Many studies involving hundreds of patients have shown evidence that acupuncture can help treat anxiety and can have similar effects as talk therapy. Acupuncture can help the body relax in a variety of ways, including 1) prompting the parasympathetic nervous system to release signals for relaxation; 2) improving the heart rate variability, which helps the body cope with stress; 3) calming the hypothalamus, which releases neurochemicals when we are under stress; and 4) helping with the flow of endorphins, the body’s own “feel good” chemicals. Acupuncture can be considered as an effective alternative to traditional pharmacological and psychological treatments.
Community News
Boost Mental Health & Performance at Work
During this global pandemic, the need for mental health support has increased fourfold. As an employee, the best thing you can do for your mental health is to be vocal. If you are struggling, speak up or use the Wellness Together Canada free resources. Waiting causes longer term damage impacting productivity and quality of life. If you are an employer, ask how you can support your team every day. Then, make or get a Mental Health First Aid kit and put it somewhere visible to demonstrate mental health is just as important as physical health. Include things like motivational cards, mindfulness colouring sheets, stress balls, breathing exercises and general resilience tips.
Abs of Steel or Jelly Belly?
Your pelvis is a ring of bones held together by ligaments and muscles. These muscles engage every time you walk, sit, stand, run, or even breathe! Weak stabilizing muscles cause your pelvis to move too much and surrounding muscles contract to control the excess movement, leading to chronic muscle tightness. By strengthening the core, our bodies are able to withstand these forces without muscle spasms. Some of the best exercises for core involve maintaining a neutral spine position and resisting forces. Your physiotherapist can give you specific exercises to improve your strength, while relaxing other muscles through manual therapy techniques.
Mind Exercises for Seniors
It’s important for people of all ages to keep their brains healthy with regular workouts, but especially so for seniors. Here are five ways you can keep your mind sharp as you age: 1) Play a game. Try a sudoku, crossword, or jigsaw puzzle, or play a game of cards with friends. 2) Get moving. Regular exercise increases blood flow to your brain and increases neurons. 3) Listen to or play music. Science shows that music is a great brain booster. 4) Eat right. A healthy diet is crucial for cognitive health. 5) Learn something new. Keep your mind engaged!
What is a Hearing Evaluation Like?
To start, you will meet with a Hearing Care professional and a thorough history will be taken. An inspection of your ears will take place to confirm good ear health. You will be asked to respond to tones in a sound treated room. The tones tested are specific and range from the low to high frequencies that are important for hearing speech. You will undergo word testing to measure your communication abilities and how you hear speech in quiet and in noisy situations. Results are recorded to guide the Hearing Care Professional in forming a treatment plan if hearing loss is present.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life
We all want to be healthy, however many people disregard their oral cavity and teeth (whether real or false). The body is a holistic and interconnected system, one that can only function optimally if everything runs smoothly. Old or ill-fitting dentures can cause an array of health issues. From headaches, digestive problems, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), and hearing loss. Also social isolation may occur if you are unhappy with your smile because of missing teeth or old dentures. It’s imperative to see the right specialist for any health issues. When it comes to dentures see a denturist first.
Blocking Blue Light
Blue light emitted from the sun is essential to your body. However, exposing your eyes to the artificial blue light from computers, smartphones and other digital devices may keep you awake at night and causing eyes strain. Blocking UV and HEV (high-energy visible) light is critical for your eyes against cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Ask your trusted eye care professional about blue light blocking lenses available to you. Our tip: If you are working on your laptop, tablet or smartphone long hours, we recommend giving your eyes frequent breaks by looking into the distance often.
Ask The Pharmacist
Q. What is the best diet strategy for weight loss?
A. The answer depends on your weight loss goals. Unfortunately, the evidence is conflicting about what strategies work best. At the end of the day, the best diet for you is the one that you can faithfully follow for a lifetime to help you to reach your optimal weight and allows you to not feel hungry or deprived. Medications can also contribute to weight gain, so have a pharmacist review your medications to ensure a medication is not contributing to unwanted weight.
4 Actions for Mental Wellbeing
There are some surprisingly simple things we can do each day to improve our mental wellbeing. Some great examples include: 1) Practice gratitude: Make a list of everything you are grateful for, and tell those closest to you how much you appreciate them. 2) Be organized: Tidiness and organization can help you feel in control of your life and your wellbeing. Why not start by making your bed each day? 3) Get active. Physical activity can help improve your mood and focus. 4) Strive for mindfulness. Immerse yourself in each moment and let go of past and/or future concerns.
Is Your Indoor Air Healthy?
We all care about our family’s health, but have you considered the quality of the air inside of our homes? Allergies, illness, and long-term health can all be affected either in a positive or negative fashion depending on the quality of the air inside your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency the air inside your home can be 2 to 10 times more polluted than the outside air. It is difficult for our immune system to keep up with the abundance of pollen, dander, smoke, mold, bacteria, and chemical gases that are locked inside. Consider investing in an air purifier to keep your home, and your family, healthy.
Restless Legs?
Are your legs keeping you up at night? HealthLink BC identifies Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) as a disorder related to sensation and movement. The symptoms, often most severe at night, are unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs that cause an irresistible urge to move them. Moving the legs only relieves the discomfort temporarily. If symptoms are mild, a few lifestyle changes may be enough to control them. *Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine *Keep the bedroom cool, quiet, and comfortable *Get regular exercise *Massage the leg or use heat or ice packs. Some people find relief wearing socks with woven HPT technology.
