Skin ages and becomes loose and less elastic as we grow older due to a reduction in fibroblast cells, which build the collagen proteins that keep our cells connected tightly. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a safe and chemical-free way to trigger new collagen production. A hand-controlled device with tiny, shallow needles punctures the outer layer of the skin at 1000 times per second to create mild damage that will stimulate your body to produce new collagen and elastin. This process can be used all over the body, not just on the face, to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, and more!

Q: My hands and feet often feel cold. Can acupuncture help with this? A: This issue is quite prevalent in both males and females. Acupuncture can treat this by improving blood circulation. The traditional Chinese medical theory explains this by balancing the yin and the yang within one’s body. You can see the difference with one treatment, and multiple treatments will work to solve the root of the problem and maintain the improved circulation.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is commonly seen in sports such as soccer, rugby, and skiing. Although many individuals initially recover well, the ongoing instability often prevents return to sports and leads to further knee injury, and the risk of developing future osteoarthritis becomes increased. Bracing is rarely sufficient. Surgical reconstruction performed early, within 3-6 weeks, helps to minimize the risk of further injury. ACL surgery should be treated as an urgent matter: assessment, diagnosis, and surgery can usually be completed within a few weeks. The athlete, elite, or weekend-warrior can then start early rehabilitation to maximize the benefits of the knee reconstruction.

Q: What is athlete’s foot? A: Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection of the skin and usually appears in between the toes or in the arch area of the foot. Common signs and symptoms are redness, itchiness, and burning. Walking in wet public areas and wearing damp, dirty socks and shoes are common ways to get athlete’s foot. There are several over-the-counter and prescription medications that can treat the problem, though creams, ointments, or gels tend to be more effective than powders or sprays are. To truly eliminate the fungus, you should continue with the medication for an additional two weeks after the symptoms have disappeared.

What will your retirement look like? Will you say good-bye completely? Will you transition out gradually? Will you try something new? There are many choices and no right answer. The path you choose will be your own. This time of transition from career to more “me” time can bring with it many mixed emotions. The excitement of not having to answer to an alarm clock, the sadness of a loss of identity, or the fear of not having enough to do can be very real. Many activities are calling your name. What path will you take? What story will you write?

All the Christmas trimmings have been put away for another year; the turkey has had its last stand and everyone eating chocolate like it was going out of style. We now have a brief period to catch our breath before we embrace the Tax Season. Take a few of those moments to consider your RRSP/TFSA. Typically, we have more time to talk with you from now until the last week of February. We can review what you have done in the past and see if we should add to those investments or look at others. And, as you will appreciate, the more time we have for that the better.

If you’re trying to quit smoking once and for all, you’ve likely used a variety of products, from patches to gum to pills. The addictive qualities of cigarettes make smoking a tough habit to break, but there are safe and alternative measures you can take to remove this addiction from your life. Laser acupuncture is a non-invasive option that focuses on the three aspects of addiction: physical, using laser/electronic stimulation of acupressure points on your upper body; psychological, providing materials, tips, and one-on-one coaching; and detoxification, helping to eliminate cigarette toxins from your body.

What if this January we weren’t ONLY talking about losing weight, but instead also looking to achieve overall optimal health? By making a few positive lifestyle changes, including food choices, exercise, and stress management, you can reap the benefits of optimal health for years to come. Your hormones, genetic makeup, stress levels, and even your occupation can affect how you gain/lose weight. A naturopathic physician can offer hormone testing, genetic testing, and meal/diet planning, along with different treatments like IV vitamin therapy and acupuncture, to start you off on the right path to your individual optimal health.