Do you experience an increase in aches and pains at night? Repetitive strain and overuse injuries affect tendons, muscles, nerves and joints in the arms, hands, shoulders, neck, upper and lower back, and the legs and can range from being mild discomfort to excruciating pain. If your symptoms persist more than 3 months, or are not responding to physiotherapy or other conservative treatments, your problem may have become chronic and would benefit from regenerative treatments such as injections with platelet rich plasma, prolotherapy or stem cells. Dr. Comeau, BMSc, MC, CCFP, Horizon Medicine Centres, HorizonMedicine.ca

Welcome to the first edition of the Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® in Red Deer and Central AB! Healthy Living means making positive daily choices and taking personal ownership to enrich our life in areas such as our physical, emotion, social, occupational, financial and spiritual wellbeing. Mindfulness and the intention behind our daily habits, choices and actions all play a role on this journey. Fortunately, our wellness can always be enriched through education, awareness and practice. That’s great news, right? Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® strives to be the community resource that showcases health tips, local opportunities and resources plus the variety of health practitioners and businesses that can help you achieve your goal of optimal health and wellness. When we are healthy, our entire community benefits! Pauline Mousseau, Wellbeing Marketing Solution Publisher, Wellnessnews Central Alberta. Wellnessnews.ca

Dr. Raymond Comeau is a highly trained physician who has been bringing new and innovation treatments to the people of Central Alberta for over 30 years. As founder of the Horizon Vein and Cosmetic Centre and the Horizon Joint Rejuvenation Centre he continues to offer cutting edge and effective treatments. Some of the most popular therapies include a myriad of cosmetic procedures, stem cell, PRP and other regenerative joint treatments, sclerotherapy for varicose and spider veins, Botox for medical and cosmetic issues and much more. He is committed to mastering the latest techniques and providing you with the great results you deserve. Dr. Raymond Comeau, BMSc, MD, CCFP, Horizon Medicine Centres, HorizonMedicine.ca

Sure, it can help you relax, but massage therapy may do much more than that, especially at work! Several studies have demonstrated that providing staff with sessions of massage on-site positively impacts workplace wellness. It may decrease anxiety and depression, improve quality of sleep, relieve headaches, increase focus, energy and mental clarity, relieve muscle tension and pain, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase immune function, treats carpal tunnel and tendonitis and prevent repetitive strain injuries. Employees who are happy and free of stress are more productive. Phil Duncan, Black Rock Therapies, BlackRockTherapies.com

If you have crooked or gapped teeth, you may be tempted to try DIY orthodontics using videos on YouTube or at-home kits that are advertised on TV. These options are said to save people money by avoiding appointments with dental professionals. The truth is, DIY orthodontics are unsafe and could end up costing you more money later on. Complications can arise from placing DIY or mail-order dental appliances over decayed teeth or infected gums. Only a professional orthodontist can determine the presence of these problems and ensure they are fixed correctly. Options like Invisalign 5 offer people with mildly crooked or gapped teeth a way to straighten them with clear aligners instead of braces, in as little as six to eight weeks, at a cost comparable to those mail-order products. Bower Dental Centre, Invisalign5atCost.com

Gain peace of mind by having your pet microchipped. Microchipping is a permanent and safe way to identify your pet in case he or she gets lost. A microchip is a tiny device roughly the size and shape of a grain of rice. It’s placed just under the loose skin at the back of the neck. When a lost cat or dog without a collar tag is found, a veterinarian or veterinary technician will use a handheld microchip scanner to check for a chip. If a pet has one, it will transmit the ID number to the scanner using a low-frequency radio wave. Once they’ve obtained the ID number they’ll contact the chip manufacturer to retrieve the pet owner’s contact information. Dr. Dagmar Schouten, Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital, CedarwoodVet.ca

“Walking is the single best thing you can do for your health” – Dr. Mike Evans
Getting out and moving everyday improves your:
• health by decreasing your risk of heart disease by 30%;
• mood by decreasing depression and anxiety; and
• lifespan by up to 3 years.
Did you know that you walk 1-2 more miles each day if you keep track of your steps? Joining the RDPCN Hawaiian Trek by yourself or as part of a team is an excellent way to challenge yourself to be more active for the next 6 weeks. Either way it’s a fun and free way to boost your activity this year, no matter where you are starting from!