Q: I scratched one of my eyes when I was tending some shrubs in my garden, and it’s not healing up very quickly. My eye doctor says that might take a long time. Is there anything I could do to make this better quicker?
A: It sounds like you have an injured cornea and that it is prone to poor healing, which is some bad luck on your part. You’ll likely need a ton of patience. Basic treatment for this includes warm compresses and indefinite usage of lubricating eyedrops. Sometimes the eye doctor can apply a contact lens to cover up the wound for a while. The very last resort is some kind of surgery to help smooth out the cornea. Let this be a gentle reminder to all gardeners to protect their eyes while working!
Community News
Osteoarthritis Pain?
Do you suffer from pain, stiffness, and discomfort in your major joints like knees and hips? You may have osteoarthritis. In addition, to many non-drug therapies such as losing weight, exercise, and supports, there are some over-the-counter medications that can help. These include topical anti-inflammatories, acetaminophen, and oral anti-inflammatories such ibuprofen or naproxen. If a trail of over-the counter medications is not successful, there are prescription medications that could tried. While each of these options has some risks of side effects or drug interactions, your pharmacist can help you determine what option is best for you.
Healing with Plants
Plants have healing properties, whether used in Chinese medicine or standing alone in a garden setting or forest. Loss of connection with nature can result in low spiritual energy, leading to disease, depression, and a sense of loss of who we are. It is of vital importance to strike a relationship with nature. Plants do communicate with us, they love to be touched and they want our attention. Observe their texture, smell, and taste, and listen for their sound. Spend time with them, talk to them, caress their leaves and bring them gifts. Individuals and communities can be healed by incorporating plants into their lives.
Kombucha and Pancreatic Health
A 2013 research paper was published by the Department of Life Sciences & Biotechnology at Jadavpur University titled, “Effect of Kombucha, a fermented black tea in attenuating oxidative stress mediated tissue damage in alloxan induced diabetic rats”. The study compared antidiabetic (stabilizing and controlling blood glucose levels) and antioxidant effects of kombucha (KT), versus unfermented black tea (BT), in rats that had been given a substance to induce diabetes. While unfermented black tea’s antidiabetic and antioxidant effects were shown, KT was found to be even more efficient. The abstract states, “Results showed significant antidiabetic potential of the fermented beverage (150 mg lyophilized extract/kg bw for 14 days).”
Ozone Anti-Aging
Ozone has remarkable versatility for disease management because of the increased oxygen utilization at a cellular level. The success of the treatment is dependent on the practitioner’s skill and judgment, as well as the proper integration of other skills, including acupuncture, detoxification, nutrition, and herbal medicines. Often, patients follow their doctor’s recommendations to resolve a specific acute or chronic ailment, and then continue with ozone treatments as an anti-aging tool. Many patients report increased energy, stamina, and resistance to colds and flus. These anti-aging remedy treatments are recommended for all patients when they reach their 60th birthday.
Struggling with Fertility?
Several studies have found that men and women who get acupuncture treatments — whether to treat conditions that can interfere with getting pregnant, or to increase sperm count and libido — have a higher rate of successful pregnancy and births. Acupuncture increases fertility by reducing stress, balancing the endocrine system, and regulating your fertility hormones according to several studies and medical research. Among many other benefits, acupuncture can provide better blood flow to the male and female sex organs, creating a stronger chance for an egg to be nourished and carried to term.
Knee Replacements Outside of Hospitals
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.
Heat Stress in Pets
Is your pet prepared for the heat of late summer? Don’t forget how being overweight can be very stressful for some pets in the heat of summer – especially the short-nosed breeds that can’t breathe as easily as we’d like at the best of times. Any respiratory or heart conditions will exacerbate the stress of hot conditions for your pet. Keep your pet as lean as possible and avoid the summer heat. Make sure your pet drinks plenty of water and use fans or air conditioners to beat the heat. Never trust your pet’s condition in a warm car, as heat stroke can be fatal.
Treating Signs of Aging Skin
Skin ages and becomes loose and less elastic as we grow older due to a reduction in fibroblast cells, which build the collagen proteins that keep our cells connected tightly. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a safe and chemical-free way to trigger new collagen production. A hand-controlled device with tiny, shallow needles punctures the outer layer of the skin at 1000 times per second to create mild damage that will stimulate your body to produce new collagen and elastin. This process can be used all over the body, not just on the face, to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, and more!
Reducing Anxiety and Finding Balance
Anxiety and panic attacks can be detrimental to a person’s confidence, wellbeing, and overall sense of self, causing stress, worry, and sometimes long-term health issues. Anxiety often stems from thoughts – “what ifs” that can grow to severely impact one’s ability to cope with daily life. Those with anxiety may find that laser acupuncture is a welcome respite from their tension and fear. The use of a cold non-invasive laser to stimulate acupressure points on the body can affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, therefore helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and panic.
Know Your Core Muscles
Physiotherapists offer training for the deep muscles of your core. These muscles include: 1) Transversus abdominis – the deepest abdominal that wraps around the abdomen between the lower ribs and top of the pelvis. It stabilizes the low back and pelvis and protects the inner organs. 2) Multifidus – a deep muscle located along the back of the spine very close to the midline that works with other muscles to stabilize the low back and pelvis. 3) The pelvic floor – a hammock of muscles that connect the pubic bone at the front to the tailbone and “sitz” bones at the back. There are no recipes for training the deep muscles – speak to your physiotherapist about the right training for your core.
