The Osteo Way Calgary - Calgary Osteopathic practice

07/05/2026

A landmark Harvard study reveals that your gut microbiome can take over a decade to recover from precancerous polyp removal, potentially explaining why colorectal cancer risks remain elevated after surgery.

For years, removing precancerous polyps—known as adenomas—during routine colonoscopies has been hailed as one of the most effective ways to prevent colorectal cancer. Yet, a puzzling mystery has lingered: why do patients who undergo this procedure still face an elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer later in life? A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has finally found a likely culprit. By analyzing long-term health data and stool samples, scientists discovered that the complex ecosystem of the gut microbiome remains significantly disrupted for an average of 12 years after polyp removal, failing to return to a low-risk, healthy state.

These persistent microbial imbalances closely mimic the biological signatures seen in active colorectal cancer cases, effectively keeping the body's internal environment primed for disease. Surprisingly, the study also revealed that lifestyle plays a pivotal role in this long-term recovery process. Patients with poor diets and sedentary habits exhibited much more pronounced, cancer-linked gut changes than those with active, healthy lifestyles. This crucial finding suggests that simply removing a physical polyp is not enough; post-procedure recovery must involve active gut health management through targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions to truly lower long-term cancer risks.

source: Nogal, A., Wang, K., Thompson, K. N., & Song, M. (2026). Long-lasting gut microbiome and f***l metabolome alterations after colorectal adenoma removal and their relationship to colorectal cancer. Cell Host & Microbe.

06/20/2026

The uterus doesn’t just exist for pregnancy.

For decades, medical textbooks have treated the nonpregnant uterus as a dormant organ with no function outside of reproduction. However, a pioneering study from Arizona State University is fundamentally challenging this dogma.

By studying rats, researchers discovered that surgical removal of the uterus, while leaving the ovaries intact, triggered a distinct deficit in spatial working memory.

This suggests that the uterus communicates directly with the brain to influence short-term information processing, a critical cognitive function required for complex, day-to-day tasks like learning, reasoning, and navigation.

The findings point to a complex 'uterus-ovary-brain' system rather than just an 'ovary-brain' connection, shedding light on the broader neurological impacts of gynecological surgeries.

In the experiments, rats that underwent a hysterectomy struggled significantly more with memory tasks as cognitive demands increased, showing altered hormone profiles despite retaining their ovaries. Because millions of women undergo hysterectomies while keeping their ovaries, these findings highlight a critical need to reevaluate how surgical menopause impacts long-term cognitive health and dementia risks in women.

source: Koebele, S. V., Palmer, J. M., Hadder, B., Melikian, R., Fox, D., Shipley, A. L., Mayer, L. P., & Bimonte-Nelson, H. A. Hysterectomy Uniquely Impacts Spatial Memory in a Rat Model: A Role for the Nonpregnant Uterus in Cognitive Processes. Endocrinology, 160(1), 1-16.

05/31/2026

The UK just opened its first rooftop intensive care ward. It lets critically ill patients experience fresh air, sunlight, and nature while remaining connected to life support.

For patients confined to intensive care units, the sterile, windowless environment can feel like a secondary battleground that chips away at their mental resolve. And the impact of such environments have been linked to worse health outcomes.

Now, that’s changing.

Breaking this clinical isolation, King's College Hospital in South London has unveiled a groundbreaking, £2-million rooftop garden integrated directly into its 60-bed intensive care unit. Designed specifically for critically ill patients, this outdoor ward accommodates up to six beds at a time, with each bay equipped with waterproof power and oxygen supplies. Surrounded by carefully curated sensory planting—including honeysuckle, lavender, and jasmine—the space provides a much-needed emotional lifeline, offering patients a brief, healing escape from the constant hum of life-support machinery.

Beyond boosting patient morale, the initiative represents a significant clinical experiment. Medical staff plan to monitor heart rates, respiratory rates, and pain levels to determine if exposure to natural elements accelerates physical recovery and reduces hospital stays. The rooftop garden also serves as a critical sanctuary for exhausted ICU staff seeking a moment of respite during demanding shifts. Hospital leaders hope the success of this project will serve as a blueprint for healthcare facilities worldwide, proving that holistic, nature-based healing is not just a luxury, but an essential component of modern critical care.

source: Loader, V. (2026, May 29). 'I forgot what it feels like to be outside' – First rooftop intensive care ward opens. Yahoo News.

04/21/2026

Research shows playing in the dirt isn't just fun — it's critical to health.

And studies show it transforms children's immune systems in just 28 days.

A groundbreaking experiment in Finland replaced gravel and asphalt in nursery playgrounds with patches of forest floor, complete with mosses, leaf litter, and wild undergrowth.

The results were staggering: within just 28 days, children who played in these rewilded yards developed more diverse skin and gut microbiomes along with higher levels of regulatory T-cells. This suggests that the biodiversity hypothesis—the idea that our sterile urban environments are linked to rising allergy and autoimmune rates—is a tangible reality we can change by simply reintroducing nature's microbial network to our daily lives.

This shift from aesthetic gardening to functional micro-biodiversity is the driving force behind modern rewilding efforts. Whether you manage a sprawling backyard or a small city balcony, introducing native leaf litter, moss, and living substrates serves as a direct investment in human health. By replacing sterile surfaces like gravel or rubber with living ones, we are doing more than creating wildlife corridors; we are rebuilding the microbial foundation essential for human resilience. Embracing natural complexity—dirt and all—is a foundational step toward a healthier future for both our families and the planet.

source: Roslund, A. S., Puhakka, R., Grönroos, M., Nurminen, N., Oikarinen, S., Gazali, A. M., ... & Sinkkonen, A. (2020). Biodiversity intervention enhances immune regulation and health-associated commensal microbiota among daycare children. Science Advances.

02/22/2026

"A paper published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine shows what many of us have known -- shoulder pain is about function and very rarely "because of" rotator cuff problems.
In a study of over 400 people 41-76 y.o., researchers found rotator cuff abnormalities in 98.7% of participants -- 25% showing tendinopathy, 62% partial-thickness tears, and 11% full-thickness tears. These abnormalities were present in 96% of shoulders that were asymptomatic/pain free, and 98% of shoulders with pain.
The prevalence of abnormalities increased with age and did not differ between men and women.
The findings suggest that rotator cuff abnormalities are nearly universal after age 40 years and that routine imaging should not guide diagnosis or treatment of a traumatic shoulder pain."

This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of shoulder rotator cuff abnormalities in a general Finnish population and whether diagnostic imaging should guide diagnosis or treatment of atraumatic shoulder pain.

12/02/2025

And take liver support...

02/09/2025

And Osteopathy is really good for when a move doesn't land right!
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Shared by Sarah Sq

01/10/2025

“Stress is caused by being 'here' but wanting to be 'there'.” - Eckhart Tolle

11/20/2024

Your appendix really does serve an important biological function:

Long considered a useless organ that's just a hold over from previous times, the appendix actually plays an important role in our microbiome and immune system.

This theory gained traction in 2012 when a study showed that individuals without an appendix were four times more likely to suffer recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis, a severe bacterial infection causing diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Now, the Midwestern University team has taken a broader approach, comparing the appendix across species and examining its relationship with other gastrointestinal and ecological traits.

The study reveals that the appendix has independently evolved in mammals at least 29 times over 11 million years, suggesting it does, in fact, provide a selective advantage.

Lymphoid tissue plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. This suggests that the appendix could be more than a mere bacterial reservoir; it may actively contribute to immune defense by fostering an environment for healthy microbes.

While most people live without apparent issues after appendix removal, this study hints that the organ's immune benefits may be quietly significant.

Evolution, it seems, isn’t ready to phase out the appendix just yet.

Image: Harvard medical

11/13/2024

Every Day, Your Blood Travels 19,000 km (12,000 miles);
Blood circulates through the body approximately three times every minute, covering an impressive distance. Over the course of a day, blood travels a total of 19,000 kilometers (12,000 miles).
That's just about twice the Earth's diameter.
This is also roughly four times the distance across the United States from coast to coast.
This continuous circulation is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products, showcasing the remarkable efficiency of the human circulatory system.

Every Day, Your Blood Travels 19,000 km (12,000 miles);

Blood circulates through the body approximately three times every minute, covering an impressive distance. Over the course of a day, blood travels a total of 19,000 kilometers (12,000 miles).

That's just about twice the Earth's diameter.

This is also roughly four times the distance across the United States from coast to coast.

This continuous circulation is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products, showcasing the remarkable efficiency of the human circulatory system.