Physical and mental health go together, as one works to care for the other, in so many ways. A personal reminder of this was when I participated in the Eden Foundation’s cycling event, “Head for the Hills”. I started a training regime of cycling multiple times per week; which was not easy, but I had a goal, so I pushed away the excuses and got moving. The benefits came instantly, with increased energy and a much-improved attitude towards life. The sense of accomplishment afterwards felt so wonderful! Physical activity is one of the best remedies for ensuring your mental and physical health. What have YOU done for your health lately?
Community News
Using Over The Counter Medications Safely
Over the counter medications can treat many conditions and make you feel better but not all of them may be appropriate for you! For example, certain OTC medications may not be recommended if a patient has high blood pressure or if they’re pregnant. Certain OTC medications may also interact with other prescription meds that a patient has. If a healthcare professional has told you that the OTC medication is safe to use, also make sure you are following the directions properly! Contact your pharmacist to find out if you can safely use your OTC medications of if you have any other health related questions!
Meet the Practitioner
Denturist Maggie Makaruk DD, has practiced at Anna’s Denture Clinic for the last 18 years. Anna’s Denture Clinic is a boutique denture clinic that has been serving the community for over 30 years. Maggie personally customizes your treatment plan for your particular needs and requirements. She gives her complete attention to detail to ensure the best fit and aesthetic, so that your dentures meet or exceed all your expectations and you’ll have that perfect smile! Maggie makes herself available to answer any and all questions to make you comfortable during the treatment and well beyond.
Suffering From Heel Pain?
Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by repetitive overstretching of the ligaments that support the arch. Having proper supportive footwear, along with gel heel insoles, will help with your symptoms and make walking more tolerable. Be sure to roll the arch of your foot first thing in the morning and wear slippers on hardwood and laminate flooring at home to cushion the heel and avoid further inflammation. Pain relieving modalities such as ultrasound, acupuncture, and shockwave therapy, along with appropriate stretches and exercises, can also help reduce pain and inflammation and get you healing the proper way.
Benefits of Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
Exposure to artificial light at the wrong times of day is one of the largest often-overlooked health risks of living in the 21st century. Blocking blue light serves an important biological purpose, helping to regulate your internal clock to control sleep patterns and other body functions; avoiding blue light at night is crucial to protecting your health. One of the least expensive and simplest ways to protect your body’s internal rhythm, and thereby support healthy sleep and a lowered risk of many chronic diseases, is to wear blue-light-blocking glasses at night.
What You Don’t Hear
When someone has moderate hearing loss they will hear relatively well if you are talking to them face to face in a quiet environment. They will not hear well if you are walking away from them, in a different room, or if noise is present. People with hearing loss may be unaware of the extent of it: that’s where loved ones come in. Family members who have grown frustrated with them not being able to hear are the ones to prompt them to get a hearing test. Encourage them to have their hearing tested, you will be doing them and yourself a big favour in the long run.
The Painless Facelift
A microcurrent facial is often referred to as a “natural” facelift. This safe and painless facial helps erase fine lines and wrinkles, while firming your skin and defining your features. A microcurrent facial emits extremely low-voltage electrical currents (hence, ‘micro’ current), which mirror your own body’s electrical currents, on a cellular level to repair damaged skin and stimulate collagen and elastin production. Cosmetic microcurrent is beneficial for improvement in the appearance of aged and slackened skin, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, dark circles and puffiness, enlarged pores, and muscle tone.
Avoid Winter Back Pain
Here are a few tips on how to keep your body free of pain this winter. 1. Check your shoes. Has the tread started to wear down? Falls on ice and snow can be prevented with the right footwear. 2. Stretch. Stiff muscles can make it hard to move freely, and if you trip or fall, your back is likely to be in far more pain than it is now. 3. Stay warm. This is critical to keeping your back healthy—or keeping your back injury from getting worse. Cold weather is one of the causes of joint pain and tense muscles.
10 Things that Happen When You Quit Smoking
According to Cancer.org, after only 8 hours of your last cigarette, the oxygen levels in your blood increase. After 12 hours, your carbon monoxide blood levels drop to normal. After 2 days of not smoking, you’ll have heightened senses of smell and taste. 3 days later, your bronchial tubes relax and breathing may feel less labored than before. During the first 9 months smoke free, your shortness of breath will improve, and the tiny cilia hairs in your lungs will regain function, allowing your body to clean your lungs. After 1 full year, your risk of heart disease is about half compared with a smoker. After 15 years of being smoke-free, your risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Stress and Lower Back Pain
Health statistics have shown that 80% of the population will experience lower back pain at some point in their life. Often this is re-occurring and at times may be debilitating. Many factors lead to lower back pain, but the most common one is emotional stress. In most cases, lower back pain occurs during or after a stressful event or emotional stress. It is important to note that all emotions are physical and that lower back pain is telling you to change something in your life. If the spinal system is flexible and well adjusted, lower back pain due to stress is usually eliminated.
Stressed Out? Try a Float!
Float tubs provide a place where one can relax, recover, and remove themselves from their busy and stressful lives. Once settled on the surface of the float tub and the lights go out, (optional) the outside world disappears. No sight, no sound, and no sensation while you are suspended in perfect harmony. Your body/mind instantly begin to slow down as you reach Theta state (deep meditative state), breathing rate decreases, blood pressure decreases, and stress hormones all naturally decrease (cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine). The decrease of stress hormones is because your sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”) is allowed to finally turn off (which is very rare).
