We have all experienced pain at some point during our life. But there are some people for whom pain is a daily burden that doesn’t seem to go away. For those people, it is important to find a practitioner who has extensive experience in assessing and treating acute and chronic pain conditions. It doesn’t matter if your pain is from joints, muscles, nerves, organs, emotional trauma, or even an unknown origin, there is almost always something that can be done to decrease or remove the pain. Get a thorough assessment that can uncover previously overlooked or misunderstood aspects contributing to your problem.

Total knee replacement is the most definitive treatment for advanced osteoarthritis. This procedure is typically done in a hospital setting, with 3-5 days of hospital stay. In recent years, it has become clear that healthy individuals can be discharged from the hospital on the day of their surgery, to safely and conveniently recover at home. Having surgery done at a medical centre provides a welcome alternative to hospitals. This can help reduce complications associated with hospitalization, and for many patients, the convenience and comfort of being at home with family is much preferred over the rustle and bustle of a busy surgical ward.

Women often approach investing differently from the way men do. There is the tendency to have emotional attachments to investments, and are often more socially responsible investors, dealing with companies that are a true fit with their values. Gathering too much information can sometimes cause a person to get caught up in analysis and get overwhelmed. There is no perfect investment strategy, and waiting for one can sometimes hinder financial success. Women may feel more comfortable working with female investment advisors, and may find they are better able to guide investors through the process more comfortably.

Children who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities often also have issues with executive functions, which include things like impulse and emotional control, flexible thinking, working memory, self-monitoring, planning and prioritizing, task initiation, and organization. These issues can affect a child’s ability to complete homework, make decisions, organize projects, remain focused, and keep inappropriate responses at bay, which can create problems for the child at school, as well as at home. Certain cognitive exercises tailored to a child may help to improve executive functioning, and in turn decrease some learning difficulties, helping the child to gain confidence and perform better in school.

Q: What is a calcaneal bump? A: A bony prominence on the back of your heel is called a ‘calcaneal bump’. In a high-arched foot, the heel bone (calcaneus) can have an altered alignment, which causes an enlargement of the bone in the back of the heel. Often, the body will create a fluid-filled sac (bursa) that can push up against the heel of a shoe and become very painful. Cutting away the heel area of the shoe or placing a doughnut-shaped pad or strip padding on either side of the bump can sometimes help. If these don’t work, consult a podiatrist who may use a topical or injectable medication to reduce the inflammation.

There is nothing like a serious health scare to send you to your knees. When good news comes, it’s a huge relief! We feel tremendous gratitude when a crisis has been averted. But what about all of our minor wins and accomplishments we experience every day? How much gratitude do we feel with these? To increase our self-esteem, we must acknowledge these victories too. For some, it might be just getting out of bed, or starting a project they’ve been procrastinating on. By writing down three accomplishments a day that you’re grateful for, you will be building a stronger and happier you. Something to be grateful for!

Doing some end-of-summer sightseeing with your dog? Don’t forget that wildlife can be either scared by your pet or see it as prey. Keep your pet safe by leashing it and have protection from large predators. Bears will be fishing and eating berries; don’t allow your pet to get involved in a confrontation. This time of year, bad weather can hit the mountains quickly. Protect yourself and your pet with good preparation, including having the right gear and knowing how to find shelter if necessary. There will still be tick activity until the temperature drops below 4° C, so make sure your pet is protected.

Q: I’m unable to lose the weight gained from pregnancy, can acupuncture help with this? A: There are several factors that can contribute to weight retention post-pregnancy. For some, it could be due to emotional and hormonal reasons. In an acupuncture treatment session, we adjust the digestive system by expelling bodily junk, combined with treatment for balancing one’s hormones and emotions. It’s a big change to have a new family member. Our emotional state and physical states are closely related. We must take care of both to live a healthy life.

Separation of the abdominal muscles in the midline is a common occurrence after some pregnancies, or after many years of abdominal training with poor technique, and is called diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA). The most obvious visible change during pregnancy is the expansion of the abdominal wall and while most abdomens accommodate this stretch very well, others are damaged extensively. In some, this can prevent optimal function of the core. A physiotherapist can perform a complete assessment of your abdominal wall function (that includes ultrasound imaging) and can help you progress in your exercise program, regain pain-free function, and regain urinary continence. In some cases, physiotherapy can help, but surgery may still be required. We can help you determine if surgery is required for you if you have a DRA.

With cold and flu season approaching, NOW is the time to boost your immune system! The go-to supplements for immune boosting include vitamins A, B, C, D, E and the mineral zinc. But did you know that IV Vitamin Therapy can deliver higher doses of vitamin C and B vitamins, and offers additional immune boosting nutrients like selenium? IV Vitamin Therapy works by bypassing the digestive system and allowing your body to receive the higher doses of beneficial vitamins and minerals. And don’t forget that washing your hands is another effective preventative measure to stay healthy, along with stress management.

Place ½ cup of roasted sesame seeds, squeeze ½ lemon, 1t sea salt and ¼ cup olive oil in a food processer. Blend until paste. Add; 5 cloves crushed garlic, ½t cayenne pepper, 2T chili flakes, ½t black pepper, squeeze in the other ½ lemon, and 1 can drained & rinsed organic chickpeas. Blend and slowly add approx. ¼ c water to the consistency. Garish with paprika.