The Fertility Partners Launches Significant Platform for Healthcare

TORONTO, July 3, 2020 /CNW/ - The Fertility Partners announced today it has acquired Procrea Quebec City, Procrea Montreal, Procrea Gatineau, Procrea Vaughan, Procrea Newmarket, Heartland Fertility Winnipeg and The Reproductive Care Centre Mississauga; establishing the foundation for a Canada-wide network of exceptional fertility clinics.

The Fertility Partners ("TFP") is the business partner of choice in Canada for leading IVF and Fertility clinicians. The goal of which is to achieve global best clinical outcomes, an international reputation for excellence and exceptional patient experiences. TFP will accomplish this by providing partner clinics with back office support (sophisticated social/digital marketing, HR and recruiting, talent/team development, IT/security/privacy, legal and regulatory, accounting, capital for growth and consulting) and a collaborative synergistic medical-scientific, research oriented, professional and business environment.

Dr. Andrew Meikle, The Fertility Partners' Founder, CEO & Executive Chairman, states that "A key strategic acquisition such as this for our company is very important, establishing a platform for future growth. Also, with a robust pipeline and several high-quality clinic transactions currently pending, TFP is well positioned to be the dominant fertility services business in the country." Steve Yuzpe, TFP President and CFO, says "We are privileged to collaborate with and provide support to our partner Physicians. Together we will enhance the financial and operational processes and efficiencies such that we facilitate excellence in patient care and market leading growth."

The Fertility Partners prides itself on fostering a culture that is patient centred, collaborative, inclusive and transparent. Partner clinics will retain a high level of operational independence and complete clinical autonomy, while benefitting from the range of support services TFP offers. The Procrea, Heartland and Reproductive Care Centre (RCC) Medical Directors have uniformly expressed enthusiasm for this new relationship and approach. Dr. Shannon Corbett, Medical Director of RCC, says "We can't wait for the next chapter and our partnership with TFP!"

About The Fertility Partners: The Fertility Partners ("TFP") is a new venture creating a network of respected IVF and fertility clinics. TFP places significant importance on scientific, clinical and operational collaboration. This will occur internally, with our Physician partners, across the group's clinics and with a number of external organizations. TFP will lead the opportunity to advance the profession through collaborative reproductive medicine R&D, through sharing of best practices and the latest science and technology in every phase of treatment offered- always for the benefit of our patients. Please visit www.thefertilitypartners.com for more information.

SOURCE The Fertility Partners

Fastest growing EMR provider Medfar acquires Plexia, expanding reach to Western Canada

MONTREAL, July 6, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - MEDFAR Clinical Solutions, the leading pure-play Electronic Medical Record (EMR) provider in Canada, announced today the acquisition of Plexia Electronic Medical Systems, strengthening its position as the third largest and fastest growing player. This acquisition expands MEDFAR's operations to British Columbia and Yukon, where Plexia has grown to become the most prominent EMR solution for specialists and physicians. Both MEDFAR and Plexia share a common, innovative vision to improve healthcare quality and efficiency and both are highly complementary in terms of expertise, technology, installed base and user profile.

"We are excited to join forces with Plexia and delighted to welcome the Plexia team and new users to the MEDFAR family," said Elias Farah, MEDFAR's CEO and co-founder. "We are confident that our pure-play EMR strategy improves the experience for our clients and their patients. Matching Plexia's deep expertise and feature-rich solution for specialists with MYLE's innovative EMR will offer healthcare professionals powerful tools that improve productivity, support connectivity and empower patients."

"We are proud of joining the MEDFAR team, which will enable us to continue growing and to step up our investments in offering innovative solutions and fulfill our novel vision of a complete ecosystem to enhance the quality of care," said Wesley Wong, Plexia's General Manager. "MEDFAR has a skilled team with a thorough understanding of the issues in the healthcare system. They are dedicated to build state-of-the-art EMR software that dovetails with the solution we are developing around Plexia EMR with its advanced cloud-based features."

Plexia currently serves over one thousand physicians in Western Canada and its organization continues to expand and evolve its EMR platform by working closely with their clients as well as various government bodies and health authorities. Plexia's continuous engagement with key stakeholders ensures that its EMR solution is in sync with the latest provincial initiatives and serves the dynamic goals and purpose of its users. Plexia's market-leading solution reflects the customer focus of their highly dedicated and skilled people who have established long-term relationships with each client.

The acquisition accelerates MEDFAR's expansion in Canada and increases its footprint to more than 6,000 physicians and more than 20,000 users. More than 1,500 medical clinics delivering 6 millions visits per year will be the first to be powered by the only complete EMR-based Virtual Care Management Solution in Canada.

About MEDFAR

Founded in 2010 by two aeronautical engineers, MEDFAR Clinical Solutions was the first to certify a fully web-based EMR solution in Canada. With the support of experts from its medical and clinical advisory board, the MEDFAR team evolved its solution, MYLE (for Make Your Life Easy), from a simple EMR to a powerful end-to-end Clinical Management Solution that streamlines each and every clinical process, freeing caregivers from the burden of administrative tasks and helping them achieve more. MEDFAR grew to become the preeminent EMR solution provider in Quebec and a leader in international markets. MEDFAR is relentlessly committed to its mission of driving excellence and efficiency in healthcare across the world. For more information, see www.medfarsolutions.com

About Plexia 

Plexia was founded in 2003 to help physicians work better by providing advanced innovative EMR solutions. Its long-standing reputation of service excellence is built upon years of providing quality service and personalized customer support. Plexia's team approach of supporting no matter fellow team members or clients with the utmost respect and integrity, has been a key ingredient to their success.

By investing their energies and resources into secure and latest technologies, users of Plexia can entrust their team to look after their EMR needs while they focus on patient care.

SOURCE MEDFAR Clinical Solutions

4 Ways to Boost Recovery from High-Intensity Workout Routines

No matter the modality of your workout, it will always leave you with pains all over the body, struggling to raise your arms or even take a few steps on the staircase. If workout is your typical daily life, you will need to deal with the pains of the day before waking up to the activities of the next day.

Recovering from the pain is not a hard task like the workout itself. However, it can get worse by the day if left unattended, and you may find it challenging to do your regular duties the following day. There are various rest and recovery techniques you will need to include in your daily routine after a day-long workout to make you effective in the sports. Below are some of the most common tips recommended by experts that will give you a quick recovery.

Drink Lots of Fluids

No matter your workout's modality, it will always leave you with pains all over the body, struggling to raise your arms or even take a few steps on the staircase. If a workout is your typical daily life, you will need to deal with the pains of the day before waking up to the next day's activities.

Rest and Relax

You may need to set aside the time to rest and relax from the physical strain after the exercise. It is the best time to have a Pure Canned Oxygen and get off hangovers. It will boost your oxygen level, enhance your mood, increase stamina, and give you a fresh mind after a long workout.

Eat Healthy Foods

Workout depletes energy, and you will need to refuel it once you are done. Eating healthy foods boosts your body and helps it to recover faster. It also repairs body tissues and helps you stay more energetic, ready for the next day challenge. A good routine with healthy foods is even better when you strive to build muscles.

Take an Ice Bath

Your body gets hot during a workout, and the sweat is inevitable. Taking an ice bath will give you a cold massage and help eliminate body fatigue faster. Water therapy would also boost your recovery. You will need to alternate your showers between hot and cold water to reduce muscle soreness and prevent injuries.

The most important thing to do in boosting the recovery process is to always listen to your body. You can get breaks in between your workout schedule if you feel sore and tired. You may need to take a few days off and have enough rest.

7th Annual Canada Cares Caregiver Awards

One deserving recipient will receive $10,000

TORONTO, June 16, 2020 /CNW/ - As many as 6 million Canadians are caregivers, caring for children with disabilities, elderly parents and other loved ones who need assistance. Together with an army of health professionals, they're working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of others.

"Canada Cares has been celebrating and supporting outstanding family and professional caregivers for many years," says Caroline Tapp-McDougall, Executive Director. "Now, with the added risks and challenges of COVID-19, we think it's more important than ever to recognize these outstanding heroes through our national Caregiver Awards program."

Canada Cares is asking for Canadians from coast to coast to nominate people in their lives who demonstrate dedication, tenacity and commitment to care that's deserving of recognition. They're also inviting requests for financial assistance with related needs. 

One nominee will be selected to win the Canada Cares One Wish Award of  $10,000. The recipient of this award, funded by David Powell in honour of his late mother, will be determined based on the strength of the caregiver's commitment to care and the level of need. Other awards will recognize excellence demonstrated by family and professional caregivers across the country. 

Nominations close September 25, 2020.  To nominate visit: www.canadianabilities.org/nomination 

Background: Canada Cares is a program of the Canadian Abilities Foundation, a registered charity that provides information, inspiration and opportunity to people with disabilities, their friends, families and the entire spectrum of professionals engaged in their service, while promoting their full inclusion in all aspects of community life.

Please share these award details with your friends and family, co-workers and staff. Feel free to announce the awards on your Facebook page, blog, website, newsletter or other media outlets of your choice.

SOURCE Canadian Abilities Foundation

Shaking Up The Vegan Cheese Category Since 2004!  

Award-Winning Parma! Vegan Parmesan Offers Cheese Lovers A Delectably Nutritious Range of Dairy-Free, Protein-Rich Condiments Ideal For Main Dishes, Salads, Pizza & More!

Parma! Debuts Bold New Website As Company Continues Major Expansion

MEDFORD, OREGON, JUNE 27, 2020 - With just the right condiment, a plain salad becomes a festival of flavors, a plate of vegetables transforms into a delectable stroll through a country garden, and an ordinary bowl of pasta becomes a savory work of art. And perhaps no condiment covers as many different foods and as many different cultures as classic Italian Parmesan cheese.

Unfortunately, for vegans or anyone following a dairy-free and/or calorie-conscious diet, parmesan cheese has always been not only off limits but one of the most difficult of life’s little indulgences to forego. If only someone, somewhere, could create a non-dairy parmesan cheese alternative so authentically delectable that even the most discerning cheese lovers would never miss its conventional counterpart ever again!

Well, luckily for countless millions of us, someone has. Welcome to the next revolution within the booming vegan cheese category – Parma!

Created in Oregon just over 15 years ago by Sister River Foods’ founder Shannon Schnibbe (Tofurky founder Seth Tibbott is an ongoing Advisor), Parma! was established in response to a rapidly-growing need within the vegetarian marketplace for a breakthrough allergen-free parmesan alternative.

Comprised of four deliciously distinct varieties – including Better Than Bacon Parma! –voted Favorite Bacon-Flavored Product in 2017 by VegNews magazine – Parma! is a plant-based umami superfood line of convenient and affordable products that are Paleo and Keto-friendly, a complete protein, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO and Certified Kosher.

In addition, all four raw nut and seed-based Parma! flavors contain whole raw ingredients, are low in sodium, heart-healthy, packed with essential B vitamins and trace minerals, replete with beneficial animo acids and an excellent source of healthy oils.

Enjoying its most successful period of growth to date in terms of both distribution and revenue, Parma! late last month introduced an ambitious new website featuring easy navigation, boldly colorful images and graphics, exciting new recipes and convenient shopping options.  

A World Of Flavor

Available in health stores nationwide as well as on the brand new www.eatparma.com site, Amazon, VitaCost and other online retailers, Parma! is ideal for environmentally conscious consumers, vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and all health conscious eaters. Unlike some other vegan cheese alternatives, Parma! has also proven highly appealing to mainstream cheese aficionados who are ready to eschew traditional cheese so long as a healthier option boasting authentic flavor, aroma and texture is available.

Sold in 3.5 and 7-ounce bottles, Parma! can be savored on pasta, lightly steamed vegetables, pizza, salads, potatoes, avocado toast, popcorn and countless other hor d'oeuvres, main dishes and desserts. For suggested recipes, please visit https://eatparma.com/cat egory/recipes/.

Parma! varieties include:

  • Original Parma! – Featuring an irresistiblycheesey umami flavor. Ingredients: Nutritional Yeast, Organic SunflowerSeeds, Walnuts, Himalayan Crystal Salt, Organic Hemp Seeds.
  • Better Than Bacon Parma! – Voted Favorite Bacon FlavoredProduct by VegNews and featuring a smokey cheesey umami bacon flavor. Ingredients:  Nutritional Yeast, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Ground Paprika, Organic Dried Onion, Natural Flavor, Organic Brown Sugar, Himalayan Crystal Salt, Smoked Salt, Organic Hemp Seeds.
  • Chipotle Cayenne Parma! – Blessed with a smokey umami flavor akin to the most popular barbeque potato chips, with a slight cayenne kick at the end. Ingredients: Nutritional Yeast, Organic SunflowerSeeds, Walnuts, Organic Ground Chipotle Pepper, Himalayan Crystal Salt, Organic Hemp Seeds, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Ground Cayenne Pepper.
  • Garlicky Green Parma! – Distinguished by acheesey umami Italian herb flavour complemented by nutritiously delicious kelp, pumpkin and sesame seeds. Ingredients: Nutritional Yeast, Organic SunflowerSeeds, Walnuts, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, OrganicDried Garlic, Himalayan Crystal Salt, Organic Hemp Seeds, Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Kelp Powder, Organic Dried Basil, Organic Dried Oregano.

For parmesan lovers in Europe (in other words – just about everyone!), Parma! also offers a specially branded line called Shake! Original featuring a mouth-wateringly cheesey umami flavor and such ingredients as nutritional yeast, raw organic sunflower seeds, raw walnuts, raw organic pumpkin seeds, raw organic hemp seeds, and Himalayan crystal salt.

Parma! is expected to introduce a bold new line of products to the U.S. marketplace later this year.

Only The Beginning

Founded in 2004, Parma! has steadily grown to its current status as a leader in the dairy-free cheese alternative arena and a key player in the multi-billion-dollar global vegan food category.

Looking back on the origins of the Parma! brand, Sister River Foods’ co-founder and CEO Shannon Schnibbe recalls that it all started as the result of her severe allergies and effort to find foods that might give her relief. Introduced to raw foods, she was soon inspired to begin making what is now Parma! for herself, friends and family. After moving to Oregon and becoming pregnant with her first baby, she decided to combine her passion for healthy eating with her corporate experience and turn her hobby into an actual business. The vegan parmesan revolution had begun!

Today, Shannon takes special pride not only in the rave reviews, industry honors, new distribution channels and increased sales Parma! has enjoyed in recent years, but in her brand’s ability to provide a more nutritious yet equally delicious alternative for those who have been missing out on one of life’s true culinary pleasures – parmesan cheese.

According to Tofurky founder Seth Tibbott, "Like Tofurky, Parma is an authentic, trailblazing brand with deep roots that took hold when the plant-based world was very young. I love that it is a family owned business run by kind, passionate people producing a wholesome vegan food with exceptional flavor."

Adds Shannon, “Parma! gives you that cheesey flavor without all the dairy baggage. It provides an excellent food source of high-quality vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, omega 3’s and trace minerals, along with the natural goodness of hemp, and it tastes great! We’re deeply grateful for the exceptionally warm reception our brand has received from consumers and industry leaders since our very first days on the market and look forward to continuing to shake up the dairy-free industry for many, many years to come.”

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The Buddha And The Badass Helps Us Change How We Work From The Inside Out In The Future

San Francisco, CA, July 6, 2020 - Millions of employees are facing massive challenges in 2020 due to COVID-19, resulting in real transformations in the way we view the traditional workplace. In the wake of the current social climate, these monumental shifts not only incorporate the way we work, but also how large corporations are exhibiting leadership and supporting growth for employees. Vishen Lakhiani, New York Timesbestselling author and founder of leading personal growth company, is joining the conversation by sharing his wisdom and learnings from his second book, The Buddha and The Badass: The Secret Spiritual Art of Succeeding at Work (Rodale Books).

The average person in the developed world spends 70 percent of their waking hours at work and is miserable for most of those hours. Lakhiani's ‘bible for changing the nature of work’ has already hit the New York Times bestseller list, debuting at No. 9 on the ‘Advice/How to list’, and is completely disrupting our most deeply-held career beliefs and the myth that hard work and hustle are the paths to success. The only way to make a tangible difference is to break free from traditional ways of thinking and embrace today's workplace evolution. 

“This book is about the way we work today—because the way we work is utterly broken. But let me warn you that this book is not about business in any conventional sense. It’s about transforming the way you work from the inside out—and how that internal change can ripple out to your world . . . I’d like it to be the bible for changing the nature of work,” -says Lakhiani.

The book illustrates the need to rethink the tired daily routine and redefine our attitudes by learning to awaken the Buddha mindset—the model of the spiritual master, and the Badass mindset—the inner changemaker seeking to make a significant impact on improving the lives of others. If readers integrate the critical skill sets of each powerful archetype, they will begin to work from a space of purpose and prosperity and make conscious shifts in the ways they approach work.

Whether you are an entrepreneur growing your own business or striving to strengthen your leadership skills, The Buddha and The Badass will shake up those old belief systems about the common career approach to help readers achieve the ultimate goal of an extraordinary work-life balance. For more on the book and to get a copy, please visit www.mindvalley.com. Those who pre-ordered the book gain access to live coaching sessions with Lakhiani and are enrolled in ‘Be Extraordinary at Work,’ one of Mindvalley’s top programs for corporate culture. 

About the Author:

Vishen Lakhiani is one of today’s most influential minds in the fields of personal growth and human consciousness. He is the founder and CEO of Mindvalley, the world’s leading online personal growth education company, and behind several top-ranking health and wellness apps. He is also a New York Times bestselling author of The Code of The Extraordinary Mind, which peaked at number one globally on Amazon five times in 2017 and has been translated into more than 25 languages. With an incredible passion and drive to unite humanity and challenge the status quo, he has built a movement of growth-seekers, spanning 195 countries, engaging more than 15 million followers on social media, and half-a-million students online each year. Vishen is focused on expanding Mindvalley's global presence by bringing its teachers, technology and programs into 100 national school systems and every company in the Fortune 500 over the next decade. On June 9, 2020, Rodale Books published his latest bestselling book The Buddha and The Badass: The Secret Spiritual Art of Succeeding at Work.

The Buddha and The Badass: The Secret Spiritual Art of Succeeding at Work

Rodale Books

Hardcover

ISBN: 9781984823397 

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Hey guys and gals! Welcome back to the Train It Right Life. On this episode I get a bit personal about the fear of being lonely and getting out of your own way. You are always in control and remember nothing ever lasts. I hope you enjoy and feel free to drop a review or stars!

Post-grad courses in dementia care offer greater chances of career progression, say graduatesMake the leap to higher education and gain deeper understanding and chance to affect real change
01 July 2020 
 For many professionals working in the dementia care sector, the idea of embarking on a post graduate course while juggling already busy lives might seem daunting but those who have completed the process explain here why going back into education was one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.Busy mum Kate Lester completed her MSc in Dementia Studies last year and urged anyone considering a post-grad course to apply.“I decided to apply for the MSc Advanced Dementia Studies course as my life had hit a plateau. The prospect of being nearly 30, with a soon to be three-year-old son, made me realise I needed to focus on achieving a new goal. I loved my job as a dementia care coordinator, but I wanted to further my knowledge in dementia care practice.“The idea of having to give up work to go and study at University full-time was daunting. The fact the MSc Advanced Dementia Studies course was three years, part-time and distance learning was perfect. The course enabled me to gain confidence in order to not only embrace change but to be the one to make changes within an organisation.“For anyone sitting at home thinking that it’s time they did something for themselves, that they aspire to deliver person-centred care to people living with dementia, or that they just want a new challenge, my advice would be to apply.”Mother-of-two Analisa Smythe, 47, pictured, from Tewksbury, studied for her PhD over seven years while working as a research nurse in Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust. Completing her PhD enabled her to apply for a position as a research matron at Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.She completed her studies remotely and praised the level of support offered at the University.“I got to the stage in my career where I felt like I needed to complete a PhD. I already had a masters but this was about making the transition from following other people’s research to creating my own. It took seven years but the PhD, it was well worth it.”They are not alone - read these graduate blogs about the benefits of MSc and other post-grad courses.Now the University of Bradford is urging more healthcare professionals to consider enrolling on a post-graduate course at its Centre for Applied Dementia StudiesMurna Downs, Professor in Dementia Studies in the Faculty of Health Studies, said: “If you have an ambition to achieve something, it’s then only a matter of getting effective and tailored support. It’s not just a personal gain when you do an MSc or PhD, it's a bonus for society and the community and your professional group because they rate the gain.”The Centre for Applied Dementia Studies is one of the UK’s leading centres for psychosocial research into living well with, and caring well for, people with dementia and their families. It has over 20 years experience of high quality pioneering research underpinned by the values of person-centred care. Its Doctoral Training Centre is one of eight specialist doctoral training centres around the country, funded by the Alzheimer’s Society, as part of its investment in future research leaders.Contact us: The Centre for Applied Dementia Studies runs an MSc Advanced Dementia Studies distance learning course and welcomes potential PhD students.The Centre aims to build research capacity in dementia, creating the future leaders that dementia research needs.  FACTFILEThe Centre for Applied Dementia Studies has over 20 years of knowledge and experience in delivering dementia education and training and was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2016 for excellence in Higher and Further dementia educationIt offers part-time distance learning programmes, available to study from anywhere in the worldThe Person-Centred Care model was pioneered at the University of Bradford in the 1990s by the late Professor Tom Kitwood and is still evolving - the model is widely accepted nationally and internationally and embedded in policy such as National Institute of Clinical Excellence GuidelinesOur observational measure and practice development methodology is called Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) - since 2008, 3,616 practitioners have been trained in DCM in the UK and a further 3,189 internationally. DCM is endorsed by the National Audit OfficeThe University also involves ‘Experts by Experience’, who are people living with dementia and carersJune 30
Pictures: Analisa Smythe, post-grad from the University of Bradford and against green background: Murna Downs, Professor in Dementia Studies in the Faculty of Health Studies
Bradford academic working to mitigate BAME Covid riskUniversity teams up with major pharmacy chains to combat risk of Covid-19
01 July 2020 
 Two major pharmacy chains, Lloyds Pharmacy and Well Pharmacy, are working with Professor Mahendra Patel of the University of Bradford to mitigate the Covid-19 risk to their black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff.Professor Patel, who is Honorary Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Life Sciences and also a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s English Pharmacy Board, has years of experience working with different BAME communities around health inequalities.Recent reports from Public Health England and others have highlighted how BAME communities face an increasing risk of catching Covid-19 and dying from the disease. Professor Patel is supporting Lloyds Pharmacy UK and Well Pharmacy in exploring ways to improve access to their healthcare services amongst BAME communities during the pandemic.Professor Patel has been active on this issue since the start of the crisis. As a UK-born pharmacist of Hindu faith, Professor Patel has been doing extensive outreach work to highlight important health messages to BAME communities in Yorkshire and beyond, in languages other than English, including Gujarati, Hindi/Urdu.Working through eight mosques within Dewsbury and Batley, he was able to reach out to more than 40,000 Muslim members via a video conference Q&A session through Zoom, partly relayed in Gujarati. He has delivered important health messages and information around Covid-19 through various television and radio stations, including a faith TV channel aimed at a largely Sikh audience with over 60,000 viewers, and regional ITV and news programmes.Professor Patel said: “We have known about the health inequalities faced by BAME communities for decades but they have been laid bare by the current crisis. However, the very scale of this crisis also means we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to actually overturn these inequalities with a vengeance.“BAME communities tend to underreport illness and are less likely to be involved in health research studies. We need to support these communities to come forward with confidence, through targeted messaging that works with, not against, religious, cultural and behavioural attitudes and linguistic divides.“We need to know more about the interplay between the virus and genetic, cultural, behavioural and societal differences in different BAME groups, to understand why they are disproportionately affected.” 

Stretching your legs may help prevent diseases such as heart diseases, stroke and diabetes

UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 01.00 GMT 2 JULY 2020 

Not for publication or broadcast before this time  

New research published today in The Journal of Physiology shows that 12 weeks of easy-to-administer passive stretching helps improve blood flow by making it easier for your arteries to dilate and decreasing their stiffness. 

Passive stretching differs from active stretching in that the former involves an external force (another person or gravity) stretching you, whereas active stretching is performed on your own. The changes they observed in blood vessels could have implications for diseases, including the number one global killer, heart disease. 

Researchers at the University of Milan assigned 39 healthy participants of both sexes to two groups. The control group didn’t undergo any stretching. The experimental group performed leg stretches 5 times a week for 12 weeks. 

Researchers evaluated the effect of passive stretching on the blood flow locally and in the upper arm. They found that the arteries in both the lower leg and upper arm had increased blood flow and dilation when stimulated, along with decreased stiffness. 

Both of these changes may have implications for diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes as they are characterized by changes in blood flow control, due to an impaired vascular system. 

If this study is replicated in patients with vascular disease, it could indicate whether or not this training method could serve as a new drug-free treatment for improving vascular health and reducing disease risk, especially in people with lower mobility.  

Moreover, stretching may also be used during hospitalisation or after surgical interventions, in order to preserve the vascular health when patients have low mobility. It can be also performed at home by carers or family members.  

Emiliano Ce, an author on the paper said:  

This new application of stretching is especially relevant in the current pandemic period of increased confinement to our homes, where the possibility of performing beneficial training to improve and prevent heart disease, stroke and other conditions is limited.  

ENDS 

Notes for Editors 

  1. Full paper title: Link to paper: https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/JP279866 (link will only work after the embargo date. Before then, please email the press office for a copy of the paper) 
  1. The Journal of Physiologypublishes advances in physiology which increase our understanding of how our bodies function in health and disease. http://jp.physoc.org  
  1. The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org