Updates

Clinic Updates

As always, the office staff has been busy in and out of the clinic. The doctors have finished their family holiday time, and other than Labour day, the clinic will be open weekdays for the month of September. We appreciate you referring your family and friends and we will always try to make room for our new patients as soon as we can. Of course, urgent appointments will always take priority.

Dr. Johnston’s daughters, Alexandria and Isla are heading into Grade 2 and Senior Kindergarten. Carleigh’s kids, Roger and Delores, are heading into Grade 3 and Grade 1. Dr. Hubbel’s granddaughter/Dr. Leguard’s sister, Chloe, is heading back to Western University for her final year of Law school. This year should finish off the Leguard school years if all goes well!

Dr. Johnston completed her first triathlon on Centre Island in Toronto. After training for the past few months, she finished with an excellent time and is feeling very proud of her accomplishment! She has inspired us all! As well, Dr. J has continued to enjoy her family pool and time with her two daughters during their summer holidays.

Dr. Leguard and Nathan spent a week in August at her family cottage. They had arranged the time so both sisters and parents, John and Debra (from the office) were all holidaying. As well, Dr. Hubbel (aka Grandpa) was at the cottage for most afternoons and dinners. It was a great week. As well, everyone pitched in with wedding planning and got a lot of jobs checked off Ainsley’s list.

Julie had a surprise birthday party in Stirling planned by her partner, Ron. Dr. H, Carolyn, Karen and Debra were all in attendance. It was a great time and Julie was very surprised. Ron then treated Julie to a trip to Calgary for her holiday week to visit her sister, nieces and nephews.

Carleigh and her family did Foam Fest August 23rd weekend. Carleigh’s son Roger completed it for the second year. Her daughter Delores had a Grandma day and may take part in Foam Fest next year.

Louise and her husband’s latest camping trip was at the St. Lawrence River parks where they had an amazing riverside campsite. Louise and her family also recently said goodbye to their chocolate lab of nearly 13 years, Abby.

Karen was happy to be available to work in the clinic this summer so that our staff could take summer vacations. We appreciate her so much!

Myranda enjoyed her week at the cottage where she did a lot of fishing and read a five book series! She is also looking forward to a few country concerts upcoming in the fall.

Carolyn celebrated her son, Flynn’s birthday in August and is continuing to refine her golf game!

In August, our clinic donated $1000 to the Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland. The Help Centre, a small non-profit connected to the Northumberland United Way, has been supporting disadvantaged residents for 40 years by improving access to financial resources, housing, and nutritious food. In the past year alone, the Help Centre staff provided over 14,000 services to 6,000 clients, significantly contributing to community stability and well-being.

Safer Back to School

Back to school comes with loads of excitement, new routines and a check on the safe use of backpacks, computers, tablets and phones. September is a good time to consider impacts on both your and your child’s physical and mental health.

Check that your child’s backpack has good straps (padded are best). Compartments in the backpack are helpful as they help distribute the weight of the load. The heaviest part of the load should be closest to your child’s back, while lighter portions can be spread to front pockets. Your child’s backpack should only be about 10% of their body weight. Remind your child that carrying a backpack with both straps is important for their spinal health. Go through your child’s backpack weekly to empty it of any unnecessary objects.

During homework times, think of eye and neck fatigue. If your child is using a computer or tablet for homework, make sure they take breaks and are sitting in a good position so their neck is not tilted down for long periods. Also make sure they stand and take walking breaks so they are not sitting for too long in the same position.

A bedtime routine is important for both children and adults. Having a wind down period with no screens and lower light will increase the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. A calming bedtime routine for a child may include a bath or shower, bedtime stories, and getting tucked in with a “goodnight”. Adults benefit from a routine as well. Meditation or quiet yoga, reading a book and having dim lights may help you with your sleep. Both adults and children benefit from no screen time or blue light as bedtime approaches. Remember to also eat early enough so that your food has a chance to start digesting before bed.

Having a household rule that TV and electronics are off while homework and bedtime routines take place will make the process quieter and easier. For children, supervising computer/tablet/phone use is a good rule to establish to help them stay safe on the internet. Family games, reading and chatting will become more appealing when TV, computers and phones are not competing.

https://chiropractic.on.ca/self-management/pack-light-wear-right-blog-post-backpack-safety/ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/back-to-school-tips.aspx

Children.org