Did you know there are three types of custom foot orthotics? Dynamic rehab orthotics work dynamically through gait and challenge target muscle groups in order to retrain the foot. They help achieve sustainable comfort and improve the body’s ability to balance. Accommodative orthotics are made from thermo-moldable foams and redistribute heavily pressurized plantar areas to reduce pain, which is helpful for the diabetic and high-arched arthritic foot. Rigid/semi-rigid orthotics have ¾ length stiffer thermo-plastic that supports the arches of the foot and corrects gait deficiencies. These are designed to compensate for muscle and joint dysfunctions.
Community News
Ayurveda Massage
Listen to your body! What does it need? Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems with a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. This broad approach of maintaining balance in the body mind encompasses diet, lifestyle, environment, body work, breathing techniques and mental practices. Ayurveda massage is done with warmed oil. By gently massaging the body, paying particular attention to the marma points, the flow of vital energy Prana that may have been blocked is released. Every Ayurveda massage begins with an initial consultation that includes pulse, tongue and an Ayurvedic constitution analyses.
Community Profile: Yates Memorial Services
Yates Memorial Services is a family owned business. Together, Rae and Barry Tuck and their son Bradd operate Yates. To be family owned means we provide a personal approach to meeting families’ needs. Barry started his funeral service career in Duncan, BC and has passionately been working in the profession for over 35 years. At Yates, we offer two large spaces for celebrations of life, traditional services, and receptions. As well, we have a beautiful 13-acre cemetery for traditional, green (ask us) or cremation burials. We are proud to offer the only on-site crematorium in the Oceanside area.
Hyperbaric Oxygen for Brain Health
As we age, keeping our brain healthy is essential. Hyperbaric Oxygen can be used to improve Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Stroke, MS and Brain Injuries. Recent studies show that Hyperbaric Oxygen can substantially improve brain health and can prevent and stop the progression of these disorders. By increasing neuronal stem cells and decreasing brain inflammation, HBOT can improve memory, cognitive speed, brain fog, headaches and migraines. In combination with exercise and nutrition, regular HBOT can maintain and improve your brain health even as we get older. There is no limit to the brain’s plasticity and growth with the right environment.
Find Your Balance: Gambling Awareness Week
The theme for the 2019 Gambling Awareness Week is “Find Your Balance”, in support of maintaining a balanced outlook of the role gambling may play in our lives. In early May, be on the lookout for BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program community events in your area; ranging from sponsored swims, pop up community awareness booths and contests at community centers and other locations. Finding Our Balance in life can be challenging. Striking that balance is easier when we have a diverse array of activities in which to engage.
Abdominal Acupuncture
Abdominal acupuncture is a revolutionary new acupuncture technique that has been rapidly accepted and has gained huge recognition because of its astonishing therapeutic results. Abdominal acupuncture is very gentle as there is little needle sensation in the abdominal region. It is powerful in its action and can be used to treat any condition that is indicated in traditional acupuncture. The body responds faster to abdominal acupuncture and the curative effect is impressive. Results tend to be powerful and long lasting and are often felt instantaneously.
Final Resting Place
When you die, where would you like your final resting place to be? With your partner? With your parents or children? Your answer may change based on your age and life stage. If you are like most, you have not yet made up your mind. This is a conversation that should take place sooner rather than later. If your plans have been made, you want to ensure that they are up-to-date. These days, many Canadians are moving farther away, living longer and changing family traditions. This reinforces the need to review and update your end-of-life plans every five-to-ten years or so, or when major life events happen.
World Hypertension Day
World Hypertension Day is Friday, May 17. It is an initiative of the World Hypertension League, an affiliate of the International Society of Hypertension. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of hypertension and to prevent and control this silent killer. The theme for this this year is Know Your Numbers. Do you know yours? The “textbook” normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. Optimal blood pressure can vary and is based on several factors including your cardiovascular risk and age. Speak to your health care professional to learn about your optimal blood pressure numbers.
Ask The Expert
Q: My husband insists he has good vision because of all the carrots he is fond of eating. Is there any truth to this?
A: Yes, but probably not in the way he thinks. People truly deficient in Vitamin A or beta-carotene (as found in carrots) can suffer from poor night vision, but this is a real rarity in our community. Beta-carotene supplements were, up to recently, recommended to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Unfortunately, increased beta-carotene supplement consumption can increase the risk of cancer in smokers. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are related, but safer, supplements.
The First Step to Lasting Change
The hardest part of journey is that first step. Motivating yourself to taking that evening walk or that early morning run when the bed or couch is calling is one of the most important things you can do for yourself (and for those you love). Why you ask? Well, inertia, yup inertia! Getting that body moving, taking a few more steps a day will pay off immensely. In fact, the benefits of 30 mins of walking pays off in decreasing the likelihood of getting a chronic illness by an average of 30%! So it really is small steps to sustainable change!
Physiotherapy and the Golf Swing
Golfers today place a greater emphasis on physical fitness than their predecessors. This has been reflected in sport performance but also plays a role in injury prevention. The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) is an organization that studies the relationship between the human body and the golf swing. A golf specific movement screen is used by TPI certified professionals to assess body movements as they relate to the golf swing. A TPI physiotherapist takes the findings from a screen to develop an individualized treatment and exercise program which will help maximize efficiency and decrease stress on the body during the swing.
