I know, I know. It sounds very odd to think that sugar water can help with pain and strength, right? The sugar water I’m talking about is dextrose and it can help with musculoskeletal pain as well as nerve pain. With more and more people seeking non-opioid options for pain relief, it’s worth exploring the power of dextrose and its ability to decrease or eliminate pain. Musculoskeletal pain If you’ve overused or injured a tendon and have pain, a dextrose injection in the form of … [Read more...] about Can Sugar Water Ease Your Pain?
Columnists
It’s Only a Test
It’s March and for many students and their families, it is the season of midterms and Spring Break. Test anxiety is in the air. A worried student may say, “I hope I don’t fail this test.” The problem is that the subconscious doesn’t process language well but does work with actions, senses, feelings and images. A classic example is “Don’t think of a white elephant,” and the common result is visualizing a white elephant. The student’s subconscious hears “fail this test” and responds, “we can fail … [Read more...] about It’s Only a Test
Understanding How Positive Community Factors Can Prevent Substance Abuse in Youth
The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y) strives to prevent substance abuse and other negative outcomes in adulthood by understanding the effects of childhood traumatic experience and mobilizing community action. Research shows that Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, contribute to the likelihood of addiction. Sadly, however, Arizona ranks higher than the national average for children who have experienced ACEs. These can include childhood traumas such as abuse and neglect. … [Read more...] about Understanding How Positive Community Factors Can Prevent Substance Abuse in Youth
Encouraging Tourism, Supporting Wild Places
Arizona’s travel and tourism industry is currently one of the state’s most lucrative statewide businesses and is the No. 1 economic driver in our community. Flagstaff tourism supports an estimated 8,000 jobs generating $500 million for the local economy. According to the Arizona Office of Tourism Economic Impact Study, tourism provides economic stability to the community with an annual real tax savings of approximately $1,360 per household. The City of Flagstaff destination marketing … [Read more...] about Encouraging Tourism, Supporting Wild Places
Addressing the Verde Valley Housing Crisis
In response to a growing need for affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity opened its doors to the Verde Valley community in 1995. Committed to “building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter,” the organization offers affordable housing to first-time homebuyers who need a little assistance in finding a place to call home. When Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity works with a family in need, they don’t just give them a place to live, they empower them to achieve financial … [Read more...] about Addressing the Verde Valley Housing Crisis
Welcoming Maher to NAU
Northern Arizona University recently welcomed Joshua Maher as the new associate vice president for community relations. An experienced public servant with a strong background in higher education and municipal government, Maher is a great resource for Northern Arizona University and communities across all NAU campuses. Maher joined NAU from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, where he was assistant director of government and external affairs. In a former position, he worked … [Read more...] about Welcoming Maher to NAU
Seeking Pragmatic Solutions
Hello, Northern Arizona! Spring is upon us and with it, the city and the state legislative session. I have been in municipal government for more than a decade now, and I can tell you I truly enjoy the work that goes into making the city function. I love making sure Flagstaff fixes potholes and makes our libraries accessible. I believe that proposals from governing bodies should be pragmatic solutions that seek to address the challenges before us. Something I have noticed in the last decade of … [Read more...] about Seeking Pragmatic Solutions
Being Kind: A Realtor’s Perspective
One of the touchstones for the Realtor’s Commissioner Standards is the concept of the “Golden Rule.” Treat others as we would like to be treated. Or, more succinctly, be kind. Something our parents told us, and we pass on to our kids. This concept is extremely appropriate when it comes to real estate sales transactions. A real estate contract is a framework of rules to which all parties must adhere, a legally binding process, if you will. The parties involved in a contract, the buyers and … [Read more...] about Being Kind: A Realtor’s Perspective
Higher Education and the Case for International Engagement
In my role leading global initiatives at Northern Arizona University, I am often asked about the value of the university’s efforts to engage internationally. The impact of NAU’s relationships beyond the borders of Flagstaff, the state of Arizona and the United States is far reaching and benefits students and faculty who travel overseas, and international students and faculty we host at NAU. It is NAU’s mission to ensure students and scholars have opportunities to travel, study and do … [Read more...] about Higher Education and the Case for International Engagement
Understanding the Value of Baseline Hearing Tests
People getting a hearing test are often asked if there has been a change in their hearing. Some want to know how much their hearing has diminished through the years. Others ask to have a comparison made from the test and ask if their hearing is likely to change significantly. These are important concerns; however, let’s look at a missing component. Why Baseline Tests are Important Hearing, as with any function of our body, will change or fluctuate through time. The bloodwork you had to … [Read more...] about Understanding the Value of Baseline Hearing Tests