Spring and summer are typical times for allergies to trees, grasses, pollens, and dust to manifest increased symptoms. Simply rinsing nasal passages and eyes with a normal saline solution several times a day is a quick way to reduce symptoms before they become worse. Use of allergy medications (sprays and tablets) can help reduce symptoms further. There are many people who suffer from allergy-like symptoms who do not have the typical immunoglobulin response on testing. These sensitivities and intolerances still need to be identified and treated in order to obtain long-term symptom relief and allow the immune and detoxification systems to work properly.

Chiropractic is for patients from all walks of life, from newborn babies to the elderly. Common ailments range from headaches and body pain, to digestive issues, fatigue, and stress. We also see many people who have no concerns, except to maintain their health.
To understand chiropractic, we have to first understand a little about the way the body works. When you were born, your body knew exactly what to do to keep you healthy, which is what chiropractors call “innate intelligence”. This is the knowledge our bodies are born with that no school can teach! Most people think of stress as just a mental dimension, but in a holistic model, stress is expressed in three dimensions: physical, biochemical (nutrition, and environmental toxins), and emotional/spiritual. The goal of chiropractic care is to assess the level of stress on our innate intelligence, also referred to as our nervous system.

Q: Why is my toenail “black”? A: A black toenail is usually caused by a blood blister underneath the nail. The collection of blood under the nail discolours it and in some cases can cause pressure and pain. If there is pain due to the increased pressure, your family doctor or podiatrist will need to drain the blood. The best way to prevent black toenails is to ensure that you have proper fitting shoes, meaning the toe box should be wide enough and the shoes long enough so that your toes don’t bump against the sides or end of the

The opioid crisis is rapidly escalating, and not showing any signs of slowing down soon. We must protect our “kids” — which, by the way, our kids are always our kids, no matter their age or ours. Please listen and don’t react or preach. Make a safe space for drug use conversations. If they are going to use anyway, for example, encourage them not to use alone. Love them, support them, try and get them to help. A good listening ear from a non-judgmental counsellor may be just what they need.

Is your dog or cat hunting wildlife or pests? If so, see your vet for a thorough deworming of your pet every three months. Worms and parasites can reduce absorption of nutrients and lead to protein loss and anemia in your pet. Some parasites can also be passed to humans. Have your vet use the strongest dewormer available to rid the body of all roundworms, tapeworms, and giardia parasites. Even if your dog just frequents areas contaminated with other dogs’ feces, summer is a season of parasites; stop it with a good deworming, and flea and tick prevention protocol.

Total knee replacement is the most definitive treatment for advanced osteoarthritis. This procedure is typically done in a hospital setting, with 3-5 days of hospital stay. In recent years, it has become clear that healthy individuals can be discharged from the hospital on the day of their surgery, to safely and conveniently recover at home. Having surgery done at a medical centre provides a welcome alternative to hospitals. This can help reduce complications associated with hospitalization, and for many patients, the convenience and comfort of being at home with family is much preferred over the rustle and bustle of a busy surgical ward.

Many students with learning difficulties have average to above-average intelligence, but as they move through the school system, demands increase. They are expected to understand things more quickly, express themselves at a deeper level, and grasp vague concepts, all of which relies less on memory, and more on applying knowledge. At this stage, students may find it difficult to keep up with their peers, which can lead to increased anxiety and self-doubt. Getting to the bottom of a student’s learning difficulties, and working to grow and change their brains, can increase their confidence and decrease their anxiety.

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.

This is exactly what we do at The Counselling Group. In our cooperative practice, we support one another to be healthy so that you, the client, receive the benefits. “Every good therapist should have a good therapist, or you have no business being a therapist!” is our motto. We all go through transitions and losses — family issues, car accidents, deaths of loved ones, job changes, house moves, growing children — the list goes on. These changes are worthy of examination, for you and for us.