Community News
Why Children Struggle to Read

We’ve all met them. The children who can’t stop fidgeting in their seats, who hold their heads way too close to their paper when copying, or who really struggle to learn to read, even though they are bright. Sadly, these children are likely the 1 in 4 who suffer from learning-related vision disorders. It is important that parents and teachers recognize the signs and symptoms that indicate a vision problem (unrelated to glasses) is interfering with a child’s ability to read and learn. Although a regular eye exam will determine the physical health of the eyes and any need for glasses, it does not evaluate the 16 other visual skills required for learning. To ensure a child is not suffering from a hidden visual dysfunction, a developmental visual evaluation is required. The good news is that through vision therapy, these vision problems can be fixed.

Grand Developmental Vision Institute, GrandVisionInstitute.ca

Avoiding Falls

As we age, the body begins to slow down, which greatly increases the risk of falling. There are many contributing factors to why we fall, including medication, nutrition, eyesight, strength, balance, and proprioception. Muscular strength is the amount of force a muscle can produce in a single maximum effort. Muscles pull from their tendinous insertions on bone to create movement. Proprioception is the body’s awareness of itself in space; this term directly relates to the body’s ability to maintain a balanced upright position while walking, standing, and sitting. It is important to perform exercises that challenge the body, as the body will only adapt to the loads placed upon it. This means that if you are sedentary, your body will not maintain strength or balance, so you must consistently challenge yourself. Talk to your athletic therapist or physiotherapist for exercises to strengthen your body and improve your balance.

Ashley Lund, Certified Athletic Therapist, InnovativeMedicalSupplies.com

The Power of Touch

Studies from the Touch Research Institute have looked at people of all ages with a variety of health conditions and complaints. The range of benefits is remarkable. Here are some highlights from a few of the many published studies. Migraine headaches: Massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, along with sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. Asthma: Children with mild to severe asthma who received regular massage were better able to exhale (a problem with asthma because the air passages constrict). In addition, the children suffered less stress and anxiety. Premenstrual symptoms: After massage therapy, there was improved mood and decreased anxiety. Pain and symptoms of water retention were also reduced. Pregnancy: Women who had massage through pregnancy showed decreased levels of stress hormones and experienced less anxiety. There were fewer complications before and after birth, including fewer premature births.

Chelsea Nault, RMT, Soulful Instinct Massage Therapy

Suffering from Lyme Disease?

Lyme is fast becoming a Manitoba epidemic. How do you get Lyme disease? From a deer tick passing a bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi into your bloodstream. This bacteria weakens your immune system, allowing diseases to enter the body. “Many people are infected by nymph ticks, but don’t suspect Lyme disease because they don’t recall being bitten. In fact, 50% of people infected don’t remember being bitten and LESS than 50% of people will get any over-emphasized rash” (Source – CanLyme.com). If you are noticing increasing health problems lately, you may have Lyme disease. One way to improve your immune system is with Bioresonance Therapy. This therapy involves sending healthy frequencies into your body. These frequencies increase the body’s energy and consequently improve your health.

Dennis Ludwig, Evergreen Holistic Health Centre

Why Turn to Holistic Health?

There are countless reasons why people use alternative treatments to enhance their health. For example, people with pain-causing conditions sometimes rely on alternative treatments to reduce their use of painkillers. Others use alternative treatments for help in managing conditions that are often difficult to treat, such as depression. In many cases, people add holistic treatments to their daily routine in order to improve their energy, promote sounder sleep, lift their mood, and alleviate everyday stress. Alternative treatments vary greatly in approach, from professionally administered therapies like chiropractic and massage to do-it-yourself techniques like meditation. Massage therapy is a non-invasive and gentle treatment that can have a powerful impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. Indeed, studies have determined that undergoing massage can help treat back pain, arthritis, tension headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, anxiety, depression, and a host of other health problems.

Julie Sagnes, RMT, ChiroFitWinnipeg.com

The Danger That Lies in MSG

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer added to thousands of the foods you and your family regularly eat. The chemical flavor enhancer has been linked to fibromyalgia, obesity, fatty liver, high insulin and blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, and neurological damage. It’s used in everything from canned soups, crackers, meats, and salad dressings, to baby food, infant formula, and your child’s school lunch. It is used to enhance flavors. Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon and author of “Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills.” explains that MSG causes brain damage to varying degrees — and even triggers or worsens learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and more.

Aloe As Nature Intended

Aloe has been celebrated for thousands of years for its natural soothing, cooling and moisturizing properties. Here are just a few reasons you will love our Aloe:

1. Supports healthy digestion

2. Provides rapid soothing

3. Immune support & function

4. Dental health & hygiene

5. Collagen & elastin support

Contact us to learn more about how our family of aloe vera drinks, skin care & nutritional products brings the remarkable properties of Aloe to your entire body. Let us provide you with a complete system to help you look better.

Kim, AloeLifestyle.ca

Waking up with Foot Pain?

 

Plantar fasciitis is a common and often persistent foot injury that can affect almost anyone. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes (plantar fascia). Morning foot pain is a signature symptom of this. In some cases, rest, icing, and stretching may relieve your symptoms. Persistent pain can stop you in your tracks, undermine your fitness and general health, and drag on for years. Healthwest specializes in this treatment as well as treating many other foot problems, by providing therapeutic massage, shock wave, laser, compression sleeves, and orthotics.

Brent Konantz, Ortho. ,RMT LCSP C PED (C) Healthwest Prothotics
MyHealthWest.com

Meal Planning and Mindful Eating

Back to school, back to work…and lots of planning. Mindful eating doesn’t mean “just wing it”. Especially if it means not feeling good about or enjoying what you’re eating.

Mindful Meal Planning Tips:

1. Set the intention as convenience, nourishment, and pleasure, not rigid control or dieting.

2. Think of your plan as a sketch, not a completed picture.

3. Shop, prepare, and eat mindfully.

4. Rethink or modify your plan if it stresses you out or the approach limits spontaneity, flexibility, living, and above all, joy.

Love food. Live life. Have fun!

Lisa Kehler, OffYourPlateNutrition.ca

Need a Creativity Boost?

The benefits of floatation therapy are numerous and far-reaching. Perhaps the most universally appealing is floating’s tendency to enhance creativity, learning, and memory. From students to artists to working professionals, most of us would love to experience a boost in our ability to think, learn, and solve problems. Floating can do just that. Study after study has shown that time spent in a float cabin enhances our cognitive powers. Since all external sources of distraction are removed, floating provides an extreme form of rest, and this appears to amplify the positive effects of letting our mind take over.

Fluid Float Studio, FluidFloat.com

Why are Sunglasses Important?

Most people are aware of the damage the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation does to your skin, but these rays can cause equal damage to your eyes. Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement; their most important role is protecting your eyes and the surrounding skin from these rays. Damage to the eyes includes cataracts, macular degeneration, pterygiums, and cancer. Extended exposure to UV can cause photokeratitis, also known as snow-blindness, a temporary but extremely painful sunburn of the eye. Sunglasses also block glare, which increases comfort in bright light. When buying sunglasses, look for ones that block out at least 99% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear. A wide-brimmed hat offers great protection, too.

Linden Ridge Eye Care, LREyeCare.ca