From Paris to Vancouver: How Lifestyle Differences Impact Health and Osteopathy Needs
When I moved to Vancouver after 18 years of practicing osteopathy in France, I was struck by the unique health patterns of my new patients. While the levels of stress were similar to what I encountered in Paris, the types of injuries and physical challenges were quite different.
In Paris, many of my patients suffered from chronic tension related to long work hours, commuting, and the sedentary urban lifestyle. Of course, I also treated some athletes and active individuals, but the majority of cases revolved around stress-related pain, poor posture, and repetitive strain injuries from office work.
Vancouver, on the other hand, surprised me with its incredible culture of physical activity. From skiing in Whistler to mountain-biking in Seymour, people here seem to embrace movement as part of their daily lives. While this is wonderful for overall health, it also brings unique challenges. I’ve seen far more sports-related injuries here, from strained muscles to overuse syndromes. These injuries often require careful attention to restore mobility and prevent recurrence, especially for those eager to return to their outdoor adventures.
What remains constant, whether in Paris or Vancouver, is the impact of stress on the body. Stress doesn’t discriminate between cities—it tightens muscles, disrupts sleep, and affects overall well being. However, Vancouver’s active culture creates an interesting intersection where stress and physical activity meet, sometimes amplifying the strain on the body.
As an osteopathic Practitioner, this has deepened my approach to care. It’s not just about relieving pain—it’s about helping patients adapt to their lifestyle, whether they’re training for a triathlon or juggling a high-stress career. Osteopathy plays a key role in preventing injuries, managing stress, and optimizing physical health in any context.
So, how can osteopathy help? Based on my experience, here are five key benefits of osteopathy for those balancing a busy, active lifestyle in Vancouver:
1. Relieving Chronic Pain from Desk Jobs
Many Vancouverites spend long hours working at a desk, leading to tension in the neck, shoulders, and back.Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant concern in Canada, with a reported 21% of all disability claims in 2023 linked to musculoskeletal pain ( data
collected by Manulife from January to October 2023). These issues often arise from poor posture, repetitive movements, and prolonged sitting, which are common in office settings.
When you visit an osteopathic practitioner, the first step is a thorough assessment. The practitioner will take the time to understand the full context of your health—looking beyond just the current pain to uncover any significant past events that may have contributed to your symptoms. This could include a car accident, surgery, or even a physical or emotional trauma that has left a lasting impact on the body.
The physical assessment will also focus on identifying areas of restricted mobility, imbalances, and even energy blockages that might be contributing to your discomfort. This holistic approach helps the osteopathic practitioner understand the root causes of your pain and how they may be connected to past experiences and current physical challenges. Once these factors are identified, the treatment will focus on restoring mobility—the most important first step to addressing the problem. By improving joint movement, relaxing tense muscles, and releasing energy blockages, osteopathy can help the body start its healing process and alleviate chronic pain.
2. Managing Stress and Its Physical Effects
Stress is an inevitable part of modern life, and while occasional stress is manageable, prolonged or intense stress can have significant effects on our bodies. This is where the famous “fight or flight” response comes into play. When faced with a stressful situation—whether it’s an upcoming deadline, an argument with a partner, or any high-stakes situation—our body goes into survival mode.
The nervous system releases stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, that prepare the body to either fight or flee. These hormones increase muscle tension, raise blood pressure, and halt processes like digestion. After all, when a lion is chasing you, digestion is the last thing on your mind! This explains why stress can lead to a range of digestive issues, from bloating to stomach ulcers. Our bodies are essentially telling us, “It’s not time to eat; it’s time to survive…” We can also adapt it this way: “It’s not the right time to conceive a baby, the current situation isn’t safe… “but fertility issues will be the subject of another article.'”
However, in a peaceful environment like Vancouver, these ancient responses can become problematic. The autonomic nervous system, which controls these stress responses, is still wired for survival. Think of a gazelle that escapes from a cheetah: after the danger passes, it will shake off the excess stress hormones to return to a balanced state. This “shaking off” process helps restore the body’s equilibrium.
But, when we are stressed in our daily lives—whether it’s dealing with a difficult boss, a disagreement with a partner, or an overwhelming workload—our body doesn’t always have the opportunity to release that built-up tension. The hormones stay in the system, causing ongoing tension, restlessness, and even chronic pain. Unfortunately, going for a run or hitting the gym isn’t always an option when stress hits, leaving us feeling “stuck” in a heightened state of arousal.
This is where osteopathy can be incredibly effective. An osteopathic practitioner works on the nervous system, helping to reset it and release the tension that accumulates when the body is in a constant state of stress. Through various techniques, osteopathic practitioners can help to “reboot” the autonomic nervous system, promoting relaxation and restoring balance.
By targeting areas of restriction in the body, an osteopathic practitioner can help release both physical and emotional tension, allowing the body to return to a more relaxed state. This treatment not only alleviates immediate symptoms of stress—such as muscle tightness, headaches, and fatigue—but also promotes long-term well-being by addressing the root causes of stress-related discomfort.
3. Helping with Sports Injuries—Whether Severe or Functional
When it comes to sports injuries, whether they are severe or simply functional, osteopathy can truly be a game changer. Often, injuries occur when a part of the body is forced into an unnatural range of motion, either through an impact or an overexertion. Even if the body doesn’t suffer a visible fracture or dislocation, this forced movement can create imbalances within the joints and surrounding tissues.
While all the structures may have held up under the stress, this can still result in a loss of mobility in certain ranges of motion and significant tightening of the surrounding soft tissues. These tissues, which were originally working to protect the body from dislocation or fractures, may now cause discomfort and restrict movement as a result of the injury. Osteopathy helps to address these imbalances by restoring mobility to the affected joint and releasing the tension in the surrounding tissues. By improving the range of motion and relieving muscular contractions, osteopathic treatment can not only accelerate recovery but also help prevent long-term issues that might arise from untreated imbalances.
4. Improving Sleep Quality
Stress and physical discomfort often disrupt sleep, which is essential for recovery and health.
However, this issue is deeply linked to the nervous system, and I often encounter patients who claim they “sleep well,” but still wake up feeling unrested. They describe falling asleep easily and staying asleep through the night, yet they never feel fully refreshed in the morning.
The explanation I offer them is that, while their body may be physically resting, their nervous system is still too triggered. Essentially, it’s as if their system is on high alert even when they’re asleep. This results in an inability to properly cycle through the different stages of sleep, especially the restorative phases that are crucial for recovery.
In a healthy sleep cycle, the body should be able to enter deeper, more restorative stages of rest where physical and mental repair occurs. However, when the nervous system is overstimulated or constantly in “fight or flight” mode, it can prevent the body from fully engaging in these
recovery stages. This disruption can lead to chronic fatigue, mood imbalances, and even physical discomfort.
Osteopathic treatment can help reset the nervous system, helping the body return to a more balanced state, where it can naturally cycle through restorative sleep stages. By promoting relaxation and reducing nervous system tension, osteopathy can support better sleep quality and ensure the body receives the recovery it needs to function at its best.
5. Supporting Long-Term Health Through Prevention
Osteopathy isn’t just for treating pain—it’s a proactive way to maintain overall health. By addressing imbalances before they become problems, osteopathy helps keep your body functioning at its best, so you can continue enjoying the activities you love.
A Holistic Approach for a Balanced Life
Whether you’re a desk worker, a weekend athlete, or someone juggling both, osteopathy offers a tailored approach to health. It’s about more than just pain relief—it’s about finding balance, preventing issues, and optimizing your well-being.
If you’re curious about how osteopathy can support your active, busy life in Vancouver, I invite you to book a consultation with one of our highly skilled osteopathic practitioners. Our practitioners are distinguished by the exceptional quality of their training, completed in France or the UK, two countries where osteopathy has been regulated for many years. Together, we can help your body feel its best, no matter what challenges your lifestyle presents.
