Community News
Health Product Review: Opus Healthy Water Systems

Opus Healthy Water Systems produce crystal clear great tasting water. For pennies a litre, Opus systems remove harmful contaminants, pathogens, chlorine, fluoride, chloramines, heavy metals, odors and more, while retaining naturally occurring minerals. Reverse osmosis systems remove healthful minerals, creating acidic, corrosive water that can be harmful to your health and your home. Reverse Osmosis water leaches nickel from stainless steel which can trigger allergic reactions and contribute to joint pain. Opus systems produce pH-balanced or alkaline water and feature a minimum of .5 micron microfiltration, with options down to .001 micron nanofiltration. Available bioceramic infusers can add molecular hydrogen and boost alkalinity, transforming ordinary tap water into a powerful antioxidant. Designed for municipally treated water sources and drilled wells, Opus filtration solutions include point-of-use systems with an installed faucet for the kitchen, countertop units, and point-of-entry systems that filter all the water in your home, cottage, or business.

Aviva Natural Health Solutions, AvivaHealth.com

BACK to Class

The beginning of the school year is quickly approaching and it’s time to start preparing a number of things for the upcoming return. Let’s talk about backpacks. Proper backpack wear is extremely important to prevent issues such as muscle strains and poor posture, especially in children and teenagers who are growing and developing. The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) outlines many important tips for backpack wear. The backpack should rest comfortably on the shoulders with both padded straps on, and the bottom should sit in the curve of the lower back (about 2 inches above the waist). The weight of the bag with contents should not be more than 1015% of total body weight. There may be a problem if you notice red marks on the shoulders, tingling in the arms, or pain. If you have any other questions, your physiotherapist would be happy to answer them. Have a safe school year!

Physio First, PhysioFirstClinic.ca

Back to School!

Here are some tips to help you and your child stress less:

• Ease back into a healthy bedtime routine. Routines are key for children, especially when it comes to sleep. An hour of quiet time with no electronics is a great way to help them relax.

• Lay clothing out and pack lunches the night before. This allows more time for you and your child to prepare for the day.

• Help your child set goals, rather than focus on good grades alone.

• Teach your child breathing or relaxation techniques to help them when they are stressed or overwhelmed.

Wendy Omilanow, Access BARS

The Lymphatic System

A previous article spoke about another system (lymphatic) and its functions, which are not related to either your blood or venous system. With swelling caused by an insufficient lymphatic system, it is necessary to re-route the lymph flow around blocked area(s) into more central and healthy lymph vessels. This goal is achieved by:

a) manual lymph drainage

b) compression therapy

c) decongestive and breathing exercise

d) skin and nail care

Together, these make up complete decongestive therapy (CDT)—the international “gold standard” of treatment for patients affected by lymphedema. This is a chronic condition that has no cure, and therefore must be managed throughout one’s lifespan. Talk to a trained and certified therapist who can assess you and provide any additional information.

Marita Dowsett, B.P.T. Physio4U, Physio4U.net

Listen to Your Body

Did you know our bodies are trying to send us messages all day, especially when we are not willing to pay attention to different aspects of our lives? If you are experiencing neck pain, it may be that your body and mind are trying to tell you something. When you have a sore neck, ask yourself who in your life is a pain in the neck. Can you bring more compassion to the situation to soften the tension? Are you sticking your neck out for someone else? Are you breaking your neck to get something done? Is someone breathing down your neck? Were you aware that waking up during the night is an indication that your body is unable to process an issue that could be affecting your life? If you are feeling overburdened, your shoulders will ache. Our bodies are letting us know what parts of our lives require attention.

Robin Chant, Inspire You Studio, RobinChant.com

Avoiding Falls

As we age, the body begins to slow down, which greatly increases the risk of falling. There are many contributing factors to why we fall, including medication, nutrition, eyesight, strength, balance, and proprioception. Muscular strength is the amount of force a muscle can produce in a single maximum effort. Muscles pull from their tendinous insertions on bone to create movement. Proprioception is the body’s awareness of itself in space; this term directly relates to the body’s ability to maintain a balanced upright position while walking, standing, and sitting. It is important to perform exercises that challenge the body, as the body will only adapt to the loads placed upon it. This means that if you are sedentary, your body will not maintain strength or balance, so you must consistently challenge yourself. Talk to your athletic therapist or physiotherapist for exercises to strengthen your body and improve your balance.

Ashley Lund, Certified Athletic Therapist, InnovativeMedicalSupplies.com

Suffering from Lyme Disease?

Lyme is fast becoming a Manitoba epidemic. How do you get Lyme disease? From a deer tick passing a bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi into your bloodstream. This bacteria weakens your immune system, allowing diseases to enter the body. “Many people are infected by nymph ticks, but don’t suspect Lyme disease because they don’t recall being bitten. In fact, 50% of people infected don’t remember being bitten and LESS than 50% of people will get any over-emphasized rash” (Source – CanLyme.com). If you are noticing increasing health problems lately, you may have Lyme disease. One way to improve your immune system is with Bioresonance Therapy. This therapy involves sending healthy frequencies into your body. These frequencies increase the body’s energy and consequently improve your health.

Dennis Ludwig, Evergreen Holistic Health Centre

Health Product Review

Super Critical Omega Norwegian Gold by Renew Life.

With well over 7,000 studies on their safety and efficacy for many health issues, there is not a single natural health product with more scientific validation than omega 3 fish oils essential fatty acids. They are necessary fats that humans cannot produce, so we must get them through diet or supplementation. With so many fish oil supplements on the market, what makes the Renew Life Norwegian Gold line so different?

• 100% fish gelatin, not pork or beef. This makes them ideal for fish-eating vegetarians or those with religious dietary restrictions.

• Enteric-coated and contain the fat-digesting enzyme lipase, so there is optimal absorption and no fishy aftertaste.

• Have a 5-star rating from the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) program. This proves that they meet or exceed all national and international standards for purity, potency, and freshness.

• Friend of the Sea certified. This certifies that the products are from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

Aviva Natural Health Solutions, AvivaHealth.com

Benefits of Ganban-yoku

Ganban-yoku, a Japanese natural thermal therapy, can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It has a wide range of benefits like relieving pain, improving circulation, helping to reverse the effects of aging, detoxifying, and aiding in weight loss. The treatment has been well received by many visitors. Here are some of the comments from clients after their first session.

“It was so relaxing and my skin feels very good.” ~ Joy.

“Very relaxing and relieved my congestion.” ~ Sunshine.

“Such a relaxing experience. Meditation for the mind and tranquility for the body.” ~ Edward.

“The stone bed started to feel like foam, it was very relaxing.” ~ Grace.

Mieko Morisawa, Founder|Owner, PoccaPocaSpa.ca

Meet Your Practitioner

Meet Yolanda Yeung. Yolanda is originally from Halifax and attended pharmacy school at Dalhousie University. After graduating in 2012, she moved to Brandon, where she gained a variety of skills unique to pharmacy practice. Her time in Brandon has given her experience in long-term care management for group homes and nursing homes. She takes a holistic approach to pharmaceutical care by meeting frequently with clients to assess their medications and working closely with their physicians and care-givers to resolve any drug-related issues. Yolanda is excited to continue her career with Care At Home Pharmacy and to experience the difference pharmacy makes in bettering the lives of each client.

Care At Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca

All You Need is Love

In a world with more than 7.28 billion people, finding love should be an easy task. As humans, we have a tendency to complicate things, especially when our emotions are imprinted by our relationship history. If the methods you have used in the past to find love have not worked for you, then it is time to change things up. A professional matchmaker handpicks potential partners who are screened and presented to you one by one. Their intentions have been determined and many of the important compatibility factors have already been established. When meeting for the first time, plan an activity that the two of you do together, such as mini-golf or bowling, to eliminate pressure and allow you to get to know one another in a lighthearted way. Allow your meeting to grow into a friendship. The best relationships start off as friendships and evolve into loving relationships.

Lianne, Camelot Introductions, CamelotIntroductions.com