Community News
Laser Acupuncture for Depression

Studies have shown that low levels of serotonin are often linked to depression in individuals. These low levels can be caused by factors such as genetics, as well as a person’s environment, which may include physical and emotional trauma. Laser acupuncture using cold non-invasive lasers can stimulate the release and synthesis of serotonin, as well as the release of endorphins, both of which can improve emotional wellbeing. Laser therapy offers a comprehensive process for recovery that can be used as part of a treatment program for depression that may also include physician-prescribed medication and/or psychotherapy.

Keep your Hearing Sharp

Although hearing loss can be hereditary and a natural result of aging, there are proactive steps you can take to keep your hearing sharp and healthy. Your ears receive sounds, but your brain processes all the wonderful, (and maybe not so wonderful,) sounds that you hear. So, keeping your brain healthy can help to keep your hearing healthy too. Puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords, and word searches help to maintain healthy brain tissue and the neural connections necessary for processing sensory information. If you suspect that you are suffering from hearing loss, be sure to speak to a hearing professional.

Joy of Eating – Senior Edition

“Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life, contributing immensely to goodwill and companionship.” Elsa Schiaparelli.
In many cultures, food has a ritual component, including the preparation of colorful, varied and nutritious meals to be enjoyed with family and friends. However, many seniors in our community embrace the ‘tea and toast’ trap. Lacking motivation to cook for themselves, seniors may revert to simple meals, often of poor nutritional value. Comfort Keepers can suggest healthy recipes, help get ingredients, cook, and provide companionship. Combatting two mammoth challenges facing seniors: isolation and malnutrition.

‘Happy Baby’ Acupuncture Points

Moms-to-be, are you aware of the ‘Happy Baby’ acupuncture point? By stimulating this particular point around the 28th week, the transmission of toxins from mother to child can be minimized. This increases the health of the baby and its resistance to disease, as well as it strengthens the mother’s immune system. Classic TCM education says that needling the “Happy Baby” point during pregnancy allows the mother to have a happy baby that sleeps through the night.

Erase the Effects of Summer

Skin rejuvenation is the superior treatment to safely and comfortably fade the appearance of skin imperfections such as brown or red spots and rosacea caused by the sun. Depending on your skin’s condition, gradual and cumulative improvement of skin tone is typically achieved in 2-4 treatments. A chemical grade peel prior to your skin rejuvenation treatment enhances your skin rejuvenation as the breakdown of dead skin cells enables the laser to penetrate deeper with better result. ELOS is the first and only technology that uses combined energies to effectively and gently restore and rejuvenate the appearance of your skin.

Steps to Personal Growth

What steps are you taking toward your own personal growth? When life is busy, we forget about the importance of our own personal journey. The feedback we received about SOS Personal Growth Groups reveal their importance to community members. A male participant wrote, “I would recommend this group to anyone looking for tools and a sense of communion around the journey of being a man.” Another participant shared this insight on the Women’s group, “We can join together and be that shoulder to lean on. I’ve grown a lot and I always leave there feeling really good.” Take time to ensure you are advancing your personal goals.

Managing Stress

All of us deal with stress to some extent during our daily life. It can be due to work, driving in traffic, family, or financial worries, to name just a few. How do you manage your stress? Some of us go for a walk or read a good book, while others of us just push it down and try to ignore it. Stress can have many effects on us and can contribute to disease and illness. Want to know other ways to manage your stress? Come to our next free health night where we will be talking more about it.

Meet the Practitioner – Cari Cooper

Don’t have extended medical benefits? Meet Cari, a student therapist at the Naturally Healthy Clinic. Until she receives her full credentials, she is offering a 60 minute relaxation massage for the affordable price of $60.00 during the month of September. Cari’s current practice includes Swedish massage, myofascial release and deep tissue massage. These treatments can reduce muscle tension, decrease general aches and pains, increase sleep quality and improve total body comfort. Cari’s treatments will make you feel completely relaxed and rejuvenated. Book an appointment today.

When Should I Wear My Hearing Aids?

It is important to wear hearing aids during all waking hours (with the exception of showering, swimming, and environments where hearing protection should be used). Hearing aids provide the brain with auditory input and the brain creates and reforms new neural networks. If the hearing aids are only used when needed, then these new networks are not formed nor strengthened. Occasional hearing aid use can also lead to auditory deprivation and can effect a person’s ability to understand speech. To find out more about what hearing aid best suits your lifestyle and budget, call for a Free hearing evaluation.

When Living Alone is No Longer an Option

The phone rings and the person on the other line says, “Your mom fell and broke her hip. She needs surgery and rehab.” When she is released from rehab, you realize that she can no longer live alone. It is easy to compare the cost of basic room, board and food services. However, often there are other “hidden” fees associated with “independent” and “assisted living” facilities. These may include health care and medication related fees, fees for personal care and other treatments. All these add up! Choosing care home needs for a loved one requires knowing the full financial cost in addition to the usual “room and board.”

Fall/Winter Programs: Nanaimo Activity Guide

We are excited about the latest Activity Guide. The Fall & Winter edition is hot off the press and is full of over 1,000 programs that are sure to keep you and every member of your family active over the next season. We have activities in arts, crafts, dance, fitness, first aid, music, language, wellness, outdoors, sports, swimming and skating, as well as several community special events.

Studies continually show the benefits of being active and socializing as an important part of being healthy – both physically and emotionally. This fall and winter, take a moment and move with us!

Need some ideas to keep you moving? Contact our recreation experts at 250.756.5200 or visit our website at recreation.nanaimo.ca.