Spring is an excellent time to review your medications with your pharmacist. It is also a great time to go through your medicine cabinet and get rid of items that you no longer need or that have expired. Take all discarded medications and vitamins to your pharmacist for safe and ecological disposal. Do not throw them into the wastebasket, sink, or toilet. Your pharmacist can help with your medication review, cleanup process, and disposal of medications. Book your medication review with your pharmacist at the Medicine Shoppe on Departure Bay Road in Nanaimo today.

Welcome aboard Angels Abreast, a dragon boat team of Breast Cancer survivors and supporters. Research proves exercise reduces health risks for those who beat cancer and those seeking to prevent it. We paddle for fun, sharing emotional and physical support. We enjoy a wonderful waterfront setting in Newcastle Channel, sharing the seas with seals and otters, and the skies with herons and eagles. Join us in celebrating health. Everyone is welcome – experience is not required. PADDLES UP!!

Are you coughing and sneezing? Are your eyes red, runny, and itchy? You could be suffering from seasonal allergies. If you are feeling miserable, it is best to rule out something more serious with a medical professional. Allergies in spring can be triggered by pollen or mites. Here are some preventative measures: *Check the weather forecast for pollen counts before going outside. *Avoid the outdoors early in the morning or if it is very windy.* Spring clean your house to get rid of dust and mites. Over-the-counter remedies can be effective for symptoms if they persist.

Do you wake up with jaw tension? Or perhaps you grind your teeth at night? One thing you can do to ease the tension is to massage your jaw before bed. Simply put a fist—the first two knuckles work best—on either side of your face, just below your ears, right at the corner of the jaw (near the temporomandibular joint—that’s what TMJ stands for), then just gently traction down. Let your jaw relax and even hang open a bit as you do this. Do 3–5 passes and head to bed. Repeat anytime you notice tension in the jaw.

Kinesiology can benefit people of all ages and fitness levels, including athletes, those recovering from injuries, people with chronic conditions, mental health conditions, and anyone seeking to improve their physical health and well-being by enhancing movement, function, and overall performance. The practice is based on the core science of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. Kinesiology enhances overall physical health and well-being by improving movement, posture, and balance; reducing pain and injury risk; and promoting strength and flexibility, ultimately leading to a more active and healthier lifestyle. Take control of your health and performance with a kinesiologist by your side. Contact me for more information.

At Northwood, our dedicated pelvic floor physiotherapists are committed to providing compassionate care and personalized treatment plans to address a range of pelvic floor issues. We treat anyone with a pelvis, males and females. Conditions we treat include incontinence, prolapse, overactive bladder, menopausal symptoms, pregnancy and postpartum, and endometriosis pain. During an appointment, we ask questions related to your mental and physical health and symptoms. Other parts of the assessment may include core function, hip mobility and strength, internal pelvic floor muscle assessment, and more. We offer a free intake call. Our services are covered by extended health care plans.

Biofield Tuning uses sound vibrations from tuning forks to detect and harmonize energetic imbalances in the biofield—the energy field surrounding the body. Ancestral patterns, which can manifest as emotional blocks, limiting beliefs, or physical tension, are often stored in this field. By applying sound to these areas, Biofield Tuning helps to release stuck energy, allowing inherited traumas or patterns to be acknowledged, integrated, and cleared. This process can bring greater emotional freedom, clarity, and a sense of connection to one’s true self.