Many women have stress and urge mixed incontinence. Risk factors are multifunctional; childbirth, menopause, aging, high impact exercise, poor bowel patterns, and respiratory conditions just to name a few. You may want to consider a program of pelvic floor muscle training as a first step in treatment before surgical consideration. This program should be a minimal trail and should compose of at least 8 repetitions, 3 times per day and be maintained if results are successful. Make sure you are taught and supervised by a Physiotherapist knowledgeable in this area. Lastly, there are no significant adverse effects.

Marita Dowsett, B.P.T., www.physio4u.net

When making travel decisions for the holidays, it’s a good idea to plan boarding or in-home pet-sitting for your pet. But if you have decided it’s best to bring him along, take a few things into consideration. Air travel can be particularly dangerous for animals with “pushed in” faces (the medical term is “brachycephalic”), such as bulldogs or pugs. Their short nasal passages leave them especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke. If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. Travel is a stressful event for animals, so remember to plan ahead of time, and talk with your Veterinarian if you have other concerns.

Rob Lamont, www.apetlovers.com

Reflexology is a therapy used to relieve tension and promote wellness. In Reflexology, reflex points on the feet, hands, and head are stimulated by acupressure which in turn reflex to corresponding parts of the body thereby helping to restore its natural energy flow. It also, promotes homeostasis, which is the balancing of a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. One of the most common benefits of reflexology therapy is a reduction of stress and anxiety because the hormonal glandular reflex points are activated via acupressure. Additionally, it can help to increase blood flow to the extremities, decrease blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Reflexology therapy is relaxing and feels soothing and is a natural treatment enhancing well-being in a multifaceted way.

Dr. Li Lin, www.brandon-acupuncture.com

Most Canadians suffer from some sort of digestive complaint on a regular basis. These digestive issues include gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn and tiredness after eating. These symptoms can all be related to other health issues however if they occur after eating, then chances are they are digestion related and enzymes can help! Renew Life offers 3 main digestive enzyme formulas for varying degrees of digestive distress. DigestMORE is the ideal choice for anyone looking for a daily digestive enzyme to manage occasional digestive issues. DigestMORE ULTRA is the ideal choice for anyone who has chronic digestive problems that may include gas, bloating, regurgitation, and tiredness after eating. DigestMORE HCl is the ideal choice to help combat heartburn and acid reflux caused by low stomach acid. Taking digestive enzymes is one of the most effective ways to change the way your body responds to the foods you eat. Whether you take them every day or just when you need them, digestive enzymes should be part of your digestive care toolkit!

www.healthfirstnetwork.ca/hedleyshealthhut

Christmas is the season of giving, not only of gifts but also of our time and energy. If we are not careful, however, we can quickly find ourselves overwhelmed by all of the hustle and bustle of the season. So to help keep you grounded and grateful and truly make the most of each day, consider giving yourself the following gifts: Presence, Silence, and Self-Compassion. Presence will help you focus on the moment at hand and keep your mind from wandering. Silence is essential for recharging your batteries and reflecting on all for which you are grateful. And lastly, Self-Compassion will help comfort you when the reality of the season does not match the idealized version you wish to be true. These gifts will not only help you stay balanced this holiday season but every day throughout the year. Merry Christmas!

Brent Tocher, chooseauthenticity.ca

Matthew 2:11 “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

We have all heard the story about the three wise men travelling from afar to meet the newborn baby Jesus. When they arrived, they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Since the early days of Christianity, Biblical scholars and theologians have offered varying interpretations of the meaning and significance of these particular gifts. Often it is assumed that these gifts were given because of their value, to honour a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil.

These three gifts have also been referenced elsewhere in history as gifts given to new kings or given as gifts to the gods, but could these gifts also represent something more than just value?

Some believe they were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his everlasting kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role and connection to God, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming.

Still, others have suggested that the gifts of the magi were a bit more practical—even medicinal in nature. These items, particularly frankincense and myrrh weren’t just ornamental liquids; they were used as medicines. There are numerous references not only in the Bible but also in ancient medical texts that describe their benefits.

Essential oils are known as the first medicines of man, even long before Jesus! The historical accuracy is based on ancient Egyptian heliographs over 5,000 years ago and ancient medical texts from Hippocrates, the father of medicine, in 400BC.

In the Bible alone, frankincense is directly named 22 times. And its most commonly referred to practice involves promoting spiritual awareness by burning it as incense in temples, churches, and in homes. In fact, churches still burn incense to this day for that exact reason!

It is true that when used in aromatherapy, frankincense has very calming and grounding effects, so the ancients were definitely on to something! Today, apart from religious ceremonies, frankincense- is used in yoga and other meditation activities to promote meditation, improve attitude and uplift the spirits.

But apart from its spiritual benefit, frankincense also provides certain health benefits. It’s great for healing the skin, especially aging skin, it can help reduce headaches and body aches, it can support the endocrine system, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Frankincense has also been seen to help boost immunity. Boswellic Acids within frankincense have been shown to increase immunoglobins (antibodies for illness) and improve t-cell interactions (fighter cells to fight infection).

The benefits of frankincense can be magnified in the presence of another resin called Myrrh. This may explain why so often the two are presented together. Historical texts pair these two oils together even before Jesus and date their use back to 1500BC.

Above frankincense, myrrh is the most popular and most mentioned oil in the Bible! It is mentioned 157 times! It too is usually referenced with uses in spiritual anointing and burial processes. However, there are some mentions that allude to the oil being used in a more medicinal way.

During this period of time, Myrrh was often used after birth; myrrh was also often used on the newborn’s umbilical cord to prevent infection.

Myrrh has naturally occurring antimicrobial, antiparasitic and antiviral properties, so it makes sense that this oil would be used in wound healing back in the time of Jesus. In fact, in the modern day, we encourage the use of Myrrh oil for these very same benefits!

But the biggest health benefit of Myrrh is that it’s a potent antioxidant! This could also explain why it was used in mummification. Myrrh has Eugenol and Terpenoids, which are chemicals (antioxidants) produced by the plant to preserve itself from oxidative stress.

A substance’s antioxidant affect is measured on what is called the ORAC Scale. Myrrh has an ORAC rating of 379,800. Compared that to say a carrot, which has a rating of 210 and you can see just how powerful Myrrh really is as an antioxidant!

This antioxidant effect is what preserves the plant; hence why it’s such a useful oil for burial. But it also means, it’s a potent antioxidant while alive to help slow down disease and organ damage…even slowing down cellular aging! Could it be that the ancients knew about this effect and gave Jesus Myrrh to symbolize eternal life?

So why gold? Some say that the gold was brought to preserve the oils. One belief is that when the oils were given to Jesus, they may have had gold flakes in the containers, which was used in the past to preserve the essential oil.

Or was it not gold at all? Some theorists believe that the Bible could be referencing a golden spice such as Turmeric.

This wouldn’t be a far stretch as, during that time, Turmeric was seen to be just as valuable as gold and perhaps more so, as it was often used to anoint the kings of Israel!

If this is true, then Turmeric also has many health benefits. It is an antiallergenic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral and anti-worm compound. It also can help reduce pain in joints and support the liver.

By learning about the different functions of these oils, you can see how these gifts were fit for a king! But they were more than just valuable commodities, they were purposeful items used for spiritual and physical health.

So as we start to think about our own Christmas gift giving, be like the wise men, look beyond beautiful objects. Give gifts that will enhance the life of your loved ones in mind, body, and spirit.

Sylvia Provenski, www.canadianmoms.ca

Walking is a low-impact and high results activity that is one of the most popular ways for everyone to improve their wellness.

Not only is it one of the first things that you learn how to do as a child, walking remains one of the easiest exercises for most people to do. Aside from a good pair of shoes and some comfortable clothing, walking requires absolutely no special equipment, you don’t need a coach or rely on teammates, and you’ll never be forced into someone else’s schedule. Yet walking has some of the biggest benefits of any activity.

Simply putting one foot in front of the other at a moderate pace can help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your balance, coordination, and mood, and help prevent or manage conditions like high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes.

Walking just a few minutes every day can pay dividends almost immediately. Studies show that a few minutes of brisk walking can quickly put you in a happier mood, especially if you remember to walk with proper posture.

A good fitness stride is purposeful, with your head up and looking forward, not at the ground. Relax your neck, shoulders, and spine, but tighten your tummy muscles to engage your core. The goal is to feel as if you are standing straight and tall, but not stiffly at attention. For best balance, make sure you are not hunched forward or arched back.

It is good to swing your arms as you walk, with your elbows bent slightly, and even to pump with your arms as you go. Roll your feet from heel to toe as you take each stride, and feel your hips and shoulders swing smoothly. Walking is fun!

When you first go out for a walk, take a few minutes to warm up before pushing yourself. Walk slowly for a little while to get your muscles ready for exercise. A cool-down period at the end of your walk will help as well. Light stretching feels great after a walk and can improve your flexibility also.

Comfortable clothes and shoes will help you to get the most out of your walk. A good pair of walking shoes will last a long time. When it’s time for new shoes, make sure they fit well, give you good arch support, and have a firm heel with a flexible, shock-absorbing sole. A good grip is essential as well.

If you are walking outdoors, make sure you have dressed appropriately for the weather and pick a path that is smooth and well-maintained. You should also wear high-visibility clothing, including bright or reflective colours if you are walking at night.

Don’t let wellness slip away during winter! If cold, dark weather or slippery surfaces are an obstacle, there are plenty of places to get your walk on! Consider finding an indoor track to stay on pace for the colder months.

Maureen Bonar, www.gobobcats.ca