Community News
5 Ways to Detoxify Your Body

Did you know that performing regular body cleanses and detoxes are an easy route to health and healing? We are in constant contact with harmful organisms and pollutants. They’re in our water, in our food, in the air we breathe… it’s very difficult to get away from them. The source of many health issues is the toxins that have built up in our bodies over the years. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract some toxins and pollutants. You can help your body perform these processes with the help of regular cleansing. Here are 5 ways to detoxify your body: 1. Exercise – you can literally sweat your toxins away! 2. Try tongue scraping – tongue coating reflects metabolic debris. 3. Drink water – Just not from the tap! 4. Add detoxifying foods to your diet – think garlic, raw veggies, and fruits 5. Dry skin brushing – the skin is known to be responsible for 15% of total body elimination. Use a natural bristle brush to gently exfoliate and stimulate your skin.

Dean Dalman, Valhalla Automated Spa, www.valhallaautomatedspa.com

Digestive Issues? Try Acupuncture!

The health of our digestive system may not be the top of mind, often, until it is no longer healthy and then it is the most important thing we deal with on a daily basis. Normal bowel movements occur every day or every other day. Acupuncture can relieve constipation or diarrhea. By assessing your digestion and water metabolism, we determine which organ(s) are out of balance. For constipation, points are chosen to stimulate the colon, strengthen the function of digestion, and bring moisture to the intestinal tract. Or if it is an excess type, points are chosen to reduce heat in the stomach and intestines, and promote the function of the Large intestine. For diarrhea, the points chosen will relieve bowel movements that occur more than once a day; with foul, smelly, burning stools or undigested food; alternating diarrhea and constipation; is worse after eating; occurs only in the morning.

Naomi Johnson R.Ac., heklaacupuncture.com

The Fast Track to Weight Loss

If healthier habits and weight loss are among your new year’s resolutions, good for you for making health a top priority! Here are a few tips to help you keep on track with your weight loss resolution. Write Your Goals Down. If you want to truly do something, write it down. Journals, food diaries, and to- do lists are extremely important to your weight loss plan. Remove The Temptations. Get into your kitchen and throw out all sugary snacks and from your refrigerator and pantry. If you don’t remove these tempting items, it will only be a matter of time before you break down and dive head first into the cookie jar! Meet Mini-Goals. Make small changes every week, and they will add up in time. It’s easier to move little pebbles than an entire mountain, right? Try a Weight Loss Supplement. If you need that extra boost consider trying a natural supplement, as approved by your doctor or nutritionist.

Nutrition Plus, www.nutritionplus.com/store

Meditate Your Stress Away

The stress and tension we normally experience come from our minds, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. Just by doing simple breathing meditation for ten or fifteen minutes each day, we can reduce this stress. The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid. Find a comfortable meditation position with our eyes partially closed. The most important thing is to keep your back straight to prevent our mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy. Breathe naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control our breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. We should try to concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else. If we practice patiently in this way, gradually our distracting thoughts will subside, and we shall experience a sense of inner peace and relaxation.

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Kadampa Meditation Centre, www.meditateinwinnipeg.org

Nutrition for Injury Recovery

The moment we sustain an injury, our body’s inflammatory response kicks in. This inflammation phase of injury lasts between 3-5 days. The first line of defense is to follow the RICES principle during this time period: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Stabilize. For those who want to be proactive, there are certain foods and nutrients you can incorporate into your diet to help reduce inflammation. Some good examples include fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines), oils (olive, fish, flax), avocados, mixed nuts and seeds. Other ingredients that are beneficial include curcumin (from turmeric or curry powder), garlic, bromelain (from pineapple), cocoa, tea, and berries. There are also some foods that you should avoid during this early stage of injury. This includes processed foods, and foods high in saturated or trans fats. These are only a few of the many things you can try to help with inflammation following an injury.

Heath Vermette, CAT(C), www.southsherbook.com

4 Ways to Cope with SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more than just what people refer to as the “winter blues.” Those who have it find it difficult to function in daily life. So, what can you if you find yourself experiencing seasonal sadness? Here’s what you should do: 1. Increase sunlight exposure. Exposure to more sunlight (even if it is a scare amount) can help. Consider getting an artificial sunlight lamp for your home. 2. Exercise. Like other mood disorders, exercise can also help you cope by relieving stress, building energy levels, and improving physical well-being. 3. Take a supplement. Using high-quality, broad-spectrum nutritional supplements can help your body have these needed nutrients. Vitamin D3, specifically, has positive effects on mood and seasonal affective disorder. 4. Sleep. Getting enough rest can help reduce stress and can prepare you with the energy you need to get through the day. Get to bed early enough to ensure you receive the rest you need.

Dr. Asim Ashique, Central Chiropractic Centre, www.centralchiro.ca

The Balancing Act

Bowenwork is a very gentle, hands-on form of bodywork. It works holistically via the nervous system to balance, and align the body. Bowenwork uniquely initiates your body’s own innate healing mechanism, and can dramatically help people with their muscle, joint or nerve pain. People with frozen shoulder are amazed when they find their recurring headaches are also gone, and the pain they felt in their back, neck, and their carpal tunnel, have disappeared as well. Treating the body as a whole is imperative in being able to achieve long lasting results. In addition to physical pain relief, Bowenwork can effectively help with cognitive issues as well, such as stress, PTSD, depression, concussion or traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, energy blockages, and many others. Talk to a Bowenwork practitioner to learn more about balancing your body, and starting your healing journey today.

Bernadette Kozak, WinnipegPainRelief.ca

Marijuana & Alzheimer Connection?

A recent study showed significantly lower levels of blood flow in the brain for marijuana users than nonusers. It was found that the right hippocampus was the most affected, damaging regions of the brain important for memory and learning. These are the same areas affected by Alzheimer’s. Often used for regulating relaxation and controlling excitability, marijuana is more than a “feel good” aid; it brings well documented beneficial calming effects to the whole system. All in good measure, however! When overused or abused, marijuana can lead to dependency and mess with your memory and emotions. There are other non-invasive strategies for those who seek that sweet spot. Brainwave Optimization helps the brain function better by relaxing its frequencies. Once the frequencies between the brain lobes are balanced and harmony is established so the back to front thought process flows, that inner potential in all of us has a chance to blossom.

Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW, La Loba, www.lalobatraumarelease.com

4 Ways To Supercharge Your Immune System

Ugh, January. Some may feel that this month is the worst of all months. Stay healthy, and you may find that January is actually enjoyable! There are plenty of natural remedies to help you boost your immune system and stay healthy all winter long: 1. Focus on Vitamin D. Did you know that most people have low vitamin D levels? Even dangerously low, within a range that could severely limit your immune system. 2. Eat More Garlic. Garlic is one of the most potent of all superfoods that goes back thousands of years for treatment of illness. 3. Get Your Probiotics. 70% of your immune system lies in your gut flora and the health of the friendly organisms in there to protect you against pathogens and sickness. 4. Avoid ALL processed foods and sweetened soft drinks. This is no time to bombard your body with processed foods, fried foods, high-fructose corn syrup, refined sugars or chemical additives.

Felly Grieve, A1 Nutrition, www.a1nutritiongrant.com

History of New Year Resolutions

January gives us an opportunity to reflect on the previous year, and also plan for the year ahead. Many of us will make new year resolutions for specific goals or self-improvements. It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to start this tradition! They made promises to their gods that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. Later, the Romans would make promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, knights took the “peacock vow” to re- affirm their commitment to chivalry. We hope that improving your oral health will make your resolution list this year! Schedule your yearly check up and cleaning, commit to flossing, cut back on sugar, and kick your tobacco habits.

Dr. Sarah Keating Sangalang, Reflections Dental, www.reflectionsdentalhealth.ca

Physio Support for Breastfeeding

Physiotherapy can benefit many people for a variety of reasons, but did you know that it is also beneficial for breastfeeding mothers? If milk is not being removed effectively from the breast, it can cause a milk stasis which will result in a blocked milk duct. It will often cause a hard, tender lump that can include swelling. Risk factors for developing include improper baby positioning and latching, sore or damaged nipples, fatigue or stress, engorgement, compression from a tight garment, inadequate breast drainage, hurried or missed feeds and a pump with an ill-fitting breast shield. Physiotherapy treatment includes a combination of ultrasound, manual techniques, education, and heat. Mothers will be encouraged to bring their baby to the session and breastfeed immediately afterward. Treatment frequency is every day until symptoms resolve – usually 1-3 days.

Kristi Hunter MPT, BSc, Prairie Trail Physiotherapy, www.prairietrailphysio.ca