Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by repetitive overstretching of the ligaments that support the arch. Having proper supportive footwear, along with gel heel insoles, will help with your symptoms and make walking more tolerable. Be sure to roll the arch of your foot first thing in the morning and wear slippers on hardwood and laminate flooring at home to cushion the heel and avoid further inflammation. Pain relieving modalities such as ultrasound, acupuncture, and shockwave therapy, along with appropriate stretches and exercises, can also help reduce pain and inflammation and get you healing the proper way.
Community News
Benefits of Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
Exposure to artificial light at the wrong times of day is one of the largest often-overlooked health risks of living in the 21st century. Blocking blue light serves an important biological purpose, helping to regulate your internal clock to control sleep patterns and other body functions; avoiding blue light at night is crucial to protecting your health. One of the least expensive and simplest ways to protect your body’s internal rhythm, and thereby support healthy sleep and a lowered risk of many chronic diseases, is to wear blue-light-blocking glasses at night.
What You Don’t Hear
When someone has moderate hearing loss they will hear relatively well if you are talking to them face to face in a quiet environment. They will not hear well if you are walking away from them, in a different room, or if noise is present. People with hearing loss may be unaware of the extent of it: that’s where loved ones come in. Family members who have grown frustrated with them not being able to hear are the ones to prompt them to get a hearing test. Encourage them to have their hearing tested, you will be doing them and yourself a big favour in the long run.
The Painless Facelift
A microcurrent facial is often referred to as a “natural” facelift. This safe and painless facial helps erase fine lines and wrinkles, while firming your skin and defining your features. A microcurrent facial emits extremely low-voltage electrical currents (hence, ‘micro’ current), which mirror your own body’s electrical currents, on a cellular level to repair damaged skin and stimulate collagen and elastin production. Cosmetic microcurrent is beneficial for improvement in the appearance of aged and slackened skin, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, dark circles and puffiness, enlarged pores, and muscle tone.
Surgery for ACL Injuries
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.
10 Things that Happen When You Quit Smoking
According to Cancer.org, after only 8 hours of your last cigarette, the oxygen levels in your blood increase. After 12 hours, your carbon monoxide blood levels drop to normal. After 2 days of not smoking, you’ll have heightened senses of smell and taste. 3 days later, your bronchial tubes relax and breathing may feel less labored than before. During the first 9 months smoke free, your shortness of breath will improve, and the tiny cilia hairs in your lungs will regain function, allowing your body to clean your lungs. After 1 full year, your risk of heart disease is about half compared with a smoker. After 15 years of being smoke-free, your risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Living Life Longer
We are living WAY longer than we used to. Did you know that the average age of death in 1900 was 47? Today it is 87. This means that we really need to take care of ourselves, not only physically, but mentally as well. Being on the planet longer also means that we will go through many more transitions throughout our lifetime: births, deaths, jobs, house moves; the list goes on. Transitions can cause us stress, so make sure you have good outlets and sounding boards as you move through life. A safe, trusting relationship gives us support and perspective in times of change.
Retiring Successfully
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.
Painful Ingrown Toenails
Q: What are ingrown toenails? A: These almost always occur on the big toe, and can cause significant pain, as well have the potential for infection. Causes can include tight shoes, poor or improper nail care, and genetic predisposition. Treating ingrown toenails involves clearing up any infection that might be present and removing the part of the nail that is growing into the toe. Having a podiatrist do it, under local anesthesia, if necessary, is the best way. To avoid ingrown toenails, cut your toenails regularly straight across instead of rounding the corners or edges, and wear shoes that have adequate width and depth, and are not too tight.
Learning Difficulties and After-School Programs
Does your child seem to be putting forth more energy at school than their peers are? Is it starting to affect their self-esteem, grades, and social connections? There are programs that can help to strengthen your child’s ability by aiding their brain to change and grow through the principle of neuroplasticity. After-school options can help you and your child to boost their brain power and set them on a path of academic success. If you’re willing to put them in after-school sports programs to help exercise their bodies, why not place them in after-school programs that can help stimulate their minds?
New Addition to the Team
Warmest welcome to our newest addition to the veterinary team – Dr. Hebe Lin of Crescent Beach, BC. Dr. Lin brings years of experience breeding border collies to our team, and has special interest in ophthalmology as well. We have been fortunate enough to have her intern with us and get special training with our specialist referral team. For those of you wanting to communicate in Mandarin, that is Dr. Lin’s native tongue. Please help us welcome her to the practice as we build more relationships with you and your pets.
