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Markham Living: Healthy Living |
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March 5, 2008 – Ontario will follow suit with other provinces across Canada in pursuing a ban on smoking in cars where children are present, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday. Read more from The Canadian Press >>
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February 19, 2008 – Part in a series of educating, dispelling the myths, and offering advice to those who are choosing Massage Therapy as part of their overall health care plan towards becoming... the informed massage therapy patient.
In recent years, massage therapy has become an increasingly accepted and respected therapy for numerous musculoskeletal disorders and ailments. MDs and other health care professionals are realizing massage therapy's importance and recommending it as a course of treatment for their patients. With this welcoming shift in approaches, the patient now must decide which therapist, which type of centre, clinic, or setting to seek care. When informed, a smooth transition and ideally successful outcome will result. However, there are important questions that must be answered before treatment begins.
Granted, this might sound like a silly question.Well, Duh!? Of course they must be, they work in a spa or health clinic. One might assume, but regrettably I have had patients told over the phone upon booking that their establishments therapists are registered only to find out once treatment was rendered, a proper invoice with therapist registration number was unavailable. Why? Likely, the "therapist" was not, but an employee doing "massage". Massage in and of itself, is a term in the public domain: anyone can do it and use the term massage. Tack "Therapist" onto the end of that and we are into the professional health care realm. If I'm getting therapy for a torn hamstring and paying Massage Therapy rates, the person doing my treatment had better come with an RMT designation and a registration number to back it up. If not, I've just wasted my time, money and perhaps had my neck worked on rather than my injured hamstring. Avoid this: get the therapists name and registration number (this can be verified with the respected therapists college in that province); ask if the therapist has experience working on your type of problem ie. a sports therapy clinic will have unquestionably assessed more torn hamstrings than given hot stone massages. This is the first step, and for those with Extended Health Care Plans (EHC), a registration number means you can actually redeem your plans benefits!
When seeing any Massage Therapist about a specific injury, it is important a proper examination or orthopaedic assessment take place prior to treatment. There are many conditions that are relatively straightforward and those that have what is known as differential diagnosis. A patient presenting with a kink in their neck and an accompanying headache in their temple must be assessed properly rather than just assuming they have a knot in their neck causing a referral-type headache. Yes, the likelihood is that it is just that: they've slept awkwardly, overstretched, what have you, but there are always other possiblilites presenting with the same symptoms. Therapists too sure of a presentation without proper evaluation usually signals laziness, cockiness or a combination of both. The bottom line is that therapists are trained to do specific testing, and ask specific questions to isolate the problem, eliminate other possiblilities and determine whether the condition is within their scope of practice. In most cases, it is a relatively minor and very treatable condition, but underlying conditions do exist and must be considered. One such patient presented to me with acute ribcage pain, intercostal (between the ribs) muscle spasm, decreased mobility and guarding. Upon thorough evaluation and despite the patients willingness and high pain tolerance to suck up the pain and continue with treatment, I sent the patient to emergency. Several hours later, I received a message of thanks from the patient. In emergency x-rays had revealed what I suspected: 2 broken ribs.
Article by Graeme Wilson, RMT
The Fix™ Massage Therapy Dept.
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Two Kids' Tummy Upset Products Contaminated
January 2, 2008 – Health Canada is advising consumers not to use two foreign natural health products to treat digestive upset in infants and children because of potentially dangerous contamination.
Cryptosporidium, in Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, can lead to watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and, in some cases, even death.
Bacterial contamination is the cause for the warning in Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San. The contaminated product could cause bacterial infection, with symptoms depending on the type of microbe present, Health Canada said in an advisory Wednesday.
Baby's Bliss Gripe Water and Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San are not authorized for sale in Canada and neither product has been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, the products could have been purchased by Canadians travelling abroad and brought into Canada or purchased over the Internet, Health Canada said.
Canadians who have these products are advised not to use them, and should consult a health-care professional if they have concerns about their use. |
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June 14, 2007 – This month I had planned to write an article on interval training. I really love interval training as part of my workouts but another idea became more prevalent and as I was running this morning – I decided that I would write from the heart.
To me, there is nothing more peaceful and beautiful than nature. I find when I am in need of some peace or strength in my life, I head to the forest and I run the trails. Physically the benefits far outweigh those on the road. Running on grass, sand and mud are great ways of elevating the heart rate without the stress on the knees that running on concrete brings. Also, the uneven terrain helps to strengthen the ankles and the hills are wonderful for strengthening all the muscles in the legs and, of course, give you a phenomenal cardiovascular workout. However, true health isn’t just about being physically fit – mental and emotional health is just as important.
Life today is full of challenges for all of us and I find that nature can offer, with its peace and serenity, a powerful perspective that has a calming affect on one's spirit. I have been running trails with my dog, Maggie, for many years. Sometimes I bring friends alon. One morning I was with Michelle and Andrea and the night prior, we had had a huge snowfall – the woods were so quiet. Behind us came two beautiful horses, their riders dressed in full length coats. The scene was so stunning, it took our breath away, as they galloped past, spraying us with the snow from their hooves.
On another occasion in the summertime, very early one morning just as the sun was rising, I rounded a corner from a trail that took me down to a little lake. The lake was shrouded in a low gentle mist and there on the other side was the imposing figure of a beautiful stag – the tips of his antlers glistened in the sunshine. We both just stared at each other for a few seconds and then majestically he took off leaving me to wonder if I’d just had a vision. It has been through experiences such as these that I have found peace through many kinds of adversity.
Many years ago, I had cancer for the first time. My twin boys were only six years of age and my daughter was ten. The idea of not being around to see them grow up was heart breaking – so was the thought of my pending treatment. During this time, I met many wonderful people and one particular young woman whom I will never forget. We were both about the same age, in our late thirties, and she too had small children. Her name was Yvonne Schaller and her children were at that time two and four years old. We both had our treatments. I got better and so did Yvonne for a while. Unfortunately, Yvonne had a very aggressive cancer that returned and a couple of years later she died. I was deeply affected by her passing because she was such a lovely young woman – and because she was young. But I also felt guilty that I had survived and she had not.
Back then, as I do now, I took to the trails to find my healing. I ran and ran and ran trying to work out my feelings. Finally, I realised that I felt I’d been given a second chance for a reason and that I needed to give back to society. I have tried volunteering for several organizations and I have finally found my vocation with Camp Quality and working with children with cancer. It has taken me a while to get there and now there is nowhere else I’d rather be. My long walks or runs through the forest with friends or alone has been a huge strength and comfort to me and to many of them too.
 Come and see Camp Quality's Puppet Show during the 3rd Annual Cornell Garden Festival >>
Article by Carolyn Hoar for SayItCornell.com
©2007 All Rights Reserved. |
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A Great Workout – KETTLEBELLS
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CAROLYN HOAR >>
May 9, 2007 – It is always so much fun to try something new, particularly when you have spent most of your adult life exercising. As an instructor I love to learn new things, I like to tax my body in different ways and most of all I love it when someone else is teaching and I am just there for the workout. So when my friend Anna Cristini started teaching a kettlebell workout, I was very eager to try it out. Anna is an instructor and personal trainer and what’s more, she’s easy going and a lot of fun. She has renovated her basement so you feel as if you’re in a fitness club. Best yet, the class sizes are small (6 to 8 people) which allows for more individual attention.
The Kettlebell Workout originated in Russia centuries ago and has now just arrived in North America. It is unique in that it provides some cardio workout with the weight. The kettlebell, which really does resemble a cast iron kettle, or a cannonball with a handle, is actually swung in various ways. It is all to do with the loading of the muscles and the fact that each move targets more than one muscle group at a time, especially the core muscles. The dynamic loading sets up the hip muscles for a powerful contraction. The kettlebell dynamic moves work through a hip thrust which is the powerful generator in all athletics. These unique Russian Exercises condition your back both statically and dynamically. Due to the bells offset centre of gravity it maximizes shoulder strength, flexibility and strengthens the rotator cuff in a safe way. Shoulder injuries are virtually unheard of in Russian personnel with repetition one-arm snatches with a 53lb kettlebell rather than push-ups. The Kettlebell claims to be an outstanding grip, wrist, and forearm developer. The position of the handle allows dynamic passing of the kettlebell from hand to hand type exercises that strengthen and injury proof the body in many planes unlike conventional linear exercise.
The claims of the Kettlebell guru’s is that it burns more fat in a shorter period of time and I can see from the classes that I took that it certainly gives you a good workout – you would see changes within a four week period if you kept it up. What I loved about it was how much you could accomplish in a session – a complete body workout in 30 minutes, now that’s appealing to the busy person. I found it absolutely wonderful as a core strengthener, something all of us need to protect our fragile backs. As much as I enjoyed the workout, I wouldn’t replace my nice long runs or bike rides with it but I would certainly add in a couple of classes a week as an all round body conditioner and strengthener. Some of the other ladies I had the pleasure of meeting in the class told me of the inches they had lost doing this workout.
If you are interested in trying this great workout you can email Anna at acristini@rogers.com. Anna runs 6 weeks of lessons and you can drop by and try one out first before you commit to the 6 weeks. She is lives in the Markham area and teaches a great class. Try it and see for yourself!
Article by Carolyn Hoar for SayItCornell.com
©2007 All Rights Reserved. |
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Spinning
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CAROLYN HOAR >>
April 13, 2007 – Spinning (or indoor cycling) is one of the best cardio workouts that there is, next to running. This great non-impact form of exercise tones the legs and butt and gets the heart pumping like few other machines.
If you have peeked into a spinning class and witnessed the participants heavily sweating, working hard with the instructor shouting at them to work even harder, it can seem rather intimidating. Despite the apparent intensity, anyone at any level can join a class. If you can ride a stationary bike, you can do spinning! The intensity comes from the cadence (speed of the pedal stroke) and the resistance which you control yourself.
If it’s your first class, arrive five minutes early and talk to the instructor. Let them know this is your first experience and make sure they go through the correct bike set-up with you. Also if the instructor is aware, he/she can help you through the different components of the class. It’s important to understand the different levels of a class, such as interval training, endurance training, hill training, and speed training. All these components can be used in one single class or a class may focus on just one of these areas.
It will take about four weeks to start to see results from your spinning classes and for your buttocks to get used to that lovely hard seat. However, the results are undeniable. Keep challenging yourself and work that little bit harder and you will get one of the best workouts you’ve ever had!
If you already feel you are in good shape and you do a lot of running, cycling is the best cross training exercise. Due to the fact that it is non-impact exercise, it gives the knees and hips a rest.
I personally love the scope that indoor cycling gives. It’s great for road riders as they have a safe environment for their winter training and it keeps their fitness level up so they can be ready for the road again once we see nicer weather. Most clubs will post their classes so that you can see the length of the cycle class and they usually run from 45 minutes to 90 minutes – the latter, a master class for the not-so-faint at heart.
If you are seeking to really up your training or lose weight and want to beef up your cycling, wear a heart rate monitor. Due to the amount that a participant can sweat in a cycle class, if often leads them to believe they’re working harder than they are – a heart rate monitor won’t let you cheat – it will tell you through your entire workout where your heart rate is.
Always make sure that you are cycling with resistance. If when you are pedalling at speed you start to bounce on your seat, then it means you do not have enough resistance on and even though you may feel your legs are going fast you are not actually accomplishing much. It is speed and resistance that will elevate the heart rate and give you that amazing workout.
So if you have not tried spinning go out there and give it a go. If you have tried it and don’t love it, then try it again with another instructor. It’s certainly one of my favourite forms of cardiovascular exercise – it should be as I teach five cycling classes a week. Good luck, enjoy, AND remember to give it your all! If you make the effort to turn up at a class, you don’t want to cheat yourself by being half hearted about it so throw all your energy into it! You’ll be surprised how good you feel at the end!
Article by Carolyn Hoar for SayItCornell.com
©2007 All Rights Reserved. |
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Staying Fit: Snowshoeing With Club Markham's Carolyn
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CAROLYN HOAR >>
February 25, 2007 – Being fit and healthy is all part of a balanced lifestyle. There needs to be time for one's family, balanced with working life, and exercise. I have been a fitness instructor within the Markham area for the last 20 years and I have been at Club Markham for the last 18 years. Exercise is my passion and one that I love to share and pass on to others.
Exercise for some people is that word that brings about a feeling of guilt and a lot of excuses such as, “I would if only I had time.” In my experience the best way to keep exercising is to find something that you absolutely love. That way, you’ll stay motivated and you’ll remain active and reap all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. There are many different ways to workout and you just have to find what appeals to you.
As an instructor, I know how hard it is to keep people dedicated, especially in today’s busy world. So in order to help you find an activity that might appeal to you, I thought I would explore different sports every month and report back to you here on SayItCornell.com. This month I have chosen one of the fastest growing winter recreational sports in North America: snowshoeing.
The beauty of snowshoeing is that anyone who can walk can participate, no matter what their age, fitness level, or expertise. It is a low-impact safe form of exercise that combines both an aerobic workout with muscle strength and endurance. It uses major muscle groups at relatively high intensities for extended periods of time, thus requiring a higher caloric expenditure. Your metabolism has to work harder in the colder weather along with the added weight of the snowshoes, especially if you are walking through powder as the resistance increases making your body work that much harder. Snowshoeing is a great cross training sport for running, cycling, and hiking. The grips on the snowshoes allow you to run uphill in them – should you so desire. Also, adding poles and moving the arms through the range of motion adds more strength to the movement and works the entire body harder.
Having given you the physical benefits of snowshoeing, I would love to share the other benefits with you. The best places to snow shoe in this area are:
the York Region Forest
the Durham Region Forest
I have had the pleasure of both forests and nothing compares to the peace and tranquility that you’ll experience, not to mention some of the wildlife. If you venture out early in the morning you can often come very close to deer – they truly are beautiful creatures and when they are silhouetted against a background of snow they look ethereal. If you go during a bright sunny day, make sure you take a few minutes (especially if you’ve just climbed a hill) to look around you. See the sun streaming through the trees and the beautiful effects the light plays on the snow – it will take your breath away. Days like that are the days that remind you how very good it is to be alive and hopefully you can leave all your stresses behind you.
I have found the trails in the Durham Regional Forest are marked more clearly than the York Regional Forest. However, the York Forest is broken into smaller forests so you won’t ever get completely lost. The Durham Forest is huge – so don’t venture off-trail until you have come to know it well, because you could get lost there and not be found for days.
A compass is always a good tool to take with you. I also take a dog repellent and my cell phone with me, particularly if I’m alone. You never know when you’ll come across a stray dog and the cell phone is just common sense. However, if you’re in a very heavily treed area, you may not get a signal.
Snowshoes come in various makes and prices and can be found in many places from Canadian Tire, Coast Mountain Sport, and Running free. You can buy a good basic pair for under $100.00 and they will serve you well.
You need to dress for snowshoeing as you would for running. You will find that you get very warm and can work up quite a sweat. I wear my trail shoes with my snowshoes and then I put cycling booties (which are neoprene) over the top to prevent my trail shoes from getting soaked.
I use my ski poles but hiking poles work just as well – however, poles are not absolutely necessary. As in Nordic walking, they just add that little bit of extra work to the upper body which helps elevate the heart rate making it a more intense exercise.
Good luck and enjoy the great outdoors. We have a beautiful country let’s enjoy all its great benefits!
Article by Carolyn Hoar for SayItCornell.com
©2007 All Rights Reserved. |
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(including asthma) disease