Community News
Growing Up Can Be a Pain

Does your child complain of achiness in both legs at night? Pain in the upper or lower legs or behind the knees can occur during periods of rapid growth in kids, usually between the ages of 3-5 or 8-12. Recent studies have found a high incidence of these ‘growing pains’ in children with flat feet. As your child’s body weight increases with the rapid growth, their foot arches may not be strong enough to maintain that extra weight. The arches may flatten under the strain. If this happens the muscles of the calves and legs have to work harder. Correcting the arches with either off-the-shelf or custom foot orthotics can help ease some of the muscle soreness. When combined with warm massage, increased fluid intake, stretching, and ensuring that stable, supportive footwear is worn throughout the day, you can greatly ease your child’s discomfort.

Diane Calder BScKIN, Pedorthist, B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics
MitchellPandO.com

Get an MRI to find out what’s wrong!

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is particularly effective in detecting orthopaedic injuries in knees, shoulders, hips, and ankles, and for assessing brain and spinal cord issues.  MRI scans interpreted by radiologists provide essential information to family physicians to form treatment plans. MRI uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves and computer technology to generate detailed diagnostic images.  MRI is non-invasive; there is no harmful radiation as with other forms of imaging. When having an MRI scan, all metallic items must be removed before scanning.  The MRI Technologist will guide you during the 30-45 minute scan to hold still so that quality images, without blurry motion artefacts, can be obtained.  You will be given hearing protections as MRI is noisy but painless. MRIs are performed in a hospital where waiting times can be up to a year or performed very quickly in a private facility.

Nanaimo MRI, Inc.
NanaimoMRI.ca

Wellnessnews Workshops

We offer workshops on a variety of topics including alternative medicine, nutrition, healing, healthy weight-loss and more. Admission is free and most workshops are 60 – 90 minutes in length. Sign up today to view upcoming workshops and receive information on new events as they are posted.

Next workshop: May 17, “Journey to Wholeness: Body, Mind and Spirit.”

Teresa Ostman
Meetup.com/Wellnessnews

Dementia Signs and Symptoms

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 60-80 percent of cases. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older.  Symptoms to watch for with your loved ones include; memory loss, communication and language difficulties, inability to focus and pay attention, poor reasoning and judgment and changes in visual perception. A successful way to help is to focus on the Eden Philosophy.  The philosophy is to eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom with a focus on wellness rather than illness. When an individual’s ability to contribute is recognized, the years to come can be a time of meaningful active and satisfying personal growth.

Lianne Ketcheson, Nanaimo Memory and Complex Care
NanaimoMemoryCare.com

Yoga for Every Body

Has your health provider recommended that you try yoga? Yoga is for every body, at any age. Here’s why: Increased flexibility: You don’t have to be a super “bendy” person to benefit from yoga. In fact, lack of flexibility is what initially leads many people to yoga. Practicing yoga poses correctly and regularly will help to stretch muscles and increase the range of motion in your joints. Better posture: Using abdominal muscles to maintain poses will help strengthen your core, making it easier to stand taller, and stronger. Improved breathing: The deep, mindful breathing of yoga can help you increase lung capacity and endurance, and can be very helpful for anyone looking to improve their athletic performance. Stress Relief: Yoga can give you a sense of calm, right from your very first class. Over time you will learn to quiet the mind and better handle stress and anxiety.

Susan Pederson, Owner of Suga Yoga
SugaYogaParksville.com

Downsize “Stuff” to Reduce Stress

Want to decrease your stress levels? Try downsizing your closets, home office or garage. These are the three most likely places that need a clean-up on a regular basis, as we tend to throw stuff on surfaces or in piles rather than finding it a permanent home. Start from one corner of the desk, garage or shelf and keep going until you feel happy with the results. Schedule downsizing daily, weekly or monthly and hold yourself accountable to stick to it. Keep a recycle box close to your desk, a donation bag in your bedroom closet and a garbage can in your garage so they are close by when you need them. You won’t get distracted and defeated from having to hunt one down if it’s already in place. See if you can convince your friends or family to help with a problematic area; they may be downsizing addicts and are itching to help!

Marian Remenda, Professional Organizer, Rightsize Your Home
Right-SizeYourHome.com

Warning Signs from our Bodies

A health problem may start many years before you experience a symptom. The symptom is like the tip of the ice berg. Warning signs can be plantar warts, corns, athlete’s foot or ingrown toenails. There was a man who had plantar warts at the ball of his foot. In Reflexology, the ball of the foot corresponds to the lung. The plantar warts were surgically removed. He was also a smoker with morning cough. Once he stopped smoking, the cough went away. It is important to heed the warning signs that our bodies give us. With Chinese Medicine, Reflexology, or knowledge about Meridians (Acupuncture, Acupressure), a practitioner knows where in the body a problem is starting. With Reconnective Healing® the body/Creator knows what to heal.

Anna Christine Doehring, RHFP, RCP, Energy All Around Therapies
Energy-All-Around.com

Recreational Gambling

If you enjoy gambling, here are some strategies to keep gambling recreational.

1) Plan Ahead: Arrange your day and evening beforehand and plan other leisure activities in addition to gambling.

2) Set a Time Limit: Determine the amount of time you are going to gamble before you start. Ensure you stick to your time limit by wearing a watch, setting your phone alarm, or have someone call or pick you up.

3) Set a Money Limit: Determine the amount of money you are going to bet before you start. Use only money set aside for entertainment, not money needed for food, bills or other necessities. Decide in advance if you are going to play any winnings along the way or keep them separate to take them home. To help you stick to your set limit, leave your debit and credit cards at home.

Karen Hlady, Community Engagement & Prevention Advisor,
Gambling Awareness Program, BCResponsibleGambling.ca

Why Visit a Registered Nutrition Consultant

Registered Nutrition Consultant Practitioners (RNCPs) are scientific evidence-based trained nutritional professionals who can educate you about diet, lifestyle and detoxification for optimum health and energy. They can design an individualized nutrition program that respects your unique biochemistry, food sensitivities and intolerances to help you build and maintain wellness. When designing a program, environmental pollution, metal toxicity, micro-organism imbalances, medications, and other factors that can contribute to your body’s total toxic load and perpetuates chronic disease are considered. RNCPs support your body’s natural detoxification processes to help eliminate wastes and toxins that can damage cells, tissues and organs. They can help you with lifestyle changes that incorporate the benefits of regular exercise: better cardio and lung capacity, more energy, muscle tone, posture improvement, stress release, weight control, and mood enhancement. RNCPs are certified by the International Organization of Nutritional Consultants.

Crystal McMillan, MA, RNCP, Bareroots Natural Health and Yoga Centre
BarerootsNaturalHealth.com

Help for Seniors to Stay in their Homes

Many seniors wish to maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of their own home but find it difficult to do so as they age. The good news is that there are a wide range of services available to help seniors do just that. These cost-effective services range from general care to extended care to nursing care. The level of care required is determined with an initial in-depth assessment and consultation welcoming family members, support providers and clients to identify the specific areas of need and care required. General care may include regular or special diet meal planning/preparation, assistance with appointments, grocery shopping and light housekeeping. Extended care attendants can provide family relief/respite, personal care, medication dispensing, pre/post operative and rehabilitation care. Nurses can help with Injections, wound care, catheter and colostomy changes and more. The level of care required can range from one visit per week to twenty four hour, full time care.

Sue Williams, Owner, Sue’s Seniors Care Inc.
SuesSeniorCare.com

Feel Safe at Home or Away

As important as it is to feel safe at home, that feeling shouldn’t end when you head out the door. You want to feel safe and secure wherever you might be! Whether in your home, walking to your mailbox or going on vacation, there are devices available that give you 24/7 access to help. These on-the-go devices can send an alert when you press a button, sense when you fall and send an automatic alert, and provide direct, two-way communication with a 24/7 Response Center. They are designed to help locate the user in a variety of situations – home or away, indoors and out.  It really is possible to get out there and enjoy life with peace of mind.

Joan Ryan, Nanaimo Lifeline
NanaimoLifeline.ca