Community News
Integrated Pain Solutions

How do we treat SIJ dysfunction (sacroiliac joint dysfunction) that causes low back and leg pain when it does not heal by itself or with conventional medicine? An alternative option called Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT) also known as Prolotherapy may provide lasting relief. Our body is held together by a network of connective tissue that are vulnerable to injuries. Joints that are badly sprained are easily reinjured due to ligament and tendons laxity resulting in arthritic changes. RIT involves injections into the site of pain. This stimulates our inflammatory healing response in the injured tissue. When we are injured our body naturally produces an inflammatory response. It stimulates substances carried in the blood that produce growth factors in the injured area in order to heal. Why do we not heal? Ligaments, tendons, and cartilage have a poor blood supply, which may result in an incomplete healing.
Dr.Ross Ralph Dr.TCM,RAc., DOMP, Advance Neurofunctional Sport Performance Specialist, www.courtenayhealing.ca

Shin Pain Slowing You Down?

Running can be a fun, enjoyable way to get in shape and feel good. However, if you develop shin pain it can stop you in your tracks. “Shin splints” is a generalized term for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee either on the front outside part of the leg (anterior shin splints) or the inside of the leg (medial shin splints). Shin splints are described as ‘an overuse injury’ but also may be caused by a variety of ankle and foot problems such as over-pronated or under-pronated feet. A common remedy for shin pain is to use ice and to rest. If it persists, it should be properly diagnosed and treated by your doctor. Ensure you are wearing properly fitted running shoes that suit your alignment. Secondarily, a well-fitted custom foot orthotic may be required to correct a biomechanical issue. Don’t let shin pain get in your way; seek the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Bryan Mitchell, www.mitchellpando.com

Alternative Healing – Holistic Aromatherapy

Modern Aromatherapy has evolved into four basic categories: medical (practiced in France by doctors), popular and esoteric (products from metaphysical and gift shops), holistic (addressing the Body+Mind+Spirit), and aromachology (the scientific study of fragrance/perfumery). Holistic Aromatherapy is a multidimensional healing art, involving the beneficial physiological, pharmacological, psychological, and metaphysical properties of pure therapeutic grade essential oils. In addition, there is a clear understanding of the importance of the client-therapist relationship. Having responsive caring support from a knowledgeable practitioner augments the healing effects of various essential oil therapies. The aim of the practitioner is to gain insight into the complex causes of a client’s health concerns, mitigate symptoms, and lead the client forward on the path of self-responsibility and inspired abundant living. Re-connecting with Nature and integrating Mind+Body+Spirit, is the true foundation for optimum wellness!
Nelson Meggitt, www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca

DIY–Knot Massage

A trigger point (TrP), AKA a “knot” is a hyper-irritable spot in a taut band of skeletal muscle. TrP’s can produce local and referred pain, and sometimes reduce the range of motion of the affected muscle. Your RMT uses a variety of techniques during a massage therapy treatment to reduce TrP’s. How can you treat TrP’s at home? Before treating yourself, it’s a good idea to warm up the tissue before following these steps. 1.Find the tender point in the muscle   2. Using a ball (tennis balls work great) compress the tender point until its between a 5-7 on the pain scale (1= no pain, 10= intolerable).   3.Hold the pressure here until the pain begins to decrease.   4.Repeat steps 2 & 3.   This “pain” should feel good- not intolerable. Begin on the lighter side and follow this treatment with a gentle stretch or flushing of the tissue with self -massage.

Sydney Reaburn RMT, www.courtenaymassagetherapy.com

The Greatest Gain From Grain

Despite different views on the subject, bread has remained one of the most consumed carbohydrates by Canadians. How do you make the healthiest choice? You do have a few options: bake your own, buy fresh from a reputable bakery, or read nutrition labels and ingredient lists. One hundred percent whole and/or sprouted organic grains are absolutely key because both provide nutrients needed for the body in the most wholesome form. Preservative free is important and can be tough to locate since preservatives are common in pre-bagged grocery store loaves. Low sodium is important. Sodium is used to stabilize yeast and pump up the flavour, it can be especially high in ‘diet’ breads. Additionally, the absorption for re-introduced vitamins and minerals is not nearly as high as in their naturally occurring state, so stay away from ‘enriched’ breads. Regardless of how you choose to source your bread, always remember the most natural state provides the greatest gain from the grain.
Cakebread Artisan Bakery, www.cakebread.ca

Best Cold Sore Remedies

Cold sores are downright embarrassing. The more we try to hide them, the more obvious they become. Here are some good home remedies in case you find yourself with an unsightly cold sore. 1. Licorice – Try choosing a licorice whip. Studies show that glycyrrhizic acid, an ingredient in licorice, stops the cold sore virus cells dead in their tracks. Be sure it’s made from real licorice. 2 – Pure Vanilla Extract. Yes, the kind you use for baking. Many people swear by this! Soak a cotton pad and apply directly to a cold sore for a few minutes (3 times daily). 3. Hydrogen Peroxide – It disinfects and speeds up healing time. Soak a cotton ball and apply to the sore. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing off. 4. Peppermint oil – When applied directly to a cold sore, people have found that the sore healed faster than usual.

Clean Eating: Easy Healthy Borscht

Use fresh and organic ingredients. 4 cups of beef broth. 2 cups water. 2T Apple Cider Vinegar. Juice of 1 lemon. 2 cloves garlic. 3 carrots. 2T Coconut Oil. ½ head red cabbage. 1 cup green beans. 3 potatoes. 3 beets with stems and leaves. 1 onion. 4 fresh sprigs of dill. 2 bay leaves. 2 T Italian seasoning. Salt and pepper to taste. Chop ingredients in tiny pieces. 1 can kidney beans. Combine in a crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours. Alternately, cook on top of the stove until the vegetables are soft enough to eat. Enjoy!

4 Toxic Foods to Eliminate

Processed Meats: Can have up to 400 percent more sodium and 50 percent more preservatives than unprocessed meats. The worst part: Some contain nitrites and nitrates, chemical additives that have been linked to various cancers, but are still used to enhance color and promote taste. 2. Margarine: Is marketed as a cholesterol-free, healthy alternative to butter, but it’s the ultimate source of trans fats, which actually elevate cholesterol and damage blood vessel walls. Stick to real foods and eat real butter instead. 3. Artificial Sweeteners: Anything with the word “artificial” in it is chalked FULL of chemicals. These fake sweeteners cause symptoms that range from migraines to weight gain and even more serious conditions like cardiovascular disease. Unless you are diabetic, please stop using these sugar substitites immediately! 4. Microwave Popcorn: Bags, in particular, are often lined with a chemical called perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which has been shown to affect fertility, cancer risk, and kidney functioning.
www.disabilitytaxcreditwinnipeg.com

Clean Eating – Banana Lemon Pie

This is one of my favourite desserts. It’s also very quick (10 minutes!) and easy to prepare.

Quantity:

9” x 9” plate = 9 slices (3″ x 3″).

Ingredients:

3 cups pecans or walnuts (not soaked);
1 1/2 cups raisins;
zest from 1 lemon + 2 tablespoons lemon juice;
4 medium bananas;
poppy seeds, blueberries, raspberries, slices of colourful fruit, or sprigs of mint (optional).

Directions:

Process nuts in food processor until small bits. Add raisins to nuts in food processor and process until the mixture starts to clump together. Gently distribute mixture on a 9”x9” plate, then press firmly to form crust. Grate lemon zest on top of crust. Juice lemon into a bowl. Slice bananas 1/4″ – 1/2″ thick and put into lemon juice; stir gently to coat bananas with juice. Spread banana slices/lemon juice on crust. Optional: Decorate with poppy seeds, blueberries, raspberries, slices of colourful fruit, or sprigs of mint.

Uncooking with RawRose – rawrose.com. Your guide to Raw Foods, book available at Rawthentic Eatery.

Sign of Intelligence?

Take a moment and look down at your bare feet. Which is your longest toe? If you discover it is the 2nd toe, intelligence is not necessarily indicated, but a predisposition to certain foot ailments is. Up to 30% of the population has inherited this structure, labelled “Morton’s Foot”, and is actually the result of a shortened 1st metatarsal (the bone behind the big toe) and not a long 2nd toe. This foot structure makes one more prone to stress fractures, metatarsalgia (pain or discomfort of the ball of the foot), thick callusing on the front of your foot, over-pronation and bunions. All of these symptoms can be reduced or prevented with proper support from a custom foot orthotic, designed specifically for this foot structure. Discuss the treatment options with an orthotics specialist today and reduce your chances of future foot discomfort.