November, 2022

Relief for Aching Tissues and Muscles

Dry needling has become an increasingly popular option for patients suffering from painful muscle tightness. Similar to acupuncture, this safe and effective treatment utilizes thin monofilament needles to decrease muscle tightness, increase blood flow and ensure a faster recovery from injury. During the treatment, thin monofilament needles are directed to the affected areas of the body, which may include the shoulder, hip, neck or back. Once inserted into the skin, these needles enter the trigge...

How to reduce your risk of caregiving burnout

Stepping into the role of caregiver for your older parent can be very rewarding. It's heartfelt work—and it's also often stressful work. Over time, too much stress can wear anyone down. If the stress becomes overwhelming, you could begin to experience a sense of exhaustion and hopelessness that experts call caregiver burnout. And at that point, you can't properly take care of your own health, much less tend to your parent's health and needs. Am I burned out? The symptoms of caregiver burno...

5 facts to know about heart failure

If you are at risk for heart failure, you might be overwhelmed with information. Here are five simple facts to help you understand the basics. 1. Heart failure is common. About 6.2 million adults in the United States have heart failure. By 2030, that number is expected to be 8 million adults. If you have experienced heart failure, you are not alone. 2. Blood tests can diagnose and monitor heart failure. Your primary care provider PCP may ask about your medical and family health history during yo...

Don't take a holiday from exercise

When the holiday rush is in full gear, there's plenty to do—from attending gatherings to tracking down last-minute gifts. No wonder you might struggle to stick to your exercise regimen, like a lot of us do this time of year. These suggestions may help keep you moving from turkey day through the new year: Turn mall shopping into mall walking. When you head to the shopping center, bring your gift list—and your walking shoes. Try walking briskly from store to store. Get in a mini workou...

Enjoy an allergy-safe Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time of feasts. But if you or a family member has food allergies, it's also a time to be careful about what you eat. Here are three tips for accommodating your guests with food allergies this Thanksgiving. Talk to your guests The best way to keep your guests safe is to talk to them ahead of time. Find out what their specific allergies are and their level of sensitivity. Food allergy reactions can vary from mild to life-threatening. Remember that people with food allergies know ...

Mammograms: Make Time for the Test

In today's busy world, it's easy to put off screening tests, like mammograms. But if you're a woman, it's crucial to remember this: Breast cancer is typically easier to treat when found early. And while mammograms aren't perfect, these x-rays still are the best tool we have for finding breast cancer in its beginning stages. They can detect breast tumors that are even too tiny to feel. Watson Clinic recommends that every woman receive annual mammograms beginning at age 40. Women who are at high r...

Carb Counting for Diabetes

A diabetes diagnosis often leads to lifestyle changes, including paying closer attention to what you eat. Tracking the carbohydrates carbs in foods can help you manage blood sugar levels to help you stay healthy. Your body uses carbs as fuel. Carbs turn into glucose and affect your blood glucose more than other foods do. That's why carb counting can be an important meal planning tool for managing diabetes, especially if you take insulin at mealtime. It's important to eat carbs throughout the day...