Everyone is asking about foam rollers. Foam rollers, therapy balls and self-massage toys are all a form of self-myofascial release. All muscles have a ’tissue wrap’ known as the fascia. The fascia can become bound, thick and lumpy resulting in painful trigger points. Foam rollers can be used to ‘roll out’ or lengthen and relax our tight muscles. You can even break those lumps or adhesions in the tissue which will cause minor swelling, but increased blood flow which will help feed and relax your aching muscles. Technique is important. Many clients have just jumped on the roll bandwagon and created more pain or injury. Learn how to proceed safely at home and your foam roller can become a nightly ritual you look forward to in front of the television.

Chris Bisignana, Concourse Physio

www.yourphysio.com

Over 10,000 ingredients, commonly used in personal care products, are industrial chemicals: proven carcinogens, neurotoxins, reproductive toxins, hormone disruptors, pesticides, engine degreasers & plasticizers. Exposure occurs daily, through skin absorption, every time you apply toothpaste, shampoo, soap, lotion, etc. The average person is exposed to over 120 highly toxic ingredients every day before 9am. Ingredients are absorbed into your skin, continue into your blood stream & accumulate in your organs. It’s never been more important to start reducing your daily exposure to these chemicals by making the shift to 100% Organic and Toxic-Free products for your home and body. Your Family deserves it!

Angel Balichowski, The Organic Mommy

www.theorganicmommy.com

Stress has a profound effect on the body and its ability to heal and function at optimal levels. When an individual experiences ongoing stress, it can overload the circuits within the body, causing them to fail or be severely compromised. This is just like plugging too many appliances into an outlet and tripping a circuit breaker in your home. You have blown a fuse and must go reset it. Often the body cannot reset these blown circuits on its own, so the body continues to function in a less than ideal state. This ultimately leads to degeneration, illness and pain in the body – a sign that it is unable to reset these blown circuits. So often we get stuck in a cycle of stress where we function from stress mode even though in the moment we are not actually encountering anything stressful. Is it time to break the cycle?

Shannon Russell, Body Mind Freedom Solutions

www.bodymindfreedom.net

It is always good for your body if you can eat a proper snack following a strength-training workout. Energy is needed to perform exercise. Your body stores energy in the forms of glycogen (carbohydrates) and triglycerides (fat). The muscle tissue is where the protein stores reside in the form of amino acids. During the workout, your body uses its energy stores to get through the demands of the exercises. Resistance training exercises cause micro tearing in the muscle fibres. In order to replenish the energy stores and to repair and strengthen muscle, it is necessary to have a snack rich in carbohydrates and protein shortly after a workout. Here is one example of how to receive these benefits: Post-Workout Smoothie: 1 cup berries, 1 cup chocolate almond milk, 1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, 1 cup ice. For a little extra protein add one scoop of natural whey protein powder.

Heath Vermette, South Sherbrook Therapy

www.southsherbrook.com