can make a difference.

The Spine-Heart Connection

Your spine is home to the spinal cord, which is part of the central nervous system. This system controls nearly every function of your body, including the regulation of heart function. When the spine is misaligned, it can create pressure on the nerves that control vital organs like your heart. These misalignments—also known as subluxations—can disrupt the nervous system’s communication with your heart and other organs, potentially leading to stress, elevated blood pressure, and even reduced circulation.

Chiropractic Care and Heart Health

Chiropractic care focuses on ensuring the spine is properly aligned, which can have a positive impact on the nervous system’s ability to communicate with the rest of the body. Regular spinal adjustments can help improve circulation, reduce stress, and maintain a balanced nervous system—all of which contribute to a healthy heart.

Here’s how chiropractic care can benefit heart health:

1. Improved Circulation: Spinal misalignments can restrict blood flow and oxygen to vital organs. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper alignment, allowing for better circulation, which supports heart health.
2. Stress Reduction: Chronic stress is a major contributor to heart disease, raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart attacks. Chiropractic care helps to reduce stress by promoting relaxation and lowering cortisol levels, making it easier to keep your heart healthy.
3. Better Nerve Function: Chiropractic care works to ensure that the nervous system is functioning properly. Since the nervous system controls heart rate and blood pressure, ensuring its optimal performance can contribute to a more balanced cardiovascular system.
4. Pain Relief: For many people, chronic pain is a constant source of stress. Spinal misalignments can contribute to pain in the neck, back, and other areas. Chiropractic care helps alleviate this pain, contributing to an overall sense of well-being and reducing stress on the heart.

Simple Ways to Support Your Spinal Health

While chiropractic adjustments are an excellent way to maintain spinal health, there are other simple practices you can adopt to keep your spine—and heart—in good shape:

• Practice Good Posture: Pay attention to how you sit, stand, and sleep. Good posture reduces strain on the spine and supports overall health.
• Stay Active: Regular physical activity strengthens the muscles that support your spine and heart. Aim for a mix of aerobic exercise and strength training.
• Stretch and Move: Taking short breaks to stretch throughout the day can help keep your spine flexible and reduce the risk of misalignments.
• Manage Stress: Practicing mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress, which is beneficial for both your heart and your spine.

Show Your Spine Some Love This February!

This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of good health to your spine—and in turn, your heart. Chiropractic care is a holistic, natural way to ensure that your nervous system, circulation, and overall health are in balance. By taking care of your spine, you’re not just supporting your back—you’re supporting your entire body, including the heart that keeps you going strong.

Wishing you a healthy and happy February!