A fundamental principle of yoga is that your body and mind are one and connected. Stress in one domain will affect the other and vice versa. Yoga can help you cope with stress and improve overall health and satisfaction with life. While all exercise is good for stress, yoga is different because it powerfully combines both physical fitness with an underlying philosophy of self-compassion and awareness. We actually release emotional energy effectively throughout our yoga practice, even if you’re not aware of it!

Plantar fasciitis can happen to anyone, from an active runner or athlete to a worker who is on their feet all day. Your foot is made up of numerous complex tissues, muscles, and bones that can become damaged quite easily if the foot is not properly cared for. The foot has a thick, fibrous band of tissue called the fascia that reaches from the heel to the toes and provides support to the muscles and arch of the foot. When this tissue becomes overly stretched, tiny tears can occur on the surface, resulting in pain and inflammation. Persistent pain caused by plantar fasciitis can undermine your fitness and general health and drag on for years – but there are treatments available! Contact your trusted foot health expert for more info.

Bike fitting is the art and science of harmonizing a rider with their bike to improve comfort, reduce pain, and improve efficiency and performance. The process involves a thorough analysis of the side view, where adjustments can be made to the seat, handlebars, and stem, as well as a front view assessment, where the focus is on foot position on the pedal and lower limb alignment. When a bike fit is performed by a physiotherapist there is also the added benefit of the integration of injury assessment and a treatment plan. Bike fitting can be appropriate for the commuter to the elite cyclist.

Talking about any difficult issue, such as a problem with gambling can be difficult. Here are a few strategies that can be helpful: Try not to judge them or use judgmental language; this will only make the person defensive. Problem gamblers feel vulnerable already. Offer support, caring, and information about the help that is available. Tell the person specifically how their actions are affecting you and your family. Let them know you will support them in their efforts to regain control. If your finances are linked, you may need to take immediate action to protect yourself and your family. Karen Hlady, Prevention Service Provider,

Do you have a job that requires you to stand or sit for long periods of time? Are you planning any long-distance air travel? Standing or sitting for extended periods can lead to swollen legs, varicose veins, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (a blood clot) which is a serious medical condition. If you have diabetes or heart disease, you may also have venous circulation issues. Medical compression can prevent these problems. By applying controlled, graduated pressure, the venous pressure is reduced, which results in less swelling in the legs. Medical compression, like socks and stockings, come in a variety of sizes and colours.

Why is it that some injuries never heal, and go on to become areas of chronic pain and dysfunction? These localized areas fail to heal because of a localized decrease in oxygen utilization. And why do people heal so much more reliably when they are young than when they become older? The answer in both cases has to do with decreased oxygen utilization which serves as a foundation for chronic pain and degeneration. Break that cycle by the application of ozone therapy or Prolozone injections which maximizes oxygen absorption, and the cells and tissues can begin to do what they usually do so well – heal themselves.

Q: My friend said she got a sunburn on her eyes. Is this really possible?

A: Yes indeed, and she probably meant she suffered some acute discomfort. You probably know that prolonged sun exposure puts you at risk for eye problems like cataracts, but ultra-violet rays from the sun can also irritate the cornea and conjunctiva, resulting in pain, blurry vision, grittiness, light sensitivity and watering, much like a welding flash or snow blindness. Like a sunburn, the discomfort occurs a few hours after the burn itself. One more reason to protect your eyes against the sun!

Summer is the season of yang. It is a time of joy, heat, and abundant energy. However, the abundance of the yang energy can unfortunately bring on injuries. Sprains and strains are common at this time of year. Treating the injury with acupuncture can help to reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation, decrease pain and prevent the development of chronic pain. Overheating during the summer months can also be a problem, so it is suggested to eat smaller meals and cooling yin foods. Whether it’s running, biking, kayaking or just being active in your community acupuncture will help you to feel better and perform better.