Aimée Schinasi, co-owner of The People’s Acupuncture of Asheville, advises patients to avoid raw and cold foods at this time of the year.
Area practitioners offer different takes on cause, treatment of leading foot complaint
Conventional and alternative practitioners differ on the causes, treatment and even the best name for common heel pain. But whether they believe the problem should be known as plantar fasciitis — indicating an inflammation of the tissues — or plantar fasciosis — a name that points to insufficient blood supply and resulting tissue deterioration, local practitioners agree that it’s the No. 1 reason people seek professional foot care.
Emergency CDC funding beefs up WNC response to opioid crisis
Harm-reduction efforts and addiction treatment are two of the main strategies public health agencies are using to address the crisis. Buncombe County, Haywood County and the Mountain Area Health Education Center are deploying over $660,000 in federal funds as part of that effort.
New report examines health care disparities among transgender populations
Asheville-based nonprofit Campaign for Southern Equality, along with Western North Carolina Community Health Services, released a study last month detailing the health care experiences of transgender and nonbinary people. Transgender Health in the South centers on the experiences of a diverse focus group of people from transgender communities across six Southern states, including North Carolina. […]
Attorney general approves ‘rearticulated’ Mission-HCA deal
Josh Stein announced that his office had developed a new agreement after months of “extensive negotiations” involving Mission, HCA and the Dogwood Health Trust. He explained that the changes would strengthen HCA’s community commitments, make the DHT board more representative of its service area and ensure greater accountability for both organizations.
Wellness briefs: Grants boost nonprofits, January health events
Major grants to Western North Carolina health care institutions and nonprofits offer promise of health benefits for vulnerable populations, while the Mountain Area Health Education Center reaches out to local government leaders to propose a collaborative effort to boost community health.
Local author shares mindfulness strategies in new book
Bryan Robinson, a licensed psychotherapist and professor emeritus at UNC Charlotte, wrote #Chill to leverage his expertise on work addiction for a broader audience. “[The book is] not just for workaholics by any means; it’s [about] how all of us can chill, take the time to take care of ourselves and pay attention to the knee-jerk reactions that we make,” he says.
2018 in review: 10 WNC health and wellness topics that mattered
Health and wellness are always important topics in the life of our community, and this year was certainly no exception to that rule. Though developments in the proposed acquisition of Mission Health by for-profit HCA Healthcare of Nashville garnered a share of attention equivalent to the potential sale’s importance to the region, plenty of other wellness stories also made news.
Local agencies keep up fight to house veterans experiencing homelessness
According to the nonprofit Homeward Bound WNC, close to half of those experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County are veterans, a figure that also includes people benefiting from long-term transitional housing programs.
Wellness in brief: New urgent care clinics, local WIC program receives breastfeeding honor
Which local hospitals made the grade in The Leapfrog Group fall ratings? Plus, new urgent care clinics, breastfeeding program wins award and a new pet loss grief support group continues in January.
American Alpine Club hosts veterans event at Chimney Rock
At a recent event in Chimney Rock hosted by the Hill to Crag climbing initiative, veterans of the armed forces explored how climbing can serve as a way to recapture the excitement and camaraderie of deployment without the anxiety of working in a combat zone.
Mission Health’s approach to Dogwood Health Trust worries local nonprofits
“There’s real fear among nonprofit organizations that not supporting the current iteration of the board could mean retaliation in the form of being cut from the $1.5 billion that DHT will control once the sale is final,” wrote Asheville-Buncombe NAACP President Carmen Ramos-Kennedy. “In order to truly build trust, citizens and organizations must feel free to speak their hearts and minds without fear.”
CBD business budding across WNC, nation
Are CBD businesses — which are exploding across WNC and elsewhere — laying down the tracks, preparing for an expansion into legal marijuana? The answer depends on whom you ask. Many local CBD entrepreneurs say they’ll continue their focus on the health benefits of CBD, regardless of whether medical or recreational marijuana are legalized in the state.
Local experts explain insurance market changes, urge enrollment before Dec. 15 deadline
Open enrollment for 2019 Affordable Care Act health insurance plans is underway through Saturday, Dec. 15.
New facility in Columbus aims to increase number of rural dentists, dental assistants
“Poor dental care leads to poor health and poor dental care is also a social poverty stigma that makes it hard for people to get jobs,” says Dr. Jeff Heck, Mountain Area Health Education Center’s CEO. In line with MAHEC’s mission of increasing access to primary and preventive health care services to people in rural areas, the organization will partner with St. Luke’s Hospital and Isothermal Community College to open a new dental and primary care center in Columbus next spring.
Local practitioners and organizations draw on the power of gratitude
Deepening our awareness of what’s going well in our lives is a simple practice that’s also profound, say a variety of local wellness practitioners and helping organizations. Benefits can include an improved mood and sense of well-being and possibly even better physical health.
CrossFit for all abilities, health happenings, AIDS Memorial Quilt returns to Asheville
Since the inception of a new adaptive exercise program for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in October, a core group of about six athletes with a variety of abilities and challenges have made “incredible” progress, reports Karla Furnari of Buncombe County Recreation Services. The program meets on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. at South Slope CrossFit and is free to attend.
News in brief: TDA grants, ACA open enrollment
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority announced its 2018 tourism product development funding grant awards, to the tune of nearly $10 million. Trained staff are standing by to assist with Affordable Care Act enrollment through Saturday, Dec. 15, and residents can learn more about plans to widen Sweeten Creek Road in South Asheville at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Indigenous spiritual leaders offer teaching and connection at Voices of Wisdom event
As a sacred fire burns, two holy leaders from Canada will share insights gleaned from their lives as resilient survivors and indigenous leaders at the Voices of Wisdom gathering near Weaverville Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18.
Nonprofit helps women with breast and gynecological cancers pay bills
The Hope Chest for Women connects those struggling with breast and gynecological cancer to community resources. The nonprofit provides funds for vitamins, medications, utility payments, specialized medical supplies, co-pays and other practical expenses for those living or receiving treatment in 22 counties in Western North Carolina.
In-home services help pets and owners with end-of-life transitions
Many pet owners say home-based veterinary palliative and hospice care and, when the time comes, euthanasia have helped them and their companion animals through end-of-life transitions.