Community News
Knee Pain Spoiling Your Game?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of joint pain and disability. OA is a degenerative disease affecting the cartilage and bone surfaces of a joint. With age, injury or just wear-and-tear, joint cartilage will become thinner allowing more pressure between bones. This causes pain, which could stop you from doing the things you enjoy most. In the early stages of OA pain, a knee brace has been found to be very successful in pain management and improved mobility. Knee braces have improved tremendously in comfort, function, and ease of wear making them more enjoyable to wear for daily activities and sport participation. Having your bracing needs assessed and fit by a Certified Orthotist will ensure you have the best chance of success. If you suffer from OA knee pain, you owe it to yourself to check out how knee bracing could help you enjoy being active again.

Aaron Amar, BSc, Orthotist, B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics, www.mitchellpando.com

Sun Strategy

The sun boosts our immunity, regulates our hormones and keeps us on the sunny side of life. The best source of Vitamin D is produced in the body by receiving the suns energy through our eyes and our skin. But too much of a good thing is not so good. How can you prevent sunburns and skin damage in the hot summer? Eat antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables, especially those in the orange, red and yellow spectrum. Drink clean, alkaline water. Wear a mineral sunscreen with herbs and organic butters like shea and coconut. Zinc and titanium effectively slow both the UVA and UVB rays. These two mineral oxides provide a healing and protective barrier to the skin. Many chemical sunscreens do not address the longer UVA tanning rays that can cause deep DNA damage. In a nutshell: eat lots of beta carotene and greens, stay hydrated, limit sun exposure, wear a hat and light protective clothing, use a zinc-based sunscreen and enjoy the glory of the sun!

Karen Van Dyck, Nature’s First Beauty Bar, www.naturesfirstbeautybar.com

Dilution Terms in Essential Oil Therapy

In terms of the topical application of essential oils, there are three standard categories. “Neat” refers to those few essential oils, such as Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), that are generally accepted as safe for undiluted application on appropriate areas of the body. Neat application is controversial, however, within the field of essential oil therapy and is typically only performed by an adequately trained health practitioner and only for specific localized conditions. “Sensitive” refers to oils that are best applied mixed with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, for people who are predisposed to having sensitive skin such as the elderly and children under the age of twelve.“Dilute” refers to oils best mixed with carrier oil for all skin types. Experts recommend using the lowest dilution possible that will obtain the desired results. A 2% topical dilution is common for the average adult in good health.

Nelson Meggitt, Optimum Wellness Factor, www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca

Osteopathy – More than Bones

Osteopathy – More Than Bones Osteopathy is a hands-on manual therapy that focuses on the total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal, visceral and craniosacral systems. This therapy is a unique holistic approach to health care. We examine and address the mobility of all these systems manually and look for limitations in mobility that could be linked to the patient’s complaint. Osteopaths will make use of their extensive practical knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neurology and pathology. By treating mobility of the musculoskeletal, the facial, the vascular and the neurological systems in an integrated and structural thinking our patients experience greater healing capacities. An Osteopath does not heal but encourages the body`s own healing potential. Because Osteopathy is a healthcare system rather than a modality, its uses and applications are varied. People seek out Osteopathy for back and neck pain, joint problem, TMJ, headaches, sports injuries, and physical complaints.

Dr. Ross Ralph Dr.TCM, RAc. DOMP, www.courtenayhealingcentre.ca

Book Club: My Stroke of Insight

My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD is the riveting account of a Harvard-trained brain scientist’s massive stroke at the age of 37. This stroke, caused by a ruptured blood vessel, affected the entire left side of her brain, temporarily removing the ability to differentiate between herself and others and leaving her in a stroke-induced Nirvana. It took her eight years to recover. An absolutely fascinating and inspiring book that sheds new light on what it means to be human.

Dr. Anke Zimmermann, ND

Balance Classes?

Most people take balance for granted. They navigate without thinking, effort, or fear. For others, poor balance is a problem. Some struggle with long-term dizziness or imbalance. Others suffer balance-related falls and injuries. A new study concludes that exercise can reduce not only the odds of falling but the odds of sustaining fall-related injuries. As we age, our strength, flexibility, and proprioception decline, so does balance. Accomplishing day-to-day activities means you need to be steady on your feet. Walking, standing, sitting, and lifting all require balance and the better yours is, the easier those daily movements become. There are Balance Classes available that help you strengthen all of the lower-body muscles. Strong muscles, strong bones, and better balance will make you more mobile and less likely to fall.

Curves – Lakewood Blvd. www.curves.com

Standing Core Exercises – DOWN

Put your mat away and give your neck a rest. Standing core exercises work more muscles than crunches—and the more muscles we use, the more calories we burn. Your core includes any musculature about your central skeleton that may balance your trunk. Try including more standing postures in your work day to avoid back pain and other health concerns. Now apply some of those abdominal exercises you did on your back; the standing knee-cross crunch, the cross-body chop (with or without a medicine ball, use any easy weight really) and the overhead-dumbbell side bend; all of these can be found on our website. The great thing about these exercises, is that they can be done anywhere and will greatly improve your postural core. Give yourself more reasons to stand today!

Chris Bisignano, Concourse Physiotherapy, www.yourphysio.com

Bowen Therapy

Bowen therapy works to alleviate acute and chronic skeletal muscle injury or disorders and nervous system disruptions. Tom Bowen, an Australian who developed this technique in the 1950’s, asserted that everything in the body is interrelated so damage at one site restricts the function of the entire system. Furthermore, the body is self-healing; however, injuries or disruptions can limit this healing response. It is this healing response that Bowen therapy works toward activating, with the goal of allowing the body to heal itself. Studies have shown that in addition to restoring muscle and nervous system integrity, Bowen treatments can shift the central nervous system from the sympathetic (flight and fight) response to the parasympathetic (rest and restoration) response. As a result, it can positively affect physiological functions such as circulation, arterial pressure and heart rate, digestion, sleep, lymphatic circulation, and the endocrine system.

Julia Rempel, PhD (Immunology), Certified Bowen Therapist, www.sagewaterhealth.com

Did You Know?

Did you know that aging changes our bodies and how medications work? Some areas of the body become more sensitive to certain medications or less susceptible to others that may result in symptoms that appear like new problems- often treated with new medications and reason for too many medications. In most cases additional medications are avoidable: fewer medications means more quality of life. Senior Care Practitioners are medical professionals, medication experts, and patient advocates with expertise and knowledge to identify these kinds of issues and suggest safe solutions. They advocate for patients at other health care providers and pursues desired outcomes. Experts in the area of geriatrics agree that seniors should be assessed and treated differently compared to other population groups and that not all health professionals are equally trained to identify how aging and medications affect seniors. Everyone agrees that optimal functionality and quality of life make older adults thrive and lower caregiver burden.

Mathilda Prinsloo BPharm CGP CDE, Senior Care Pharmacy Practice, www.seniorcarepractice.com

Protein Powders for Everyone!

Protein powder is an excellent way to ensure that you and your family’s protein requirements are met when diet alone simply cannot. Now with more to choose from including whey, soy, pea, brown rice, hemp and combinations, casein and egg and even paleo proteins. Proteins are now available that are easy to digest and well-tolerated by people with food allergies and sensitivities. Vegan plant sources of protein can prevent inflammation cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Protein, regardless of whey or plant-based is now a staple in many average households that are looking to encourage and sustain healthy lifestyles. Families will start the day off with a healthy shake that includes a scoop of protein, fruits and other healthy additions such as flax, chia and hemp seeds! Protein shakes are a fantastic way to fuel kid’s co-curricular activities. The elderly are using protein shakes for added energy and ensuring that they are getting proper all around nutrition.

Nutrition Plus Organic Market, www.nutritionplus.com

Live a Healthy Summer

The summer is here, and summer is about LIVING! Life is too short to not enjoy the fun things and the fun foods. BBQ’s and drinks outdoors around the bonfire are a part of what makes summer in Winnipeg. If you’re watching your weight and your health and don’t want to sabotage your efforts, make sure that 80% of the time you are sticking to a healthy eating regimen. This includes organic fruits and vegetables, and especially vegetables that are highly alkaline so that your body maintains a healthy PH balance. These include broccoli, kale, cucumber, kelp, parsley, spinach and green drinks. If your schedule is busy, make sure to opt for the powder version of your antioxidants and greens. I recommend a raw, whole food version which you can quickly add to water to make sure you are maximizing your nutrition through the active summer months. Enjoy the summer!

Angel Balichowski, The Organic Mommy, www.theorganicmommy.com