Uncomfortable dentures are a thing of the past. Their lightweight, comfortable counterparts are practically invisible, and completely eliminate the unsightly metal clasps. In fact, flexible partial dentures are fabricated without the use of a metal frame – made instead from a strong, durable plastic that snaps securely and comfortably into place around existing natural teeth and gums. The plastic used is so strong that the partial made from it can be very thin, eliminating that heavy, bulky feeling that makes wearing partials so unpleasant. Flexible partial dentures are a quality, premium product that offer the benefits of superior esthetics, comfort, function, and bio-compatibility.
J. Lane Janke, DD, FCAD, James Bay Denturists, JBSdenturists.com
Community News
Comfort for the patient and the caregiver
I sat in the hallway playing music softly on guitar in between the birth and delivery unit and the special care nursery. Occasionally I stood up with the guitar and moved closer to one unit or the other, so that the nurse’s station was within earshot of the music, but not too close that I’d be at all in the way. I stayed for about an hour at a time, playing and singing. I was careful to create only a background soundscape that did not disturb the concentration of either the staff or the patients. One day the supervisor in the special care nursery invited me to come in; She explained that the music seemed to have a calming effect on the staff and on the parents of the preemies, which in turn was excellent for the preemies. When I returned to the hallway a little while later, staff from the birth and delivery unit mentioned that they’d missed hearing the music in my absence and wished to have it more often. They said that it made it easier and more pleasant for them to perform their tasks and they had found themselves humming quietly while they worked and smiling more than usual. Nejama Ferstman, MTA Certified Music Therapist, ShiriMusicTherapy.ca
Give the Gift of Experience
A good question to ask yourself as you look around your place and see all the ‘stuff’ everywhere is, how much of it really gives you pleasure or adds meaning to your life? A recent survey of millennials advises that about 70% were willing to forgo gift giving in lieu of time spent with family and friends. Maybe this year, giving gifts of our time or experiences – making dinner with clean-up, walking in the woods, running errands, making a batch of cookies, or taking down the Christmas tree and recycling it – would be remembered and treasured more so than presents.
Doris Minervini, Abakhan & Associates Inc., Abakhan.com
Lose Weight & Still Enjoy Wine!
Research suggests people who follow a Mediterranean diet lose 52% more weight than the standard low-fat diet because it isn’t just a fad or limited list of foods. It’s a lifestyle based on a balanced approach to your meals, which focuses on produce, healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, fish, and even some red wine. Committing to losing weight for three months using the Mediterranean diet as a base, along with three booster products and three lifestyle changes, guarantees results. And there is no meal skipping! Look and feel great for all of your holiday parties and events!
Lisa – Modere, LiveClean.Market
Healing Power of Cannabis
Today, there is a worldwide empowerment movement to educate humankind on the foods to stop eating, and on how to heal ourselves. CEO Manny Goldman of “The Sacred Plant” documentary series reveals the extraordinary healing power of cannabis. This plant has been used for healing for thousands of years, but recent decades of research and a change in attitude have exposed cannabis as a powerful ingredient in relieving symptoms of numerous diseases, and in some cases, eradicating disease altogether.
Gord Weber, Spirit Gardens, SpiritGardens.ca
Got Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain is very common and can be caused by injury, repetitive motion, poor posture or underlying health problems. The shoulder joint has more mobility than stability which makes it more susceptible to dysfunction and pain.
Conditions related to shoulder pain are frozen shoulder, rotator cuff disorders (strains, tears), bursitis, tendonitis, joint instability and acromioclavicular joint disorders. Most shoulder injuries are 40-50% pain persistent for many months after the initial injury.
Treatment with Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT) also known as Prolotherapy, Plasma Rich Platelet and Prolozone will encourage new cell growth to damaged and weak tissue. It is also recommended that RIT be integrated with Osteopathic manual therapy and Neurofunctional acupuncture to re-establish proper neuromuscular control.
Shoulder pain is the third most common, complex musculoskeletal complaint therefore an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan need to be established. Dr. Ross Ralph, Dr. TCM, R.Ac., DOMP., Courtenay Healing Centre, CourtenayHealing.ca
Relieve Emotional Stress with Yoga
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!
Wendy Anderson, RYT-200, Yoga 10 Studio, Yoga10Studio.com, CourtenayMassageTherapy.com
Reducing Elderly Falls
Inappropriate footwear can increase an elderly person’s chance of a fall. Many people purchase the wrong footwear because they want to help their aging parent by finding something that is easy to put on, and they think that softer is better. Not true. As we age, our motor and sensory skills decline. Our loss of proprioception skills (one’s ability to sense where our limbs are in space) makes us feel less sure of our footing and therefore less balanced. Loose-fitting, soft-soled footwear does not provide appropriate signals to the feet to inform them of where they are in relation to the ground. Properly fitting, sturdy shoes with non-skid soles provide more direct contact between the ground and the foot, sending sharper signals to the brain. Choosing lace-up or velcro closure shoes instead of slip-ons ensures the best stabilization of the foot within the shoe. B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics & Orthotics, MitchellPandO.com
Ask The Expert
Q: Any tips for driving in the rain? I sure find it difficult to see well at night when it’s raining.
A: You are not alone. Most of my patients complain about this, no matter how good their vision is. First, see your eye doctor to rule out any vision problems. Try to avoid looking directly at oncoming headlights. Get an expert to look at your vehicle in case of problems. Are the seats the right height for you? Are headlights and mirrors properly positioned? Is viewing the dashboard comfortable? Lastly, you might benefit from some extra training from a driving professional.
Dr. Alex Kennedy, Mosaic Vision Care, MosaicVisionCare.com
Vegetable vs. Animal Protein
The typical North American diet delivers 90 to 150 grams per day of protein, yet we only require about 20 grams per day, with vegetable protein being recommended over animal protein. Our bodies have no mechanism for storing surplus dietary protein and consuming more than we require is detrimental over time. While the breakdown of cooked animal protein is especially taxing on our stomach and pancreas, it still cannot be converted into complete amino acids, which the liver needs. Excess protein consumption causes strong acid formation, depletes calcium, overworks and enlarges the pancreas, causes liver congestion and kidney/adrenal fatigue, etc. Nevertheless, vegetarians and vegans are often questioned regarding protein!
Optimum Wellness Factor, www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca
Weight Loss and the Holidays
’Tis the season for family, festivity, and many temptations! Don’t let these temptations throw a wrench in your weight loss progress. Try these tips:
• Don’t skip meals to save up for a feast. You’re more likely to overeat.
• Eat plenty of protein, which will keep you fuller longer.
• Stay active, which will help make up for eating more than usual and will reduce stress.
• Practice mindful eating. People are often rushed and on the go throughout the holiday season, which frequently leads to multitasking during meals.
Alma Naranjo, Success Weight Loss, SuccessWeightLoss.ca
