Health Briefs for Jan. 18

• Reprints

Updated: February 19, 2012 8:16AM

Knee Replacement Seminar: Join Dr. Mark Nikkel, board certified in orthopedic surgery, for a 60-minute seminar about the causes and treatment of knee pain, as well as the benefits of custom-fit knee replacement at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ingalls Family Care Center, 19550 Governors Highway, Flossmoor. Reservations: (800) 221-2199.

Weight Loss Program: The Palos Health and Fitness Center, 15430 West Ave., Orland Park, is offering a 12-week weight loss program. Shapedown is a family-centered program that promotes nutrition, a healthy self-image and safe short- and long-term weight loss. Led by registered dietitians and fitness experts, the class is offered in separate sessions; one for teens, ages 13 to 17 and another for children, ages 9 to 12. The 12-week session begins Wednesday. Registration: (708) 226-2330.

Healthy Eating Organically: Orland Township is hosting “Healthy Eating Organically” from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. A registered dietitian will be on hand to discuss different ways to shop and cook organically on a budget. Participants also will be able to view cooking demonstrations and receive copies of the recipes assembled. Reservations: (708) 403-4222 or www.orlandtwp.org.

Nutrition Workshop: Learn to eat healthfully during “Eat like a Pig, Look like a Twig” workshop from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Chiro One Wellness Center, 3486 W. Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields. The workshop is free of charge. Reservations: (708) 481-5444. The program also will be presented at 7:10 Jan. 24 at Chiro One Wellness Center, 5424 W. 159th St., Oak Forest. Reservations: (708) 577-5003.

Delivery Options: Advocate Christ Medical Center, 4440 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn, will offer a childbirth education class during which couples will learn about unexpected outcomes, assisted delivery, epidurals, infant complications, inductions and reasons for a cesarean section. The class is 6:45 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Cost is $20 per couple. Registration: (800) 323-8622, code 1B04.

Total Lipid Profile Testing: Orland Township will offer total lipid profile testing from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Residents can have total cholesterol levels read, as well as triglycerides, LDL and HDL cholesterol. A 12-hour fast is required. Cost is $25 with proof of residency. Non-residents also may participate for $30. Blood pressure and glucose testing are available for an additional $5. Appointments: (708) 403-4222.

Medicare Changes and Supplement Information: Area seniors can attend a free presentation on Medicare changes from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Oakview Community Center, 4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn. The program is part of a bimonthly series of free senior education talks by the Senior Advocate Department at Advocate Christ Medical Center. Registration: (800) 323-8622, code 1S07.

Blood Pressure: Orland Township is hosting free blood pressure screenings from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the township building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. No appointment is necessary. Information: (708) 403-4222.

Shoulder, Knee and Hip Pain Seminar: Discover solutions for shoulder, knee and hip pain and learn what you can do to start living life without pain by attending a free seminar by Dr. David Smith at 6 p.m. Monday at the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park. Free shoulder or knee ultrasound testing will be available to the first 12 registrants and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions. Reservations: (800) 221-2199.

Weight Loss: A new weight loss support group will meet at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays. Lynn McLaughlin will lead the discussion of Marianne Williamson’s book “Course in Weight Loss,” which contains 21 spiritual lessons for learning to love yourself. The group will meet free of charge but will collect donations at each meeting. Registration: (708) 361-3650.

Give Blood: In celebration of National Blood Donor Month in January, Heartland Blood Centers will be giving blood donors an $11 Oberweis certificate. All donors receive free mini-medical exams on site and information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. To be a blood donor, people must be at least 17, or 16 with written parental permission, weigh at least 110 pounds, be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies and be in general good health. Donors who have traveled outside the United States within the past 12 months should contact Heartland at (800) 786-4483 to determine eligibility. You can donate blood at these locations: Country Club Hills — 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at city hall, 4200 W. 183rd St. Crete — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at Illinois Lutheran High School, 1610 Main St. Frankfort ­— 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at Frankfort Park District, 140 Oak St. Lemont — 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at Christ Community Church, 13400 Bell Road; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at Lemont Calvary Church, 1375 State St. New Lenox — 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at United Methodist Church, 339 W. Haven Ave.; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at Peace Lutheran Church, 1900 E. Lincoln Highway. Orland Park — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Faith United Methodist Church, 15101 S. 80th Ave. Palos Heights — 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 29 at Incarnation Catholic Church, 5757 W. 127th St.

Wellness Wednesday: Orland Township is hosting Wellness Wednesday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 25 in the Orland Township Activity Center, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Residents may have their blood pressure and blood sugar checked by a registered medical professional. A basic cholesterol screening is offered for $5 and the test requires a 9- to-12-hour fast. Free hearing screenings by Sertoma Speech and Hearing Center also are available. Appointments: (708) 403-4222.

Survivorship Group: A free support group meeting which includes speakers on a variety of survivorship topics and resources meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month in the Conference Center of Advocate Christ Medical Center, 4440 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn. The next meeting will be Jan. 26 and the topic will be “Understanding Fatigue.” Registration: (800) 323-8622, code 1C51.

Children’s Orthopedic Assessment Clinic: Oak Lawn Elks Lodge No. 2254 and Chicago South Elks Lodge No. 1596, in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Program, have established a free children’s orthopedic assessment clinic. The clinic will be 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 1 at Parkview Musculoskeletal Institute, 7600 W. College Drive, Palos Heights. The clinic is a chance for a child to be reviewed for bone and joint development. Children who might have feet pointing out or who complain of back, knee, ankle or leg pain or who has a back curvature can be seen at this clinic. The Elks will provide financial assistance to their best of their ability for children needing further treatment or specialty equipment when the family lacks sufficient resources to do so. Children up to 21 are eligible for the services. No medical referral is necessary. Appointments: (800) 272-0074. Call between 1 and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Medicare Seminars: United Insurance Services Ltd., an independent authorized senior general agent for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, is hosting free Medicare supplement insurance seminars at 9 a.m. and noon Feb. 4 at the United Insurance Services corporate office, 6500 W. College Drive, Palos Heights. Social Security representatives will be at select seminars. Representatives from United Insurance Services will cover changes in Social Security, what Medicare does and does not cover and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare supplement insurance plans. Seminars last approximately 45 minutes. Reservations: (800) 244-0636 or www.UIST65Seminars.com today.