Community News
Treatment-Based Massage Therapy

Although massage therapy is an art form and each massage therapist has a different style, the intent of treating someone with a specific pain should be to find its source.
When you see a therapist for a specific pain, you shouldn’t expect a massage for the entire appointment. The therapist should start with tests to rule out conditions that might be more serious or need to be referred to someone else. Then there should be some assessments to determine where the pain is coming from: misaligned joints, reduced range of motions, fatigued muscles, or referred pain. After that, the best part, massage!
Finally, the therapist should discuss with you how often you should be back, based on your individual needs. Crossroads Rehabilitative Massage, CRMassageBrandon.ca

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Injuries to the rotator cuff (muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder) are often related to overuse, especially in activities that take place above head height. Occasionally, these can be related to specific trauma. Injuries can be as simple as a strain to the muscle(s) and tendon(s), while in more extreme injuries, the tendon(s) may become partially or completely torn. The prevalence of rotator cuff disease increases with age, with four percent occurring in individuals 40 years of age and older. Fifty-four percent of rotator cuff injuries affecting those 60 years and older are usually more severe, resulting in partial or complete tendon tears. Symptoms of a rotator cuff strain or tear may include pain and swelling in the front or side of the shoulder, pain when raising or lowering the arm, pain when reaching back (putting on a jacket). Treatment involves avoiding activities that cause pain, and gentle stretching exercises as prescribed by your physiotherapist. Doug Treloar (BMR, PT, Acupuncture Certified) PhysioFirstClinic.ca

Improve Digestion with Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a trendy little superfood that can do amazing things for your digestion. They have a special type of soluble fibre called mucilage and act as a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria in your gut, as well as improve your digestive transit time (how often you go). Introduce fibre into your diet slowly to avoid any adverse reactions.
Chia Seed Pudding Recipe:
• 2 cups kefir
• 1/8 cup + 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• Combine and let set over night.
Ally Potrebka, RHN, RYT, Health and Happiness, HealthAndHappiness.ca

New to Yoga?

The first step is to determine your heath goals through a yoga consultation, and then decide if therapeutic yoga is right for you.
Since the practice of therapeutic yoga is modified to suit the individual, the person does not need to meet any requirements of fitness, age, or health to start practicing.
Common benefits experienced by many students include improvement in quality of sleep, elimination of pain, and reduction in stress. As teachers, we are instructing our students on how to support the functioning of their parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn supports healing.
Wendy Anderson, RYT-200, Yoga 10 Studio, Yoga10Studio.com, CourtenayMassageTherapy.com

Invite Nature Spirits into Your Life

Nature spirits ensure your plants and trees are healthy and robust. To attract elementals, stop using chemicals, plant flowers, create a safe space for them to dwell, and communicate with them. Sit quietly, turn off your left brain analyzer, bring your consciousness in, and ask a plant what they would like you to do for them. A plant or elemental will answer you. Do this short meditation daily, and eventually you will receive their messages and be able to see them. The elemental kingdom is here to protect the earth, work with us, and give us benefits too numerous to detail here. Gord Weber, Spirit Gardens, SpiritGardens.ca

Knee Pain Spoiling Your Fun?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and a major cause of joint pain and disability. OA is a degenerative disease affecting the cartilage and bone surfaces of a joint. With age, injury, or just wear-and-tear, joint cartilage will become thinner, allowing more pressure between bones. This causes pain, which could stop you from doing the things you enjoy most. In the early stages of OA pain, a knee brace has been found to be very successful in pain management and improved mobility. Having your bracing needs assessed and fit by a certified orthotist will ensure your best chance of success. B.D. Mitchell Posthetics & Orthotics, MitchellPAndO.com

The Cancer Journey

When patients with cancer are treated in an integrative approach with Chinese and conventional medicine, several factors are taken in account such as the patient’s conditional environment and lifestyle factors that played a role in the evolution of the cancer. The treatment interventions from the conventional medicine view are generally cytotoxic and carry predictable side effects, depending on the specific intervention. There are several treatment principles that Chinese medicine uses to interact with conventional medicine cancer treatments: Fu zheng Qu xie, to strengthen the constitution, improve the immune system, and eliminate pathogenic factors to allow the body to heal from within; Huo xue Qu Yu, which refers to the activation of blood circulation, which may prevents metastasis; Qing Re Jie Du, to describe the clearing of heat, and toxins; and Ruan Jian san Jie, which refers to the softening and dissolving of cancer masses. Dr. Ross Ralph, Dr. TCM, R.Ac., DOMP., Courtenay Healing Centre, CourtenayHealing.ca

Achieving Long-Term Weight Loss

The road to successfully losing weight is not an easy one. There are many challenges and choices that await the individual who wishes to embark on such a journey. Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method focuses on education, improving health, and lifestyle change. The key component that Ideal Protein provides to clients is personal weight loss coaching, along with education. Providing clients with one-to-one support and encouragement helps the individual implement lifelong changes that enhance well-being during their weight loss journey.
Losing weight is not just about dieting and looking good, it’s about making permanent lifestyle changes that result in healthy and long-lasting results. Alma Naranjo, SuccessWeightLoss.ca

Exfoliate Naturally with Enzymes

What is an exfoliant? An exfoliant is a product that helps detach the outer layers of the skin, removing trapped debris and clearing the way for oils to flow naturally. Enzymatic exfoliation is a plant active based therapy, mainly from fruits. Why exfoliate? Exfoliation is an important tool against rough and dull skin. Also, dead cell proteins will clog the pores, increasing the chance of breakouts and acne. Enzymatic exfoliation is gentle and has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it particularly good for sensitive skin. Enzymes work at a deeper level; improved smoothness and texture, and minimized lines and wrinkles result from regular enzyme exfoliation. Christopher Laidlaw, DMK Skincare, DmkSkinCentres.com

Stressed about Stress?

Stress is often thought of as something that happens to us. However, stress is a response to an event and therefore mostly within our control. A major study found that when people view unpleasant physical sensations, like a racing heart and nervousness, as helpful instead of harmful, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death diminishes greatly. How can we change our mind about stress? By intentionally subjecting ourselves to a healthy stressor. Fifteen minutes of intense exercise releases endorphins – our body’s natural pain killers and stress fighters – which helps us associate a positive feeling with stress-inducing events.

Have you Explored Hypnotherapy?

Did you know that hypnosis and hypnotherapy have been around for a long time? According to The Wellness Institute [www.wellness-institute.org], “Hypnosis is one of the world’s oldest sciences. Amazingly, ancient hieroglyphics show that the Egyptians were using hypnosis as early as 3,000 B.C. There is evidence the Greeks and the Mayans understood it and used it as well.” You can visit their website for more background information on the subject and to explore numerous articles describing how hypnotherapy has helped people with various concerns, including PTSD, depression, migraines, addiction, weight problems, anxiety/stress, OCD, grief, cancer, childbirth, sleep, and even dementia. Dave Kelch, BPsych, DipMHA, OptimumWellnessFactor.ca