Acupuncture for digestive problems has an excellent track record of success. Specific Acupuncture points on the body are well-known to reduce abdominal pain, bloating, intestinal inflammation, increase gastrointestinal strength, regulate stomach acid secretion, stop chronic diarrhea, or in the case of chronic constipation, increase bowel movements. It can assist in regulating overall digestive function with no negative side effects. Treatments combined with nutritional and lifestyle changes have been proven to aid digestion. Acupuncture is highly effective at treating most digestive disorders including: Acid reflux, heartburn, ulcers, GERD, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, and more.

Using skincare filled with nasty chemicals has been a way of life for young people for generations as we fall for glossy advertisements and cheap skincare products. The damage only becomes apparent as we age; in the wrinkles and pigmentation spots on our face, lips and neck. What we put on our skin today will either haunt or reward us years later. Using skincare products with certified organic essential oils and natural ingredients to protect your skin from daily pollutants is a good habit to start from a young age. Look for products with no nasty chemicals, preservative or artificial fragrance.

Having good posture not only makes you look strong and healthy, it’s also a critical factor in preventing pain and injuries. For recreational activities like golf, skating, yoga or running, posture actually plays an important role in performance. Posture is critical in preventing workplace injuries that come from repetitive stress or sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day. Physiotherapists can help you discover how to improve your posture by demonstrating positions and stretches for when you start to feel the tension in your body. Make the move to see a physiotherapist!

Visiting your loved one in the care home helps them to stay emotionally engaged. Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting. Respect the resident’s privacy. Knock before you enter the room and step out into the hall when personal care is being provided. Be warm in your interactions and use a gentle touch. Keep the conversation positive and refrain from arguing. Encourage your loved one to share happy memories from the past. Don’t stay too long. Look for cues that your loved one may be getting tired or stressed.

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy offers personalized service. Through their Pharmacy at Home Program, complimentary home visits help you manage your medication schedule or set up your blister pack. Free delivery service is available anywhere in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Nanoose, Errington, Parksville and Qualicum. At their location on Departure Bay Rd near Country Club, certified injection pharmacists are onsite to give flu shots, shingle shots and travel vaccines. They also offer Blood Pressure, BMI and Diabetes Monitoring, Foot Care and Compression Sock Fitting and a compounding laboratory to prepare customized medication. Mel and Kristen Azcarraga, pharmacists and owners, are proud to serve their community.

You are definitely not alone. Peggy Hoult can help caregivers reduce stress and save money by providing information, advice and support to successfully navigate the financial and administrative side of accessing health care services. Attend an inexpensive group workshop to learn about the costs and availability of both private pay and subsidized options for home support, respite care, assisted living, long term care, palliative care and end of life care. Follow up with Peggy for a personal consultation to review your particular situation and to apply for various benefit programs.

Is the thought of long corridors at the airport or the cruise terminal putting you off from travelling? Travelling with a mobility scooter on a plane may seem daunting to organize, but today you can have the independence and freedom to travel wherever you like. Today’s portable light weight electric mobility scooters make it a breeze to reach your gate or cabin on the ship. Folding mobility scooters are great options as they can easily be brought with you everywhere. When travelling by air, inform the airline that you are travelling with a scooter and provide weight/dimensions and battery type. Don’t forget the charger cord!

Most people with hearing loss can be helped by daily use of properly chosen and properly fitted hearing aids. Current hearing aid technology is very sophisticated and effective. A trial period of several weeks with hearing aids allows you to experience amplification. Your hearing care professional will coach and explain the process as you go. If you suspect hearing loss, reach out to your local Hearing Care Professional for help with your hearing and have your hearing tested. We recommend that all adults over fifty years of age should have a baseline hearing test. Call for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.

With the fall routines upon us, it can often be hard to eat properly. Either you’re in a hurry or you don’t know what to make. This season, learn how to cook some new meals with Parks, Recreation and Culture! Classes are offered in basic cooking, cheese making and even cuisine from around the world (Indian, Japanese, Mexican)! When you make your own food, you save money, and you know exactly what ingredients you are consuming. See the Fall and Winter Activity Guide for all the details. “Eating is necessary, but cooking is an art.”