We live in an age of much concern over “Fake News”, and misleading online promotions, particularly regarding Health Care, especially Skin Care. How does one verify information concerning Skin Care? Simple: Seek a Face to Face consultation with a Proper Dermatologist, full FRCP(C), not just an online “diploma”. Even then however, you need to check their field of interest. Some Dermatologists have lasers and an interest in Cosmetic Dermatology, some only do medical (ie MSP Dermatology), and others will do their own surgeries. All FRCP(C) Dermatologists will have had years of training in Medical Dermatology. Usually the Dermatologist’s own website will advise you of their particular fields of interest/expertise, if no website, phone their office!

Digestion, blood pumping through our veins, and breathing are just a few of the functional rhythms inside us that we rely upon to live. When we are unwell, we sometimes say that we are feeling ‘out of sorts’ or ‘out of sync’; it is a bit like losing one’s rhythm. We know when we have found it again because we feel more ‘in the groove’. Music therapy can be helpful in re-discovering that intrinsic rhythm when retrieving it ourselves is a struggle (as with mood and social cognitive disorders; rehabilitation from brain injury, stroke, or heart attack; cerebral palsy; Huntington’s disease; etc.).

October is a time for reflection as we give thanks for family, friends, and treasured moments. With summer spending over and the holiday season just around the corner, it’s also a great time to review the progress of your short-term (obtainable within the next year) and long-term (obtainable after a year or more) financial goals. Do you need to add short-term goals like saving for travel expenses over the holidays? Or has a raise enabled you to save more towards long-term goals like retirement? Reflecting on these goals will not only help improve your monthly budget, but will inspire you to see if your goals have changed throughout the year.

October in Canada encourages us to think about being thankful. Indeed, gratitude is a common inclusion in counselling and self-help resources. It is well documented that recognizing what we are grateful for makes us feel better; and it can last a while, too!. Is gratitude simply declaring and appreciating that our situation is better for a reason? Or is it actually the act of receiving something? Or is gratitude in the emotional realm along with indescribable unconditional love? Perhaps not answered yet, but whatever and wherever it is, genuinely acknowledging gratitude is good for our mental health and wellness. Thanks!

Worrying is an understandable response to life stress – of course we want things to work out, so we can start thinking, planning, and directing our hopes and energies to our preferred outcome. We can try to solve or prevent a problem. But worrying can become an anxious habit of rehearsing terrible stories in our heads! Maybe it comes with bad sleep, poor concentration, being extra jumpy or watchful, or getting easily upset. Sometimes we can even have physical discomfort or even panic. Counselling can provide a safe place to work out different approaches, to feel heard, and to get a neutral perspective on things.

Effective grounding of your electrical system to the earth will reduce electric fields in your home. All metallic parts of your electrical system, as well as the enclosures of your appliances, must be bonded to the system ground at your electrical service. This is to protect you from electrical shocks and prevent fires. Your electrical system is attached to a grounding plate or grounding rod buried in the earth. Over time, the connection to these grounding electrodes can become loose and corroded, which lessens the continuity of the grounding path. If you have an older home, it would be wise to have it checked.

Missing teeth due to an accident, genetics, disease, and other reasons can cause patients to experience various problems. People’s confidence can decrease from having teeth missing from their smile because they feel more self-conscious and insecure. Missing teeth can also cause people to chew differently, which may mean they are not breaking up food properly. This can result in choking problems, digestive problems, and issues with their jaw. Infections can develop in those who are missing teeth if bacteria collect in those areas, and speech can also be negatively affected. The good news is that the right dentures can eliminate these problems.

How does a child cope with a distressing family situation? Or with being bullied? How does a child manage his anxiety? Expressive arts therapy offers children a creative approach to addressing life’s challenges. Your child picks up a paint brush, a puppet or a drum and the session begins. Expressive therapies is about “letting it out”. Being angry or hurt isn’t always easy for a child to put into words. To paint, dance or drum the anger is a lot easier. Discover how the healing possibilities for your child through creative expression can be life-changing.

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a symptom, not a disease. Causes include: exposure to loud noises, ear wax blockage, and reaction to medications, but it can also be caused by hearing loss. When you address the hearing loss, you can also remedy the tinnitus if a hearing aid is prescribed, as it can help reduce the perception of the ringing and discomfort. If you have ringing in your ears you should let a doctor know and have a hearing test to see if there is hearing loss as well.