Ask the Pharmacy Expert
March 2012 Article
Do you have poor circulation in your feet or hands? Do you suffer from any of the following conditions?
-Back pain
-Cold Feet or Hands
-Joint or Leg pain
-Mobility and Inactivity
-Muscle Injuries or Pain
-Restless Leg Syndrome
-Stress and Tension
-Swelling or Fluid Retention
Your legs contain muscle driven pumps that work by circulating your blood and lymphatic fluid each time they contract. When your leg health is poor due to age or illness, or if you are unable to effectively maintain your legs due to weakness or pain, it is important to maintain healthy blood flow to the extremities by facilitating this action through stimulation. The Circulation Booster is one way to stimulate this blood flow.
This home device has been designed to be easy and simple to use. Just by placing your feet onto the foot pads and selecting your settings. You are putting these muscle pumps into action!
How does The Circulation Booster work? It works by applying mild electrical muscle stimulation to your feet to activate your “muscle pump” system. The muscles actively and immediately move the blood back up through your legs, improving your blood flow and reducing fluid retention around the ankle. Through experiments using a dopler ultrasound it has been demonstrated that the increase of blood flow is “boosted” during use.
When you use the circulation booster some of the results you may see are reduced foot and ankle swelling and an increase in blood flow while reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). As well, many people notice a reduction in pain associated with neuropathy, arthritis and other circulatory disorders.
With regular use of The Circulation Booster a significant improvement in blood circulation and a reduction in swelling can be noticed within 4 weeks.
The Circulation Booster is now available at
Millerdale Pharmacy.
By Melanie Warren R.M.T. M.L.D
Lymph Compression/Burn garment
Soft Goods Orthotics, Prostheses Fitter
February 2012 Article
SnoreFree Please!
People who snore are not only interrupting the sleep of those around them. Snoring may have a significant impact on their health as well. When a person’s snoring results in sleep apnea, it can become a significant health risk. Sleep apnea is recognized as a cessation of breathing over 10 seconds while sleeping. When the muscles relax and the tongue falls to the back of the mouth it can obstruct the airway. This result in the brain not receiving the necessary oxygen it needs for obvious reasons. The quality of sleep is interrupted and you are left feeling tired and foggy.
Many people are affected by sleep apnea and don’t realize it. Sleep apnea affects approximately 2% of people over 30 years of age. An astounding number of people are affected by interrupted sleep. As much as 20% of people over the age of 40 snore and 50% of men over the age of 50 suffer from snoring.
If your snoring is caused by the tongue and muscle relaxation during sleep there may be a solution. An appliance such as a SnoreFree soft snoring brace can provides a clear air passage.
This flexible brace sits firmly on the teeth. A small portion presses gently on the tongue thus stopping the tongue from falling to the back of the throat. This maintains a clear airway allowing for uninterrupted sleep.
The SnoreFreeas well as many other snore cessation options are available at Millerdale Pharmacy, 5201-43st Red Deer, AB. Located West of the hospital.
By Melanie Warren, RMT, MLD,TPT Soft goods Orthotics Fitter.
October 2011 Article
The people who work at Millerdale Pharmacy are truly Experts. They are experienced in many modalities. Hold certificates as fitters in soft supports and soft good braces, specialty compression garments such as stockings and very special medical items such as breast prostheses. These caring and compassionate people not only deliver their experience seamlessly, they also lend their hearts to every individual who comes through the door.
As fitters we are touched each day by breast cancer. It evokes a truly indescribable emotion that is all encompassing. At first thought it is painful and overwhelming as I have lost loved ones dear to me to cancer. Though I need to say as tragic as it would seem I have felt many emotion related to this disease. Though I have experienced my own “lump” scare and removal, the experiences which I speak of are truly not my own.
I have been a Breast Prostheses fitter for 7 years. My Grandmother and Mother have been prostheses fitters for 30 years. Even my sisters have been a part of this family affair. There has been many tears shed in the debriefing of the days events at our dinner table for as long as I can remember.
My families business is Millerdale Pharmacy. Among the many interesting things we sell, we supply specialty medical supplies and post cancer care to the community. Many of the people who come in to our store are breast cancer survivors, sisters of survivors,mothers of survivors, husbands and friends of survivors. All uniquely touched by breast cancer. The testimonies that I find dearest to me, belong to each of these people.
The relationship that begins once the fitting room door closes takes many shapes, no pun intended. It definitely begins with trust because we become acquainted very quickly in a uniquely intimate way. After an introduction we get to the business of being measured up for a proper fitting prostheses bra. This is necessary to have a proper fitting prostheses. At some point during this soul baring situation the personal story unfolds. Every experience is different, often tearful and heart wrenching. Facing the possibility of loss, loss of life, loss of spouse, loss of breast. Can you imagine waking up tomorrow to face any of these circumstances. Many women do and will again.
Consider looking at yourself in the mirror and thinking tomorrow I’m going to lose my arm. Though an arm is not like a breast. Arguably one might say an arm is needed and serves a distinct purpose. Though many people view themselves and are judged by their femininity. Some would feel having two breasts makes a person whole. At some point through this journey a person realizes this is part of an unfortunate circumstance. Two breasts or none, this is not all that defines them. It is part of their unique life, that makes this individual who they are.
I want to tell you the stories of these people. There are so many. Some in their early 20’s, some in their 80’s. Some want to tell me their story. Many wait till the end of the appointment until they feel they can trust me with their secret feelings. I have cried tears of sadness for the lovely lady whose husband left her.
I have cried tears of happiness, while my heart exploded in warmth and relief for the lady who had a wealth of support from her husband. The love of her life. Who, upon waking from her mastectomy surgery, found the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a letter of love and admiration at her bedside. Only then did she discover he had passed away while she was still under anaesthetic. She told me word for word, the contents of the letter which she had committed to memory. I feel a surge in my heart when ever I think of her.
My life has been touched so deeply, I wish I could tell all of their stories. The impact that the strength of these survivors has on the people they touch is profound though they would never know it. Their lives are very meaningful. They are truly a gift to all they choose to share their story with.
It is through these many experiences and ability to listen that all of Millerdale Pharmacy’s Prostheses Fitters are truly Experts.
Follow Us!