Q: I tried watching the lunar eclipse recently but I had a hard time with it. I had to close one eye or the other because it appeared doubled. Why would that happen?
A: It sounds like you probably have a slight misalignment of your eyes. Sometimes this only shows up in certain circumstances. Looking at the moon is a unique situation because it is so far away, and the surroundings are dark. Get your eyes checked to see if it’s a problem with your eyes, or your general health.
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in Canada, and at least 1 in 10 Canadians are currently taking cholesterol lowering drugs (Statins). Here’s the thing: Statins lower cholesterol, but often cause Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) depletion. CoQ10 protects the cardiovascular system and heart cells. It also helps produce cellular energy, meaning depletion can lead to chronic fatigue, brain fog, erectile dysfunction, and poor muscle function and recovery. A supplement of at least 100mg of the active form of CoQ10 is a great way to support the cardiovascular system and overall health.
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” -General George Patton
How to Make Anxiety Work for You in Life, Love, and All That You Do. What if anxiety is not a monster to be tamed, but a resource to be tapped? In this revolutionary book, Dr. Alicia Clark recognizes anxiety as the unsung hero in the path to success and happiness. It can become the motivating force that will lead to a better you, and The Anxiety Advantage aims to restore anxiety to its rightful place as a positive resource. Reclaim your anxiety as a powerful energy source, and bring yourself peace, growth and success.
“There are only two ways to live your life, one is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle.”
-Author unknown
Ingredients: 2 frozen ripe bananas, 1/4 cup chopped ripe pineapple, 3/4 cup coconut milk, 2 tsp matcha green tea powder, 1 cup organic spinach or kale. Topping ideas: berries, coconut flakes, banana slices, chia seeds, almonds. Instructions: Add frozen banana slices, pineapple, coconut milk, matcha powder, and spinach to a blender and blend on high until creamy and smooth. Enjoy!
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the risk factors for heart disease. It is a long-term medical condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.
You can help control or reduce hypertension in the areas of diet, exercise, weight, salt reduction, limiting alcohol & caffeine, not smoking and managing stress.
Many doctors include deep breathing and meditation in a stress management plan. Both Qigong and Reiki are excellent ‘tools’ for stress reduction. Slow, deep breathing and meditation are foundational to the practice of Qigong and the deep meditative state experienced while receiving Reiki brings deep relaxation, calm and peace to the body/mind.
The combination of movements and slow, deep and gentle breathing in Qigong helps the body & mind relax and release tension. Then, by focusing inward and replacing worries and negative thoughts with positive thoughts and emotions, a state of calm and peace is achieved that also positively affect the qi (energy) and blood circulation.
There have been a number of studies done worldwide on the benefits of Qigong for the heart. Overall, results show that practicing Qigong as a complement to medical treatment can help to improve blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates.
Reiki has been described as ‘spiritually-guided life force energy’ that has the ability to help balance our ‘energy’ on all levels – body, mind and spirit. In ‘matters of the heart’ it can also help to elevate the feelings of acceptance, love and compassion bringing with it an acceptance of the moment and a state of calm and peace that affects the whole person.
Studies have also been done with Reiki that have varying positive results depending on the focus of the study. With regard to the heart, Reiki as a complementary therapy can help to improve HRV (heart rate variability), mental state and quality of life (ie sleep, reduction in pain) especially after a heart attack and surgery. An example of one such study is found at: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1143148
February is Heart Month in Canada. What better time to do something new for your heart?!
Q: I have issues with depression and anxiety. Can acupuncture help with this?
A: Stress can result in several symptoms, such as insomnia, constant worry, weakened digestive system, and others. Acupuncture treatment can adjust and balance our meridians to reduce emotional and physical stress. During treatment, the patient will feel more relaxed and joyful, and some will fall asleep. They will also sleep more soundly when they go home. After a few treatments, they will feel stronger and can better resist the stress.
All behaviour serves a purpose, and substance abuse is no exception. The calming effects of alcohol may provide feelings similar to those of love and connection. Cocaine use makes people feel elated and full of energy – attractive feelings for someone who feels “numb”. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance abuse problem, remember: the opposite of addiction is connection. Do your best to build community around those who are suffering. Seek a counsellor who can identify healthier ways of coping and support those transitioning out of problematic use. Help is out there – please reach out!
A ballet dancer who has near perfect turn-out is the envy of the class. Turn-out is important not only for the esthetics of ballet, but also safety. Turn-out (or external rotation of the leg) should come solely from the hips. The trouble is many dancers wiggle their feet out further, squeeze their thighs, or drop their arches to make it look like they have more turn-out than they do. Unfortunately, this creates alignment problems and muscle tightness, which puts them at risk for injury, especially if they are working on jumps or pointe work. Working with a physiotherapist to do a full-body assessment can help you prevent injury and improve your form.
If it is over 4°C outside, ticks can attach to your pet. Not only do they feed on your pet’s blood, but they also carry diseases. Many of these manifest in immune mediated diseases, which as a group are difficult and expensive to manage. Prevention against tick bites is the current push in the veterinary community, but it must be done with care, as some of the drugs can have effects on the brain. It’s important to discuss the nuances of using tick-killing products or set up an appointment with one of our veterinarians: Dr. Andersen, Dr. Weetman or our new Mandarin-capable Dr. Lin.
