4 Types of Gentle Exercises for Getting Back in Shape after an Injury

Getting back into shape after an injury is going to be hard, but it is doable. You just have to approach it with the right attitude and motivation. I have a few tips on how you can get back to where you used to be without it doing more harm to your recently injured body.

Running

This is going to be hard for some people, but you should skip the high impact running until you are completely rehabilitated. Do you plan on being sidelined for more than two weeks? You are going to notice a reduction in muscle mass and endurance. You need to get back slowly. Focus on a combination of running and walking in small intervals.

Do you normally run for an hour or so? You can still do the hour or so, but you should use that time productively. Rest when you can. Build up your endurance slowly. Brisk walking might be a good solution for some of you. It offers the same results, but it is less intense. Save the intense running for when your body is rehabilitated and the doctor says it is okay.

Carry a Lighter Load

It’s a good idea tostay away from weights until the doctor gives you the green light. Now that might not be feasible for some of you, but try to if you can.

Say, for example, Max has been out for a month due to a back injury. Max is a jock and therefore cannot avoid the weights during rehabilitation. He could try to reduce the intensity by 70%.

His workout should include cardiovascular endurance, resistance training, and flexibility. That way Max can reach your goals in a timely fashion. Max needs to stretch his muscles before the workout. He also needs to do a cool down.

Stretching

Stretching is one of the best things you can do the body. Dancers warm up their bodies before getting into a routine. Stretching should be done before your workout anyway. More importantly, it is especially vital after an injury. It builds the body up, preparing it for what lies next.

Yoga

A restorative yoga class could be just what you need while recovering from an injury. It will be gentle enough to prevent further injury by pushing yourself too hard. There are several benefits of yoga for injuries and pain. Once you are recovered, try power yoga to help begin building up your strength again.

When you’re recovering from an injury, it’s important to take it slow. Take to your rehab doctorto make sure you aren’t overdoing it. 

New Poll Shows That Most People in Canada Think it is Important to Do Advance Care Planning but Only Few Did

OTTAWA, July 30, 2019 /CNW/ - A national poll was commissioned by the 'Speak Up' Advance Care Planning in Canada initiative to identify people's current attitudes and behaviors towards planning for their future health and personal care. People in Canada were asked about Advance Care Planning, which includes reflecting on and talking about their wishes for future care in the event they have a serious illness or health crisis. Respondents identified what makes it easier to have a conversation about their wishes and what makes it tough to plan ahead. While attitudes towards Advance Care Planning are overall positive, behavior has not followed; eight in ten Canadians have given end-of-life care some thought, but less than one in five have an advance care plan. 

The poll, conducted by Nanos Research in February 2019, was released to national, provincial and territorial stakeholders to support them in developing strategies to raise awareness and encourage people in Canada to move from thinking to doing. An infographic illustrating some of the key findings is available on Speak Up website.

Mary Ann Murray, the Project Director of the Speak Up initiative, says "Advance Care Planning can provide solace to your family and loved ones. Helping them to understand and know what you would want enables your voice to be part of conversations even if you can't speak for yourself. It is more than thinking about end of life care; sometimes the unexpected happens and for a brief period you can't speak for yourself." Having conversations about your wishes is part of thoughtful life planning and helps prepare your Substitute Decision Maker(s) and health care professionals to make future decisions about your care that are right for you.

Most people in Canada value conversations about their future or personal health care 

The survey also asked people in Canada about discussing their care with the following and found that the majority of them said that it is important or somewhat important to talk to:Family: Nearly three quarters of Canadians (74%) 

• Health care professionals: Four in five Canadians 
• A close friend: Three quarters of Canadians 
• A lawyer: Two thirds of Canadians    
• A financial advisor: Three fifths of Canadians 
• A spiritual/faith advisor: Over half of Canadians 

When asked when to plan, 36 percent of respondents said when they are healthy, 28 percent when they are making their will and 11 percent when diagnosed with a serious illness. On average, people in Canada say Advance Care Planning should start when a person is in their late 40s.  

Progress has been made

A previous survey was conducted in 2013 by the CHPCA about Advance Care Planning. A comparison of results shows significant progress has been made in shifting attitudes towards stating future personal and health care conversations. The 2019 survey found that 80 percent have thought about Advance Care Planning – up from 74 percent in 2013. Most say it is important to talk about ACP with family and friends (93% vs 44% in 2013), health care providers (80% vs 51% in 2013) and a lawyer (66% vs 36% in 2013). 

Chad Hammond, the Project Manager of the Speak Up initiative, says "There seems to be a growing interest globally in having these conversations earlier and with more people, but also shared concerns about finding time, support, and resources to aid in broaching the topic. The attitudes and behaviors expressed within the 2019 poll mirror similar national polls conducted in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand within the last couple years."

Most frequently people in Canada report not affording a lawyer can make it more difficult to plan for their future care. The poll found that 31 percent of people in Canada need more information about Advance Care Planning and 12 percent are not encouraged by their loved ones and family to prepare a plan. However, the majority reported that resources, support and more personal time would make it easier to have a conversation about their future care.

The 'Speak Up' Advance Care Planning (ACP) in Canada initiative is led by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) with a financial contribution from Health Canada. The initiative aims to help people living in Canada prepare for their future and personal health care. The project involves a series of public awareness campaigns, supports community-based ACP programs, and promotes ACP resources and guides. 

About the Poll

Nanos Research surveyed 2,948 Canadians, 18 years of age or older. An online survey conducted in February, 2019. The poll can be found on Speak Up website. - Results available by Jurisdiction. 

Key findings:

• Eight in ten Canadians have given end-of-life care some thought, but less than one in five has an advance care plan (ACP). 
• Most frequently Canadians report thinking it is important or somewhat important to talk to family or a healthcare provider about care near the end of their lives. They also most frequently report talking to family or talking to no one about end-of-life care. 
• More than half of Canadians (54%) have given some thought to care near the end of their lives; 20% have given it no thought. 
• Most frequently (36%), Canadians say they have talked to their family about their future care; 21 % say they have not talked to anyone. 
• Canadians (36%) most frequently say that planning for future care should start when one is healthy – 
• On average, Canadians think people should start advance care planning at age 48; respondents 18 to 34 years old say people should start planning at age 40 on average compared to age 55 on average for those 55 years old or more. 
• Half of Canadians do not have an ACP and have not yet done anything to get one; 10 per cent do not have an ACP and are not interested in one. 
• Three fifths of Canadians say they are comfortable or somewhat comfortable in advance care planning

SOURCE Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association

Brad Marchand and other NHL & Olympic hockey stars take to the ice in celebration of Jordan Boyd legacy

HALIFAX, July 26, 2019 /CNW/ -

SOURCE QEII FOUNDATION

New formula to combat Bacterial Vaginosis offers long-term results and has the scientific community talking 

An all-female team of doctors has developed a revolutionary new formula to aid the millions of women around the world suffering from Bacterial Vaginosis following extensive research and gene engineering. 

The condition, caused by excessive production of bacteria, can result in vaginal discharge and an unpleasant odour, making sufferers uncomfortable and self-conscious. Conventional treatments focus on the use of antibiotics, which fail to address the problem completely and can lead to a reoccurrence in more than 50% of cases during a twelve-month period. 

Dr Edita Misti, Head of Research and Development and Founder of the ProBV formula® comments “After talking to many women, we found that besides being a truly unpleasant experience, Bacterial Vaginosis still doesn’t have the proper treatment methods.

“There is a great need for more effective methods for Bacterial Vaginosis treatment assistance and prevention. In addition to their lack of effectiveness, drugs frequently used to treat the condition have potentially serious side-effects. Notably, the use of these medications by pregnant women can be harmful to their foetus. My team of female doctors have been inspired to come together to find a more permanent solution to something which many in the medical community overlook.”

ProBV formula® contains an antibody fragment capable of specifically neutralising vaginolysin, a toxin secreted by the pathogenic bacteria, Gardnerella Vaginalis. It was born as a collaboration between scientists and gynecologists.

Available in a number of different formats including premium intimate hygiene washes, ovules and gel, the ProBV formula® is the result of hundreds of hours of research and gene engineering. The previously undiscovered treatment method effectively tackles bacterial vaginosis without harming the body or causing unpleasant side effects.  

It has received much attention in the medical community and is already being heralded a modern breakthrough from those looking for a long-term solution to Bacterial Vaginosis. 

To find out more about the ProBV formula®, visit www.probvformula.com

About 

Created by a team of female doctors, ProBV is an effective solution for Bacterial Vaginosis. Available as a gel, intimate hygiene washes and ovules, the innovative formula neutralises the pathogenic bacteria that cause the condition and provides long-term relief for sufferers without any harmful side effects. 

Mural dedicated to late teen hockey player to be unveiled at QEII Health Sciences Centre today

Wall hopes to inspire other families facing inherited heart disease in Atlantic Canada

HALIFAX, July 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Tonight, a heart clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Centre becomes home to a larger-than-life mural dedicated to the late Jordan Boyd; the 16-year-old hockey player who tragically lost his life to a rare, inherited heart disease that went undetected. 

In August 2013, while attending the hockey training camp of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Jordan's life came to an unexpected end after he collapsed on the ice. It was later determined that Jordan had an undiagnosed heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Over the past six years, the annual hockey tournament organized in memory of the Bedford teen has raised more than $855,000 net to fund inherited heart disease research at the QEII, as well as increase automated external defibrillator (AED) access and awareness in Nova Scotia and from coast-to-coast. In late 2017, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced it would improve first-aid protocols in the wake of Jordan's death – a testament to the Boyd family's fierce efforts to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in individuals living with known, or suspected, genetic heart conditions.

On Thursday, July 25, members of the media are invited to attend the official unveiling of the wall mural, which will be seen each day by patients and families living with ARVC and other inherited heart conditions.

SOURCE QEII FOUNDATION

Ransomware Can Put Healthcare Providers —  And Patients — in Critical Condition

 A healthcare organization can find itself in critical condition if attacked by ransomware — a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their files unless a ransom is paid.

Verizon’s 2018 Data Breach Investigations Report discovered that ransomware accounts for 85 percent of all malware targeting the healthcare industry. Ransomware attacks have been numerous in hospitals and other health facilities recently, and the consequences can be dire for providers and patients, who are denied access to their files and cannot receive the care they need. 

“Many healthcare offices are not prepared to combat cyber attacks,” says Alex Zlatin, CEO of Maxim Software Systems and author of Responsible Dental Ownership (alexzlatin.com). “It can be a life-or-death situation if they can’t access data. So, they are more likely to pay up. 

“Healthcare organizations are prime targets because of all the patients’ personal information they have to offer cyber criminals. It’s imperative they get up to speed on how to prevent such a nightmare scenario and know how to deal with a ransomware attack quickly.”

Zlatin offers ways for healthcare organizations to prevent or reduce the risks of ransomware attacks, and how they should respond if infected:

If attacked by ransomware

• Isolate the infected computer immediately. “Infected systems should be removed from the network as soon as possible to prevent ransomware from attacking network or shared drives,” Zlatin says.
• Isolate or power-off affected devices. Those devices that have not been completely corrupted should shut down or be isolated. Zlatin says this can provide time to recover data and contain the damage.
• Secure backup data or systems by taking them offline. “You’ll want to ensure backups are free of malware before using them to restore inaccessible data,” Zlatin says. 
• Change online account passwords and network passwords. “After removing the system from the network, do this, and change all system passwords once the malware is removed,” Zlatin says. 

   To prevent attacks and mitigate risks

• Train employees on cyber hygiene. “This is a healthcare organization’s best defense against ransomware,” Zlatin says. “Cyber hygiene is not putting yourself in a situation where you're surrounded by malicious links — like surfing the internet for personal reasons, opening emails from unfamiliar sources, going on Facebook or checking your Twitter feed from a workstation.”
• Keep all systems secure. To remain compliant with HIPPA regulations in the U.S. and Canadian ones like PIPEDA, PHIPA and Alberta’s IHA, all systems that contain protected health information are required to stay up to date. “To protect against a ransomware threat, a similar approach must be taken so that all systems are secured against any potential vulnerabilities,” Zlatin says.
• Monitor network traffic and file access. “Data breaches can be discovered by monitoring for unusual behavior within the systems,” Zlatin says. “Detecting outbound connections can pinpoint the location of an infection.”
• Back up all data. “If some or all of a system’s files get encrypted, restoring the files from a backup is the only recovery option,” Zlatin says. “Making sure that the backup restores properly is as important as having a backup from the get-go.”
• Adopt additional protection. “Ransomware sometimes goes undetected by many antivirus tools,” Zlatin says, “and IT departments must apply safeguards to block suspicious emails and deploy additional filters that block potential harmful sites,” Zlatin says.

“Providers can’t just hope an attack doesn’t happen to them,” Zlatin says. “They must do everything they can to prevent it.”

About Alex Zlatin

Alex Zlatin, author of the book Responsible Dental Ownership (alexzlatin.com), had more than 10 years of management experience before he accepted the position of CEO of dental practice management company Maxim Software Systems. He earned his MBA at Edinburgh Business School and a B.Sc. in Technology Management at HIT in Israel.

His company helps struggling dental professionals take control of their practices and reach the next level of success with responsible leadership strategies. 

AbbVie is committed to the elimination of hepatitis C in Canada by 2030

• Everyone has a part to play in making hepatitis C (HCV) elimination the next public health success story. 
• Partnerships are essential to solving some of the most pressing challenges.

MONTREAL, July 25, 2019  /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company, supports a wide range of efforts to help elevate and prioritize hepatitis C (HCV) elimination because achieving the shared goal of elimination by 2030 will take more than medicine. It will take transparent and collaborative partnerships with healthcare professionals, governments and community organizations to remove barriers to care and to help simplify treatment options, especially for the Priority populations, which include people who inject or use drugs, as well as immigrants and newcomers to Canada.¹

"HCV elimination starts with demonstrating our commitment to the World Health Organization 2030 goal," explains Stéphane Lassignardie, General Manager, AbbVie Canada. "Through partnerships with stakeholders, we are working to find sustainable solutions that allow more patients to be screened, linked to care, and treated in a shorter period of time. We have engaged with governments across Canada to lower the price of hepatitis C treatments so that every patient cured accelerates the path to elimination. This is because we have a shar ed commitment and by working together, we can eliminate this disease."

In Canada, an estimated 250,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis C but as many as 44% are not aware that they have it.¹ Left undiagnosed and untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. Currently, hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplant in Canada.² Of the people who inject drugs, 66% have past or current HCV infection. ¹

Cool Aid Community Health Centre based in Victoria, British Columbia, provides integrated primary health care services within a multidisciplinary team to treat illness and promote wellness. "Because HCV disproportionately affects marginalized populations in Canada, our nurse-led model for the treatment of HCV focuses on community outreach and intensive case management in order to successfully treat those living with HCV who require a high level of support. In addition, we work with the HCV treatment providers to develop education and awareness tools specific to this population," says Tamara Barnett, Primary Care Nurse Clinician at Cool Aid Community Health Centre.

Up to 35% of all HCV infections in Canada are among immigrants and newcomers, especially those from countries where HCV is common.¹ Although voluntary HCV screening after arrival in Canada is included in existing national recommendations, immigrants and newcomers are less likely to access the healthcare system than Canadian-born residents, and healthcare providers may be unaware of countries where HCV is common.¹

"At the Jewish General Hospital, we see thousands of people on a yearly basis with a variety of liver diseases. A significant number of them are immigrants and newcomers. Hepatitis C is one of the common diseases that we find among this population. I must say that we have a great referral system with our local community health centres," explains Dr. Nir Hilzenrat, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. "Today, we have the right treatments to eliminate hepatitis C, but if we are to reach the goal set by the World Health Organization, we need to work on prevention, as well as screening and linking to care people living with this disease. For me, it's important to work with the Priority populations to educate them in order to remove any barriers and facilitate understanding so that they can be successfully treated and cured."

Sunday, July 28, marks World Hepatitis Day. Ahead of this date, AbbVie held an HCV Awareness and Screening Day for its employees providing an opportunity to learn more about the disease and to get tested on a voluntary basis. On July 18, close to 30% of head office employees participated seeking to get answers to better understand the myths, facts and stigma surrounding this devastating and deadly disease.

About AbbVie 

AbbVie is a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and critical conditions. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.ca and www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvieCanada and @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page. 

SOURCE AbbVie Canada

Plastic Surgeon Warns: “Sunburn Tattoos' Could Be the Worst Viral Challenge Ever

www.Drmanishshah.com

Instagram is full of all kinds of viral challenges. Some of them are charitable such as “The Ice Bucket Challenge,” some are silly like the Kyle Jenner “Lip Challenge,” others are fitness oriented such as planking in obscure places. The sunburn tattoo challenge which has its own hashtag on Instagram is downright dangerous. 

What it is: Young people are putting stencils or stickers on their skin, then they lay in the sun without sunscreen. After they burn and take the stencil off – what’s behind is an outline known as the “sunburn tattoo.”  Other sunbathers do the inverse and use a stencil to hide some skin from the sun while burning the surrounding area. 

The dangers: Dr. Shah says, “At first glance it may look like harmless fun in the sun. The bottom line is that sunburn tattoos are extremely dangerous and can put you at serious risk of skin cancer.” What makes this more dangerous than a ‘standard burn’ explains Dr. Shah is that in order for the stencil, or tattoo, to be visible, you would have to damage the surrounding tissue enough that it either tans heavily or burns. By intetionally keeping the area sunscreen-free will do harm to the DNA in the skin cells.  Dr. Shah warns that, “sitting out in the sun without the appropriate protection could not only cause life-long damage, but could also double the risk of skin cancer.”

Is there a safe way to get a sunburn tattoo? Dr. Shah has 3 kids and he would rather see them get an actual tattoo than use this method. “There is no safe way to get a sunburn tattoo. That is major misconception. There is no such thing as a safe tan. A lot of these sunburn tattoos are being done by kids. When you have young skin like that, it is especially vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. You are more likely to see signs of ageing.”

A Safe Way: You can order all kinds of temporary designs online, ask for an airbrush design from a tattoo shop, and if you’re want the tan tattoo look, just put a sticker on your arm before rubbing on self tanner. 

Modern Pick Entertainment in Acquisition Talks with Slightly Mad Studios – Esports and AAA-Racing Technology Developers

Modern Pick Entertainment intends to acquire the assets of Slightly Mad Studios, developers of chart-busting AAA games with leading VR technology at a triple-million-digit valuation. 

The deal would transfer substantial shares of Slightly Mad Studios, the games development studio, which has captured global recognition for its Madness engine, Project CARS franchise, and Esports gaming technology portfolio, and sold over 25 million units of its games in the last ten years. 

Ian Bell, CEO of Slightly Mad Studios said, “This is a fantastic achievement for us. This will bring about new opportunities and new ideas. We are excited about the future.”

Denis Gamobramov is a serial entrepreneur in the entertainment and media industry with over 15 years of global successful experience. Also a founder of Massa Innovations together with Victoria Palatnik.

“Slightly Mad Studios fits perfectly with our mission to create and develop truly competitive, highly-emotional non-violent eSport games,” Gamobramov said. 

Slightly Mad Studios technology utilizes the design talent of a remarkable team of people – a globally-based workforce, gamers, and real-world racing drivers who create VR technology that allows people to experience real-time simulated action with unprecedented perception of speed, clarity and spatial awareness. SMS technology is modular, scalable, multi-genre and its mobile engine operates on iOS, and Android. The Madness engine has been adopted by a wide array of automotive companies, while the Project CARS franchise was one of the reference games for the Oculus VR headset, now owned by Facebook. 

For more information https://www.slightlymadstudios.com/

Modern Pick is a publisher with a special focus on competitive racing games and eSports. The company is originally based in Europe, while having offices in London, Barcelona, Moscow, and Singapore.

For more information http://www.modernpick.com/

Slightly Mad Studios collaborated with Porsche to create a unique Project CARS VR platform called the “Porsche 911 VR-Racing Experience” for the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. 

The mobile version of the Project CARS franchise is due in 2020.

Learn more - Experience Project Cars sim racing yourself here: https://youtu.be/jCK6QQrMsIg  

How to Keep Cool When Working Out in The Heat - In Cat’s words:

The #1 priority is to reduce your risk of heat exhaustion, which can lead to nausea, fatigue, and more from overheating. And there’s no greater risk of heat exhaustion than the combination of summer heat, humidity, and high core temperatures due to exercise. So, make sure you’re following these steps:

When to Exercise in the Summer

Avoid working out during the hottest part of the day, which is usually midday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We recommend working out early in the morning, when the sun’s still rising, or after it goes down in the early evening.

Sunblock

Exercising outdoors? Make sure to wear sunblock – even if it’s overcast. Always look for broad-spectrum sunscreen, and remember to keep re-applying it every 2 hours. It’s not just a safeguard against skin cancer – nothing heats up your skin like sunburn.

Stay Hydrated

We can’t stress this enough: you need to stay hydrated. Always carry a cold, full water bottle with you wherever you go, and especially when you exercise.

But that’s not all: you also have to maintain your electrolyte and salt levels, because you lose a lot of salt when you sweat. In that case, a traditional sports drink might help you a little better.

Know When to Stop

When you’re dealing with exercising in extreme heat, you have to know when to call it quits, or risk overheating. You need to throw in the (hopefully cold water-drenched) towel when you start to feel:

• Weak
• Headaches
• Racing heart
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Light-headed

What You Should Wear

Opt for workout clothes that not only breathe, but also wick sweat away to keep your body dry. That means materials like cotton, or special-performance fabrics. If you’re not on a Spin bike, try to wear loose clothing.

Buddy Up

Grab that partner and swing ‘em around, not literally, but if you are going to workout outside when it’s warm, do it with a friend or group so that if anything does happen, someone is there to help.

More about Cat: Fitness expert and entrepreneur, Cat Kom, is the founder of Studio SWEAT onDemand*, an online fitness platform that brings fitness to the masses. Selected by the Huffington Post as one of the 99 “Limit Breaking Female Founders”, Cat has dedicated the last 20 years of her career to empowering people and creating community through fitness classes. Her fitness platform has been named one of the best indoor workout apps by Men’s Journal and best YouTube workout videos by Shape Magazine.