People are living longer these days, and sometimes retirement requires supplemental income. Retiring early can mean that what you have saved isn’t enough to cover your costs long-term. Before making the decision to retire early, it’s important that you think carefully about your finances. Having an in-depth conversation about your finances with your advisor can ensure you make the best decision possible about retiring. Semi-retirement could be an option, giving you time to save more money or cover costs while on the road to full retirement. Working with your advisor to understand your situation can ensure you retire successfully.

Research in the last decade has shown that low back pain and stress urinary incontinence have components in common. The goal of restoring motor control for the low back and pelvis is to ensure you are using movement patterns that optimize the transference of loads through all your joints and organs. Your physiotherapist can give you a very thorough examination of the joints and muscles of your low back and pelvis, as well as an assessment using ultrasound imaging, to see what strategy you are using to transfer loads through your pelvis. An individual treatment program can be developed that is specific to your needs. Urinary incontinence is about more than the pelvic floor, come see for yourself.

Are the shorter days zapping your energy? Well, you are not alone; at this time of year, the reduced amount of daylight is telling our bodies to sleep more. Unfortunately, our schedules don’t always allow for it and we are left feeling tired and reach for the closest coffee or energy drink. But did you know instead of caffeine and sugar, you can give your body a natural boost of energy and vitality with vitamins C and B12, amino acids, methylfolate, and carnitine? IV vitamin therapy is a great way to get these nutrients with a quick 60-minute drip.

Modern life is filled with opportunities that cause misalignment in the joints of the spine. Sitting, bending, lifting, trauma and poor posture while using computers and mobile phones can all cause strain on the neck and back. This strain can damage the soft tissues of the spine including the delicate nervous system which is housed within. So, what happens when your spine becomes misaligned and irritates your delicate nerves? Neck pain, Back pain, Headaches, Sciatica, and more. Chiropractic can help to gently re-align, reduce strain and restore function to this delicate system. When was the last time you had your spine examined by a Doctor of Chiropractic?

We have all experienced pain at some point during our life. But there are some people for whom pain is a daily burden that doesn’t seem to go away. For those people, it is important to find a practitioner who has extensive experience in assessing and treating acute and chronic pain conditions. It doesn’t matter if your pain is from joints, muscles, nerves, organs, emotional trauma, or even an unknown origin, there is almost always something that can be done to decrease or remove the pain. Get a thorough assessment that can uncover previously overlooked or misunderstood aspects contributing to your problem.

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.

Doing some end-of-summer sightseeing with your dog? Don’t forget that wildlife can be either scared by your pet or see it as prey. Keep your pet safe by leashing it and have protection from large predators. Bears will be fishing and eating berries; don’t allow your pet to get involved in a confrontation. This time of year, bad weather can hit the mountains quickly. Protect yourself and your pet with good preparation, including having the right gear and knowing how to find shelter if necessary. There will still be tick activity until the temperature drops below 4° C, so make sure your pet is protected.

Q: I’m unable to lose the weight gained from pregnancy, can acupuncture help with this? A: There are several factors that can contribute to weight retention post-pregnancy. For some, it could be due to emotional and hormonal reasons. In an acupuncture treatment session, we adjust the digestive system by expelling bodily junk, combined with treatment for balancing one’s hormones and emotions. It’s a big change to have a new family member. Our emotional state and physical states are closely related. We must take care of both to live a healthy life.

Separation of the abdominal muscles in the midline is a common occurrence after some pregnancies, or after many years of abdominal training with poor technique, and is called diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA). The most obvious visible change during pregnancy is the expansion of the abdominal wall and while most abdomens accommodate this stretch very well, others are damaged extensively. In some, this can prevent optimal function of the core. A physiotherapist can perform a complete assessment of your abdominal wall function (that includes ultrasound imaging) and can help you progress in your exercise program, regain pain-free function, and regain urinary continence. In some cases, physiotherapy can help, but surgery may still be required. We can help you determine if surgery is required for you if you have a DRA.