Did you know that the Canadian Mental Health Association has information online regarding different mental health issues? As well, your local Canadian Mental Health Association branch can answer any questions you may have and provide services to the public. Workshops and courses are another great way to learn about these issues. The Canadian Mental Health Association along with other organizations in your community offer this service. Research what organizations are around you and call them to find out times, dates and whether courses are available for free at a cost. Visit your local library to take advantage of free resources or head to a bookstore or shop online to purchase.

Over 500 peer-reviewed research studies confirm that yoga therapy can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with many health conditions, including chronic pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression. Yoga therapy teaches you safe and gentle practical methods to decrease your pain or immobility by relaxing, breathing better, aligning your body, and increasing balance, mobility, and strength. Using yoga therapy, you can calm your mind and refocus to help manage stress and improve sleep, which can lead to feeling better physically overall. Consider using the healing properties of yoga therapy to take charge of your health!

Childbirth, normal aging, and menopause can all create bladder issues for women that cause them to curtail exercise, work, and social commitments. Weakened bladder muscles and other issues can cause bladder problems like pain, incontinence, or urinary frequency that many may feel embarrassed about. If you are tired of planning your life around your bladder and want to take more control, a visit to a gynecologist can help you get your life back. They may prescribe pelvic floor exercise and/or medications, or they may suggest laser therapy or offer surgery to help alleviate the symptoms.

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.

All behaviour serves a purpose, and substance abuse is no exception. The calming effects of alcohol may provide feelings similar to those of love and connection. Cocaine use makes people feel elated and full of energy – attractive feelings for someone who feels “numb”. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance abuse problem, remember: the opposite of addiction is connection. Do your best to build community around those who are suffering. Seek a counsellor who can identify healthier ways of coping and support those transitioning out of problematic use. Help is out there – please reach out!

Most pain that we experience is related to trigger points in our muscles. Trigger points – contractions or knots in the muscle – result in pain and will lead to symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, back pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis or other myofascial pain conditions. Vitamin oxidative therapy and hyaluronic acid can be injected into muscle contractions to alleviate pain, numbness and stiffness in muscles, tendons and ligaments to regenerate and repair tissue. The treatment is simple and safe, and results in targeted relief from specific trigger point pain anywhere on the body.