You may not be going out as much as usual but you still want to feel secure knowing that help is available no matter where you might be! Whether in your home, walking to your mailbox or going for a walk in the park, there are devices available that give you 24/7 access to help. These on-the-go devices can send an alert when you press a button, sense when you fall and send an automatic alert, and provide direct, two-way communication with a 24/7 Response Center. They are designed to help locate the user in a variety of situations – home or away, indoors and out.

If you are a BC resident with a valid BC Services Card and have been prescribed at least five medications in the last six months, you may benefit from Medication Review Services. Medication Reviews may identify issues such as an interaction between your medications, changes that may be needed in dosage, etc. This service provided by your Pharmacist, helps British Columbians better understand their medications. When you understand your medications – why you are taking them, when to take them, and how to best take them – you make informed decisions and have greater ownership of your overall health. Speak to your community pharmacist.

To eliminate the pain of any form of musculo-skeletal injury and to regenerate any joint, especially with osteo-arthritic elements; acupuncture and Prolozone injection therapy are my treatment protocols. Each component of Prolozone therapy has a specific biological purpose. Procaine acts to re-establish cellular membrane potentials. Anti-inflammatory agents decrease edema and swelling. The inclusion of vitamins and minerals provides necessary substrates of oxygen utilization that in damaged tissues are often deficient. And finally, oxygen utilization is directly stimulated by ozone. In many cases Prolozone actually corrects the pathology of the disorder, there is a 75% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to
becoming permanently pain free.

December on Vancouver Island often brings cold and wet weather. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the outside. Wear warm clothing to stay comfortable and to help prevent frost bite and achy muscles. Proper warm insulated boots with good grips will keep your feet warm so you can still be outside to do what you love to do! Add a good pair of Walking Poles to your outdoor adventures. They keep your balance inline, provide extra stability and give you a light workout! Our physiotherapists can show you proper poling technique and help you with all your poling needs.

Studies continually show the benefits of being active and socializing as an important part of being healthy – both physically and emotionally even during a pandemic. The City of Nanaimo is excited to be offering winter programs that take place from January to March. Registration for these program starts on Wednesday, December 2. Join us this season for swimming, skating, fitness, yoga, art, language courses and more! Parks & Recreation offers classes that have safety protocols in place to keep you safe from COVID-19. See our website for a listing of all our upcoming winter programs.

Taking a vacation can benefit your overall wellbeing and it doesn’t have to mean leaving town or hopping on a plane. Taking a “staycation” can give you much-needed time away from work and remove you from additional work related stress and the risk of burnout. A break from work can allow you to rebuild your energy and provides the opportunity to catch up on sleep and exercise. A well-rested mind, free of worry, is often more effective and creative. Taking time off can be a great chance to relax, rest and enjoy the most of what life has to offer, even life during a pandemic.