By Donna Grote, Registered Yoga Teacher, Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness CenterAs popular as yoga is these days, many people don’t realize regular practice of yoga and yoga-based poses provides a number of health benefits in addition to enhanced fitness.Although movement is essential to yoga practice, deep breathing and meditation are also fundamental. Depending how you incorporate these components, yoga can benefit almost everyone, whether you’re healthy and active or living with chronic conditions such as stress, scoliosis or headaches.For example, if you’re seeking a vigorous workout, fitness-…

By Dr. Philip M. Joson, Southwest Gastroenterology Associates No ifs, ands or buts about it–routine screening for colorectal cancer saves lives. Just recently, the results of a national study that followed more than 2,600 patients for as long as 23 years added the latest and clearest evidence. As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, the death rate from colorectal cancer was cut by more than half among those who underwent screening and had precancerous growths, called polyps, removed. This is great news, considering that colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed …

By Dr. James Richardson Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that affects more than six million people in America. It is irregular and is a common, although not the only, cause of “skipped beats” patients may feel or report to their doctors. There are many other causes of palpitations or skipped beats, some of which are benign.  Afib is commonly not benign. The presence of Afib may predispose to stroke.  This serious complication of Afib may be devastating for a patient and is the main reason why atrial fibrillation needs to be properly treated. Often, blood thinners …

By Kathryn Simons, M.D.McMurray OB/GYN Associates201 Waterdam Plaza Drive, Suite 201McMurray, PA 15317724-942-5420www.washingtonobgyn.netThe decision to have a have a baby is very exciting. For many women, this decision also comes with many questions. What can I do to prepare myself for pregnancy? What can I do to have a healthy pregnancy? How long will it take to get pregnant?The preconception period, the time before pregnancy, is the ideal time to optimize healthy habits and lifestyle choices. It is also the time to modify bad habits that could negatively affect a pregnancy. A healthy …

By Eric Schmalzried, exercise physiologist and personal trainer, Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, www.wrcameronwellness.org Recently, HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) has experienced a significant upsurge in popularity as a weight-loss aid. HCG is a hormone produced by the human placenta during pregnancy and can be found in many products available for purchase online and in certain stores. Some doctors have even recommended and administered the hormone to patients who wish to lose weight. The HCG diet rage started in the 1950s when Dr. A.T.W. Simeons—based on his experience using HCG in …

By Melissa Murtha Acupuncturist, Spa HarmonyIf you’re trying to become pregnant, you may want to think about acupuncture. It’s a safe, natural way to help you prime your body for a process that involves significant physical change.And if you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, acupuncture also may help. Treatments may aid with emotional or hormonal issues contributing to infertility, although they cannot address problems that require surgical intervention, such as blocked fallopian tubes.Manage stressFirst and foremost, acupuncture can help you manage stress. Often, trying to get pregnant …

By Jacqueline Clemons, RD, LDN, nutritional counselor Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospital, www.wrcameronwellness.org Many restaurants and fast-food establishments are now providing customers with nutrition information on their products. How many people really study this information prior to making a decision? Most of us probably look at this after the fact and think: “Let’s see how far I strayed off my diet with this meal.” Instead, take advantage of the wealth of information prior to making your selections, and you’ll know what you are indulging in and be more …

By Peggy Zinsser LMT, Massage Therapist/Reiki Master, Spa Harmonywww.spaharmony.orgWhen you hear the term cancer treatment, you probably think of chemotherapy and radiation. But how about massage therapy and Reiki?As part of a holistic approach in conjunction with medical treatment, both of these complementary therapies offer numerous benefits from pain management and stress reduction to positive physical, spiritual and emotional reinforcement.Creating a safe environmentReceiving a cancer diagnosis is life changing. One day everything seems fine—the next day life feels very, very different. …

By Eric Schmalzried, exercise physiologist and personal trainerWilfred R. Cameron Wellness Centerwww.wrcameronwellness.orgIt’s that time of year again! New Year’s is the perfect time to set positive exercise goals for yourself. These tips can help you stick to your resolutions all year long.1. Set SMART goals. Use the acronym SMART to assist you in setting goals. SMART reminds you to make your goals: Specific—clearly define the goal Measurable—use concrete criteria, such as a number, so you can monitor your progress Action-based —include an activity; focus on what you will actually be doing …

By Mary Parks Lamb, M.D. ‘Tis the season for sniffles, coughs, headaches, fever and yes, influenza. You may be sick and tired of hearing about the flu, but read on so you won’t feel sick and tired from influenza. You need to know important information that just may spare you the wrath of the flu and all its unpleasantries.The culprits behind influenza, commonly called “the flu,” are viruses that infect the respiratory tract. The viruses come in several varieties, the most common of which are types A and B.The flu begins abruptly with malaise and a fever between 102-105 degrees farenheight. An…

By Jacqueline Clemons, RD, LDN, nutritional counselor, Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospital 1. ExerciseRemember to continue to stay active through the holidays and winter. Go ice skating or sledding, or take an exercise class or a stroll through your local shopping center for exercise.2. Eat vegetables, fruits and whole grainsDon’t skimp out on your vegetables, fruits and whole grains at a party. If you are the host of the party, be sure to supply plenty of these delicious foods.3. Perfect party plannerDevelop a plan of attack for each party you will be attending. If …

By Alex Kuhn, Elite Aquatics CoordinatorWilfred R. Cameron Wellness Centerwrcameronwellness.orgI was recently speaking with a member of the Wilfred R. Cameron Welless Center, who has been exercising consistently for over two decades. She is a mother of three and works full-time, yet she has participated in classes ranging from yoga to kettlebell, competed in sports such as soccer and gymnastics, and even recently ran a marathon! Assuming she also swims, I asked her to join me for a morning workout in the water. Her reply surprised me: “I could never swim! Do you know how difficult it is to …

By Jacqueline ClemonsNutritional Counselor at Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center Inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases, and many factors play a role in the inflammatory response in the body. Could your food choices be one of them?The answer seems to be an astounding "yes." Current research states that what you eat does affect the inflammatory response in your body, and some foods are considered “anti-inflammatory.” These foods contain various substances that help protect against oxidative damage that may result in diseases such as heart, diabetes, kidney and Alzheimer’s. There…

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 10 million Americans are living with osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone-mineral density and increased fracture risk. Another 34 million are considered at risk, but luckily for most people, this disease is entirely preventable. Choosing foods that are high in calcium and vitamin D (low fat dairy, dark leafy greens, etc.) and exercising regularly are two important ways to protect and strengthen bone health.The human body requires calcium for muscle contractions, nerve signaling, hormonal secretions, and as a building block for …

By Rebecca FeistFitness Operations DirectorWilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospitalwww.wrcameronwellness.orgStrength training is important for everyone from teenagers to mature adults. However, it is particularly important and useful for women. I often hear women say, “I only have 30 minutes to work out, and so I am just going to do cardio.” Big mistake!Cardiovascular exercise is necessary to maintain heart health and must be part of any wellness program; however, the smart woman will spend an equal amount of time on strength training, as well. Strength-training benefits …

Could it possibly be back-to-school time already? As the remaining days of summer fly by, be sure to take some time to prepare your child to head back to school or start school for the first time. • Obtain a physical School and sports physicals are an important part of each school year, even if they are not mandated by the school. Yearly physicals enable your health care provider to monitor growth and development, update immunizations, determine risks for sports participation, and discuss safety issues. If you did not plan ahead for a physical with your child’s primary care physician, urgent …

By Melissa Murtha Acupuncturist at Spa Harmony We all live with stress. It’s how well we manage it that matters most. To help you cope, maybe you’ve tried exercise, yoga, meditation or changing your diet. But have you ever considered acupuncture?A type of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is based on the premise that health and well-being depend on the strength, vitality and free-flowing of qi, or vital energy, throughout the body. The qi flows along well-documented paths or meridians. Health concerns and pain arise when blockages or imbalances occur. The body’s organs play a critical…

By Kathryn Simons, M.D. McMurray OB/GYN Associates 2001 Waterdam Plaza Drive, Suite 201 McMurray, PA  15317 724.942.5420 www.washingtonobgyn.net Once upon a time, there was one contraceptive option, “the pill.”  The introduction of the birth control pill more than 50 years ago revolutionized family planning and empowered women to delay or defer pregnancy until it was desired. The birth control pill suppresses ovulation (release of the egg from the ovary), and therefore is a very effective form of contraception. There are many non-contraceptive benefits of the birth control pill as well.  …

By Louise Schultz,Wellness Coordinator Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospitalwww.wrcameronwellness.orgSuffering from migraines or chronic pain? Try yoga.If you’re seeking relief from migraine headache pain, consider giving yoga a try.According to the National Headache Foundation, more than 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraines, and turn to remedies from medication to alternative therapies in efforts to ease the often-debilitating pain. Julie Booth, a yoga instructor at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospital, has seen first-hand how …

If your children are active in sports, especially contact sports like football, hockey, lacrosse or soccer, you’re probably aware of the risk of concussions. Concussions have been a hot topic in the media lately.A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. A concussion can occur even without the loss of consciousness, and those injuries that may seem to be mild can result in serious injury. …