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

1) Keep your mouth clean; Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste; Floss every day.

2) Check your mouth regularly for signs of gum disease: Red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums; Bleeding when you brush or floss; Bad breath that won’t go away. Signs of oral cancer: Bleeding or open sores that don’t heal; White or red patches; Small lumps and thickening on the sides or bottom of your tongue, the floor or roof of your mouth, the inside of your cheeks, or on your gums.

3) Eat well: Limit foods and beverages containing sugar or carbohydrates; Eat healthy snacks like cheeses, nuts, vegetables, and non-acidic fruits.

4) See your dentist regularly. 48% of Canadians who haven’t seen a dentist in the past year have gum disease. Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are the best way to prevent and detect problems.

Dr. Robert Wolanski, Dentist/Owner, Lakeside Dental Clinic
lakesidedentalclinic.ca

Why is it that some injuries never heal, and go on to become areas of chronic pain and dysfunction? These localized areas fail to heal because of a localized decrease in oxygen utilization. Why does chronic pain and degeneration only occur in joints and ligaments instead of other tissues? And why do people heal so much more reliably when they are young than when they become older? The answer in both cases has to do with decreased oxygen utilization. When there is trauma, the edema and inflammation cause a further localized decrease in oxygen utilization which serves as a foundation for chronic pain and degeneration. The chronic pain leads to a further decrease in oxygen utilization. Break that cycle by the application of ozone therapy which maximizes oxygen absorption, and the cells and tissues can begin to do what they usually do so well – heal themselves.

Dr. Sterling Desmond, Dr. TCM, R.Ac.
EvolveWithDesera.com

Do you know that when you have a problem such as anxiety, depression or personal difficulties, the key to getting unstuck lies in the depth of your subconscious mind? 95% of our problems and issues can be resolved through accessing your subconscious mind. Clinical Hypnotherapy is a brief therapy that uses your subconscious mind to correct imbalanced thinking and remove negative beliefs, thoughts and attitudes. When other therapies have not worked, many people find hypnotherapy to be the key for lifelong change. During hypnotherapy, you reach a state of relaxation. In this state, you are receptive to beneficial suggestions which are given directly to the subconscious mind. One misconception is that a hypnotized person is under the command of the hypnotist. This is not the case; you are in control of yourself at all times and cannot be made to do anything that is against your will. In fact, you gain more control over yourself, your health and your quality of life through hypnotherapy.

Germana Rovinelli, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
Germana.ca

Growing your own food is a great way to help you eat healthy, stay in shape, save money and enrich your life in many other ways. The main question that every gardener asks themselves is “How can I grow more food?” Here are three tips to help you plan your garden this year: grow vegetables like pole beans, vine tomatoes, and cucumbers vertically up fences and trellises to help save space for other plants. Some vegetables benefit from being grown near each other; such as beans and lettuce, tomatoes and basil, and peas and carrots. This is called companion planting. Adding flowers to your garden will also help to improve yields in your garden. Flowers not only attract pollinators, they also feed predator insects like hoverflies and ladybugs. These insects help protect your garden by consuming pests like aphids and beetles.

Brian Prince, Farmer, Prince Acres CSA
princeacrescsa.com

Approximately 14% of psoriasis sufferers (a chronic skin condition that causes red patches on the body) will develop psoriatic arthritis, a form of inflammatory arthritis. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis range from mild involvement of the fingers and toes to burning, stiffness and pain in the lower spine and sacrum. When the joints of the toes and ankles are involved deformity may occur which results in pain when weight bearing and discomfort wearing footwear. Custom insoles (orthotics) and extra-depth footwear may offer improved foot comfort by relieving high-pressure areas on the soles of the feet and toes. In some cases, orthotics can be designed to correct joint alignment to reduce ligament strain.  As well, there are shoe modifications that are available to improve shoe comfort or ease walking stress. Ask your doctor for a referral and make an appointment with a Pedorthist to see how orthotics and footwear can relieve your foot pain.

B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics
MitchellPandO.com

Did you know that most seniors fear losing their independence and that they struggle with their own loss of capacity to manage their day?   On your last visit to Mom’s house, did you noticed that it was not as spotless as it used to be, there were bills marked “FINAL NOTICE” and that food was going bad?  Perhaps Mom admitted that, since Dad passed, she finds it hard to manage the household and she is really lonely; but says “Don’t worry, I am fine!”  Of course you do worry and feel guilty that you cannot always be there for her. Arranging to have someone make a home visit for companionship and provide support with tasks in the home is a perfect solution.  Managing the household and keeping your Mom engaged in normal activities can be all that is needed to keep her at home. Help is available to develop your family plan. Having a plan in place will provide peace of mind for family members who know that Mom is no longer isolated and alone.

Zel Hopson, Home Help
seniorshomehelp.ca

Juice cleansing, also known as juice fasting, is a fasting method or a detox diet where a person will consume only fruit and vegetable juices to acquire essential nutrients while abstaining from consuming food. Is juicing really as good as it is cracked up to be? Benefits: 1) You can easily reach your daily dose of fruits and vegetables; 2) Your body can easily absorb the nutrients; 3) Reduces product wastage. Drawbacks: 1) You most likely won’t lose weight; 2) Too much natural sugar can lead to blood sugar spikes; 3) Your body doesn’t actually need a juice cleanse or detox (your body naturally detoxes everyday); 4) It can get very expensive; 5) You are not getting the fiber. Best option: consume whole foods, and try blending them into a smoothie rather than juicing.

Sheldon Lee, Vios Nutrition
kerux.vioslife.com

Look to your feet for relief. When not experiencing foot pain, few people think about their feet when their hips or knees hurt. They may be told it is arthritis or cartilage damage and do not consider how the alignment of their feet and ankles may be contributing to their discomfort. As we age, many people become more sedentary and see an increase in body weight. The arches of the feet can become flatter over time due to excess pressure from above and weakness developing underneath. As arches flatten, they fall inwards too. This causes the leg to rotate inwards. This rotation puts the knees and hips out of alignment. Depending on the amount of arch collapse, the foot may require a significant amount of correction to ease the hip or knee pain. Deep-cupped corrective foot orthotics have been found to work wonders at alleviating pain in joints further up the body.

Diane Calder, BSc KIN, CPed(C), Pedorthist
B.D Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics
MitchellPandO.com