No, not the F word. What we're talking about is Fascia, also known as connective tissue or “packing material” that acts as scaffolding throughout the entire body. Fascia is like a flexible “shrink wrap” that surrounds muscles, bones and organs. The function of fascia is to support, cushion, maintain shape of the structure, act as a riverbed containing the flow of interstitial fluid, and is critically influential on the immune and hormonal systems. Connective tissue has numerous roles in the body and is an underlying determinant of movement quality, mood, alertness and general well-being.

When an injury results, it often leads to alterations in movement and possible prolonged compensation can become a permanent part of the structure, remaining long after the initial injury heals.

The gift of Massage Therapy or Naturopathic Medicine with a Registered Professional is a way to give someone you care for the “gift of health”. We have no formulas or set-recipes for treating our patients. Our treatment approach is based on individual needs and discussion of goals/case history. No two appointments are alike as no two Practitioners are alike.

1 - Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Drinking less fluid does not decrease urination. Sip water over the course of the day to prevent dehydration, keep urine diluted and reduce the chance of infection. To prevent frequent urination at night, do not drink fluids especially beverages containing caffeine and alcohol after 6pm. Too much of a good thing can lead to water intoxication, a potentially deadly condition called Hyponatremia which occurs if you drink too much water in a short period of time. Signs of mild dehydration include dry mouth and lips, difficult concentration, fatigue, elevated heart rate, headache and dizziness. Don’t ignore these clues, especially if you experience 2 or more symptoms at the same time.

2 - Always have something to look forward to whether it’s a social gathering, personal time, a creative outlet or a getaway. Your attitude affects your health. Happy people have younger hearts, younger arteries and younger biological years. Other benefits include lower blood pressure, stronger immune system and longer life expectancy.

3 - Go for a walk at a brisk pace 3 to 5 times weekly. Moving hinges never rust and physical activity is a great way to instantly increase your sense of well-being. Incorporating exercise in your daily routine will make you feel better and happier. Moderate exercise offers the biggest boost in happiness.

4 - Learn how to breathe and improve your lung function. The benefits of better breathing are tremendous. Breathing helps transport nitric oxide which is a potent lung and blood vessel dilator that resides in your nasal passage. Taking deeper breaths gets more oxygen into your lungs and helps improve the drainage of your lymphatic system, which removes toxins from your body. It also helps in stress relief and many other physiological benefits.

Here’s 3 simple steps to better breathing;

A - Lie flat on your back, with one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest. Take a deep breath in through your nose slowly. Imagine your lungs filling up with air; it should take about 3-4 seconds to inhale. As you inhale your chest cavity moves down, while your belly button rises away from your spine. Your chest will also widen and maybe rise slightly as you inhale.

B - When your lungs feel full, exhale slowly through your mouth as though blowing through a straw. It should take 6-8 seconds to exhale.

C - At the end of exhalation, pause for 1-2 seconds (without inhaling or exhaling). This is 1 entire cycle. Repeat 15 to 30 cycles, perform each daily and preferably before bedtime or during stressful times.

5 - Practice Kindness, it feels good! You get what you give. Performing deeds of generosity and helping others is linked to greater levels of happiness and sense of purpose. A healthy mental state strengthens your immune system, keeps arteries younger and is vital to giving your heart a reason to keep beating.