| Plant
and Rake without the Ache
 Dr.
Carole Smith, B.A., DC
Now that the weather is much more agreeable,
we are all raking, lifting, digging, kneeling and planting
in our yards, which is very hard on our joints! Poor
gardening techniques can lead to repetitive strain injuries,
increase degenerative joint and disc problems, and cause
sprain and strain injuries to muscles throughout the
body.
Let’s enjoy our gardens, and
the gardening season, by keeping the following tips
in mind:
Stretch out before you head
out. Take the time to prepare your body for
activity, just like you would for any other type of
workout. Always warm-up and cool down your muscles.
Add a short walk and you’ll have a complete cardio
and strength program.
Use good lifting technique.
Keep the load close to your body with your back straight
(Remember how to find your neutral spine?). Bend your
knees while picking up and putting down the load. Avoid
twisting. Ask someone for help with heavy, awkward loads.
Use the right moves:
• Alternate your tasks. Take
turns between heavy chores such as digging and less
physically demanding tasks such as planting.
• Stand with one leg forward and one leg back
when you rake. Raking can put significant strain on
your back and arms. So take extra care with this activity.
• Change hands often: Changing hands frequently
when you rake, hoe or dig prevents muscle strain on
one side of the body and will also strengthen muscles
that may not get used as often.
• Kneel or sit to plant and weed. Constant bending
can put strain on your back, neck and leg muscles
and joints. Use kneepads or a kneeling mat to minimize
the amount of bending required, and to make kneeling
and sitting more comfortable.
• Change positions frequently. Make a point
of changing position every 10 to 15 minutes. Move
from kneeling to standing, from digging to planting.
I always tell my patients that the body can adapt
to anything, as long as it is for short periods of
time.
Use proper tools.
Make sure that tools are a comfortable weight and size
for you. There are many ergonomically designed tools
which are lightweight with long, padded handles and
spring-action mechanisms that can reduce strain and
effort.
Take a break! Get-up,
move around, alternate tasks, repeat your stretch routine
or sit back, relax and have a cool drink. Try not to
overexert yourself; and take three brief breaks at least
once every hour. The work can also be spread over several
days! Give yourself a breather. Your back will thank
you!
Please call us
at 905.465.4595
for more information
and
to book
your appointment with Dr. Carole
Smith.
For pricing information
please click
here.
Female
Hormone Balance: Birth Control isn’t always the
answer
Dr. Samantha
Ristimaki, BSc, ND (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine)
 The
pill is prescribed for many “non-contraceptive”
reasons such as acne, uterine fibroids, PMS, heavy bleeding
or cramping with no consideration as to safety from
breast cancer and blood clots. Women taking “low
dose” birth control pills are getting more estrogen
than what is recommended for post-menapausal women.
“Low dose” just means lower than before,
which is still a problem as the research shows. With
the incidence of hormone induced cancers on the rise,
it is important to address the root cause of the problem
before applying a band aid approach.
Hormones are fundamental to health and
hormone imbalances are often responsible for negative
health concerns. The pill often masks imbalances in
estrogen and progesterone. Too little progesterone relative
to estrogen can result in estrogen dominant symptoms
like weight gain, breast tenderness, anxiety, fluid
retention and fibrocystic breasts.
Uterine fibroids which can cause heavy
painful periods can actually be promoted by taking the
pill and hormone replacement therapy. Increased estrogen
intake and xenoestrogen exposure from chemicals in products
such as plastics, pesticides, cosmetics, household cleaning
products and even the water we drink promotes the growth
of uterine fibroids.
Diet and lifestyle factors are often
significant contributing factors.
Foods such as red meat, dairy, shellfish, and
peanuts can promote heavy bleeding because they cause
thickening of endometrial lining which is responsible
for bleeding. Bowel problems caused by stress and poor
diet can also promote inflammation and increase menstrual
pain. Heavy bleeding and excess cramps can also be associated
with overexertion, chronic illness, food sensitivities
and vitamin deficiencies.
It is important not to overlook other
physical hormonal imbalances. A concern such as weight
gain may be associated with low thyroid function that
could result from elevated estrogen or excess stress
hormone production. Weight loss is also difficult in
women with elevated testosterone.
Accessing hormones as well as considering
lifestyle and diet are critical to getting to the root
of women’s health concerns. Salivary hormone testing
can provide more information relative to a blood test.
Hormones pass into saliva from tissue which means that
a saliva hormone level measures hormone levels within
cells. In contrast, blood hormone levels reflects hormone
which has not yet been delivered to tissue.
A comprehensive approach to hormone
balance is key. Consider a naturopathic approach to
determining the root cause of your health concerns.
Please call us
at 905.465.4595
for more information
and
to book
your appointment with Dr. Samantha
Ristimaki.
For pricing information
please click
here.
Klean
Kanteen® Stainless Steel Water Bottles
 Klean
Kanteen® eco-friendly, durable, bpa-free reusable
stainless steel water bottles are now available at Wellness
for the Body
Why Klean Kanteen?
Klean Kanteen® provides choices that promote healthy
living with respect for the environment. We believe
that we can transform the world in which we live by
promoting environmental awareness and conservation.
Recent studies have shown that many
plastic water bottles including Lexan® bottles,
leach toxins, such as Bisphenol A (BPA). These studies
have linked BPA to breast cancer and reproductive mutations.
Good Health Is In Your Future
The stainless steel in your Kanteen is the high quality
food-grade stainless steel that goes through an electropolishing
process to smooth the surface. Klean Kanteen stainless
is 100 percent non-leaching and toxin free, making it
a safe, healthy alternative to plastic or lined metal
containers.
Please call us
at 905.465.4595
for more information
or visit www.wellnessforthebody.com/kleankanteen.html.
Walk
Now for Autism
 On
Sunday June 8th, 2008 our clinic participated in the
Walk Now for Autism. Team Wellness braced against the
heat and humidity, and joined many others affected by
autism in raising funds for autism research. This year
the walk raised over $600 000 for much needed research
to help individuals affected with autism.
Autism affects one in every 150 children
born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the
cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist.
Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child
is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways
to improve the quality of life for children and adults
with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon.
Thanks for your part in helping us
take this important step in the fight for autism
research!
Dr. Carole
Smith has developed a special needs physical rehabilitation
program now available at Wellness for the Body.
Please call us
at 905.465.4595
for more information
and
to book
your appointment with Dr. Carole
Smith.
For pricing information
please click
here.
Purchase
Gift Certificates Over the Phone or Online
Now purchasing the gift of health couldn't
be any easier! Gift certificates may be purchased over
the phone or online for any dollar amount, and can be
sent to you by regular mail or email within 2 business
days.
For
more information call - 905.465.4595
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