Priscilla Narotam, B.SC., D.C., earned her chiropractic degree from the University of Western States and has been in practice for 10 years. She is in good standing with the Canadian Chiropractic Association, the BC Chiropractic Association, and the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia. Priscilla’s focus is on arthritis relief, muscle and joint aches/stiffness, gentle mobilization of joints, and conservative care for headache/migraine management. Technique-wise, Priscilla warms the muscles first with soft tissue work before any mobilization or manipulation of the joints. She enjoys seeing her patients progress and find relief, and helping find the root cause of their pain.
Acupuncture for PTSD
PTSD is a physiological disorder that results from being exposed to a traumatic event. It can affect anyone at any point in their life. The disorder can result in several symptoms including, but not limited to anxiety, irritability, insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks. Acupuncture for PTSD is administered by stimulating specific auricular points as well as others in the body. These points are responsible for signaling areas of the brain to help control nervous functioning as well as mitigate stress levels. Acupuncture treatments also have benefits such as a decrease in depression and physical pain. Soldiers, police officers, fire fighters and countless others who have been diagnosed with PTSD are using acupuncture to experience relief.
Benefits of Salt Therapy
Salt has been used for thousands of years for its healing properties. Halo or Salt Therapy originated in Eastern Europe where underground hospitals were built within salt mine caves. Today, Salt (Halo) therapy uses a system called a halogenerator which disperses tiny particles of salt into a room or chamber to be absorbed via the lungs and skin. This system was designed to mimic the temperature, humidity and pressure of those caves to create a similar salt environment within a computer-controlled room/chamber. This therapy can help with a variety of symptoms and conditions including asthma, ear infections/acute otitis media, allergies like rhinitis and hay fever, acute or chronic bronchitis/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cold and flu, cystic fibrosis, dermatitis/eczema/psoriasis, emphysema, and sinusitis. The negative ions of salt absorbed into the body and bloodstream via the skin and lungs during a salt therapy session can also help to boost the body’s immunity and resistance to illnesses, improve cell metabolic processes and strengthen the functions of autonomic nerves. Lastly, the concentration of magnesium in the salt can improve digestion, reduce muscle cramps/aches and induce a state of calm promoting relaxation.
Lehla Moran, CGA, RHN | Salt Wellness Centre | HealingSalts.ca
Do I Have Hearing Loss?
Unlike vision loss where people tend to promptly seek assistance by wearing glasses, hearing loss tends to be ignored, become rationalized by age or is blamed on others for not speaking clearly enough.
Hearing loss is common for many people throughout Canada. According to the Stats Canada Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), 6% of adults over the age of 55 report limitations as a result of hearing loss and this number increases to nearly 36% of adults aged 75 and older. In total, this works out to roughly 966,000 Canadians who are willing to report awareness of hearing loss (and that’s not considering those who are possibly in denial).
Many people are simply unaware of the signs and symptoms of hearing loss, the benefits of early detection and intervention, and what resources are available. In order to reduce the likelihood of a hearing loss going undetected, being ignored, and left untreated, here is what you can watch for:
Is there a problem?: The most common signs of hearing loss are needing repetition, turning the volume up on the television, difficulty hearing on the telephone, difficulty hearing clearly, difficulty hearing in background noise, and failing to hear common household sounds like the doorbell. Schedule a hearing test: Annual hearing testing is recommended for adults over the age of 55, even if they do not suspect a hearing loss. Hearing test results are medical records and, as such, are kept on file for 7 years. These results can be used as a baseline to compare with any future hearing evaluations. The best thing is that hearing testing is complimentary and does not require a referral from your family doctor or ENT specialist. Investigate available resources: While hearing aids are often recommended to treat hearing loss, there are other helpful devices that you may not have considered. For example, amplified telephones boost the volume of incoming calls and can often be adjusted for tone and customized for your hearing loss. TV devices amplified alarm clocks and alerting systems for doorbells and smoke detectors are also available.
If you believe that your parents, grandparents, or friends are suffering from a hearing loss (see hearing loss and parents for more), the best thing you can do for them is to speak up and, if necessary, help them choose a hearing care provider to work with them on their individual needs. For more information on hearing loss and available resources, or to take a free online hearing test, visit www.mainlandhearing.com.
Contributed by Dr. Susan Marynewich, Au.D., RAUD, RHIP
Referred by Your Physician
Waiting for your Cancer PET/CT imaging appointment? Cancer doesn’t stop & wait with you. That’s why people choose to have PET/CT imaging done privately. Receiving these reports sooner allows for treatment to start sooner. PET/CT assists with: CANCER – detecting cancer, revealing cancer spread, confirming cancer treatment effectiveness, finding a cancer recurrence. BRAIN DISORDERS – clarifying early diagnosis of dementia, confirming possible Alzheimer’s diagnosis. HEART DISEASE – Confirming cardiac sarcoidosis presence/recurrence. If you have been referred by your physician for a PET/CT scan and are waiting for your appointment it may be time to ask your oncologist, urologist, or GP to make a referral to INITIO Medical. Initiomedical.ca
Thyroid Medication Need Adjusting?
The thyroid gland is small, but it has a big job, releasing hormones that are essential to metabolism and other body functions. When the thyroid gland is underactive, you might feel tired, be more sensitive to cold, have dry skin and hair, or have difficulty concentrating. Medications for hypothyroidism interact with many drugs and foods and may sometimes require a dose adjustment, especially for major life changes such as menopause or a significant weight change. We are here to help you manage your medications and achieve your best health.
Putting a Stop to Ageism
The World Health Organization states there are three ways to combat ageism:
• education to dispel myths and stereotypes and raise awareness of the impact of ageism.
• intergenerational interventions, which create cooperation and empathy between age groups.
• law and policy changes, which can reduce inequity and discrimination.
These efforts require commitment from governments and institutions, as they hold the most power to create change. On an individual level, people can contribute to these efforts by being an ally. Allyship involves dedicating personal time and energy to acting against ageism by:
• Becoming aware of ageism: Reflect on how ageism shapes one’s own thoughts, feelings, and life experiences.
• Learning about ageism: Learn how ageism affects others by listening to personal stories, reading books, and researching.
• Developing skills: Learn about and practice advocacy skills, such as knowing when to speak up and when to step back.
What is “Ageism”?
Ageism is the discrimination against an individual strictly based on their age. Ageism is most often thought of as prejudice against older individuals, however there are forms of ageism that affect younger generations as well. Here are some quick definitions, facts, and solutions about ageism. Types of ageism include:
• institutional ageism, which occurs when an institution perpetuates ageism through its actions and policies.
• interpersonal ageism, which occurs in social interactions.
• internalized ageism, which is when a person internalizes ageist beliefs and applies them to themselves.
Ageism comes in many forms. Some examples of ageism in the workplace include:
• refusing to hire people over or under a certain age.
• enacting policies that unfairly privilege one age group over another.
• viewing older people as out of touch, less productive, or stuck in their ways.
• viewing younger people as unskilled, irresponsible, or untrustworthy
• bullying or harassment.
Questions for Your Denturist
Getting your dentures fitted for the first time? Some important questions to ask your denturist include: 1) What precautions should I take when wearing dentures? 2) What kind of dentures are available? 3) How much do dentures cost? 4) Does it hurt to get dentures fitted? 5) How often will I need checkups? 6) How do I take care of my dentures? 7) Will dentures cause problems when eating? 8) Is it OK to sleep in my dentures? Knowing how to care for and get used to your dentures will help you maintain and enjoy them for years to come!
Level of Care
For many aging adults, non-medical home care is the right fit. Your loved one will receive the support and attention of a professional caregiver for however much time they need it. Some care recipients benefit from companionship services for just a few hours each week, while others prefer receiving assistance from a caregiver daily. However, some aging adults have medical needs that go beyond the scope of non-medical home care. They might benefit more by receiving care from a live-in nurse or another healthcare provider. And for others, assisted living might be the best choice if they require 24-hour medical care or attention.
Get Mobile!
Do more of what you want – when you want. If you ever find yourself waiting around for people to assist you with daily tasks and errands, a mobility scooter could allow you to take matters into your own hands. Confinement can be the most depressing situation that restricted mobility individuals can experience. Nobody wants to stay inside for a long time, especially when it isn’t necessary. Battery powered scooters have come a long way and are now more affordable than ever. They provide the freedom to get around, they conserve physical energy, and they also provide you access to places you may not have previously been able to go.


