Wellnessnews, Author at Wellnessnews

The Power of Touch

Studies from the Touch Research Institute have looked at people of all ages with a variety of health conditions and complaints. The range of benefits is remarkable. Here are some highlights from a few of the many published studies. Migraine headaches: Massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches along with sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. Asthma: Children with mild to severe asthma who received regular massage were better able to exhale (a problem with asthma because the air passages constrict). In addition, the children suffered less stress and anxiety. Premenstrual symptoms: After massage therapy there was improved mood and a decrease in anxiety. Pain and symptoms of water retention were also reduced. Pregnancy: Women who had massage through pregnancy showed decreased levels of stress hormones and experienced less anxiety. There were fewer complications before and after birth including fewer premature births.

Katie White
www.courtenaymassagetherapy.com

Miraculous Aloe Vera

Is Aloe really the miracle plant people say it is? Scientific studies have shown it is effective in the treatment of many conditions. Dr. Ivan Danhof, a gastroenterologist teaching at the Southwestern Medical School of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Dallas, is considered the world’s foremost expert on aloe vera. His research into this amazing healing plant began with investigations into the effectiveness of the aloe in healing ulcers. To his amazement, he found that in fact aloe did heal stomach ulcers in lab animals, so he tested this new revelation against standardized ulcer drugs and found aloe was equal to if not superior to Tagamet. This was the beginning of his quest to uncover more about this aloe vera plant and what other benefits could be derived both internally and externally by the use of aloe vera, and he has since found many other benefits.

Maureen Glowasky
www.maureenglowasky.com

Book Club: Blisters and Bliss

Here on the West Coast we have many options to cater to our health and wellness outdoors, and on Vancouver Island we have one of the most incredible hikes around: the West Coast Trail. David Foster and Wayne Aitken are just as in love with the Trail and in their book, Blisters and Bliss, they gather tips and tricks on how to experience the healing beauty of the West Coast while preventing injuries.

www.russellbooks.com

Protecting Your Vision

We strive to maintain our health today with exercise, diet and preventative care by visiting our general practitioners annually, but what about our eyes? How often should you see an optometrist? Today eye exams are recommended once a year for a multitude of reasons, and having good vision doesn’t exclude the need. A person can have 20/20 vision and still require prescription glasses to help with symptoms such as fatigue and headaches caused by binocular or accommodative disorders. An optometrist is not only trained in detecting ocular diseases, like glaucoma macular degeneration and tumors, but also systemic conditions, that often times have changes within the eyes, such as diabetes, hypertension and multiple sclerosis. Many of these diseases may be asymptomatic in the early stages, but can cause permanent vision loss if not detected early. So if you’ve never seen an optometrist, or it’s been a few years, you’re overdue.

www.iris.ca

Common Sense Health

Autumn is here and winter is just around the corner, it’s time to prepare to bypass those colds and nasty flu bugs that come with it. Take a common sense approach to staying healthy by avoiding getting sick in the first place. Keep a positive outlook and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and nutritious foods. Keep stress levels low and rest your body and mind so that you can stay strong. There is no substitute for good hygiene – wash your hands thoroughly and often with plain old soap and water. Take some natural remedies, herbal supplements, super-foods and probiotics to help in the battle to ward off attacks from viral and bacterial infections. At Thrifty Foods Vitamins & More Dept. we have an extensive array of alternative and natural products to keep your immune system functioning at it’s best.

Thrifty Foods Vitamin & More Dept.
www.thriftyfoods.com

Natural Health Spotlight

As women living longer, healthier lives, our faces often tell our life story before we are ready. However much we may want to turn back the hands of time, many of us want an alternative to painful, invasive procedures, possible scarring and injecting foreign substances into our skin. Fortunately, there in an effective non-surgical option that is not just pain free, but a soothing treatment that helps you feel so relaxed that you may just drift into sleep. Introducing Finer Face®, which uses advanced microcurrent technology. The current conducts a subtle vibration to the outer layer of the skin that stimulates and activates the fine muscles of the face. Like a “workout” for the face, an on-going series of Finer Face® treatments will tone and lift the muscles – reducing fine lines and giving you a more youthful look.

Jen McCarthy
www.newerawellness.ca

Carbon Neutral Landscaping

Traditional landscapers in Canada use gasoline-powered lawn mowers, trimmers and blowers, contributing to a whopping 5% of Canada’s annual air pollution! Until now, no one in Canada has addressed these concerns until Clean Air Yard Care was developed as Canada’s first Zero Emission Yard Care service, all powered from renewable energy. We use the sun’s energy to convert to electricity on our specially designed trailers, to power all of our battery and electric lawn and yard care tools. Using all of this innovative equipment means that we don’t require any external power source, don’t produce any harmful emissions, our equipment is quieter and we don’t spill any gasoline or oil. In fact at Clean Air Yard Care we are so earth friendly; we offset any emissions we create each year and are now also proud to become Canada’s first carbon neutral landscaper.

Richard Larkin
www.cleanairyardcare.ca

Home Wellness

Seeking health and wellness often takes us OUT of the house … to the Health Food Store, a Naturopath or Massage Therapist and so on. But how many of us take the time to look inside our HOMES to make sure we are addressing the basics of health? The air and water can be very toxic. We battle chemicals and electromagnetic fields that hamper our sleep and wellbeing. A Wellness Home embodies natural light, clean air, rejuvenating sleep, and clean and healthy water. And this is just the start. I invite you to also examine how your home feels. Is it easy and functional to live in or is it cluttered and busy? Do you find it hard to keep it organized? Does it allow you space to move and grow? Do you LOVE everything in your home? Is it beautiful to you or do you just make do?Awareness is the beginning.

ChaCha Chapin
www.chachachapin.com

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a Japanese green tea that has been shade-grown, de-veined, de-stemmed and slowly stone ground into a very fine powder. Matcha isn’t steeped, it’s “eaten.” Matcha drinkers benefit from a higher concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre than are found in any other tea, making matcha one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. To match the potency of antioxidants found in a single serving of matcha, you would need to drink at least 10 cups of brewed green tea. Traditional matcha is also very simple to make. Pour ½ cup of hot water over ½ teaspoon of sifted powder, froth it (with a traditional bamboo whisk or an electric milk frother), and enjoy! With zero sugar and virtually zero calories, matcha is the ultimate “zenergy” drink.

Tiffanie and Kip Home, Just Matcha Tea Shop
www.justmatcha.com

Oil for Acne?

Turn to nature and cold-pressed, organic oils for glowing, healthy, clear skin. Soaps, alcohols, foaming products and strong astringents stress your skin, making it more vulnerable to skin problems, including acne. Consider adding oil to your regime to heal and balance the skin. Here’s how: Instead of soapy cleansers use an organic cold-pressed olive or jojoba oil to unplug sebum in the pores and reduce blackheads. Rinse with warm water, apply a thin layer of oil to the face and allow it to sit for a minute or two. (Adding essential oils like Tea tree or Lavender to the oil will act as powerful anti-bacterials.) Using a clean, hot washcloth, wipe the oil off your skin. Before bed, consider applying a thin layer of coconut oil (drying, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial), or a super healing oil like Tamanu oil to cleansed, warm skin. Wash off in the morning.

Karen Van Dyck
www.naturesfirstbeautybar.com

Finding Migraine Causes

If you or someone you know suffers from migraine headaches, you know how big of an impact they can have. Changes in weather, certain foods, loud noises, bright lights or even sudden movements can trigger them. Sometimes they come out of nowhere.Yes, these are common triggers, but most of the time these triggers are not the actual cause of the migraine. In fact, there is usually an underlying structural issue at the head and neck that causes tension and pressure to build up in and around the brain. The Doctors at UC Life focus specifically on locating and correcting these structural issues, allowing the body to release the tension and pressure that cause migraine headaches. If you or someone you know is suffering from migraine headaches, it’s time to contact UC Life for a complimentary consultation to see if they can help.

Dr. Matthew Kittleson
www.uclife.ca