Otherwise known as constant positive airway pressure, CPAP therapy is the gold standard choice in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with significantly higher success rates than corrective surgery or dental appliances in moderate to severe cases. A pressure is applied gently to the airway to relieve flaccid anatomical muscle tone during sleep through an externally affixed mask. The patient’s perception is that like a fan, that translates into an airway splint or pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. Through repetitive use and as their pre-treatment symptoms subside, improved breathing is achieved.
Community News
Clean Eating: Turmeric Hamburgers
1 lb. of organic grass-fed ground beef, 1 egg, ½ cup of oatmeal or bread crumbs, 1 Tbsp. cracked black pepper, 1 Tbsp. turmeric, 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp. organic BBQ sauce, 1 chopped onion, 1 minced head of garlic. Mix together lightly. Form patties. Brush lightly with oil. Grill on low/med heat, 5 min. per side.
Guessing What You Hear?
Have you been noticing that parts of words don’t come in clearly when you’re listening to others speak? Certain consonants in speech like /f/ /s/ /th/ and /k/ can be tougher to pick up on, which can lead to you guessing and getting words mixed up. This may be an indicator that you are starting to lose some hearing in the higher frequencies and that it may be time to get a hearing test. Early detection can help with daily clarity, and can also decrease fatigue from listening and the need to keep stimulating the brain’s auditory pathways.
Food Isn’t What You’re Craving
We’re not actually craving a Snickers … we’re craving escape and distraction. Junk food won’t give you what you’re truly looking for, so when you’re craving something that sabotages your goals, ask yourself: “If I had one of those ‘EASY’ buttons to change something in my life right now, what would I change?” This puts the spotlight on what is actually the unresolved problem you’re trying to avoid. Identifying these issues will be the first step in mapping out a plan of action (instead of trying to satisfy an unmet need with junk food … which never works).
Osteoarthritis & Exercise
1 in 6 Canadian adults has arthritis, the majority being osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a disease of the joint cartilage with multiple contributing factors including genetics, previous joint injury, body weight and muscle weakness. Pain associated with OA may cause individuals to avoid physical activity which can lead to secondary complications and worsening of symptoms. Physiotherapists are experts in exercise prescription for conditions such as OA and can help you safely engage in exercise in a way that can decrease pain, increase strength, allow continued participation in activity and possibly prolong the life of your joint.
Laser Fungal Treatment Breakthrough
Did you know 1 in 5 Canadians have or have had a toenail fungus infection and 2/3 are embarrassed by this condition? If you have thick, yellow, brittle nails, chances are you have nail fungus or onychomycosis. Many of our patients have tried home remedies and found them to be ineffective. That can be a major disappointment. Advances in medical laser technologies have emerged changing the way we combat this condition. Safe and effective laser fungal nail treatment really works for removing fungal growths from your feet. It’s a quick, painless, and long-lasting process.
Book Club: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Soulful and uproarious, forceful and tender, Untamed is both a memoir and a galvanizing wake-up call. It offers a piercing, electrifying examination of the restrictive expectations women are issued from birth; shows how hustling to meet those expectations leaves women feeling dissatisfied and lost; and reveals that when we quit abandoning ourselves and instead abandon the world’s expectations of us, we become women who can finally look at ourselves and recognize: There She Is.
Healthy Baking Tips
When it comes to low-carb baking, wheat flour is usually swapped out for something like almond or coconut flour. Almond flour is not the same as almond meal, as it is finer in texture and lighter in colour. The fineness of almond flour makes it act like wheat flour, unlike almond meal. Coconut flour is made from coconut meat that has been dried and ground into a fine powder. However, coconut flour is highly absorbent and can be difficult to work with. Stick only to recipes developed specifically for these flours – they aren’t a seamless swap for regular flour!
Get Your Mouth Checked!
An oral health exam is critical to the maintenance of your overall wellbeing. You should have your mouth checked at least once a year for prevention and treatment of any ailments. Even if you don’t have any live teeth, it’s important to make sure there are no signs of infections or early signs of cancer, growths, or cysts, and that your dentures are fitting you well. Leaving problems untreated usually leads to pain, periodontal disease, or tooth loss, and could make treatment more difficult, so it’s best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them.
Stress-Free Travel Planning
Even during these uncertain times, planning a getaway will bring you a sense of excitement, hope and joy. Using a reputable travel professional is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress when planning a trip. They save you time and money, and often provide added benefits that you’d otherwise not see. Their expertise helps to simplify the planning process so that you can look forward to the experience instead of worrying about what needs to be done. They can also provide important insights into your best options and even work with you to customize your perfect getaway!
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.
