Do you know that only 1% of the body’s magnesium is stored in your blood? This means that it may not show up in routine blood tests and is sometimes missed as a deficiency. Magnesium is by far the most important mineral in the body. It is essential for the electrical stability of every cell in the body and regulates the flow of calcium, potassium and sodium. Magnesium is needed in large quantities to be an effective cell controller. The recommended daily amount for persons over the age of two is 250+ mg. Transdermal (through the skin) magnesium absorption has proven to be one the most effective methods of getting enough of the mineral. A home bath of Epsom salts, topical magnesium supplements or a session of salt-water floatation therapy can be fantastic choices. What’s more, our skin has the ability to self-regulate the amount of magnesium it absorbs!

Paul Martin, Harbour City Float
HarbourCityFloat.com

Does your child complain of achiness in both legs at night? Pain in the upper or lower legs or behind the knees can occur during periods of rapid growth in kids, usually between the ages of 3-5 or 8-12. Recent studies have found a high incidence of these ‘growing pains’ in children with flat feet. As your child’s body weight increases with the rapid growth, their foot arches may not be strong enough to maintain that extra weight. The arches may flatten under the strain. If this happens the muscles of the calves and legs have to work harder. Correcting the arches with either off-the-shelf or custom foot orthotics can help ease some of the muscle soreness. When combined with warm massage, increased fluid intake, stretching, and ensuring that stable, supportive footwear is worn throughout the day, you can greatly ease your child’s discomfort.

Diane Calder BScKIN, Pedorthist, B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics and Orthotics
MitchellPandO.com

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

We are proud to launch the second edition of the Wellnessnews on Central Vancouver Island! To us, Healthy Living means making positive choices and taking ownership and action to improve and enrich our lives in all key areas; physical, mental and spiritual. In order to achieve Healthy Living, we need information about positive health practices and a guide to the resources available to us. Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living strives to be the resource that showcases local health practitioners and businesses that can help the people in our communities achieve their goal of health and wellness.

Teresa Ostman and Isabella Ostman
Leverage Marketing Inc., Publisher, Wellnessnews Central Vancouver Island
wellnessnews.ca