Einstein, Newton Knew: Move Something!

by Lana Carson, Nationally Certified Personal Trainer, Omni Fitness Club

"Nothing Happens Until something moves." - Albert Einstein

I'm sure Einstein wasn't trying to get people to exercise, however, his "principle" is just as applicable to our exercise efforts as it is physics.

One of the programs we offer at the Omni Fitness Club, is a trade-in on home exercise equipment. We actually apply the dollar amount of the equipment trade-in towards the purchase of a membership! (No &it's NOT to buy exercise equipment for the Omni.) We actually started this program because most people don't use their home equipment! (Therein lies Einstein's principle!) Some of you may be thinking of your own lonely treadmill down in the basement or the stationary bike in your spare bedroom which serves more as a clothes hanger than it does a piece of exercise equipment.

Having equipment is only one part of the equation, using it is the other! (Since we started with Einstein, I'll use mathematics lingo.) The principle is simple, you don't have to be a genius to understand it. (You + Exercise = Improved Health and Fitness.) So why, when it comes to exercise, does it seem easier to figure out the Theory of Relativity, than it does to just get up and get moving?

For a possible answer, let's look at Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion. It states, "Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it." Again, I highly doubt Isaac Newton was thinking about "couch potatoes," but it's interesting that this complex physics theory can also be applied to a simple behavior pattern! Think about it, if you are not currently involved in a regular exercise program, you're in a "state of rest."

And it is going to take some sort of "force to be pressed upon you to compel you to change," right? So, what is the force going to be? Is it going to be a warning from your physician to lower your blood pressure, your cholesterol, or to lose weight? Is it going to be the aches and pains you feel from chronic stress or poor physical conditioning? Or is going to be the time you miss with your family because you just don't have any energy left at the end of the day?

We don't have to rely on complicated scientific principles to just get up and get moving. Although we can apply Newton's Law of Momentum to our lives once we do get out of the "state of rest." Once we're in motion we will remain in motion. And it won't just include exercise, your whole life will gain momentum! Just think of all things you would do right now if you had more energy, if your knees and back and neck didn't ache, if you slept better at night, and if you felt better about your body!? Wow! The possibilities are endless!

A final note; you can look at your life and exercise habits as complicated or too big to tackle, much like trying to understand the theories in physics and mathematics or you can see things in a much simpler manner and apply them to your life right now. Just move, it's that simple.

If you would like help getting started, feel free to contact Lana Carson at the Omni Fitness Club at (231) 739-3391 or visit us at www.omnifitnessclub.com.

Give Your Child a Healthy, Beautiful Smile

by Linda Donley, from the offices of James R. Donley, DDS

Many parents believe that orthodontic treatment (braces) begins when a child is in his/her teens and all the permanent teeth are in except for "wisdom" teeth. For many years this has been the standard of care in dentistry. However, dentistry has changed tremendously during the past 20 years.

Children are growing up faster and are very conscious of their looks. This includes what they wear, as well as how they look. Today, I am not only concerned about how children's teeth look when they grow up, but also how HEALTHY their smile will be. I am not only treating their teeth, but I am looking at their "facial development" in their early years. Almost 50% of children who need orthodontic treatment have a bad bite and their lower jaw is underdeveloped. About 75% of 12 year olds need orthodontic treatment. However, this age is "old" when I consider that the child's face is about 90% developed.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should be done at the first sign of orthodontic problems and no later than age seven. Treatment may or may not be necessary at this time. However, we can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment. As a parent, you may notice some of the following signs that would signify that your child needs orthodontic care.

- Mouth breathing can cause narrow arches and unattractive smiles. It may also cut down on your child's intake of oxygen and cause poor sleep habits. Thus the child is prone to daytime fatigue and is unable to concentrate in school. He/she may be diagnosed as ADD or ADHD.

- Deep overbites and receding lower jaws may cause earaches, stuffiness and ringing in the ears.

- Some speech problems may occur due to narrow jaws which confine the tongue so words cannot be properly formed.

- Thumb sucking habit

- Crowded teeth

- Snoring

- Difficulty opening jaws

- Headaches, neck pain and dizziness

Today, we often complete orthodontic treatment in two phases. We begin phase one between the ages of five to 12. A "functional appliance" is used for this treatment and it can help correct many of the problems that were previously stated. This appliance can be used to make more room for permanent teeth, thus cutting down or eliminating the crowding problem. By using this appliance at a young age, permanent teeth are no longer removed to "make room" for the permanent teeth. The removal of permanent teeth has been shown to cause many of the temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) problems that many adults suffer from today. At this time we also address bite problems, snoring and mouth breathing problems as well as treating the underdeveloped jaw that leads to crowding in later years. It may even cut down on the time that conventional braces are needed, thus saving you time and money.

In phase two conventional braces are used to straighten the teeth. When phase one treatment has been used, I find that the time in conventional braces is often shortened. Since the cost of orthodontic treatment is based not only on what kind of treatment is needed, but also on how long it will take, this often cuts down on the time needed which cuts down on costs.

For more information on early orthodontic treatment, please call our office at (231) 744-6661. Let us take care of your child's orthodontic needs and get your child off to a happy, healthy start.

Dr. Donley and staff can be reached at (231) 744-6661. Their offices are at 166 N. Causeway in North Muskegon.

New Treatment for Urinary Urgency, Frequency and Urge Incontinence

by Ann Welbes, CURN, BSN, Continence Specialist, West Shore Urology

A new treatment for Urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence is now available in the Continence Clinic at West Shore Urology.

This treatment is an alternative to the bladder therapy that has been offered for the past three years. It is called Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation. It is a minimally invasive treatment that can provide relief of symptoms in patients who have failed other traditional forms of therapy including behavioral modification and medications.

Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) involves the use of a small, hand held, battery operated Neuromodulation system. This system delivers gentle electrical impulses that stimulate the sacral nerves via the tibial nerve. The sacral nerves regulate bladder function. Stimulation of these nerves can alter bladder activity and reduce symptoms.

During treatment, a small, slim needle electrode is inserted near the tibial nerve above and behind the ankle bone and is then connected to the hand held stimulator. The electrical impulses from the stimulator travel to the tibial nerve and then to the sacral nerves in the lower back. Stimulation of the sacral nerves can result in less urgency of urination, allowing more time to get to the bathroom, and fewer episodes of uncontrollable urine leakage. Effects of treatment can also reduce the frequency of urination, allowing patients to participate in activities of daily living without the fear and embarrassment of frequent trips to the restroom, which can often dominate their lives. Patients are also taught simple techniques to help suppress the urge to urinate and help them get to the bathroom without leaking urine.

Stimulation is given for 30 minutes each treatment session. Initial therapy consists of 12 treatment sessions, typically every two weeks. Patients can expect to see reduction in symptoms by approximately the fifth or sixth treatment. Possible side effects are minimal but include pain or discomfort at the needle site, and/or redness or inflammation near the site.

PTNS is contraindicated in persons with implanted pacemakers and defibrillators, bleeding tendencies or vascular problems. It also cannot be used in pregnant women or persons with nerve damage. Patients at West Shore Urology are screened and evaluated by the physician prior to treatment to ensure appropriate patient selection.

We are very excited to offer this new treatment option to those suffering from overactive bladder symptoms in addition to a wide range of treatments currently available through the Continence Clinic. If you have failed treatment for these symptoms in the past, this may be the treatment option for you.

West Shore Urology's Continence Clinic is run by Nurse Specialist Ann Welbes, CURN, BSN, a certified Urology Nurse specially trained in continence care. For more information, call (231) 739-9492 or visit www.westshoreurology.com.

Super Healthy Omega 3

by Erik Johnson, Manager, Health Hutt

Many scientists and doctors worldwide suggest the consumption of more fish with important omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.

These Omega-3's are important to human nutrition and physiology and offer many health benefits. The health benefits of fish or cod liver oils are great with supporting joint health, brain and nerves, eyes, immune building, and skin elasticity.

Internationally, Medical Scientists encourage people to eat more fish. Super Omega 3, a very popular form of fish oil found at all four locations of the Health Hutt, has been mentioned in O, The Oprah magazine, June 2004 issue, page 138. Fish body oil is the only major source of the polyunsaturated Omega 3's EPA and DHA.

But for those who do not want to eat an oily fish diet, Carlson has many different forms of Omega-3's, either in liquid or in easy to swallow soft gelatin capsules. These contain a special concentrate of fish body oils from deep, cold water fish including mackerel and sardines which are especially rich in the important Omega-3's EPA and DHA.

Carlson regularly tests for the freshest potency and purity by an independent, FDA-registered laboratory and offers only what has been determined to be fresh, fully potent and free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB's and 28 other contaminants.

Save money, save time and shop locally at one of the four locations of the Health Hutt! Our new store is located at 600 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids 49503 checkout www.healthhutt.net for more info.

To ask about natural remedies or other vitamin supplements phone the Health Hutt closest to you. In Muskegon call (231) 739-1568. Be sure to watch "Forever Young" Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Comcast Cable 97.