Does your child complain of achiness in both legs at night? Pain in the upper or lower legs or behind the knees can occur during periods of rapid growth in kids, usually between the ages of 3-5 or 8-12. Recent studies have found a high incidence of these ‘growing pains’ in children with flat feet. As your child’s body weight increases with the rapid growth, their foot arches may not be strong enough to maintain that extra weight. The arches may flatten under the strain. If this happens the muscles of the calves and legs have to work harder. Correcting the arches with either off-the-shelf or custom foot orthotics can help ease some of the muscle soreness. When combined with warm massage, increased fluid intake, stretching, and ensuring that stable, supportive footwear is worn throughout the day, you can greatly ease your child’s discomfort.

Diane Calder BScKIN, Pedorthist, B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics
MitchellPandO.com

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is particularly effective in detecting orthopaedic injuries in knees, shoulders, hips, and ankles, and for assessing brain and spinal cord issues.  MRI scans interpreted by radiologists provide essential information to family physicians to form treatment plans. MRI uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves and computer technology to generate detailed diagnostic images.  MRI is non-invasive; there is no harmful radiation as with other forms of imaging. When having an MRI scan, all metallic items must be removed before scanning.  The MRI Technologist will guide you during the 30-45 minute scan to hold still so that quality images, without blurry motion artefacts, can be obtained.  You will be given hearing protections as MRI is noisy but painless. MRIs are performed in a hospital where waiting times can be up to a year or performed very quickly in a private facility.

Nanaimo MRI, Inc.
NanaimoMRI.ca

We are proud to launch the second edition of the Wellnessnews on Central Vancouver Island! To us, Healthy Living means making positive choices and taking ownership and action to improve and enrich our lives in all key areas; physical, mental and spiritual. In order to achieve Healthy Living, we need information about positive health practices and a guide to the resources available to us. Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living strives to be the resource that showcases local health practitioners and businesses that can help the people in our communities achieve their goal of health and wellness.

Teresa Ostman and Isabella Ostman
Leverage Marketing Inc., Publisher, Wellnessnews Central Vancouver Island
wellnessnews.ca

As dentures age, they tend to collect microbes that may affect our overall health.  Micro-organisms harvested in the appliances may affect our lungs, liver and other organs leading to health complications. It is important to clean partial and complete dentures at home on a regular basis. Take out your appliance each night before going to bed and place it in a cleaning solution.  This will give your gums the chance to replenish and breathe again, maintaining proper blood circulation and overall health.   This is particularly important if your immune system is jeopardized or you’ve been on antibiotics for a long time. Be sure to visit your denture care centre for a professional cleaning and sterilization of your appliance every six months.

Ahmed A. Omar
nanaimodentureclinic.ca