FIGHT THE FLU - Naturally!

Take Probiotics: These friendly flora help produce virus-fighting antibodies and aid in vitamin absorption. Nix sugar: Sugar dramatically decreases your immune function, so if you’re starting to feel ill, don’t go for anything sweet.

Sleep more: When you’re under the weather, shoot for a minimum of eight hours of sleep. Give yourself permission to catch some zzz’s!

Reduce stress: Illness thrives in a stressed body; so, to stave off sickness, make relaxing activities part of your weekly routine.

Sunshine for vitamin D: Your body needs vitamin D to activate pathogen fighting T-cells. Try some sunscreen-free exposure for 20 minutes between 8 & 10 am or between 4 & 6pm, when the sun isn't too harsh. And, lose those sunglasses - a great way to synthesize vitamin D is through your eyes!

Try Theives Oil: All the ingredients of this medieval blend of essential oils (cloves, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary) have germ-fighting properties that have been used to help ward-off infections for centuries. Try it in lieu of hand sanitizer or put a few drops in your humidifier.

Immunity Juice: At first sign of a sniffle, try this juice mix chock full of powerful, illness-fighting foods like parsley (combats infection), horseradish (great for clearing the sinuses) and garlic (major antiviral!). It’s guaranteed to get you back to tip-top shape faster than you can say, “Achoo!

 2 lemons
 1 bunch parsley
 1 inch-thick round horseradish root
 1 orange
 5 inch knob of ginger
 2 inch knob of turmeric
 1 large clove garlic
 1 cucumber
 2 stalks celery

Three Simple Tips for a Healthier Holiday
Dennis Newhook, RMT, CYT

1. Avoid the sugar rush and make sure desserts are splurge-worthy! Often times, the office cakes and coffee table chocolates are not really all that great. Think of your favourite holiday treats and plan to have them – in moderation – so that you remain mindful of the sugar you’re eating while at the same time saving yourself for those real “must-have” desserts.

2. Stay active. Can’t get to the gym or your regular fitness class? Don’t worry. A brisk 20 to 30-minute walk has many cardiovascular benefits. Besides, just being outside provides a little time to de-stress away from overly excited kids or bustling shopping malls.

3. Remind yourself daily of what is most important to you: family, friends, community, etc. The stress of the holidays can be huge. Keep the cooking and gift-giving as simple as possible so that you’re free to enjoy what matters most - the company of your loved ones.

Lifewise Health & Wellnes Bulletin - October 2013

Thank you to everyone who dropped by to say hello during the Mt. Pleasant Village Harvest Fair! The beautiful weather seemed to draw out tonnes of people. It was fun to chat with neighbours and enjoy the festivities. All in all, I would say the day was a great success!

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate one of our resident massage therapists, Brian Burgess, for completing his Personal Training Certificate last month. As we know, regular exercise and an active lifestyle are key components of good health. This additional element will compliment his massage therapy practice and tremendously benefit our patients. To book a session with him,

please contact Mark at the front desk for assistance.

Yours In Health,

Dr. Karen Baker

FIGHT ‘COMPUTER NECK’ with YOGA 

Is sitting at your computer all day giving you a “pain in the neck”? The typical slouched posture we all seem to assume when sitting at the computer alters the angle of the neck, compresses the chest, and rounds shoulders. After sitting like this for long enough, most people will develop neck, shoulder and back pain. 

It’s rare to meet someone nowadays who doesn’t spend significant amounts of time on the computer. Younger and younger children are beginning to use computers both in school and at home in place of outdoor play. They, too, are learning to slump and tighten their muscles as they become absorbed in their video games or personal electronic devices. Seniors are now reconnecting with old friends, and staying in touch with grandchildren, via facebook and email. Hundreds of millions of people work at computer terminals, often for hours at a time without getting up. 

Any movement you do, or posture you hold repeatedly can become a habit. If you have to sit for hours, with elbows bent, wrists immobile and fingers typing rapidly, the brain will teach the muscles to be ready to sit and type again, in just the same manner, the next day. The wrists will be tight, the biceps tighter than usual to hold the arms steady and the neck will hold your head right where it needs to be in order to read what’s on the screen. Eventually this learned posture can lead to muscular pain, TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck and shoulder problems. 

This habitual, slumped posture – that tightens the chest, restricts breathing, overuses the back, neck and shoulder muscles, and can eventually lead to postural dysfunction and muscular pain.

Saturday, Oct 19th, 12:30 – 2:30pm 

Join Certified Yoga Teacher, Dennis Newhook for a 2 hour workshop designed specifically to counter the adverse effects of “computer neck” and release, relax, and lengthen your muscles – and eliminate neck and shoulder pain – while increasing body awareness. 

SPACE IS LIIMITED. 

COST: $50/participant

Contact the office to register!

Help For Growing Pains
Dr. Suzanne Crix

Growing pains most often appear in the lower extremities (ankles, knees, hips). The pain a child feels from growing pains can range from mild to excruciating. Pain will sometimes keep children up at night or wake them up in the middle of the night.

What causes growing pains? Growing pains tend to happen when a child has had a growth spurt. The pain comes from the tendons of the muscles that cross the ankle, knee or hip joints, or wherever the child is feeling pain.

During a growth spurt the bones grow very quickly. Sometimes they grow so fast that the muscles can’t grow fast enough to keep up. When the muscles are too short for the bones there can be micro-tears at the tendons. The micro-tears cause pain, swelling, redness and inflammation at the site of tearing.

Although running around, jumping and playing is generally great source of exercise for children, all of these activities cause more stress on the muscles and tendons. Every time the muscle is contracting, it can be causing micro-tears. That is why most of the pain is felt at night. The exercise during the day increases the inflammation, which feels worse at night.

In some instances, the difference between the bone length and the muscle length is so severe the muscle can start to splinter the bone under the knee cap. This can lead to extra bone growth on the tibia. It is easily treatable with rest, ice and massage.

How to help with the pain:
 Apply an ice pack or something cold to the area. Do not put ice directly on the skin, as it can cause frostbite. Place a damp tea towel around the pack and place that to the skin for 10-15 minutes.
 Elevate the knees or ankles. This will help drain the swelling out of the joint(s).
 Gently rub both sides of the joint using an upward and circular pressure. The pressure should go towards the heart. Use your finger tips or palms of your hands.

Walk your way to better health! One step at a time
Dennis Newhook, RMT, CYT

With the weather starting to change, you might consider taking advantage of the cooler fall evenings to start doing some walking! With the current running craze, you may have forgotten that walking has many health benefits. It is gentle enough for most fitness levels and regular walking decreases stress, improves sleep, boosts circulation, and helps maintain muscle and bone health. Even 10 minutes of brisk walking a day makes a difference.

Need motivation? Consider using a pedometer. The Toronto Public Library lends pedometers for 3-week periods, so you can experiment before purchasing your own. Using one from the library can give you a sense of the number of steps you already take in an average day and help you to measure the steps in your routine walks. 10,000 steps is the recommended goal for healthy adults. If new to walking, you’ll want to start lower and gradually work your way up.

Remember, every step counts! Here are a few tips to sneak some extra steps into your day: park at the far end of the lot, take stairs, get off the subway or bus one stop earlier. If you can manage, try walking to work a few days a week. Perhaps you can offer to walk a neighbour’s dog… maybe invite your neighbour to join you!

Lifewise Health & Wellness Bulletin - September 2013

Sports related injuries can plague any athlete, from the most seasoned professional to a novice just testing the waters. The most common sports related injuries are most often a result of either over use (excessive wear & tear) or acute strain (a pull or tear in a muscle or tendon).

High impact sports such as running, aerobics or dance tend to lead to the most injuries; but even leisurely walking can produce a lot of additional pressure on the feet and legs. Other sports with high risk are those with overhead movements like tennis or baseball. To help avoid injuries to your precious (and irreplaceable) joints and keep your body functioning at its peak, it’s important to take preventative measures: Take the time to stretch, warm up, cool down, and stay hydrated. Try taking a break from consecutive days of play to allow your body time to heal.

Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker

PREGNANCY & BACK PAIN

Did you know that at least 50 per cent of pregnant women experience back pain? And 10 per cent of those report discomfort severe enough to disrupt their daily routines. The good news is that there are steps you can take to baby your back during pregnancy.

What causes pregnancy-related back pain in the first place?

The average healthy weight gain is more than 30 pounds. This extra weight places considerable stress on the back, feet, ankles and knees. As your baby grows, the core abdominal muscles become stretched, and cannot stabilize your posture as well as they did before.

In the third trimester, levels of a hormone called “relaxin” increase ten times. This also contributes to back pain. Relaxin loosens your joints to allow the pelvis to accommodate the growing fetus. These loose joints force the muscles of the back and pelvis to work overtime to keep you upright and balanced.

Try these tips to help minimize your risk of back pain:

 Exercise can help increase muscle support for your aching back. Always consult a health care practitioner before participating in a new exercise regimen. Low impact cardiovascular activities, such as swimming, walking, or stationary cycling can help relieve pain and maintain fitness.

 Sleep on your left side to reduce the pressure of the uterus on the large blood vessels in the abdomen, and optimize blood flow to both mother and baby.

 Place a pillow between your knees to take pressure off your lower back when sleeping on your side. Place the pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back.

 Take frequent, short breaks with your feet elevated.

 Remember, adequate rest restores your energy and gives your back a chance to relax.

 Wear flat, supportive shoes and use a lumbar support pillow in your chair at home or work. If you sit at a computer or desk, take frequent breaks and walk around for a few minutes each hour.

 Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially when lifting heavy objects, including other toddlers and children.

SNEAKER SAVVY: What to Look for When Shopping for Athletic Shoes

 If you workout several days a week, purchase new athletic shoes every three to six months. Or, if you have logged more than 500 miles on your shoes, it’s time to invest in a new pair. You may need to shop for shoes more often if you have a postural imbalance.

 Have BOTH feet measured (while you are standing, not sitting) each time you purchase new shoes. If your feet are different sizes, always buy for the larger foot.

 Shop for shoes immediately following a workout or in the evening when feet are swollen. Wear the same type of socks you wear while exercising.

 Try on BOTH shoes in a pair for at least 20 minutes before purchasing them. Walk, run and jump around the store to simulate the activity required by your sport.

 Consider arch height, cushioning, support, “breathability” of material and flexibility of the shoe.

 Ensure that there is at least one thumb’s width of space from your longest toe to the end of the shoe. Have a sales person check this measurement for you. If you bend over to check it yourself, your foot’s position will shift.

 Choose an athletic shoe made specifically for your sport.

 Shop at athletic-shoe speciality stores that offer free consultations with injury-prevention specialists.

 If you suffer from “weak” ankles, look for sneakers with built in “neoprene sleeves,” which work like ace-bandages to prevent ankles from wobbling.

 If your sport requires cleats, look for the shorter, plastic variety. Longer spikes may cement your foot into the soil, causing excessive twisting at the knee and related injuries.

 Forget the frills. Don’t be swayed by extravagant packaging or advertising campaigns. Instead choose shoes from companies that pour money into research and development, not splashy marketing.

 If your sport requires heavy equipment – such as football gear or hiking packs – make sure to try on shoes while wearing the equipment.

Prevent Falls with these Four Moves for Improving Balance

The Cross-Crawl: After various light warm-ups, begin with the basic cross-crawl, which focuses on the fundamentals of balance. March in place, lifting the knees high. At the same time, reach across and touch the lifted knee with the opposite hand or elbow; alternate and keep going. This can be done sitting, standing or lying down. Once any of these exercises are mastered continue to challenge yourself. For even greater balance work, and to exercise the vestibular system, close your eyes and count backwards from 100 by threes.

Forward Toe-Touch: To improve motor skills, physical coordination and cognition, there are many dance exercises that are appropriate for seniors. If needed, use a chair for assistance. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Now, simultaneously extend your left foot and your right arm forward. Keep your left toes pointed down, touching the floor; or for more difficulty, maintain the toes a few inches off the floor. Repeat this move with your left arm and right foot. Hold each pose for several seconds, and increase holding time.

Side-Step Walk: Start standing with feet hip-width apart, bring your right foot across the left and step down three to five inches away from the left foot, ankles crossed. The closer the feet, the harder it is to balance. Alternate crossing the foot in front and then behind the other foot as you move along; repeat several times, then do the same with opposite feet.

The Cat Jump: This activity is practice in case of a fall; the muscle memory of the movement will be etched in your body. Bend your knees in a squat. Jump a little off the ground with both feet, and land softly, like a cat, without jarring your body. Repeat until you are confident in your ability to prevent a spill.