There are 3 general foot types and there is a right type of shoe for each. Over-pronators (flat feet or fallen arches) would benefit from a motion-control shoe. These are made of a stiffer material, correcting normal heel-to-toe mechanics, as well as helping maintain the dome shape of the arch. Supinators (high arches) would benefit from a cushioned/neutral shoe. This type of shoe is much lighter and focuses on cushioning the foot. Normal pronators (medium arches) would want to look for a stability shoe. This shoe is the lightest and has arch support only on the medial aspect of the shoe. The proper shoe makes all the difference!

Often in life, the most meaningful moments are the moments spent with those who teach you something, with those who share laughs with you, and with those who support you no matter what. And within those moments, it’s the little things that become the most significant and valuable. Professional caregivers can be there for you, when you need a little extra hand around the house or someone to accompany you on your outings. Caregivers can help with the day-to-day tasks, so you have time to enjoy the little things in life, while remaining safe and independent in your own home.

Is the thought of long corridors at the airport or the cruise terminal putting you off from travelling? Travelling with a mobility scooter on a plane may seem daunting to organize, but today you can have the independence and freedom to travel wherever you like. Today’s portable light weight electric mobility scooters make it a breeze to reach your gate or cabin on the ship. Folding mobility scooters are great options as they can easily be brought with you everywhere. When travelling by air, inform the airline that you are travelling with a scooter and provide weight/dimensions and battery type. Don’t forget the charger cord!

Are you suffering from the Winter Blues? The cold, dark and damp days of winter can literally dampen your energy. Acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for depression, without the unwanted side effects. Acupuncture needles move energy throughout the body, releasing endorphins and improving the flow of energy throughout the body, while eliminating blockages and bringing balance to the mind and body. Endorphins counter the symptoms of depression and allow the person to resume a normal life. Do you or somebody you know suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or depression and are looking for a natural way of dealing with it? Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it — you feel it. You know it. You believe it. Kevin Alan Milne

The evidence is conflicting about what nutrition strategy works best for weight loss. The best diet for you is the one that you can follow faithfully for a lifetime. You should not feel deprived or hungry, and the plan should be one you can incorporate into your lifestyle. You should also know that some medications can contribute to weight gain. Your pharmacist can help you determine which drugs may be a problem and if there are alternatives. It is worthwhile now to plan ahead before December so you can navigate through the holiday season with minimal damage to your waistline.

Q: How much magnification does one get with +2.00 reading glasses? I can’t find any that actually make things look twice as big.
A: The strength of reading glasses actually corresponds to how far they allow the user to focus on close objects. In general, low powered reading glasses allow the user to focus out a bit further (like when using a computer). Higher powered lenses will entail much closer focusing (e.g. for threading a needle). The necessary strengths vary from person to person.

Massage therapy is undeniably effective at getting people tapped in to their parasympathetic nervous system, which is more commonly called ‘rest and digest’. Unfortunately, many spend most of their days in ‘fight or flight’! When the parasympathetic nervous system is in charge, blood pressure and heart rate lower, breathing is fuller, oxygen and blood make it deeper into the body, tissues repair themselves, organs do their jobs better, and overall, mental health is much more relaxed and content. It’s not hard to understand why being in ‘rest and digest’ is more conducive to recovery, management and being better prepared to handle what life throws at us!

Safety is one of the most important pieces in our overall health and well-being. When we think of being safe, we often think of avoiding physical dangers. However, our complex minds also filter information to promote our emotional and psychological safety. When our brain perceives a threat, it will signal feelings in our bodies to defend against it. Sometimes if we are not paying attention, we miss these signals, leaving us feeling unwell. To help overcome this, the next time you notice feeling scared, try observing the problem, while building awareness for how your body is responding.

Chronic anxiety is unpredictable and overpowering. Did you know that caffeine has been associated with anxiety? Caffeine increases alertness by blocking a brain chemical (adenosine) that makes you feel tired, and overuse can cause anxiety. The essential oils suggested to help with anxiety are Basil, Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Melissa, Marjoram, and Patchouli. Inhaling a couple of deep breaths of your chosen essential oil will help calm down that feeling of being overwhelmed. Better still is having a diffuser in your home, car or workplace. This will diffuse the essential oils into the air. Now all you have to do is breathe and relax.