The Environmental Working Group released an interesting document last week about the safety of cell phones. After a 10 month research review, they concluded that cell phone DO emit radiation--enough to be concerned about potential cancer risks. Check out their website http://www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation?inlist=Y&utm_source=cell&utm_medium=email&utm_content=second-link&utm_campaign=toxics to check the safety of your cell phone according to the EWG and also ways to reduce radiation exposure. Here is a quick summary, check out the link http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/8-Safety-Tips?inlist=Y&utm_source=cell&utm_medium=email&utm_content=fourth-link&utm_campaign=toxics for more detailed info:
1. Buy a low-radiation phone.
2. Use a headset or speaker.
3. Listen more, talk less (your phone emits radiation when you talk or text but not when you're receiving messages).
4. Hold the phone away from your body.
5. Choose texting over talking.
6. Poor signal? Stay off the phone (fewer signal bars means your phone emits more radiation to get the signal to the tower).
7. Limit your kid's cell phone use--kids brains absorb twice the cell phone radiation as an adults.
8. Skip the 'radiation shield' like antenna caps or keyboard covers (they reduce connetion quality an forces your phone to transmit at a higher power).
Well, I guess it's time for me to get some more options for texting, instead of paying 15 cents per text! I think it's also time to invest in a land line since we don't have one right now and now that we have kids it's important to have it for emergencies...plus I think I would like to hold off cell phone use for them as long as possible!
Cheers,
Dr. Misa
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
This Week's Tip from the EWG
It's amazing how many toxic chemicals are used in products we use daily in our homes. This week's tip from the Environmental Working Group is about avoiding fire retardants in your home. An interesting read: http://www.ewg.org/healthy-home-tips-03?utm_source=tips3-toxics&utm_medium=email&utm_content=second-link&utm_campaign=kid-health
As a side note, fall is a great time for a detox! As you look to detoxify your home, think about cleansing your body as well and gaining some energy as we enter the colder months. Detoxing twice a year can help boost your immune system and prevent allergies and colds. There are many types of detoxes and I can tailor one that suits your lifestyle...i.e. I won't ask you to do a juice fast if you are a very active individual with a high stress job. In fact, I prefer to give a detox diet that maintains the proper amount of calories you will need, with the help of various supplements that improve the function of your organs of excretion-colon, lungs, skin, kidneys, and liver. Don't forget we also have ionCleanse detox foot baths available at Meridian.
Cheers,
Dr. Misa
As a side note, fall is a great time for a detox! As you look to detoxify your home, think about cleansing your body as well and gaining some energy as we enter the colder months. Detoxing twice a year can help boost your immune system and prevent allergies and colds. There are many types of detoxes and I can tailor one that suits your lifestyle...i.e. I won't ask you to do a juice fast if you are a very active individual with a high stress job. In fact, I prefer to give a detox diet that maintains the proper amount of calories you will need, with the help of various supplements that improve the function of your organs of excretion-colon, lungs, skin, kidneys, and liver. Don't forget we also have ionCleanse detox foot baths available at Meridian.
Cheers,
Dr. Misa
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Swine Flu Update
As of May 2nd, there are 16-lab confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus in Ontario. Three are in York, six are in Durham, one is in Peel and six are in Toronto.
All but three of the confirmed cases have a travel history to Mexico. The cases without a travel history to Mexico close contact with confirmed cases.
All the cases are mild and are recovering at home.
If you or someone close to you answer yes to the following questions, please see your family doctor or walk-in clinic:
1. Do you have new/worse cough or shortness of breath?
2. Are feeling feverish, have a fever > 38 C, or have you had the shakes/chills in the last 24 hours?
3. Have you traveled (or have you come in contact with a sick person) within the last 7 days to Mexico or another affected area?
As always, follow proper HANDWASHING at home and public places!
Be well,
Dr. Misa
All but three of the confirmed cases have a travel history to Mexico. The cases without a travel history to Mexico close contact with confirmed cases.
All the cases are mild and are recovering at home.
If you or someone close to you answer yes to the following questions, please see your family doctor or walk-in clinic:
1. Do you have new/worse cough or shortness of breath?
2. Are feeling feverish, have a fever > 38 C, or have you had the shakes/chills in the last 24 hours?
3. Have you traveled (or have you come in contact with a sick person) within the last 7 days to Mexico or another affected area?
As always, follow proper HANDWASHING at home and public places!
Be well,
Dr. Misa
Friday, April 3, 2009
Buying Organic can get expensive...are there foods that are worse than others?
Ever since moving to Toronto in 1997 and living on my own, I have become much more aware of how much food costs, especially if you want to eat healthy and buy organic. I am constantly looking for sales at the grocery store and am happy to see more and more organic products in the stores, because that means it will be more competitively priced.
Having two children now has really caused me to prioritize what aisles I visit at the grocery store, because more than ever I am determined to provide healthy meals for my family. At times this can get quite stressful, especially when I have to go to 3 different Shoppers Drug Marts late at night to find organic milk for my daughter's daycare by the next morning! I want the best for my family, but I've learned that we can't be perfect, we can only be expected to do the best we can.
There are however, a few foods that I will not compromise on and will always buy organic. These are meat and dairy products. When it comes to fruits and veggies, I am more selective and only buy organic if they are high on the pesticide list. This helps my wallet a bit. This summer I plan to try growing some of those highly pesticide-sprayed veggies in my garden (I have never grown any foods in my life so stay tuned!). If you have any tips, please email me! I would love some green-thumb-veggie-growing advice.
Here is the link to the Environmental Working Group's most recent list of highly pesticide sprayed fruits/veggies. There is a full list as well as a pocket guide to carry in your wallet. I try to buy organic of the top worst 10 fruits/veggies. Enjoy!
http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php
http://www.foodnews.org/
Have a healthy day,
Dr. Misa
Having two children now has really caused me to prioritize what aisles I visit at the grocery store, because more than ever I am determined to provide healthy meals for my family. At times this can get quite stressful, especially when I have to go to 3 different Shoppers Drug Marts late at night to find organic milk for my daughter's daycare by the next morning! I want the best for my family, but I've learned that we can't be perfect, we can only be expected to do the best we can.
There are however, a few foods that I will not compromise on and will always buy organic. These are meat and dairy products. When it comes to fruits and veggies, I am more selective and only buy organic if they are high on the pesticide list. This helps my wallet a bit. This summer I plan to try growing some of those highly pesticide-sprayed veggies in my garden (I have never grown any foods in my life so stay tuned!). If you have any tips, please email me! I would love some green-thumb-veggie-growing advice.
Here is the link to the Environmental Working Group's most recent list of highly pesticide sprayed fruits/veggies. There is a full list as well as a pocket guide to carry in your wallet. I try to buy organic of the top worst 10 fruits/veggies. Enjoy!
http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php
http://www.foodnews.org/
Have a healthy day,
Dr. Misa
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Official Website (Redesign) Launch Today!
We're extremely excited to announce the official launch of the newly redesigned Meridian Wellness website! Check it out at:
www.meridianwellness.ca
If you've been to the old site in the past, you'll immediately see how the new redesign is much easier to read and use. For us, this new site will allow us to update information easily and regularly, send newsletters by email and interact with patients and our community via the new blog!
Oh, and we've also added the ability to send online Appointment requests...just hit the big blue button near the top of the screen!
A big thanks to Kagan and his team at Xodmedia for all his hard work in helping us implement the new site. You can check out his web design company at:
www.xodmedia.com
Hope you enjoy the site and let us know what you think by e-mail, this blog or the next time we see you at the office!
Drs. Keith & Misa
Monday, March 30, 2009
Yes...Chiropractors do get neck (or low back) pain too!
So I have yet another opportunity to experience what many of my other patients feel...neck pain with radiating arm symptoms. Specifically, a constant dull ache in my right deltoid which gets stronger whenever I extend my head backwards. When I flex it forward, I get more localized pain near the base of my neck on the right side. Even worse, the last 4 days I've been noticing pareaesthesia (pins & needles sensation) down my entire arm and to the hand. Interestingly enough, it consistently gets worse whenever I sit down at the computer, in my car, on the sofa but is much better when I'm up standing or moving around. I've had this problem for about 3 months now and it actually seems to be getting worse!
How did I get this? Hmm....I know I haven't done anything specifically to my neck recently. But stress, lack of sleep (we just had another child!) and postural issues have probably combined to cause the flare up. The first time I had something similar was about 8 years ago when I was in chiropractic college...I was playing basketball and went up for a rebound when someone shoved me from behind. My head went snapping backward and I had a moderate case of whiplash. Of course, I received some physical therapy and chiropractic care at the college and within 2 weeks I was good again. But I do believe that one bad incident has predisposed me to earlier cervical degeneration. And the symptoms I am feeling are resulting from nerve compression at C5/C6. Whether the compression is caused by a disc problem or bone/joint problem is hard to say unless I get a CT or MRI done.
Sadly, doctors can often be the worst patients! I have been inconsistent with my own treatment. I've only used the laser therapy about 4-5 times during the last two months (mainly b/c I have to pack up the machine and bring it home with me in the evening which can be a bit of an inconvenience). I've also only been adjusted once in the last 4 months...haven't been going out for my usual once a month lunch date with an old chiropractor school friend, where after lunch we typically exchange adjustments.
Guess it's time to get disciplined like I tell my own patients. Regular treatment = steady improvement. So stay tuned. I'm in the same boat with the rest of you!
Dr. Keith
How did I get this? Hmm....I know I haven't done anything specifically to my neck recently. But stress, lack of sleep (we just had another child!) and postural issues have probably combined to cause the flare up. The first time I had something similar was about 8 years ago when I was in chiropractic college...I was playing basketball and went up for a rebound when someone shoved me from behind. My head went snapping backward and I had a moderate case of whiplash. Of course, I received some physical therapy and chiropractic care at the college and within 2 weeks I was good again. But I do believe that one bad incident has predisposed me to earlier cervical degeneration. And the symptoms I am feeling are resulting from nerve compression at C5/C6. Whether the compression is caused by a disc problem or bone/joint problem is hard to say unless I get a CT or MRI done.
Sadly, doctors can often be the worst patients! I have been inconsistent with my own treatment. I've only used the laser therapy about 4-5 times during the last two months (mainly b/c I have to pack up the machine and bring it home with me in the evening which can be a bit of an inconvenience). I've also only been adjusted once in the last 4 months...haven't been going out for my usual once a month lunch date with an old chiropractor school friend, where after lunch we typically exchange adjustments.
Guess it's time to get disciplined like I tell my own patients. Regular treatment = steady improvement. So stay tuned. I'm in the same boat with the rest of you!
Dr. Keith
Friday, March 20, 2009
Protecting Your Baby From Toxins
As a follow-up to yesterday's post, I just came across another great write-up from HealthyChild.com on protecting your precious little one from toxic exposure. Great read! Print it out for reference.
http://www.healthychild.com/images/stories/downloads/Protect-Your-Baby-from-Toxic-Exposures.pdf
Dr. Keith
http://www.healthychild.com/images/stories/downloads/Protect-Your-Baby-from-Toxic-Exposures.pdf
Dr. Keith
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