Community News
Is My Desk Trying to Kill Me?

Many of us are used to the discomfort associated with working at a desk and computer all day. Sometimes people have to take time off to recover from injuries due to repetitive strains associated with prolonged computer work. Ergonomics is the field of study where human-workplace interactions are evaluated and adjusted to reduce the negative impact our workstations have on us. Your office may have an individual trained to perform these evaluations. If not, there are outside companies who can be hired to come in and do the evaluation. Talk to your boss and see what your options are.

Dr. Amber Kenmuir, D.C., Long Lake Chiropractic, MySpine.ca

Accept Help to Remain Independent

Sometimes people find it very difficult to accept help. With many seniors, accepting help seems like losing independence. Many feel that admitting you need help tells the world that you are no longer able to live on your own. Installing a medical alarm system can actually increase your independence and reduce the risks of living alone or being left alone in your home. In fact, with a locally monitored system, you may be able to remain in your own home, comforted by the fact that if something should happen, help is just a button push away.

Joan Ryan, NanaimoLifeline.ca

Pharmacy at Home

Do you or your loved ones struggle with managing your medications or have challenges visiting the pharmacy? The Pharmacy at Home program can help. This is a complimentary, 100% patient-focused pharmacy service conducted in the comfort of your own home. The pharmacist comes to you and provides medication management, free prescription pickup and delivery and support for health and wellness. Other benefits include: personalized customer service, convenience and 25% off over-the-counter/non-prescription medications, supplements and home health products.

Mel & Kristen Azcarraga, Owners/Pharmacists, Medicine Shoppe, 4186A Departure Bay Rd., Facebook.com/MS0332

Missing Your Smile?

Studies show that missing some of your teeth do not only affect your general health and appearance but can also lead to depression and low self-esteem. Social embarrassment is a very real problem related to the worry of missing teeth and poorly fitting dentures. Having an incomplete smile greatly affects many patients. Don’t let tooth loss or improperly fitting dentures cast a shadow over the quality of your life. Your denturist can explain the best ways to restore the function and appearance of your smile. Properly fitting dentures can restore your self-esteem and bring back your smile.

Nanaimo Denture Clinic, NanaimoDentureClinic.ca

Community Profile – City of Nanaimo Activity Guide

We encourage you to pick up your copy of the Fall and Winter Activity Guide. This edition, with over 1,000 programs, has a simple but effective theme: “Take a Moment to Move”! Yes, we want you to find opportunities to move your body as a key component to a healthy lifestyle. Try a dance class, sign up for a fitness program, walk in our local parks and trails, participate in yoga or drop-in to our pools and arenas for a swim or skate. Studies show that active people can prolong their life by several years, and being active has countless health benefits that are above the obvious physical ones.

Need more ideas? Contact our recreation experts at 250.756.5200 or visit our website.

City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo.ca

A Courageous First Step

Want more out of life? Need to make changes but not sure how to go about it? Talking with a skilled, compassionate counsellor is a great place to start. Counsellors help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday life. They teach you skills and give you confidence to improve your emotional and mental well-being. This includes managing stress, resolving family and relationship issues, coping with depression, anxiety and addiction and helping resolve grief issues, including relationship breakups. Acknowledging that we may need some help in our lives is difficult but also the most courageous first step. It means we care about ourselves enough to take action.

Michael Kuntz, MSW, RSW, MichaelKuntzCounselling.com

Do You Suffer with a Drop-Foot?

There are many causes of drop-foot ranging from a nerve injury to a stroke. Essentially a drop foot is the inability to lift ones foot up. It is most obvious when your leg is in swing while walking. Toe drag is a common sign. This problem commonly goes undiagnosed leaving people with a high risk of tripping and falling. While treating the underlying cause proves difficult, there is an easy solution to improve your walking. An AFO (Ankle-foot-orthosis) is a brace that spans your foot and travels upward behind the calf muscle. When worn with a shoe, the brace will prevent drop foot and allow one to walk safely heel to toe as they once did. AFOs come in many variations depending on specific needs, it is therefore important to ask your doctor and seek a referral to a Certified Orthotist for a consultation.

B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics, MitchellPandO.com

Serrapeptase, the Little Miracle Enzyme!

Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme, which means it breaks down long protein chains into amino acids that the body needs. These enzymes bind to the alpha 2 macroglobulin in our plasma where it is shielded from the immune system while retaining its enzymatic activity. They are then free to roam through the blood stream seeking to break down hard protein (non-living tissue), fibrin surfaces, scar tissue, granuloma, and even thin out mucous to ease conditions such as chronic sinusitis. It’s been proven to be a safe and effective alternative to NSAIDs (NonSteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) and should be taken on an empty stomach. The capsule must be a special DRcap (Delayed Release capsule) or enteric coated capsule that allows the Serrapeptase to pass through the stomach to the small intestine where the enzyme is then released.

Enerex Botanicals Ltd., Enerex.ca

Book Club: The Brain Diet

A nutritional plan for raising smarter children; improving your mental and physical well-being; and improving your odds against depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine headaches, ADHD, and more, as you age.

Clean Eating: Chicken Taco Avocados

Filling:

1 c. black beans, cooked
1 c. corn
1 c. shredded chicken
1 c. shredded cheddar, plus more for topping
1 package taco seasoning
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, plus more for topping
3 ripe avocados.

Dressing:

1 c. ranch dressing
1/4 c. lime juice
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. black pepper.

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir and combine filling ingredients. Halve and separate avocados, removing pit and hollowing out insides. Mash insides in a small bowl and set aside. Place avocados face up and fill each with 1/3 cup of filling. Sprinkle with more cheddar, then broil until melted. In a medium bowl, combine dressing ingredients. Fold in mashed avocados and mix until smooth. Remove from oven and transfer to serving dish. Drizzle with dressing and garnish with more cilantro, if desired.

Adapted from Delish.com

Back Health vs Backpack

Most of us, at some point, have worn a backpack. For some it was during school to carry dreaded textbooks to school. For others, they were worn for single- or multi-day hiking trips as we explored the outdoors and the world. How many of us were taught how to wear a backpack properly? Most of us know that we should wear a backpack on both shoulders but what about the waist belt? How much weight should we be carrying? Most school-aged kids are carrying more weight than they should. This can lead to spinal misalignment and bad posture, which can contribute to neck and back pain in the teenage and adult years. Younger kids should carry no more than 10% of their body weight while the rest of us should carry no more than 15% of our body weight. To keep your back healthy, watch your backpack weight!

Dr. Amber Kenmuir, D.C., Long Lake Chiropractic Centre, MySpine.ca