Community News
Music and Neuroscience

Do we need to hear from experts that listening to music, tapping our feet in rhythm to music, or humming a familiar tune is good for us? My own curiosity about how music gets us moving, smiling, or recalling things we haven’t thought of in years led me to Music Therapy and research: McGill Unversity’s Dr. Daniel Levitin has found that as a result of exposure to music, levels of immunoglobinA, an antibody linked to immunity, increases; In another study he found significant evidence of music’s anti-anxiety properties. Montreal Neurological Institute’s Dr. Zatorre has found that a brain structure called the striatum is stimulated by music to release dopamine which increases feelings of pleasure. Music therapists are continually training to integrate and apply research findings into practice in order to better serve people of every age, from babies to Alzheimer’s patients.

Nejama Ferstman BA, MTA, Certified Music Therapist @ ShiriMusicTherapy, ShiriMySong.ca

Believe to Achieve

BELIEVING is the most important part of the mental game of any sport or leisure activity. If you want to change your experience, change your beliefs – at the subconscious level. Learn to hit the ball, SEE THE BALL, be AWARE of the game set around you and play with confidence. BELIEVE in your ability and watch your game improve daily! Hypnotherapies for sports and leisure activity treats anxieties and blocks at the subconscious level, improving your underlying beliefs in your abilities. Remember how good you felt when you first hit a ball cleanly, made a wonderful putt, sank a shot, made a fabulous pass to a teammate, returned an impossible serve, got your first strikeout or made it to the podium? Hypnosis works with your subconscious beliefs to eliminate anxieties, release old blocks, and bring those wonderful feelings of being in the moment – IN THE ZONE – and put you back on the path of enjoyment and fulfilment within your sport!

Pete Flagg, Hypnotherapy Consultant, Victoria Hypnotherapy for Sports Performance Improvement, Relax2playwell.ca

Who Do You Want to Be?

Shame tells us a story about ourselves. We all have a private understanding of who we are, and sometimes the sum total can feel good enough. But sometimes the secret story is deeply embarrassing – we feel deeply wrong or screwed up. We may doubt or blame ourselves, act out, or feel deeply responsible. Shame can make it hard to handle overbearing people or make the changes we need. Our friends may not know how to reassure us. Counselling can be a safe place to uncover these feelings, find new ways to appreciate yourself, and rediscover confidence.

Mary Munro, MaryMunro.ca

Review Digital Contracts/Cyber Security

After summer, it’s typical for us to consider new tech devices for back-to-school or work requirements. As a result, it’s an opportune time to review all the subscriptions, apps, and user terms you’ve agreed to during the past year. Just as it is wise to review the status of any service fees and monthly debits once a year, it’s good to review renewable download agreements. Should you have younger tech users, it’s important to remind them about employing an antivirus program and practicing personal security habits to protect their privacy, especially when using social media.

Abakhan and Associates Inc., Abakhan.com

Flighty/Impulsive or Cool/Collected

It has been shown many times that those high-functioning adults with focus problems, such as severe problems with organization, trouble following non-verbal cues, slow reading, or even clumsiness, had those issues when they were young. This is a prefrontal cortex issue that has people often being seen as irresponsible, flighty, impulsive, and indifferent. Whatever the age, Brainwave Optimization is a non-invasive technology that develops the innate potential of the human brain, helping a person to change their life – quickly, simply, effectively. One family writes, “We plan to continue using this brain training technology to enhance the concentration and focus of each one of us.”

Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW, LaLobaTraumaRelease.com

Health Product Review: Opus Healthy Water Systems

Opus Healthy Water Systems produce crystal clear great tasting water. For pennies a litre, Opus systems remove harmful contaminants, pathogens, chlorine, fluoride, chloramines, heavy metals, odors and more, while retaining naturally occurring minerals. Reverse osmosis systems remove healthful minerals, creating acidic, corrosive water that can be harmful to your health and your home. Reverse Osmosis water leaches nickel from stainless steel which can trigger allergic reactions and contribute to joint pain. Opus systems produce pH-balanced or alkaline water and feature a minimum of .5 micron microfiltration, with options down to .001 micron nanofiltration. Available bioceramic infusers can add molecular hydrogen and boost alkalinity, transforming ordinary tap water into a powerful antioxidant. Designed for municipally treated water sources and drilled wells, Opus filtration solutions include point-of-use systems with an installed faucet for the kitchen, countertop units, and point-of-entry systems that filter all the water in your home, cottage, or business.

Aviva Natural Health Solutions, AvivaHealth.com

BACK to Class

The beginning of the school year is quickly approaching and it’s time to start preparing a number of things for the upcoming return. Let’s talk about backpacks. Proper backpack wear is extremely important to prevent issues such as muscle strains and poor posture, especially in children and teenagers who are growing and developing. The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) outlines many important tips for backpack wear. The backpack should rest comfortably on the shoulders with both padded straps on, and the bottom should sit in the curve of the lower back (about 2 inches above the waist). The weight of the bag with contents should not be more than 1015% of total body weight. There may be a problem if you notice red marks on the shoulders, tingling in the arms, or pain. If you have any other questions, your physiotherapist would be happy to answer them. Have a safe school year!

Physio First, PhysioFirstClinic.ca

Back to School!

Here are some tips to help you and your child stress less:

• Ease back into a healthy bedtime routine. Routines are key for children, especially when it comes to sleep. An hour of quiet time with no electronics is a great way to help them relax.

• Lay clothing out and pack lunches the night before. This allows more time for you and your child to prepare for the day.

• Help your child set goals, rather than focus on good grades alone.

• Teach your child breathing or relaxation techniques to help them when they are stressed or overwhelmed.

Wendy Omilanow, Access BARS

Pet Food for Thought

Choosing the right food for your pet is important. With so many choices, it’s hard to know which way to go! Here are a few fundamental facts about which choice to make: For ALL cats, food should be grain-free. Cats lack the digestive enzyme that metabolizes grains, which is why feline obesity, diabetes, and kidney failure are so common. Cats require wet food in their diet. Kibble is highly processed and does not come close to providing the necessary moisture an animal needs to live healthfully. Without this moisture, cats are prone to dehydration, urinary infections, and eventually kidney failure. Your pets deserve the best quality of life; they’re family!

The Lymphatic System

A previous article spoke about another system (lymphatic) and its functions, which are not related to either your blood or venous system. With swelling caused by an insufficient lymphatic system, it is necessary to re-route the lymph flow around blocked area(s) into more central and healthy lymph vessels. This goal is achieved by:

a) manual lymph drainage

b) compression therapy

c) decongestive and breathing exercise

d) skin and nail care

Together, these make up complete decongestive therapy (CDT)—the international “gold standard” of treatment for patients affected by lymphedema. This is a chronic condition that has no cure, and therefore must be managed throughout one’s lifespan. Talk to a trained and certified therapist who can assess you and provide any additional information.

Marita Dowsett, B.P.T. Physio4U, Physio4U.net

Listen to Your Body

Did you know our bodies are trying to send us messages all day, especially when we are not willing to pay attention to different aspects of our lives? If you are experiencing neck pain, it may be that your body and mind are trying to tell you something. When you have a sore neck, ask yourself who in your life is a pain in the neck. Can you bring more compassion to the situation to soften the tension? Are you sticking your neck out for someone else? Are you breaking your neck to get something done? Is someone breathing down your neck? Were you aware that waking up during the night is an indication that your body is unable to process an issue that could be affecting your life? If you are feeling overburdened, your shoulders will ache. Our bodies are letting us know what parts of our lives require attention.

Robin Chant, Inspire You Studio, RobinChant.com