You might often hear that if you sprain your ankle once, you are more likely to injure it again. Every time you sprain your ankle, the ligaments are overstretched, and even torn, which disrupts the receptors that send info to your nervous system about ankle positioning. Proprioception, your body’s awareness of joint and limb position in space, is crucial in preventing injuries. The reduced input your nervous system receives is what leads to those recurrent sprains. Focusing on exercises that improve balance and stability is key to regaining proprioception. Working on balancing exercises and adding progressions (eyes closed, unstable surfaces) is a great way to prevent recurrent ankle sprains.
Community News
Say Hello to Allergy Season
It’s important to know the difference between seasonal allergies easily treatable with a simple OTC antihistamine and more serious symptoms that may require more attention. Seasonal allergies typically cause a runny nose, itchy or teary eyes, sneezing and sometimes itchy skin or a mild rash, and are caused by pollen or other airborne particles. If more serious symptoms like hives, difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat or feeling faint appear suddenly it may be the result of a more serious allergic reaction and immediate medical attention should be sought. Your local pharmacy is always happy to provide you with the medication suitable for your symptoms if appropriate!
Smell The Roses!
Spring is in the air! Wouldn’t it be great if you could smell it? Studies show that smokers lose some of their ability to smell. That can make life a lot less pleasurable. If you lose your sense of smell, you can’t appreciate the scent of spring flowers or freshly mowed lawn. Eating becomes a lot less rewarding too, since aroma contributes a great deal to the flavor of food. Life could even become more dangerous, since you may be less able to detect the odor of a gas leak or a house fire. There is some good news, however: Quit smoking and your sense of smell quickly returns.
Ask Your Eye Doctor
Q. What is Astigmatism?
A. Astigmatism is a common eye condition that causes blurry vision, due to an imperfection where the eye isn’t completely round. Ideally, a perfectly round eyeball should distribute light evenly throughout your cornea for clear vision. If your eye is shaped more like an egg, the light entering your eye will bend more in one direction. An eye with a bend will cause you to see only part of an object in focus, or things at a distance will appear blurry. Astigmatism is often accompanied by nearsightedness or farsightedness. If you’re having trouble seeing clearly or focusing, arrange an eye exam.
April is Oral Health Month
Oral health is important for everyone, including denture wearers. Gum disease, dental decay, and tooth loss are some of the main problems that denture wearers experience, so it is important to take good care of your gums, any remaining natural teeth, and to keep your partial or complete denture(s) clean and properly fitted! If gums, natural teeth, partials, and complete dentures are not cleaned properly, you are likely to experience a build-up of plaque, leading to bad breath, cavities, gum disease and further tooth loss. Denturists play an integral role in the maintenance of your oral health. Be sure to book an appointment today.
Blooms to Celebrate Easter
Beautiful flowers are always an important part of Easter, as they represent the renewal and rebirth that happens in the spring. Some of the most-loved flowers associated with Easter include: 1) Tulips – colourful and egg-shaped, these fun blooms also represent rebirth. 2) Easter Lily – beautiful white blooms that signify purity and resurrection. 3) Daffodils – often some of the first flowers blooming in spring, they signify the change in season. 4) Easter Cactus – comes in many colours and blooms right around Easter. 5) Crocus – another early bloomer, crocuses are great for joyful celebrations since they symbolize happiness and youth.
Blooms to Celebrate Easter
Beautiful flowers are always an important part of Easter, as they represent the renewal and rebirth that happens in the spring. Some of the most-loved flowers associated with Easter include: 1) Tulips – colourful and egg-shaped, these fun blooms also represent rebirth. 2) Easter Lily – beautiful white blooms that signify purity and resurrection. 3) Daffodils – often some of the first flowers blooming in spring, they signify the change in season. 4) Easter Cactus – comes in many colours and blooms right around Easter. 5) Crocus – another early bloomer, crocuses are great for joyful celebrations since they symbolize happiness and youth.
Your Child’s First Eye Exams
Optometrists recommend that babies have their first eye examination between six and nine months of age to ensure their eyes are healthy, eye alignment and eye muscle movements are developing properly, and the eyes are focusing together. A number of serious eye conditions exist that can be identified during their first eye exam. If left uncorrected, these conditions can result in serious vision problems. Vision development continues into the preschool years – depth perception, eye-hand coordination, and visualization skills. Doctors of Optometry recommend children have at least one eye exam between the ages of two and five, and yearly after starting school.
Reimagine Mobility
A mobility scooter is a lifestyle-enhancing vehicle that can help you rediscover a sense of freedom and mobility. To get the most out of your scooter, you need the right one for you and your lifestyle. Things to consider include: – Can it be transported by car, taxi and plane? – Does it come apart and go back together easily? – Are the parts light enough to lift? – What are the weight restrictions? Take into account the things that you transport on a regular basis not just your own weight. Mobility scooters may be covered by extended health care plans.
Electro-magnetic Fields (EMFs)
Low-level radiation is one type of EMF exposure and is emitted from cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, computers, and even power lines. Some scientists report that this type of EMF exposure can cause sleep disturbances, including insomnia; headache; depression and depressive symptoms; changes in memory; and lack of concentration. You can reduce the risk by using the speakerphone function on your cell phone instead of holding it to your ear. Charge your phone in a different room at night, or put it on airplane/flight mode while you sleep. Products are also available that counteract harmful frequencies using healthy ones.
April Brain Teasers
1. Lose me once I’ll come back stronger, lose me twice I’ll leave forever, what am I? 2. What is the difference between a person with a terrible toothache and a rainy day? 3. A Buddhist went to the dentist for a root canal, but he refused novocain, why?
