Healing the Hidden Injury: Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery - Former NHL Goalie Nathan Lieuwen Shares His Journey

Nathan Lieuwen grew up in Abbotsford with a singular passion: hockey. His talent in net carried him from the junior leagues to the NHL, where he played as a goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres. His trajectory was steep, promising, and built on years of dedication.

Between the ages of 22 and 26, Lieuwen suffered multiple concussions that left him with debilitating symptoms: 

• persistent headaches 
• brain fog, and 
• a lasting impact on his peripheral vision.

Despite his determination to continue playing, post-concussion symptoms made it impossible for him to perform at the elite level required of an NHL goaltender. At 26 years old, he made the difficult decision to retire.

He recalls:

I saw other players struggling from the impact of multiple concussions. Some battled depression. Some talked about suicide. It was a dark place for them to be in pain and no one could tell them what’s wrong.

Buffalo Sabres management did everything they could to help Lieuwen. He was evaluated by leading neurologists, surgeons, and optometrists across the United States. Despite extensive testing, no specialist could pinpoint the cause of his symptoms or offer a path forward.

I tried every treatment they offered. Nothing made a difference.

Returning to his family home in the BC Interior, Lieuwen heard about osteopathy as a treatment option. With little left to try, he booked an appointment with a local osteopathic practitioner.

The impact was immediate. 

After one treatment, I knew this was different. Most of all, she gave me hope. 

Over time, his post-concussion symptoms eased. His energy returned. His vision improved. He regained the ability to function fully: at first for a few hours a day, then steadily more. 

Today, nearly every issue stemming from the concussions has been resolved. The few minor ones that remain are manageable with ongoing osteopathic care. 

Seven years after his first osteopathic treatment, Lieuwen is thriving. He and his wife Breanne own a junior hockey team, the Cranbrook Bucks, where he mentors young athletes and remains deeply connected to the sport he loves. 

I love what I do every day. I’m an entrepreneur, a coach, a volunteer, and I have an amazing family. Osteopathic treatments changed my life!

Lieuwen hopes his story will encourage others - athletes and non-athletes - to explore osteopathic treatment if they’re experiencing persistent symptoms after a head injury. 

He adds:

I’ve had incredible changes to my health and well-being because of osteopathy. I hope others will consider seeing a qualified osteopathic practitioner. It might give them the hope and the progress that they’ve been searching for.

OsteopathyBC (OBC) is the professional association for qualified osteopathic practitioners in BC. All OBC members are trained to the highest international standards as established by the World Health Organization. 

Check if your osteopathic practitioner is an OBC member at osteopathybc.ca.