April is Oral Health Month in Canada and a great reminder to practice good oral hygiene! Here are five tips for maintaining good oral health: 1) Make healthy food choices and limit sugary and highly acidic foods to avoid tooth decay and acid erosion. 2) Don’t smoke or use tobacco products, which can stain teeth, cause gum damage, give you bad breath, cause tooth loss, and even lead to oral cancer. 3) Brush twice and floss once daily. 4) Make note of any oral issues you have, including sensitivity, bleeding, pain, or strange lumps. 5) Visit your dentist regularly.
Community News
Get Mobile!
Do more of what you want – when you want. If you ever find yourself waiting around for people to assist you with daily tasks and errands, a mobility scooter could allow you to take matters into your own hands. Confinement can be the most depressing situation that people with mobility issues can experience. Nobody wants to stay inside for a long time, especially when it isn’t necessary. Electric scooters have come a long way and are now more affordable than ever. They provide the freedom to get around, they conserve physical energy, and they also provide you access to places you may not have previously been able to go.
Normal Forgetfulness or Dementia?
As we age, it’s normal to experience more frequent instances of memory loss. Some common symptoms of normal memory loss include transience, when the brain forgets some memories over time, and absentmindedness, where you may forget something because you weren’t focused on it. Other factors can also contribute to normal memory loss, such as depression and other mental health issues. Memory loss that involves the following can be cause for concern and should be addressed by a doctor: 1) Forgetting important information, like names. 2) Being extremely disoriented in unfamiliar environments. 3) Major personality changes like aggressiveness or impulsivity.
TMJ? Acupuncture Can Help!
TMJ can be caused by a combination of muscle tension (teeth grinding), anatomical problems, and injury. The symptoms include everything from headaches, neck/shoulder pain, and dizziness to pain whilst chewing or opening your mouth. Fortunately, for those suffering from TMJ, acupuncture is extremely helpful. A recent study of patients receiving acupuncture for TMJ indicated that 85% benefited with an average reduction in pain intensity of 75%. The primary reason acupuncture is preferred is because it seeks to resolve the origin of a condition. We treat the root cause – stress, muscle tension, system imbalances, as well as the pain in the jaw area, all in one treatment.
Healing with Reflexology
There are reflex points on your feet that correspond with every part of your body. Through the application of pressure on these reflexes using specific hand and finger techniques, reflexology therapy can help relieve tension, improve blood circulation, and support the body’s efforts to function optimally. The benefits of reflexology include its ability to stimulate nerve function, increase energy, boost circulation, induce a deep state of relaxation and eliminate toxins from the body. Your feet will love the pampering and you may feel calm and a sense of well-being.
Ask The Expert
Q: I hate my plastic frames. I have to keep pushing them up and tilting my head back to see my computer screen with my progressive lenses. Would a metal frame be better, so they’d fit better? A: Maybe, but you’d likely do much better with lenses which are mostly focused for your screen instead of trying to use the small screen-distance section in your progressives. You would need a separate frame, but you’d get a wider view of your screen, and it would be easier on your neck.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life
We all want to be healthy, however many people disregard their oral cavity and teeth (whether real or false). The body is a holistic and interconnected system, one that can only function optimally if everything runs smoothly. Old or ill-fitting dentures can cause an array of health issues. From headaches, digestive problems, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), and hearing loss. Also social isolation may occur if you are unhappy with your smile because of missing teeth or old dentures. It’s imperative to see the right specialist for any health issues. When it comes to dentures see a denturist first.
Canada’s Low Risk Gambling Guidelines
Follow these three guidelines to reduce your risk of experiencing harm from gambling. 1: Gamble no more than 1% of household income: For example, a Household income of $70,000 before tax should gamble no more than $58 per month. 2: Gamble no more than 4 days per month, which works out to roughly once a week. 3: Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games: For example, lotteries and slots, OR scratch tickets and bingo, OR poker and VLT’s. Three or more forms of gambling substantially increase the risk of developing a gambling problem. Check them out at GamblingGuidelines.ca #LRGG.
Wealth & Well-being
It’s tax season and the CRA is now accepting income tax returns and has cautioned that it will be another “unique” tax period due to pandemic-related challenges. Here’s what you should know: 1) The filing deadline will be April 30 for most, but because the deadline falls on a Saturday this year, returns filed by May 2 will be considered on time. 2) File your taxes to receive benefits and credits you may be entitled to. 3) If you worked from home may be eligible to claim a deduction of up to $500 for home office expenses using a temporary flat rate method.
Shockwave Therapy: The Gold Standard
The FDA has approved the use of Shockwave Therapy (SWT) for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and other tendon injures. SWT is a non-invasive treatment that involves delivery of shock waves to injured tissue to ultimately reduce pain and promote healing. Multiple high-quality randomized clinical trials/research has provided substantial evidence that SWT is a safe and effective non-invasive option for treating tendinopathy & calcifications throughout the musculoskeletal system. At Origin Integrated Health we are currently yielding positive results using SWT for chronic injuries to tendons in the rotator cuff/shoulder, elbow, hip/hamstring, Achilles and plantar fascia.
Salsa Dancing Health Benefits
Salsa dancing is fun and exciting, but did you know it’s also a great way to stay healthy and fit? Here’s how salsa dancing can benefit your health: 1) Targets all major muscle groups. 2) Improves your balance by strengthening your stabilizing muscles. 3) Increases circulation, benefitting your heart and lungs. 4) Burns calories. 5) Can help prevent osteoporosis and can prevent arthritis by helping to lubricate your joints. 6) Can improve memory by getting you to memorize steps, routines, and dance patterns. 7) Boosts your mood by raising endorphin levels. 8) Lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol.
