Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and it typically affects adults who have had chickenpox in the past. Shingles can be a debilitating condition, causing significant pain and discomfort that can last for weeks or even months.

Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medical technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. While the scientific evidence for acupuncture is still limited, many people believe that it can be an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions, including shingles. More and more doctors are recommending it to their patients.

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What Does it Mean To Have A Healthy Gut?

You’ve probably heard the term “gut health” and know that “good” gut health is desirable. But what does it really mean to have a healthy gut? It means having the right balance of tiny bacteria and other microbes in your digestive tract. We need the beneficial bacteria to outnumber the bad bacteria which thrive in an unhealthy environment.

Good bacteria are the ones that help break down our food, manufacture vitamins (vitamin K and most B vitamins) and moderate our immune system – over 70% of your immune cells reside in the gut.

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Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. This heel pain and tenderness shows up most often at the bottom of the foot where the arch meets the heel. Typically, the pain is aggravated during the first steps in the morning or after rest. Most of the time it goes away on its own but it can take months or even years. Some people don’t respond to physiotherapy or pain killers, resulting in years of pain and missing out on activities.

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This is a type of nerve damage that involves the nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord (peripheral). It is very commonly felt in the hands and feet.

This nerve damage often results in:

• weakness
• numbness
• tingling
• heavy limbs
• sharp, stabbing, nervy, burning pain
• clumsiness

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I feel like after 2 years of a pandemic (which seems to never end) and now more bad news in the world, people who have been so strong for so long are now starting to crack. Do you know what I mean?

It seems that many people are just done. They are feeling more reactive to the smallest hiccup in their day.

Many people come to the clinic and say – I’m just not coping well!

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1 in every 400 Canadians is living with MS, therefore most of you reading this know someone who suffers from this incurable disease or are personally experiencing it yourself.

Many of you know that proper diet, lifestyle, exercise, and medications are the key to managing the disease, but did you know that regular acupuncture treatments can help as well?

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If you are reading this, it is likely that you are already familiar with the definition of a migraine and just how common they are. You probably know that migraines are severe headaches that are commonly felt on one side of the head, are throbbing or pulsing in sensation, and are often made more disruptive by the accompanying nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to noise and light. You are vitally aware that migraines can last for hours if not days and the pain can be so terrible that you can’t proceed with your daily activities.

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Sadly, so many women suffer every month with painful periods. They suffer in silence, some thinking that this is normal. It is really hard for me to hear women talk about missing work or other activities because they are doubled over in pain. Yes, menstrual cramps start out strong when we are teenagers, but they shouldn’t be debilitating.

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Anxiety; we’ve all experienced it. It crops up alongside major life events like medical procedures, opening night, final exams, blind dates, important deadlines, and dream job interviews. This is all normal and the feeling generally goes away once the major event has passed. However for some people, this feeling of anxiety crops up on a daily basis. They may have chest pains, shortness of breath, insomnia, restlessness, tingling or numbness, dizziness, dry mouth, fear, palpitations, stomach pains, excessive sweating, nausea, and constriction in their throat. They get overwhelmed with worry and it can be paralyzing. It affects their lives and they suffer. Don’t suffer anymore, if this describes you, schedule an appointment with your doctor and get checked out. Then read on about how acupuncture helps anxiety and calms your mind.

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We all know people who smoke like a chimney and eat nothing but fast food and keep having babies like nobody’s business. You and your partner live relatively healthy lives and are having trouble conceiving. It’s frustrating but don’t give up hope. Our constitutions differ so we must implement different lifestyle strategies accordingly. Try working your way through these fertility strategies with your partner – but don’t let this list stress you or your relationship. Be gentle with yourselves and take your time.

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