Phone:

(403) 823-3345

Address:

140 Riverside Dr E, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y4

Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

World Spine Day October 16, 2025

Tips to Prevent Back Pain
• Maintain a Healthy Diet – Support healthy weight and good spinal health with a balanced diet and hydration.
• Stay Active – Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity.
• Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
• Sit Properly – Ensure ergonomic seating and take regular breaks.
• Warm up or stretch before exercising or physical activities, such as gardening.
• Get Adequate Sleep – Aim for 7-8 hours to support overall wellbeing. Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Lift Safely – Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
• Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
• Limit Mobile Device Use – Reduce strain by taking breaks.
• Prioritize Mental Health – Manage stress and seek professional help when needed.
• Take Rest Breaks – Prevent fatigue-related injuries, especially in repetitive jobs.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Work with your chiropractor to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.
Key Facts:
• In 2020, low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally and it is estimated that the number of cases will increase to 843 million cases by 2050, driven largely by population expansion and ageing.
• LBP is the single leading cause of disability worldwide and the condition for which the greatest number of people may benefit from rehabilitation.
• LBP can be experienced at any age, and most people experience LBP at least once in their life.
• Prevalence increases with age up to 80 years, while the highest number of LBP cases occurs at the age of 50–55 years. LBP is more prevalent in women.
• Non-specific LBP is the most common presentation of LBP (about 90% of cases).
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

How to Keep Your Pet Safe

Working and playing in the yard and garden are very popular activities for the entire family – including our pets.
Backyard Plants
◾ Lilies pose a significant risk to both cats and dogs. Cats in particular can suffer fatal kidney damage.
◾ Tulips and daffodils are popular garden plants that are also toxic to both cats and dogs. The bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant and should be stored appropriately if saving for future planting
◾ Mushrooms grow quite readily in our province and pet owners should be on the lookout for them
◾ Azalea/Rhododendron plants are more toxic to dogs than cats. If you suspect your pet has consumed azalea/rhododendron, seek medical attention immediately.
◾ Dieffenbachia is more common as an indoor plant but can be placed outside in warmer weather
◾ Philodendron plants, while different from dieffenbachia, have similar toxicity attributes. Philodendrons also are mostly indoor plants in our climate.
◾ Dracaena is typically an indoor plant in our climate
◾ Cannabis (Marijuana) Intoxication the incidents of cannabis intoxication in pets have increased significantly since marijuana was legalized in Canada in 2018
◾ Chokecherry fruit is not poisonous, but the pits can be if eaten in a great enough quantity. All fruit within the Prunus family of trees and shrubs produce fruit pits that can produce natural cyanide. This includes plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots
◾ Rhubarb stems are not poisonous, but the leaves of the plant are
◾ Onions and garlic are common in our kitchens, but they can also be grown in our gardens
◾ Tomatoes, when ripe, are not toxic to pets, but unripe tomatoes, as well as the stems and leaves of the plant, can be
◾ Potatoes belong to the same nightshade family of vegetables as tomatoes and therefore can be toxic to both cats and dogs if raw. When cooked, the toxicity is reduced
◾ Mulch Ensure your mulch is free of any additional additives or chemicals that may be toxic to animals
Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

OBGYN Specialist Availability

Our OBGYN Specialist – Dr. Smith is available to see ANY OB patients with or without a family doctor.
As well as the following cases for obstetrics:
– Any pregnant patients that have no family physician or are unable to book with their family physician, due to their physician being away
– Any pregnant patients of another medical clinic, when their clinic is closed or their doctors are away or unavailable
– Any 6 week postpartum patients, regardless of where they delivered
Patients that do have a family physician can still be followed by their doctor while seeing Dr. Smith for OB care.
Please call the clinic at 403-823-3345, to book an appointment to see Dr. Smith
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Research, standard Jamie Gerlinger

Eat More Fibre

We asked a PCN dietitian for the simplest thing an individual can do to improve their diet. The answer was … eat more fibre!
 
Fibre can help you feel full for longer, lower blood cholesterol levels and bowel regularity
 
Here are some easy ways to add more fibre into your diet:
 
🍎 adding fruit to your snacks
 
🥕 having more vegetables during meals
 
🥣 adding beans or lentils to soups
🍞 swapping white breads and pastas for whole grains (e.g., whole grain bread, whole grain cereal, whole grain roti).
 
 
Talk to your family physician or Big Country PCN health team member about creating a balanced diet that works for you. http://www.https://bigcountrypcn.com/
 
 
#Fibre #GovernmentofCanada #BigCountryPrimaryCare #Dietitians #Nutrition #HealthyEating #HealthyDiet #ABHealth #CanadaFoodGuide
Health, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Posts with video, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

🚭 National Non-Smoking Week 🚭

Quitting smoking, vaping and using tobacco products is one of the best things someone can do for their health and to reduce the risk of lung cancer.

If you need help quitting or reducing smoking, vaping, or tobacco products usage talk to your doctor about your options and visit albertaquits.healthiertogether.ca for more tips and support.

Don’t wait to quit smoking one day, make a plan and set a date https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/video/smoking-cessation.html

Plan to quit, learn how to make a plan to quit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzIM9z-VUDE

For additional information on lung health please visit: https://www.lung.ca/lung-health

#health #support #smoking #vaping #nonsmoking #primarycare #lungcancer #abhealth #healthcanada #breathe #lunghealth #healthcanada #whiteribbon

Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Posts with video, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

https://alzheimer.ca/en/take-action/change-minds/alzheimers-awareness-month

This year’s theme is – First Link

First Link is a program offered by  the Alzheimer’s Society. This program offers approved services and information while providing connections to support, care, knowledge, expertise and referrals.

Further information can be found here:

https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/programs-services/first-link

#takeactionchangeminds #alzheimersawarenessmonth

Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Posts with video, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

#12DaysofHolidaySafety

On the Second Day of Christmas…plan.

Make a family preparedness plan for the possibility that your family may not be together when an emergency occurs.

Discuss the following five steps:

Know the risks – learn about local hazards and plan for those that are more likely to occur. Does your area experience flooding? Forest fires? Earthquakes?

Make a family emergency plan – since your family may not be together when an emergency happens, a plan will help you and your family know what to do and how to reach each other in an emergency. http://Make a Plan Video (getprepared.gc.ca)

Get an emergency kit – In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. http://Emergency Kits (getprepared.gc.ca)

Talk to your kids –  http://Emergency Preparedness for Children (getprepared.gc.ca Discuss the information in this link with your children to help them understand emergencies and what they can do to prepare.

Spread the word – Building awareness is a great first step. Communicate the importance of emergency preparedness to your family.

#getprepared #safetycanada #publicsafetycanada #isyourfamilyprepared #12daysofholidaysafety

Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with audio, Posts with image, Posts with video, Research, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

#TalkWithYourDoc

When you experience anxiety, depression or panic, even the smallest tasks can feel overwhelming. You might feel helpless and alone, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. 🤝

Talk with your doctor – they can direct you to the best support and resources for your health needs.

Big Country PCN also offers mental health programs and services at:https://albertafindadoctor.ca/workshops/home

For more information, visit: http://AlbertaPCNS.ca

https://youtu.be/qrqyajLm_qM

#MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #PanicDisorder #ABHealth #PrimaryCare #TalkWithYourDoc

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