After a knee or hip replacement, acupuncture and cupping can significantly aid recovery. Acupuncture stimulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and helps nerves and muscles by alleviating numbness, aching, and stiffness. Cupping enhances this effect by drawing stagnant blood to the surface, improving circulation, and easing muscle tension around the surgical site. Together, acupuncture and cupping accelerate recovery, enhance mobility, and provide natural pain management, making them excellent complementary therapies for post-surgery healing. Acupuncture and cupping are covered by extended health care plans. Consult a healthcare professional to ensure these treatments are appropriate for you.

Do you have a personal pharmacist on your wellness team? A personal pharmacist pays close attention to your needs and provides personalized care. Whether it’s managing your diabetes, heart health, or another chronic condition, they are invested in your health. Your personal pharmacist can help make sure your medication is the right fit and introduce you to tools that make day-to-day medication management easier. With the expanded role of pharmacists, they can assess and prescribe medication for certain minor conditions that do not require a doctor’s visit. When you have a minor condition, book an appointment with your Medicine Shoppe pharmacist for a free assessment.

You know that falling is a real issue for seniors, but why are seniors more at risk, and what are the repercussions? Well, as you age, you lose muscle mass due to a lack of protein in your diet and tend to become more sedentary. Your muscles help you with falls in two ways: you can prevent yourself from falling with more success if you have stronger muscles, and if you do fall, your muscle mass will cushion your bones. Solution? Increase your quality protein intake as you age, and get 30 minutes of exercise per week.

Participating in a balanced fitness program contributes to your well-being at every age, and regular exercise is vital for older adults. Regular exercise can help control blood pressure, body weight, and cholesterol levels. It reduces the risk of hardened arteries, heart attack, and stroke. It also strengthens muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones to help fight osteoporosis and lower your risk of falling or other injuries. Keeping your body strong and limber can help you maintain independence as you age.

Summer is here! When the temperature rises above 30 degrees for three consecutive days, it is a ‘heat event’. Older Canadians are at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms include *moist, red or pale skin, *nausea, and *dizziness. Symptoms of heat stroke are more severe and require medical assistance: *red, hot, and dry skin; *bizarre or aggressive behaviour; *loss of consciousness; *rapid, irregular pulse; *rapid, shallow breathing; and *seizures. Here are some tips to stay safe: Drink cool liquids, go somewhere with cooler air, apply cold to key points of the body, move less, and wear light, breathable clothing.

Long-distance travel, either by air or land, can lead to a small risk of blood clots. If you have cancer, had recent surgery, have abnormal blood clotting disorders, or are obese, you should be assessed by a healthcare practitioner before travelling. Tips to prevent blood clots during flights that every traveller can benefit from include: *maintain adequate hydration as it also encourages mobilization; *contract the calf muscles regularly or get up every 1-2 hours; *wear below-knee graduated Sigvaris compression stockings; and *choose an aisle seat when possible as it is proven to encourage mobilization. Talk to your pharmacist about ways to stay healthy while travelling.