Community News
Treating Injuries

When treating an injury, there are a few things to consider when deciding whether to use heat or cold. Cold is typically used in the acute phase, or immediately after an injury. Cold therapy reduces superficial blood flow and helps prevent excessive swelling in the affected area. The numbing effect of cold therapy significantly decreases pain and muscle spasm. Heat, on the other hand, may be used in chronic injuries or shortly after the acute phase of an injury, usually when the swelling and inflammation have subsided and the tissue is no longer warm to the touch. Heat increases blood flow, which can help with tissue regeneration and repair, loosens muscles and joints, and provides an analgesic effect to soothe pain. When in doubt, use cold therapy to prevent the secondary complications of swelling and heat in the later stages of healing.

Albert Amante, Certified Athletic Therapist
InnovativeMedicalSupplies.com

Importance of Water Filters

Disinfecting our drinking water for more than a century with chlorine ensured it was free of the microorganisms that can cause serious diseases, such as typhoid fever. To this day, chlorine remains the most commonly used drinking water disinfectant. However, drinking tap water has been linked to bladder, breast, and bowel cancer; and long-term drinking, bathing, and swimming in chlorinated water has been shown to cause malignant melanoma. According to Dr. Rona, M.D., chlorinated water destroys most of the intestinal flora – friendly bacteria that help not only with the digestion of food, but with the production of vitamins B12 and K. Chlorinated water can destroy vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids. All of these factors have been shown to result in skin irritations, including eczema, acne, and rashes. A total water whole-home filter removes 92-95% of the chemicals in our tap water, leaving all the essential minerals.

Total Water Cleaners
TotalWaterCleaners.com

Countering Effects of Sitting

The average person spends at least 9 hours a day sitting. It’s hard to escape the fact that the advance of technology has made us a very sedentary society. While many things in our lives have become easier, we have become unhealthy. Sitting has been coined “the new smoking” and almost everyone who sits in front of a computer at work is dealing with some kind of postural stress. Regular massage can counteract the imbalance caused from too much sitting, which can show up as pain and tightness in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Massage therapy is the skillful manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, combining kneading, pressure, and percussion of the muscles to relieve tension and restore balance and posture.

Julie Sagnes, ChiroFit Winnipeg
ChiroFitWinnipeg.com

Taking Control of Finances

Wish you had a secret savings account for bills that pop out of nowhere? Learn our Save to Spend 6-Step Strategy. Forms are online at www.creditaid.ca/save-to-spend. 1) Transaction Register, or app like My Check Register – Record what’s going in and out, and include all monthly pre-authorized debits. 2) Monthly Budget Form – Prepare a draft spending plan and estimate monthly spending for each category. 3) Irregular Expenses – Identify annual costs that you can save for monthly, such as vehicle/house repairs or birthdays. 4) Payroll Planner – Can help you identify expenses to pay, by pay period. 5) Track the Real Spending – Save all receipts each month, add them up by category, and enter on the Monthly Budget Form. 6) Separate Savings Account, i.e., “My Secret Savings” – Save “irregular expenses” in a separate savings account each month and move these funds from chequing into a savings account you can name by category.

Brian Denysuik
Creditaid.ca

Eliminate Brain Fog

When we call the plumber, we expect to see debris from unclogging the pipes that needed addressing. Little did we know that those pipes had accumulated so much “guck” over the years! The same, unfortunately, can be said for our bodies. Too often, it is only when the “pipes” don’t work anymore that we call for help. When our lymphatic system and our arteries get clogged, illness gets diagnosed. With so little flow in our system, we shouldn’t be surprised if we are experiencing a foggy brain. On our journey towards wellness, we can expect some “guck” to be released when we visit a practitioner. To support the “plumbing” experience, we need good tools: water to flush the guck, rest so the body can integrate the changes it needs to make, and good protein to increase the brain’s energy resources.

Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW
Brainwave Optimization®
LaLobaTraumaRelease.com

Meet an Intuitive Matchmaker

As a matchmaker with over 23 years of experience, I have facilitated thousands of matches that originated from a strong feeling. I am gifted with very keen intuition and have learned not to question it. Often, I meet a client and know exactly who their match is. I have told people by phone, prior to meeting them, that I suspect I know who their ideal match is. Sure enough, that hunch ends up being the start of a forever relationship. A year ago, a man walked into my office and I immediately knew who his match was. I contacted her and encouraged her to give him a call. She did, and it was one of the best choices she has made. I was just a guest at their wedding. Their connection is spectacular, their love is deep, and their respect for one another is tremendous.

Lianne Tregobov, Intuitive Matchmaker, CamelotIntroductions.com

Natural Product Review: Garden of Life

Dr. Formulated Probiotics are clinically studied probiotics for mood and relaxation support. In his latest book, Brain Maker, Dr. Perlmutter presents riveting and novel research revealing a strong connection between our mood and the bacteria living in our digestive tracts. The exact mechanisms through which bacteria modulate our mood have yet to be understood fully, however, studies have shown that our microflora affect certain neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate and influence our state of mind. The Dr. Formulated Mood+ was specifically formulated with 50 billion CFUs and 16 different strains of bacteria. It contains clinically studied Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum in the same amount shown to significantly decrease cortisol levels and thus support a balanced mood, relaxation, and emotional wellbeing. The formula has additional organic Ashwagandha extract, an adaptogenic herb shown to further support stress management, and organic Alaskan blueberries for antioxidant support.

Aviva Natural Health Solutions
AvivaHealth.com

Considering a Pet Sitter?

If you’re a pet owner who travels, arranging for care for your pets while you’re away can feel like an overwhelming decision. It’s important to look for caregivers who will not only provide for basic needs like food and water, but also companionship, reassurance, and playtime while you’re away. If you can find someone to come to your home, your pet gets to stay in his familiar surroundings, which is less stressful than taking him to a new location! When finding a pet sitter, it’s also important that you’re both on the same page about what’s expected and the fees involved for things like the number and length of visits per day, grooming and walking, accident cleanup, and taking the pet to a vet in case of emergency. You and your pet should feel comfortable about the care arrangements, so you (and your pet) can enjoy your vacation without worry!

Lisa Tustin, Professional Pet Services

Clean Eating: Grilled Corn and Avocado Succotash

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
S&P
2 tbsp. lime juice
4 ears corn
½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 bell pepper
¼ inch diced
½ red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, chopped into ½ inch cubes
¼ c. fresh basil leaves

Directions:

While steaks are cooking, shuck corn, toss in vegetable oil and let cook on other side of grill. Once you have nice grill marks on corn, take off and slice kernels off with sharp knife. Mix with rest of ingredients, and serve.

Prairie Box, PrairieBox.com

Journaling Relieves Caregiver Anxiety

If you’re a caregiver for a senior loved one, have you considered journaling as a way to relieve caregiver anxiety? Experts recommend journaling as a way to sort out your feelings and count your blessings when life gets crazy. In fact, regular journaling may even improve your health. Writing down your worries may strengthen your immune cells, giving you a better chance of fighting off infections and staying healthy. Journaling may help you fulfill your most important roles with a positive outlook and plenty of energy. It helps to: 1. Reduce the intensity of stress and anger by writing these feelings down. 2. Solve problems through creativity and intuition. 3. Recognize productive (and unproductive) patterns in your life. 4. Track your progress and growth for increased confidence. 5. Sort out your feelings. Journaling gives you a “safe space” to share your thoughts and feelings without worrying about being judged or feeling guilty.

Alevtina (Alia) Tuhari, Reliable Home Care Agency, ReliableHomeCare.ca

Caregiver Pharmacy Support

It can be difficult to be a caregiver and manage multiple or complex medications for a loved one. It is important to ensure medications are taken appropriately to help maintain good health. A visiting pharmacist provides personal support with regular medication delivery and home consultations. The pharmacist reviews a client’s prescription drugs and over the counter medications to advise if there are any drug interactions, and makes adjustments as necessary. This level of support can reduce emergency room visits and hospital stays, and results in strong, trusting relationships between clients, caregivers, and pharmacists. The visiting pharmacist also provides seamless care for hospital discharge patients and works closely with other health professionals to deliver a high level of care to the client. Care is tailored to specific individual needs such as assisting with blood pressure readings, adding medications as needed to adherence packaging, and making changes in an efficient manner.

Teresa Giesbrecht
CareAtHomePharmacy.ca