Gregory Gebert Ostéopathe D.O

30/01/2026

Food for thought (pun intended)

“Dr Karen, I’d love to eat healthy… but it’s too expensive.”

I hear this all the time.

And yes… a basket full of fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains and good quality protein can cost more than a trolley full of ultra-processed food.

But here’s what we rarely talk about:
The cost of not eating well.

In my own life, years of fast food, sugary drinks and sweets every day gave me:
⚠️ Low energy
⚠️ Low mood
⚠️ PCOS
⚠️ Horrible periods
⚠️ Obesity
⚠️ High blood pressure
I ended up in hospital.

A week in a hospital bed… scans… blood tests… specialist fees…
That is not cheap.

And in my practice I’ve seen even more devastating examples:
▫️ A 32-year-old mum with type 2 diabetes and a stroke, now paralysed on one side and unable to work
▫️ A 48-year-old marketing executive on dialysis three times a week after years of a salty, processed diet
▫️ A 55-year-old woman who loved canned spaghetti and bully beef… who came in vomiting blood and was found to have stomach cancer
These are extreme cases… but they are real.

Healthy eating is not a guarantee.

But it is one of the strongest insurance policies you can give your body.
You will pay for your food one way or another.

Either you invest more in real, nourishing food now… or you pay later in medication, hospital time and lost quality of life.

Visit my full blog on this with real stories and practical tips for eating well on a budget: https://lifestyledoc.co.za/is-healthy-eating-really-too-expensive-the-hidden-cost-of-a-poor-diet/

25/01/2026

Just because an exercise hurts doesn't mean you have to change it

There are several things you can modify within the exercise itself that may allow you to still perform it while making it more comfortable

This flowchart serves as a helpful resource for options you can try BEFORE changing the exercise (these are not necessarily in order, so you can pick and choose which modifications seem to make the most sense to you before moving onto the next modification)

The caveat here is that sometimes it's completely okay and safe to have some discomfort with an exercise as long as it is tolerable and you can keep making progress over weeks to months

Of course, if changing one or more variables continues to result in an amount of pain during or after an exercise that is limiting your progress or progressively making you feel worse, you should probably choose a different exercise

And if you've had a lingering issue that doesn't seem to be improving or is actually getting worse despite your best efforts, you should consult with a physical therapist or other musculoskeletal health professional to see what's going on and help you come up with a plan to improve it
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05/10/2025

💡 Le saviez-vous ?

Il n’est pas toujours nécessaire de faire une imagerie (radio, IRM, scanner…) avant de consulter kiné un ostéopathe.

Ces professionnels sont formés à identifier les signes qui nécessitent un suivi médical plus poussé.
Après un bilan complet et des tests physiques précis, s’il n’y a pas de signe inquiétant, le traitement peut commencer en toute sécurité.

👉 Dans la majorité des cas, l’examen clinique suffit à comprendre ce qui se passe et à mettre en place un plan de soins efficace.

📸 L’imagerie (radio, IRM, scanner) n’est utile que dans certaines situations. Elles sont rares et le cas échéant, votre professionnel de santé saura vous orienter. Alors soyez sans crainte et faites confiance au professionnel qui vous suit.

24/09/2025

🎯 Mal de dos : Mythes vs Réalités
On croit souvent que :
❌ Repos au lit = guérison
❌ Chirurgie = solution rapide
❌ Mal de dos = forcément grave

👉 La science (NICE & OMS) dit l’inverse :
✅ Rester actif aide à guérir
✅ Le mouvement + exercices sont les meilleurs alliés
✅ La chirurgie est l’exception, pas la règle

💡 Le dos est robuste. Ce qu’il aime ? Bouger, pas s’arrêter.

14/02/2025

Disc Bulges & Pain: What You See Isn’t Always What You Feel!

Medical imaging is a great tool, but it doesn’t always tell the full story. Many people have disc bulges without any pain, while others experience discomfort with no significant findings on their scans.

Pain is complex—it’s not just about what’s visible on an MRI or X-ray. That’s why clinical assessment, movement, and overall function matter just as much (if not more) than what an image shows.

If you’ve been told you have a disc bulge, don’t panic! Focus on what your body is telling you, not just the scan.

❌ No, your back isn't f*cked.

📌 And yes, structures of the spine (including the discs) CAN contribute to your pain experience and symptoms!

But...

👍🏼 You should know that you CAN also live completely normally and pain free even WITH disc bulges present in your spine

⁉️ How?

💯 Well, to keep things short, tissue changes, injury, and/or pathology are NOT directly linked to pain

🤯 You can have pain in the presence of injury, but you can also have pain WITHOUT it!

🏃🏻 That's why people can sprain their ankle in a game and continue to play on it even with multiple torn ligaments, or continue to fight in a battle after half a leg has been blown off, or have multiple bruises on the body and never remember how they even got there (those are just a FEW EXAMPLES)

😫 It's also why someone pinching you can hurt a lot without causing any actual tissue damage , or why stress or lack of sleep can make your upper back and shoulders ache really bad, or why even the thought of unpleasant memories/experiences can make things hurt worse

😯 And it's also why this many people (based off of a study of 3110 individuals from 1946 to 2014) can have disc bulges present in their spine but WITHOUT PAIN or dysfunction!

⁉️ The take away?

💯 Disc bulges seem to be more highly correlated with NORMAL AGING than with pathology/dysfunction

👨🏻As the authors of this study summarized:

"Imaging findings of spine degeneration are present in high proportions of asymptomatic individuals, increasing with age. Many imaging-based degenerative features are likely part of normal aging and unassociated with pain. These imaging findings must be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical condition."

✅ So, like I said earlier, having a disc bulge or bulges in your spine does NOT mean you're doomed to a life of pain and misery

🙌🏼 Disc bulges CAN HEAL, and even if they don't fully resolve, your pain and symptoms can!
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Reference:
📚 Brinjikji et al (2015), Systematic Literature Review of Imaging Features of Spinal Degeneration in Asymptomatic Populations
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🚨 DISCLAIMER: The information on this page is designed for general knowledge and informational purposes only and is in no way intended to generally or specifically treat, diagnose, prevent or cure any condition. The information on this page is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your doctor or primary care provider. Do not rely on this page for assistance in regard to your immediate, urgent medical needs

19/06/2024

🔍 Understanding Pain: Acute vs. Chronic 🔍

Pain can be confusing, but knowing the difference between acute and chronic pain is crucial for proper management. 🩹✨

Acute Pain is sudden and sharp, often following an injury or surgery. It typically lasts less than 3 months and subsides as the body heals. 🕒💪

Chronic Pain persists beyond 3 months, even after the initial injury heals. It can be constant or intermittent, affecting daily life and requiring long-term management. 🌙🌀

Key Differences:

Duration: Acute = short-term | Chronic = long-lasting
Presentation: Acute = sharp, immediate | Chronic = persistent, dull or aching
Management: Acute = medication, rest | Chronic = lifestyle changes, therapy, long-term care, potential more invasive interventions

🔗 Remember, identifying the type of pain is the first step towards effective treatment.

07/06/2024

🛌✨ Injuries aren't just about bad posture or lifting techniques! The truth is other factors might play a bigger role: lack of sleep, high stress levels, and inadequate rest, past injuries etc... Focusing solely on posture and lifting techniques is missing the forest for the trees. Prioritize your overall well-being to stay injury-free. 🧘‍♂️💤

05/06/2024

🦵Messed up knee, don't worry! 🦵

Did you know that knee MRIs often reveal abnormalities in people who aren't experiencing any symptoms? 🤔

It's more common than you think, and you should not worry. Just like finding a few clouds in a clear sky, these findings aren't necessarily cause for alarm. In fact, we can apply this concept to other areas of the body too. So, if you've had a scan that raised some questions, remember, it's not the end of the world!

03/06/2024

🌟 Tips for exercising with chronic pain 🌟

Studies suggest that exercising with some discomfort isn't necessarily harmful for those dealing with chronic pain (reference below).

Finding a balance between pushing yourself and staying safe is key 💪

Here are some smart training tips to keep in mind:

1️⃣ Start slow: Ease into your workout routine with exercises you can handle, then gradually ramp up the intensity.

2️⃣ Monitor your pain: If your pain level surpasses 4/10 during exercise, it's time to take a break and reassess.

3️⃣ Modify your exercises: Sometimes a simple switch, like swapping running for swimming or using dumbbells instead of a barbell, can make a big difference.

4️⃣ Follow the 48-hour rule: If your post-workout pain fades within 24 hours, you're likely in the clear. If it persists for 48 hours or more, consider dialing back the intensity or changing up your routine.

5️⃣ Rest and recover: Don't underestimate the importance of rest and recovery. Pushing too hard can lead to setbacks and increased pain.

6️⃣ Trust your instincts: Listen to your body and avoid pushing through severe pain. When in doubt, consult with your primary healthcare provider for guidance.

Remember, finding the right balance between pushing yourself and staying safe is key to managing chronic pain effectively. 💪

Study ref: "Should exercise be painful in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis" by Benjamin E. Smith and colleagues. 2017. The British Journal of Sports Medicine​

18/06/2023

Crédit : galiegue.osteo

11/03/2023

Exercise intervention that lasts 12 weeks or less appears to be most effective at reducing mental health symptoms, especially for those suffering from anxiety and depression. Higher-intensity exercise proved more beneficial in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression than longer-duration programs...

13/02/2023

An interesting two minutes read:

https://www.physio-network.com/blog/two-thirds-of-herniated-discs-resolve-on-their-own/?fbclid=PAAaZwVfzlsQBUbyRGQ_lnpQUfpue1K6nvyqQ7CxcgB72IPhHuTRNfhmsXjew%23a_aid%3Dcbresearch

Too many people think that once you have a disc herniation (or disc bulge), that you’ve got it for life. Well, a recent meta-analysis (Zhong...