Community News
There’s an OIL for That!

Essential oils contain powerful properties that can help keep your garden bug-free, the natural way. This simple recipe uses the power of peppermint oil to ward off unwanted visitors, keeping your home and garden happy. Simply fill a 16-ounce glass spray bottle with water, leaving an inch or so of room at the top. Add 15 drops of peppermint oil and shake well before each use. Apply spray to every plant in your garden, making sure to cover the stems and undersides of leaves as well. Spray again after each rainfall.

Muscle Pain? Try Dry Needling!

Pain and muscle soreness is something that affects many of us. One of the most supported treatments for muscle pain is trigger point dry needling. This treatment has been demonstrated to have a significant effect on muscle tone and myofascial trigger point pain, through mechanical, electrophysical, chemical, and neurophysiological mechanisms. Dry needling has been shown to be effective for numerous pathologies, such as muscle strains, neck and back pain, jaw pain (TMJ), headaches, and chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia. It is especially effective when combined with other physiotherapy techniques and treatments, including manual therapy, exercise, and education.

The Gut and Your Metabolism

What does healthy glucose metabolism mean? It means all-day energy because your levels don’t drop, so say goodbye to that afternoon nap. It also means that those persistent cravings become a distant memory, because you don’t need that pick-me-up snack to get through the day. But Plexus Slim, along with that, also helps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and cardiovascular health, and helps the body metabolize carbohydrates and fats, which in turn helps with weight management. It all adds up to a healthier you.
It’s time to take control of your health, rebalance your metabolism, and recharge your life!

Do You Suffer From Hypertension?

Hypertension affects more than one in five Canadians. The Government of Canada states that it is the number one reason for taking medication. Unfortunately, many people have difficulty controlling their blood pressure even with conventional medical treatments. If the cause of your hypertension is due to plaque build-up in your arteries, very often it can be helped naturally. To determine if there is arterial narrowing and restricted blood flow, a simple, non-invasive test using digital pulsewave analysis can be performed. Depending on the results, specific nutritional formulations can be taken to open the arteries, thereby decreasing blood pressure.

Sometimes Timing is Everything

Waiting is essential, required and can’t be rushed. A spiritual practice that involves knowing when to pause and stay open and when to move and take action. Honouring and trusting the mystery of life’s timing. Patiently awaiting is one of the more difficult things we have to learn in a human body. In a world that never stops, practicing the fine art of slowing down and tuning in invites a deep inner knowing and wisdom that can only be revealed rather than forced. There is a sacred timing once we unhook from the mind’s chatter, learning to differentiate our instincts from our fear awaiting an inner green light to reveal a clear yes or no. Trusting the answer will unfold at the perfect timing instead of the one we have pressured ourselves to create and re-enforce.

Possibilities from Unanswered Questions

How can asking questions create more for you? When you ask a question and draw conclusions or points of view about the question, it doesn’t allow answers or possibilities to reveal themselves to you. Asking questions about your life and then purposely not answering them creates possibilities in your life that you may have never even dreamed of. An example is, “What else is possible here that I haven’t considered?” Don’t answer it right away; see what comes to your awareness that you never would have considered otherwise. What other questions can you ask today to create more for you?

How to Prevent Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylosis, is an overuse injury caused by overloading and/or repetitive stress to the flexor tendon. The common flexor tendon attaches to the end of the humeral bone at the inside of the elbow and is formed by muscles that flex the wrist and run along the length of the forearm. The ulnar nerve is near this tendon, and if it becomes irritated, you may experience numbness or tingling along the inside of the forearm and into the ring and pinky fingers. Doing strengthening exercises and stretches can help to prevent this tendon microtrauma.

Sleep well and Recharge

A good night’s sleep is essential for feeling refreshed and re-energized. Not only will it boost your mood and leave you looking fresher, getting enough quality zee’s helps reset your body and its organs. Adequate sleep is a key component to a healthy lifestyle and benefits your weight, heart, mind and memory and so much more! A regular sleep schedule helps your immune system to quell inflammation and disease and also regulates hormones. If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, and have already nixed the afternoon caffeine and shut off the pre-bedtime screens, come in for some natural herbal advice.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle!

Riding a bicycle has many health benefits. Getting outside, taking deep breaths of fresh air and feeling the rhythm of your legs are all so good for you. Bicycling on a regular basis has been shown to improve heart health, muscle and bone strength, joint flexibility and reduce stress. An electric bike makes all of these benefits more accessible. The power assistance eliminates stress on your knees and hips and allows you to use as much of your own energy as you like. Hills become easy-peasy and barriers to riding disappear. You get more exercise because it’s so much fun you’ll want to ride it everywhere.

Sunglasses are the Best Protection for Your Eyes

Sunglasses protect your eyes due to the physical barrier, but also protect your eyes from harmful Ultra-Violet radiation from the sun which cause cataracts and macular degeneration. The lens inside our eyes becomes cloudy due to sun exposure over the years and wearing sunglasses with a UV400 blocker slows down this natural progression. The macula that we use to see faces and read documents breaks down with exposure to UV rays causing a loss of central vision. Prevention is the key to maintaining good vision – wear good quality sunglasses with good coverage to protect your precious eyes for a lifetime!

Low or No Cost Activities

Recreation experiences enrich our lives. Here are a few free or low cost activities.
• The Lions Club of Nanaimo’s free “Everyone Welcome Swim” Sundays from 2-3:30 pm until June 24. • Coast Capital Savings’ free swim on June 29, 7-8 pm, at Beban Park and a free skate on June 22, 4:15-5:45 pm, at Nanaimo Ice Centre. • $3 Swim admission Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 pm until June 27 at Beban Pool. Starting July 2, $3 Swim Admission daily at 9-10pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and 4-5 pm, Monday to Friday.• Visit one of Nanaimo’s parks. These are always free!