Obsessed with the threat of the dark side dominating as otherworldly creatures battle for domination of the planet, this young boy’s music reflected it all. An eerie calm, the imminent threat, then mayhem. Battle-weary soldiers of the galaxy withdrew and peace was temporarily restored. Music therapy has allowed Alex to express with the music therapist via instruments, voice, puppets, and word-play what otherwise was too scary for him to verbalize. Alex stands up to the ‘bad guys’ now on his own, both in his dreams and in real life.
Community News
Challenged With Your Child?
Do you have a child who is anxious, depressed or acting out? Imagine your child engaging with paint, puppets or the drum. The expressive therapies offer your child a safe outlet for their inner world. Expressive therapies can help children release feelings they may not know how to let go of otherwise. This can allow your child to shift to a happier place. Acquire tools to support your child and to strengthen your relationship. Give your family an opportunity to create a sense of peace and healthy connection in your world at home today.
Trust your Gut
Your immune system works hard to protect you from injury, illness, and disease. This process usually involves inflammation, a natural response to stress, tissue damage, and harmful stimuli like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Inflammation functions similarly to an engine warning light, alerting you to the presence of a problem through symptoms such as heat, pain, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function. 85% of the immune system is located in our gut. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium provides your gut with the ingredients it needs to bolster immunity and achieve optimal mental and physical health.
Ask The Expert
Q. What effect does cannabis have on your eyes?
A. Generally nothing exceptionally good. It is not an effective treatment for glaucoma or poor night vision. Smoking marijuana can make your eyes red from irritation and blood vessel dilation. Time will tell if habitual cannabis usage will be as harmful as tobacco in increasing the risk of other eye problems like cataracts or macular degeneration.
Why Holistic Dental Care Matters
With each passing decade of life, there are associated health conditions that are seemingly unavoidable. One of the major systems of age-related health decline is the structural system, including the teeth. Dental health is dependent on full body health including nutrition, mineral rich water, and a proper dental care routine. Diets that attribute to healthy teeth and gums include local, seasonal vegetables and smaller amounts of fruit, wild animal meats and organs, wild fish and fish eggs, and raw dairy. These foods have abundance in fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Flossing twice a day and using a soft bristle toothbrush is also key. Look for toothpastes that use coconut oil, calcium, iodine, and trace minerals.
Positive Thoughts for Healing
Separation from nature creates emotional and physical illness. Our outer world reflects our inner world, and our inner world is out of balance. Words have the power to create; toxic thoughts are poisonous to others, the planet, and ourselves. True wealth is found in how we relate to and care for each other and the earth. Water, plants, and animals react to negative words. By consciously working on our thoughts, expressing our presence, we can heal our inner water as well as the waters around the world. Words by Sandra Ingerman and Lynn Roberts in their book, “Speaking with Nature”.
Acupuncture for Emotional Trauma
Are you seeking ways to overcome emotional trauma? Do you have trouble letting go and moving on with your life? Living with the steady underlying stress of fight-or-flight can be exhausting. Survival mode is a phase that helps save your life in short term situations; it should not last throughout your life. Using a method from a course called “A Three Staged Approach to Treating Emotional Trauma with Acupuncture”, an acupuncturist can, in a safe and effective way, help your body to work through and release the trauma.
Keep your Dentures Clean
Like natural teeth, dentures can attract plaque, become stained, and collect food particles that can cause bad breath. They need to be cleaned daily to remove plaque and calculus. At home, dentures can be cleaned with over the counter cleaners and gentle bushing with a specialized denture brush. Ordinary toothbrushes and commercial toothpastes are too abrasive and can damage the surface of your dentures. When the plaque has hardened to calculus it will need to be removed at a denture clinic, so be sure to clean your dentures properly.
New Community Support Rep
The GAM Info Rep is a new service offered by the BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program. GAM Info Reps are part of your Gaming & Gambling support services. Like any advisor, the GAM Info Rep is there to support you with your distinct needs every step of the way. Whether you need to inquire about counselling services, legal services, housing, community health, debt management or any other support service, the GAM Info Rep is there to help. Your GAM Info Rep in the Cowichan Valley is Shannon Husk. 250-588-3861
Importance of Social Activities
For many seniors, living alone may directly affect how often they engage in social activities. Social interactions often decrease as we age, which is why it is important to be involved in social activities as often as possible. The more active you are, the better you will feel in many ways both physically and mentally. If you are finding yourself lonely, while living on your own, you may want to connect with others by joining groups; such as, volunteering with organizations including a local senior centre. Another solution is to consider moving to a seniors’ residence which is ideally suited to create many opportunities for social interaction and fun on a daily basis.
Acupuncture for PTSD
PTSD is a physiological disorder that results from being exposed to a traumatic event. It can affect anyone at any point in their life. The disorder can result in several symptoms including, but not limited to anxiety, irritability, insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks. Acupuncture for PTSD is administered by stimulating specific auricular points as well as others in the body. These points are responsible for signaling areas of the brain to help control nervous functioning as well as mitigate stress levels. Acupuncture treatments also have benefits such as a decrease in depression and physical pain. Soldiers, police officers, fire fighters and countless others who have been diagnosed with PTSD are using acupuncture to experience relief.
