Flourish Fall 2018 by Clementine Healthcare Marketing

AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL AND ST. ANTHONY NORTH HEALTH CAMPUS

Cultivating your health and your family’s

Quicker recovery times from hip replacement surgery

Acupuncture gets to the point of pain p. 2

Treatments to avoid surgery p. 4

FALL 2018 • Volume 2, Issue 4

p. 6

HEARTFELT

GIVING p. 9 & 11

Balancing act helps seniors avoid injury p. 10

Nancy Carter took the fast track to recovery after having her hip replaced, thanks to a new surgical technique offered at Avista Adventist Hospital.

ACUPUNCTURE:

Hoax or healing?

Health experts consider a 2,500-year-old therapy Could tiny needles boost your wellbeing? They just might. Research shows

Dr. Sara Diaz

that acupuncture — in which small needles are inserted into the skin to stimulate specific points on the body — may help treat a variety of conditions. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has gained popularity in the West and is now paid for by many insurance plans.

SOME STUDIES SHOW

that acupuncture can help alleviate pain, including low back pain, neck pain, and the pain of osteoarthritis. “We don’t totally know how acupuncture works, probably because there are likely a few ways,” says Sara Diaz, DO, with St. Anthony North Family Medicine – Orchard. “It increases your natural production of hormones that relieve pain, so it’s a natural opiate. The needles themselves also improve blood flow and chronic inflammation.” Electroacupuncture — in which the needles deliver continuous nonpainful electronic pulses — can be especially helpful for treating pain, Diaz says.

Other research

shows that acupuncture can help alleviate depression. “It has a relaxing effect on the system, so it can also be helpful for conditions like anxiety and insomnia, when used in addition to medical therapy,” says Diaz, who is an acupuncturist in addition to being a physician and has authored several papers on the technique.

ACUPUNCTURE SHOULD BE PERFORMED

Despite the needles,

acupuncture involves little to no pain. “If you are really sensitive, you can feel a little prick when the needle goes in,” Diaz says. “It shouldn’t remain painful after it goes in.”

While acupuncture can sometimes be helpful on its own, Diaz advises her patients to make it part of their overall treatment plan. “It’s always helpful to discuss your condition and what you’re doing for it with your physician,” she says. “I am of the mindset that acupuncture should be used in addition to other modalities.”

100 Health Park Drive Louisville, CO 80027

flourish | FALL 2018

14300 Orchard Parkway Westminster, CO 80023

by a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) who is boardcertified in Traditional Chinese Medicine, or a physician (MD or DO) who has received specialized acupuncture training. Patients should start by getting acupuncture once or twice a week. After eight weeks, appointments can usually be further apart.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Diaz, call 720-580-4657.

flourish is published three times annually by Avista Adventist Hospital and St. Anthony North Health Campus. Executive editors are Kirsten Gurmendi and Dan Wawrzyn. As part of Centura Health, our mission is to nurture the health of the people in our community. The information herein is meant to complement and not replace advice provided by a licensed health care professional. For comments or to unsubscribe to this publication, please email us at flourish@centura.org. flourish is produced by Clementine Healthcare Marketing.

AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL | ST. ANTHONY NORTH HEALTH CAMPUS

BURNING QUESTIONS If you are one of the more than 3 million Americans who suffer some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you don’t need to be told how painful the problem can be. Whether you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, researchers still aren’t quite sure what causes it. But they are learning more and improving treatment. Scott E. Hallgren, DO, FACP, a physician with CHPG Northwest Gastroenterology Specialists, sheds some light on the latest IBD information. Dr. Scott E. Hallgren

What causes IBD? A: We don’t really know what causes it. Two potential causes have been

What are the main differences between the two primary types of IBD? A: Even though they’re close

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studied that may contribute. One is immune response, where an infection of some sort could potentially set off your immune system and result in IBD. And there’s likely a genetic component; it has a tendency to run in families — particularly Crohn’s disease.

Q How is it typically treated? A: There are many biologic agents that are beneficial. Each medication targets different mechanisms involved in the immune system to address the inflammation in multiple areas. In addition to medications, patients are often helped by taking probiotics and making dietary changes such as avoiding or limiting certain foods like refined carbohydrates, gluten, and lactose.

Q Why is diagnosing IBD challenging? A: The average time from onset of

symptoms until diagnosis is up to two years because symptoms can vary patient by patient. A 25-year-old may come in with a multiyear history of abdominal cramping, diarrhea off and on, and some nausea and bloating, which can seem like irritable bowel syndrome but is really Crohn’s. Red-flag symptoms like weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain should be seen right away. With symptoms that aren’t as severe, talk to your doctor.

cousins, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are dramatically different in how they affect the patient and how responsive they are to treatment. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the GI system from your mouth to your rectum, while ulcerative colitis only involves the colon (and sometimes only part of it). Crohn’s is also much harder to treat.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hallgren, call 303-269-2085.

GROWING A HEALTHIER GUT Plant-based nutrition can help ease digestive woes by promoting healthy Dr. Pamela Vallejo-Craig bacteria to balance your gut flora, says Pamela Vallejo-Craig, MD, FACP, with CHPG Internal Medicine – Westminster. Vallejo-Craig is boardcertified in internal medicine and holds a certificate in plantbased nutrition from Cornell University. In addition to helping relieve symptoms of IBD, Vallejo-Craig believes that a plant-based diet can alter and sometimes reverse hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. If you are struggling with IBD, VallejoCraig recommends trying to get more of these three food groups:

1. Fiber in vegetables,

fruits, whole grains, and legumes has a ton of gutfriendly microbacteria. Short-chain fatty acids found in these fiber-rich foods also improve immune function and reduce inflammation.

2. Prebiotics in leafy greens, beans, artichokes, and onions promote healthy bacteria that may help boost your immunity and relieve IBS symptoms.

3. Probiotics found in

fermented food like sauerkraut and kimchi contain the kind of good bacteria naturally found in the gut.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vallejo-Craig, call 720-613-2865. flourish

| FALL 2018

Without a Cut

Interventional radiologists are treating everything from clogged arteries to cancer without surgery

Interventional radiologists like Jared Christensen, MD, offer patients minimally invasive, highly targeted treatments that often result in fewer complications and less recovery time than surgery.

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AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL | ST. ANTHONY NORTH HEALTH CAMPUS

ecently, Jared Christensen, MD, saw a young patient at Avista Adventist Hospital with an adventurous spirit whose explorations took her trekking around the world on extreme expeditions. Unfortunately, she had developed pelvic pain, which limited

her ability to lead expeditions and kept her at home. The pain was caused by varicose veins surrounding her pelvic organs, a common condition called pelvic congestion syndrome. Fortunately, Christensen, an interventional radiologist who works at St. Anthony North Health Campus Dr. Jared Christensen and Avista Adventist Hospital was able to treat her as an outpatient through just a nick in her skin. Christensen inserted a tiny flexible tube into the femoral vein in her upper thigh, and with the aid of real-time advanced imaging technology, he guided the catheter into the problematic veins. “We put small metal coils into the veins to block them off, and it destroyed the varicose veins,” he explains. “She can now get out there and lead expeditions to wherever she’s going.” Many treatments for both men and women of all ages are now being performed in similar fashion, reducing the need for surgery and making treatment easier on patients. Christensen also recently treated an 85-year-old patient who had a blood clot in his leg. The patient had been seen several times in the emergency department, and he had been admitted to St. Anthony North for severe leg pain. Once again, Christensen was able to treat the patient with a similar technique, this time inserting the catheter behind the knee. “He had a narrowing in his vein caused by an adjacent artery, which slowed the blood flow down and caused the clot,” he says. “I was able to remove most of the clot and place a stent into the narrowed vein, allowing the blood to flow freely through the leg.” The next morning, the patient was pain-free and was able to go home.

Interventional radiology is a booming specialty offering minimally invasive, highly targeted treatments that often result in fewer complications and less recovery time than surgery. Using advanced imaging, interventional radiologists can navigate catheters and needles into various areas of the body to deliver medication, destroy tumors, open blockages, “While other specialists and more. “While other may be able to treat specialists specific diseases or organs, may be able to treat specific interventional radiologists diseases or organs, have extensive expertise in interventional radiologists treating the entire patient.” have extensive — Dr. Jared Christensen expertise in treating the entire patient,” Christensen To learn more about this says. “We use exciting field of medicine the techniques or to find an interventional we learn in one system or radiologist, visit centura. treatment to help us in org/care-and-health/ treating another system interventional-radiology. or disease process.”

SUB-SUBSPECIALTIES

In the last five years, the field has expanded so greatly that physicians are starting to sub-specialize in specific areas such as interventional urology. Interventional oncology allows doctors like Christensen to deliver treatments directly to primary and metastatic cancers, which kills the tumor cells without affecting healthy surrounding tissue. Doctors can treat cancer in the liver, for example, by sliding a tiny catheter into the tumor and injecting it with microbeads containing a radioactive isotope called Y90. Interventional radiologists also are using another procedure — cryoablation — to treat kidney cancer. “In the past, a urologist would cut out part of the kidney, which has a certain rate of perioperative complications and a long recovery time,” Christensen says. “Now, we can insert needles under imaging guidance and freeze the tumor in place — and the long-term success rate is the same as surgery.” Researchers are also investigating cryoablation of other tumors such as lung cancer, metastatic skeletal disease, and breast cancer. Nearly every medical specialty benefits from interventional radiology, which can be used to effectively treat uterine fibroids, prostatic hyperplasia, and spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, and even to manage pain with minimally invasive techniques and procedures. “As the specialty evolves, we are constantly developing new techniques that allow us to get to different areas of the body and treat disease,” Christensen says.

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PHOTO: ©MATTHEWSTAVER

A NEW FRONTIER

A Hipper Approach New technique offers faster recovery from hip replacement surgery

Just two weeks after hip replacement surgery at Avista Adventist Hospital, Nancy Carter was back to cruising through her Westminster neighborhood.

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AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL | ST. ANTHONY NORTH HEALTH CAMPUS

Getting to the source

“I was having both groin pain and hip pain,” she says. “It began to just hurt to walk.” Her X-rays revealed the problem: She’d been born with a degenerative hip, which had caused the pain — and hip arthritis. But thankfully, orthopedic surgeon Michael Wertz, MD, at Avista Adventist Hospital, had a way to fix the problem — fast. Carter’s arthritis was so severe that she needed surgery to replace her hip with an artificial hip. While this surgery normally requires a recovery of four to six weeks, Carter was back on her feet — and her bike — in two weeks, thanks to a new surgery technique offered by Wertz.

A MORE DIRECT APPROACH Hip replacement is typically performed through surgery in the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the hip. But Wertz is one of a few select surgeons trained in a newer technique, called the direct superior approach. “This technique aims to preserve the muscles around the hip; to not irritate the hip flexors, which can be irritated through an anterior Dr. Michael Wertz approach; and to not take down the hip abductors that cause instability in a posterior approach,” he says. It’s performed with the patient lying on her side. An incision is made on the back of the hip joint that’s smaller and higher than the one used in a traditional posterior approach.

AN EASIER PATH TO RECOVERY Wertz used the direct superior approach for Carter’s surgery with great results. “There’s typically a long recovery time with the traditional surgery that I didn’t have to experience,” Carter says. “Dr. Wertz really knew his stuff — not just as a surgeon, but with this particular method. I was incredibly impressed.” Carter was able to walk within an hour, began outpatient therapy right away, and was completely independent within two weeks. And she’s back to other activities she enjoyed, like riding her bike around the village where she lives in Westminster, and taking motorcycle rides with her husband. “And I’m walking again, which I couldn’t do because it hurt,” she says. “I feel like I’m getting back to normal.”

Dr. Wertz really “ knew his stuff — not just as a surgeon, but with this particular method. I was incredibly impressed.

”

To find an orthopedic provider near you, go to centura.org/ find-a-provider.

Hip arthritis sounds pretty straightforward, but it actually is a condition that can be challenging to diagnose because the source of the pain isn’t always straightforward, says Wertz. “It’s very common for patients to come in complaining of lower back pain” that is actually hip arthritis, Wertz says. “That’s probably the case for 50 percent of the people I see for hip pain.” For other patients, hip arthritis pain is felt in the groin, and it may radiate down the front and middle of the thigh. True back pain is more likely to radiate from the back or buttocks to the back of the thigh. Diagnosing hip arthritis typically involves imaging with X-rays, and a thorough physical exam. “We try to re-create the pain in our office by moving different parts of the body into various positions,” Wertz says. In addition, the physician reviews the patient’s pain history, which can also point them in the right direction.

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ancy Carter, 54, is a strong advocate for individuals taking charge of their own health. So, when she began having hip problems at age 52, she didn’t hesitate to seek help.

A shot of relief If the source of the pain isn’t obvious at this point, Wertz makes an injection into the hip. The injections are both diagnostic and therapeutic. “When I inject a hip, I’ll usually use a corticosteroid with lidocaine,” he says. “The lidocaine works immediately, and I can get them off the table and have them walk around and describe what they’re feeling. If they say they have no pain now, I know it’s coming from the hip joint.” The corticosteroid can help provide more long-term pain relief.

— Nancy Carter flourish

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Nurse midwives

GIVING BIRTH CAN BE A LAUGHING MATTER

hile most babies are still delivered by doctors, an increasing number of moms are turning to nurse-midwives for a more intimate approach.Based on recent data from the National Center for Health

Statistics, midwives are now delivering nearly 9 percent of all babies born in the U.S. “Virginia is our hero,” says a recent patient of Virginia Nagel, a certified nurse-midwife practicing at Avista Adventist Hospital. “When I hit a wall during labor, she believed in me.” Like most families who opt for a midwife, this new mom and her husband wanted the help of a caregiver who could spend more time at the bedside. “Virginia gave me muchneeded perspective, always communicated clearly, and gave visual cues when I needed them.” Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who also have completed a two-year master’s program and clinical training, and passed a certification exam from the American College of Nurse-Midwives. They take care of mom and baby from prenatal needs through delivery, doing most everything a traditional doctor does, short of C-sections. “We can deal with advanced maternal age, gestational diabetes, hypertension, even twins,” Nagel says. “The big difference comes into play with time. Because we don’t do surgeries, we tend to have more time to spend with parents during the birthing process.” Midwives use technology to keep both mom and baby safe, but they rely heavily on clinical experience to coach mom through birth. For that reason, midwives have relatively few patients requiring C-sections and many who have medication-free deliveries. “Virginia had definite control of the situation but still let us lead,” says Nagel’s patient. “She even encouraged my husband in coaching me. We were blown away by her.”

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Many women love the experienced physical and emotional support provided during childbirth by doulas, or birthing coaches, which can help decrease labor time, requests for pain medication, and C-section rates. Doula services are available at St. Anthony North Health Campus. For information, call 720-627-0222.

Many new moms are easing the pain of childbirth with an old remedy: nitrous oxide. Most often used in dentistry, “laughing gas” is an inhaled gas that produces temporary euphoria. Commonly used elsewhere in the world, nitrous oxide is rapidly gaining popularity in the U.S. and is now available at Avista Adventist Hospital and St. Anthony North Health Campus. About 45 seconds before a contraction begins, mom-tobe inhales the nitrous oxide through a mask. Women control its use, and its quickacting effects only last as long as she inhales. It has no harmful effects and does not sedate the baby.

To take a tour of the New Life Birth Center at Avista Adventist Hospital, visit avistahospital.org/ birthcenter. To learn more about the Birth Center at St. Anthony North Health Campus, visit stanthonynorthhealth campus.org/birthcenter.

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offer alternative, but comprehensive care

AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL | ST. ANTHONY NORTH HEALTH CAMPUS

The healing power of As Jen Willard knows, gratitude isn’t just an emotion, it’s a healing force. In a study called “The Role of Gratitude in Breast Cancer” published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers found that there’s a definitive link between gratitude and positive emotions. In the study of 67 breast cancer patients, they found that a high level of gratitude was strongly associated to post-traumatic growth, reduced distress, and increased positive emotions, as well as higher levels of relaxation and contentment.

Jennifer Willard’s gratitude project has provided more than 700 pillows to breast cancer patients in 25 states.

Grateful Heart I t’s been three years since Jennifer Willard, 43, of Superior, had her first mammogram at Avista Adventist Hospital and began her breast cancer journey. She’s used that time, not just for recovery, but to reach out to hundreds of other breast cancer patients with her unique heart-touching project.

In December 2015, Willard was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. During her treatment, her breast nurse navigator gave her a heart-shaped pillow to insert between the seat belt and surgical incisions during her many trips to the hospital. The gift meant so much to her that it sparked a gratitude project to bring that same comfort to other women. She originally wanted to make 75 pillows for cancer patients at her community hospital Avista, but the passion project took off and Willard’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit JWILL Pink Village, Inc. has made and given out more than 700 pillows to fellow breast cancer patients at many of the Centura Health hospitals in Colorado, including Avista Adventist Hospital and St. Anthony North Health Campus, as well as individuals in 25 states — each with a handwritten note from her. “My passion with the pillows has taken on a life of its own, which truly is such a blessing in my life and continues my healing as a survivor,” Willard says. Her one-woman effort has quickly expanded, and she now has volunteers helping her sew pillows in Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois, New York, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. She’s touching hearts around the country, and many survivors have reached out to tell — Jennifer Willard her what the pillow has meant to them; stories she often shares on her Facebook page at JWILL Pink Village. The experience has helped Willard on her healing journey as well. “I just have a heart for this project. It’s brought me healing I didn’t realize I still needed to do,” she says. If you’d like to get involved, contact Willard on Facebook at JWILL Pink Village or via email at jwillpinkvillage@gmail.com.

“ My passion with the pillows has taken on a life of its own, which truly is such a blessing in my life and continues my healing as a survivor.”

Avista Hospital Foundation is currently raising funds for a new comprehensive breast center that will house a 3-D mammography machine and a breast operating suite and will offer access to subspecialists all in one place. For more information about how you can help, call the foundation at 303-715-7600 or go online to rmahf.org/avista-hospitalfoundation.

Avista Adventist Hospital and St. Anthony North Health Campus are part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado and western Kansas.

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Find Falls aren’t an inevitable part of aging C

olorado is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest states and for the second year in a row, United Health Foundation ranked the Centennial State among its top five healthiest for seniors.But one area

we’ve taken a tumble in is falls. No other state has seen a more significant increase in seniors falling — a factor on which Colorado ranked in the bottom half of states in 2018. And, we’re not just talking minor slips. Among adults over 65, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and hip fractures, which are the most common cause of trauma-related hospitalizations and loss of independence. But falls aren’t inevitable, says Monica Smith, PT, certified falls prevention specialist and rehabilitation supervisor at Avista Adventist Hospital. “It’s a common misperception for people to think, ‘When I get older, I’m going to fall,’” she says. “Falls are preventable to some extent.” Smith says one of the keys to preventing falls is simply to keep moving. “Every hike you take, every dance class you go to, every exercise you do is going to improve your balance and your life,” she says. Smith also offers these tips:

10 flourish | FALL 2018

BUILD STRENGTH. “Strength is a huge part of balance,” she says. “One of my favorite exercises in the world is the sit-to-stand. It’s just sitting down in a chair and then standing up, but it strengthens every muscle in the body. Every time you get out of a chair, do it twice.” MAKE BALANCE TRAINING A HABIT. “Brush your teeth standing on one foot,” she says. “That motion of brushing your teeth will help you work on your balance.” STAY HYDRATED. When the fluid in our ears thickens due to age and dehydration, it can cause dizziness. GET YOUR EYES CHECKED. “Vision is one of the sensory systems that has a huge impact on balance,” Smith says. Plus, poor vision means you’re less likely to spot tripping hazards. ASK ABOUT YOUR MEDS. Certain prescriptions and combinations of medicines can cause dizziness. Talk to your doctor about taking the lowest dose possible and ask your pharmacist about potential interactions. WEAR THE PROPER SHOES. They should be stable and supportive, but still have flex in the sole.

Fear of falling causes many seniors to be less active, leading to physical decline, depression, and social isolation, according to the National Council on Aging. Take one of the classes at Avista Adventist Hospital to improve your strength and balance and reduce your risk — and fear — of falling.

Learn exercises to improve balance and coordination to help prevent falls in oder adults by taking classes such as N’Balance, Tai Chi, and Stepping On. For class descriptions, dates, times, and locations, see back cover.

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Balance

AVISTA ADVENTIST HOSPITAL | ST. ANTHONY NORTH HEALTH CAMPUS

On a Mission The spirit of philanthropy runs deep at Avista Adventist Hospital and St. Anthony North Health Campus

hen you go to the hospital, you’re probably not thinking about how the equipment was purchased or where the money came from to fund the programs you saw in those lobby brochures. For nonprofit, mission-driven

organizations like the Centura Health family of hospitals, the answer is community support. “Philanthropy is in our DNA,” says Carrie Bach, director of development for the St. Anthony North Health Foundation. “Both organizations were founded on the generosity of donors in our communities, and so partnering with our community — both in giving and receiving — is part of our heritage.” In fact, last year alone, together these two community hospitals infused their neighborhoods with more than $60 million, including care for those who couldn’t otherwise afford it, and special health-centered programs.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

Buildings and equipment are expensive, and both hospitals rely in large part on donations to make capital improvements and purchase the latest technology. “Through philanthropy, Avista Adventist Hospital was able to bring an additional 3-D mammography machine to our main campus. Our next focus for the foundation is a comprehensive breast center, which will bring comprehensive breast services into one location,” says Nicole Milo, chief development officer for Avista Hospital Foundation.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Supporting flourishing communities through initiatives for better health is another way the two hospitals are giving back. For example, St. Anthony North recently launched a program that provides Spanish-speaking mothers-to-be access to bilingual doulas, women trained to provide support during childbirth. “The foundation raised the funds to try the program and before too long, St. Anthony North had the lowest rate of C-sections in the state; and much of that credit was given to the fact that we no longer had a language barrier between patient and caregiver,” Bach says. “And we couldn’t have done it without the caring support of our community.” Donations also help fund programs and services such as Healing Arts, which provides soothing therapeutic music performed at the bedside by certified music therapists, community education campaigns, free flu shots, and the therapy dog program at Avista Adventist Hospital. “We can’t do this work alone, as we rely on the community to help us with our mission,” says Milo. This holiday season, please consider supporting the health of our community with a donation to these deserving foundations.

Avista Adventist Hospital: rmahf.org/avista-hospital-foundation St. Anthony North Health Campus: centura-foundations.org/san-donate.html

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Portercare Adventist Health System NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

100 Health Park Drive Louisville, CO 80027

Avista Adventist Hospital and St. Anthony North Health Campus are part of Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network. Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711). Copyright © Centura Health, 2018. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-303-673-1250 (TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-303-673-1250 (TTY: 711).

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

This group provides an avenue for stroke survivors and caregivers to meet others who understand what they are going through, share experiences, and provide support and resources for life after stroke. When | 2nd Tuesday of the month, 4:30-6 p.m. Location │ St. Anthony North Health Campus, Grays Conference Room located by the cafeteria on the 1st floor Cost | FREE Information | alyssabragg@ centura.org or 720-627-3754

FALL

2018 CALENDAR

In the summer issue of Flourish, we incorrectly reported how to determine how far away lightning is. Our sharp-eyed readers quickly pointed out the error. We’ve since learned that the National Weather Service advises getting indoors anytime you hear thunder, because that audible clap means lightning is within 10 miles, and that’s too close for safety. And because most people are struck by lightning before or after they can see lightning, you should stay put for at least 30 minutes. Thank you, readers, for helping to set us straight and we apologize for the error.

PAID

DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 3280

N’BALANCE

YOGA CLASS

Helpful for low back pain, headaches, neck pain, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and general conditioning and relaxation. Wear comfortable clothing; all mats, straps, and blocks will be provided. Call to reserve your spot. Please plan to check in at the front desk 15 minutes prior to class. When | Wednesdays, 5:306:30 p.m. Location │ St. Anthony North Family Medicine, 14300 Orchard Parkway, Westminster Cost | $5 per class Registration 303-430-5560

STEPPING ON

Participants will engage in exercises and movements to improve balance and coordination, strengthen lower body muscles, and increase confidence. Each class incorporates sitting, standing, and walking balance exercises to not only improve balance, but also to reduce the fear of falling. Meets once per week for seven weeks. When | Thursdays, Oct 25-Dec 13 (no class Nov 22), 9 a.m. Location │ Church Ranch Neighborhood Health Center, Clear Creek Conference Room, 7233 Church Ranch Blvd., Westminster Cost | $35 for 7 classes Registration 303-925-4093

TAI CHI FOR HEALTH AND ARTHRITIS

This class focuses on relieving the symptoms of arthritis, pain, and enhancing overall healthy movement. Tai Chi is a safe exercise for all abilities, with or without arthritis, and can be safely progressed for those wanting a challenge. Tai Chi has been proven to prevent falls, increase balance and movement, and improve quality of life for all participants. Meets once per week for seven weeks. When | Thursdays, Oct 25-Dec 13 (no class Nov 22), 10 a.m. Location │ Church Ranch Neighborhood Health Center, Clear Creek Conference Room, 7233 Church Ranch Blvd., Westminster Cost | $35 for 7 classes Registration 303-925-4093

Building confidence and reducing falls, Stepping On is a small group program designed to reduce falls and build confidence in older adults. Weekly topics include fear of falling, strength and balance exercises, home hazards, safe footwear, vision as it relates to falls, community mobility, and understanding effects of medications on balance. Meets once per week for seven weeks. When | Mondays, Nov 5-Dec 17, 10 a.m.-Noon Location │ Church Ranch Neighborhood Health Center, Clear Creek Conference Room, 7233 Church Ranch Blvd., Westminster Cost | FREE Registration | 303-673-1146

IF THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS