Community News
Acupuncture for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are typically treated with anti-inflammatory and
immunosuppressant drugs that work to stop inflammatory responses in the body. Studies have shown that acupuncture can be a helpful option alongside medication for potentially making patients’ symptoms less severe. Acupuncture patients often report that they experience less pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms after acupuncture treatments, perhaps because acupuncture treats the mind, body, and spirit. Researchers have found that acupuncture can help increase hemoglobin levels and reduce C-reactive protein levels, which can aid in lowering inflammation in those with an inflammatory bowel disease.

7 Days of Self-Care

Self-care refers to any activity we do purposefully to take care of ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. On July 24 each year, people celebrate Self-Care Day – but any time is a great time to start practicing self-care. Why not try seven days of self-care to create new, healthy habits? Day 1: Unplug from technology for the day. Day 2: Declutter your physical space and mind. Day 3: Nourish yourself with food, water, sleep, and exercise. Day 4: Create something with your hands. Day 5: Listen to your feelings. Day 6: Express yourself to others. Day 7: Explore something new!

Fall Prevention Tips

Falls in the home are all too common and making a few modifications in the home can prevent dangerous situations, such as slippery floors, poor lighting, loose rugs, electrical cords and clutter. Visit each room in your home. Then look at the space objectively and ask: Is this safe? Are there objects or items that present a falls risk? If so, think about the many ways to create a safer home: wear non slip socks or slippers, use night lights in dark hallways, remove throw rugs, keep electrical cords safely hidden behind furniture and organize your projects so they are off the floor and out of walkways.

Improve Your Focus Naturally

Very often the brain and nervous system become fatigued and overloaded. Much like a computer receiving too much data all at once, the brain can become overwhelmed, slow down, or even crash. This can result in an inability to focus, brain fog, memory loss, ADD/ADHD-like symptoms, a “wired” feeling, or the inability to cope with daily life. The key to turning these conditions around is to give the body what it needs to strengthen specific areas of the brain and nervous system. This can be achieved naturally with specialized nutritional formulations, which will replenish the body and alleviate symptoms.

Runner’s Knee?

“Runner’s knee” is commonly used to describe two types of injuries of the knee, iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Both fall into the category of overuse or repetitive strain type injuries. They can occur in isolation or in combination, but both have been shown to be related to poor running mechanics and improper training volumes. What’s the solution? First step is a proper diagnosis by your healthcare practitioner. This should be followed by strength and mobility exercises to improve biomechanics, adjustment of training volumes as needed, and possibly gait analysis and footwear adjustments if it is deemed necessary.

Good Fit for Home-Care Services?

Because home care covers such a broad variety of services, there is not just one condition that makes someone a good fit for in-home care. Home care aides can be hired to assist a client with any of their needs, whether that be getting transportation to appointments, or grocery shopping and cooking meals. You may be a good candidate for in-home care if you’re in need of any of the following: Assistance with daily tasks, housekeeping, mobility assistance, medication management, short-term care (if you’re recovering from an illness or surgery and need extra assistance), or even companionship if you’re living alone and struggling with feeling isolated.

What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a brain-based therapy used for helping clients to process issues, memories, experiences, or emotions. It is a “bottom-up” therapy, meaning it focuses on processing information stored in the mid-brain (emotional center), as opposed to talk therapy, which is a “top-down” therapy focused on processing information stored in the cerebral cortex (logical center). BSP often helps clients experience unique breakthroughs by reducing reactivity, unlocking creativity, processing trauma, and generally working toward significant progress in their healing journey. You may find that you experience fewer intrusive thoughts, less emotional activation, and an increased sense of freedom, fulfillment, or peace in various areas of life.

Meet Your Practitioner

Meet Your Practitioner
Mathilda Prinsloo is the owner of Patient Care and Wellness Practice and a health professional with special training in the areas of geriatrics, diabetes management, nutrition, medication management, deprescribing and cognitive behaviour therapy. Mathilda’s patients are seniors in the community who feel they have a poor quality of life due to unresolved medical issues or taking too many medications. Working as a team with her patients’ family doctors and specialists over the past 10 years, Mathilda uses her expertise with medical and non-medical treatments to help her patients thrive and get their lives back!

Let Kindness be Our Inspiration

Kindness is the gift that keeps on giving. It expands the light within us and touches the light in others. Small gestures inspire our hearts to open and be touched. It is one of the simplest ways to share our hearts with humanity. Whether it be letting someone go ahead of us in a grocery line, sharing our resources, opening a door, or finding ways to pay it forward. When we choose to act from the best place within ourselves, we nourish the seed of hope in others and lift the vibration of the world. Join me by putting one act of kindness into action daily. I can’t think of a time when we needed it more!

Here to Help

You are not alone in your dementia journey. Whether you’ve noticed signs of dementia, recently received a diagnosis or need help navigating the next stages of the disease, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba can help. The Society provides information, education and support for families. They’ve also moved some programming online including education sessions, support groups and the Minds in Motion® program, so you can join safely from the comfort of your own home. Alzheimer.mb.ca

Always Sick? Check Your Stress Levels

Stress is so abundant in our everyday lives that there’s a good chance you don’t even realize just how stressed out you actually are. If you are willing to stop and listen, you can hear warning signs from your body to make a change and find calmness and peace. If you are constantly stressed out, your immune system isn’t going to be prepared to fight off viruses and bacteria, making you more prone to illness and disease. Thankfully, we have the power to take control of our stress levels, whether that means leaving a stressful situation or incorporating more mindfulness practices into our daily lives.