Health & Wellbeing Archives - Page 19 of 19

Shin Splints

February 23, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

With summer sports winding up and pre- season training for winter sports commencing, it is not surprising that today I saw my first case of shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome), for this year.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) is the medical name for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee on either the front outside part of the leg (anterior shin splints) or the inside of the leg (medial shin splints). MTTS is a common injury seen in many running or jumping based sports for exam- ple, basketball, netball, football or hockey.

Shin splints most commonly occur when repetitive or prolonged activities place strain on where the muscles attach to the outside lining of the bone (tenoperioste- um). Put simply, the cause of MTTS can be summed up in four words: too much too soon. Athletes often first experience shin pain early in the season due to decondi- tioning and when training surfaces are gen- erally harder. Later in the season it can be caused by increased load or fatigue from over training and not allowing enough time for recovery between activities.

If you have shin splints stretch your calf muscles regularly through the day. Another good stretch is to kneel on a carpeted floor with your legs and feet together and toes pointed directly back then slowly sit back onto your heels, pushing your ankles onto the floor until you feel tension in the mus- cles in your shin. Hold for 15 seconds then relax and repeat. When you return to sport, increase your load slowly and avoid run- ning on hills and hard surfaces until your pain goes completely.

“For the fitness of you”

Linda Reilly

Let Your Body Do The Healing

February 16, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Bowen Therapy works on the theory that the whole body needs treating and not just one part, as all the parts are related.

According to Greg Howell at Forbes Bowen Therapy, treatment usually requires four to five visits to get the body back to its natural state. “It is a process of relaxing the whole body and then letting the body do the healing itself. The healing process involves increasing the circulation in the body and lymphatic drainage, which increases over- all wellness and general good health.”

Greg said the main conditions he treated were people with back, shoulder and neck conditions or damage. In addition, he can also offer treatment if your sleep is affected.

Among the equipment used, is the new ultrasonic machine which breaks up inflam- mation better than a deep tissue massage.

Call for an app

Boost Lunchboxes With A Dash Of Dairy

February 16, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Packing a healthy lunch that’ll be all gobbled up is a daily challenge. Packing a healthy school lunchbox might be daunting, but the benefits are enormous.

A good diet is essential for growth and development in children, but also for giving them the energy to be kids! A key change for kids at the start of the school year is the transition from holiday play to sitting and concentrating back at school. Fuelling them with the right balance of nutrients will play a part in keeping them energised and focused throughout the day.

So how do you get the right balance of nutrients? Keep it simple by including something from each of the five core food groups: veggies, fruit, meat or meat alternatives, dairy and wholegrains.

Pay special attention to packing enough vegetables and dairy. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that vegetables and dairy foods are the two most underconsumed food groups among Australians.

If you’re worried about adding dairy to the lunchbox in the hot weather, opt for harder cheeses such as cheddar, which keep better and pop a frozen ice pack or flavoured milk in the lunchbox to keep it cool until lunchtime.

Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The new year is a time to kick a bad habit or try something new. Usually resolutions are always the same: quit smoking, lose weight, eat healthier, take less medications… the list goes on. But why is it so hard to continue these resolutions through- out the year?

Support is the key! If you don’t have the support of someone close to you, friends or family member, to hold you accountable and to provide encouragement, many of your resolutions will remain just that.

At Flannery’s Pharmacy, we understand that keeping your resolution can be hard and we want to support you! We can help you feel healthier and happier and turn those resolutions into good habits!

Come in and chat to one of our friendly pharmacists or pharmacy nurse to discuss your personal health goals and to develop a plan for the year. Whether it be a discussion on how to quit smoking, lose weight or just to discuss your medication, we can help you.

To get you started we have made it super easy by having two available days in which we can dedicate our time to complete a free health check and personalise a plan to help you feel healthier and happier!

Our clinic days will be held on Wednesday, 1st February from 10am to 4pm and on Thursday, 16th February from 10am to 4pm. To book in call 6852 1111 or drop in and speak to one of our dedicated team members to discuss your free health plan today.

Forbes Has A Bowen Therapist

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Bowen Therapy, started by Tom Bowen, has been around for more than 50 years. Locally Greg Howell, who runs the Forbes Bowen and Wellness Centre, is the only Bowen therapist in town. Greg has been practising for over seven years. He discovered Bowen therapy when
he developed lupus, which is an auto immune disease. After being treated successfully, Greg decided to look into it more closely. He completed training of more than seven months and set up his practice in Forbes. Every two years, he does further training to ensure he remains up to date with the most relevant new techniques.

Call Greg on 0427 592 771 for an appointment.

Deanna Has A Good Eye For Detail

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Phil Wells, of Phillip Wells Optometry is sad to farewell Michelle Churchill, his receptionist for 12 years. However he is happy to welcome Deanna Gamble. Deanna has been travelling both overseas and around Australia but has come home to Forbes to stay. Phil said when he advertised Michelle’s position there were many wonderful applicants, however Deanna was the successful candidate not only for her happy disposition and sound administration skills but because she has had previous experience working alongside an optical supplier.

Welcome Deanna! And best of luck with your future endeavours Michelle!

Mums And Dads Can Suffer From Perinatal Depression

November 17, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

This week is Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week and beyondblue has urged parents to visit its Healthy Families website. The website provides information and advice for new mums and dads from pregnancy
to 12 months after birth. Up to one in seven women experiences postnatal depression and one in ten experiences
depression during their pregnancy.

About one in twenty dads feels anxious or depressed during their partner’s pregnancy, while one in ten experiences a mental health condition after the birth of their baby. “We’ve come a long way, but unfortunately when a new parent is having a tough time, some people can still be very judgmental. No one should feel ashamed or be discouraged
from asking for help,” said beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman. Visit healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au
or call mental health professionals 24/7 on 1300 22 4636.

Are Core Stability Exercises A Good Idea?

November 17, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Everybody knows the plank exercise, but does performing this type of core stability exercise actually help people with low back pain? Physiotherapists, Professor Peter O’Sullivan from Curtin University and Professor Paul Hodges from The University of Queensland, wrote the book on spinal stability exercises. They did a lot of research into the abdominal muscles in the 1990’s and the focus on Transversus Abdominis came from their work. So what are they
saying now?

The plank exercise involves a person on their elbows and toes while holding their body stiff for a period of time. This is not what core stability means, says Professor Hodges. If you think about most functions, we actually need the spine to move. Core stability is about getting the spine to move. Professor O’Sullivan says many people with back pain are already too rigid. Their muscles have already tensed up as a protective mechanism due to pain. Static
exercises like planking can actually be counterproductive. Tensing up a structure that is already tense doesn’t make much sense. Instead we should be relaxing the muscles around our trunk when we have back pain.

So where does that leave us? Should we be telling the gym instructor to take a jump next time they ask for a plank? If we don’t have low back pain planks are fine. Better still are dynamic exercises that require us to naturally activate our core muscles such as squats. If we have low back pain, core activation exercises along with movement and learning to turn off over active muscles beat planks hands down. The spine is designed to move.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

One In Five Suffer From Pollen Allergy

August 18, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Pollen from grasses, weeds or trees can trigger symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma. Pollen seasons can last for several months and exposure is difficult to avoid. Pollen grains can be spread by birds, bees or wind, with airborne pollen causing most allergies.

Allergic rhinitis symptoms are the body’s immune response to inhaled pollen, resulting in chronic inflammation of the eyes and nasal passages. Symptoms include runny, itchy and congested nose; irritable, itchy, watery and red eyes; and itchy ears, throat and palate. Allergic rhinitis affects around 1 in 5 people in Australia and can lead to frequent sinus infections.

Pollination times vary with the plant variety and its location. For example, trees pollinate in late winter and early spring. Grasses flower next, and the weed ‘Plantain’ flowers from August to May.

White Cypress (Murray) Pine is the only Australian tree that produces highly allergenic pollen. Its growth extends from the western slopes and plains of Eastern Australia to Western Australia, and it flowers from late July to the end of August.

Many species of Casuarina produce pollen throughout the year and may cause allergic rhinitis symptoms at any time.

Tips for reducing pollen exposure
• Stay indoors until after midday, if possible.
• Try to avoid going out on windy days or after thunderstorms.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Do not mow the grass and stay inside when it is being mown.
• Consider planting a low allergen garden around the home.
• Keep windows closed both at home and in your car.
• Do not picnic in parks or in the country during the pollen season.
• Try to plan holidays out of the pollen season or holiday at the seaside.
• Remove weeds or trees outside your bedroom window you are sensitive to.
• Research plants less likely to trigger allergic rhinitis or asthma to plant in your garden.
• Shower when you arrive home and rinse your eyes frequently with water.

Medications or treatments will relieve symptoms, but do not cure allergies.
• Antihistamine tablets or syrups (nonsedating) help to reduce symptoms, but they are not as effective in controlling severe nasal blockage and dribble.
• Intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays (INCS) have a potent action on inflammation when used regularly.
• Combination medications containing an antihistamine and intranasal corticosteroid nasal spray offer the combined advantages of both medications.
• Decongestant sprays unblock and dry the nose, but should not be used for more than a few days.
• Decongestant tablets unblock and dry the nose, but should be used with caution.
• Natural products such as salt water nasal sprays or douches can be effective in relieving symptoms.

Source: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)

Customer Service at the Forefront of Eyewear Specs’ Plans

February 18, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Forbes, there is a new eyewear and optometrist outlet in town. Meet Eyewear Specs, a store that will sell all your needs for glasses and provide two optometrists, which is due to open next week.

Fiona Hayward, an experienced optical dispenser, is the business owner, and said where her business will differ from others is in customer service.
“I want to be available to anybody that needs glasses…it’s not about price, it’s about quality, and we’ll reach out to everybody,” she said.

“Customer service is number one. I want people to feel like this is their local place to shop, that they don’t have to travel away, and I want everyone to think they can come in and get glasses, no matter how much they want to spend.”

Ms Hayward, who is originally from Sydney but has lived in Parkes for the last 10 years, decided to set up business in Forbes because she grew fond of the community and people in it. “We have always loved the quaint town. It [Forbes] is a real country town. It’s so friendly, and it just seemed logical. I’ve
been wanting to do this for a very long time and the opportunity has come up,” she said.

After working for a larger eye care company for the past 25 years, Ms Hayward felt the time was right to branch away and form her own business. Besides optometrist work, she is trained to do anything with a pair of glasses, including fitting frames and lenses.

The two optometrists will job-share, with one working the first half of the week, while the other works the second half of the week. “I’m a trained optical dispenser… I choose the right pair of glasses and lenses for people, I can make lenses up to fit the frames. I’m the technical person,” she said.

When speaking about her new business’ future, she said she was in Forbes to stay. “This is my life. I love it. I’m so passionate about what I do. I couldn’t think of doing anything else. I’ll be staying here,” she said.