Community News
Explore Music Together

In the waiting room of my music therapy office I have a small wooden stand with hanging chimes easily accessible; In bold colours are the words, “Please Touch”. When young clients come in with their parents, they expect NOT to be able to touch something like that – but I believe music should be explored. I am always happy to encourage this, because within moments beautiful tones are chiming through the office. This experience in the waiting room is a gentle invitation to play and gives the client a taste of what is to come in their session.

Nejama Ferstman, Certified Music Therapist, ShiriMySong.ca

Spring Happiness

April is truly spring. Our senses peak to the scent of flowers, vivid colours, and sounds of birds. This is a perfect time to multiply the effects everywhere within our body, especially with exercise and nutrition. You feel like walking and running outdoors and just the look of fresh spring vegetables will have them home and on your plate before you know it. It is so important to glorify the positives around and within you. Breathe it in and hold it in your memories for future use. People sometimes say, “Nothing makes me happy.” Spring is your chance to discover natural happiness; start your inventory of happy this month.

Barbara Gilmore, BGilmoreCounselling.com

Challenged With Your Child?

Are you struggling with your child? Is your child defiant, moody or grappling with anxiety?  Imagine acquiring the tools needed to support you with your child.  And imagine your child engaging with paint, puppets or the drum. The expressive therapies offer a safe and supportive setting for children to explore and transform their inner world through the arts and play. Give your family an opportunity to strengthen relationships and to create a sense of peace in your world at home today. Reaching out to a professional can be the first step in bringing some ease into your life with your child.

Sophie von Herrmann, B.Ed. M.A., VictoriaExpressiveTherapies.ca

Qigong for ADD/ADHD

ADD and ADHD can affect attention, self-control, and executive functioning (what helps us get things done). Treatment can vary depending on the individual, but may include mindfulness and meditation. That’s where Qigong comes in! Qigong is a moving meditation, which is much easier for those with a restless body, and the visualizations and sounds help to keep bright, creative minds engaged. It is also a very grounding practice, giving deep relaxation to the overactive brain. Improving the body’s ‘energy flow’ promotes better focus, calmness, and peace of mind, as well as helps to balance all internal organs, including the brain.

Barb Timmer, Certified Spring Forest Qigong Trainer, Co-CreationalSelf-Healing.com

9 Reasons to Take a Biometrics Assessment

1. A unique whole-person 240-point assessment.

2. Measure the your risks for Diabetes, Heart & Lung ailments.

3. Learn about your vital dimensions and your motivations.

4. Discover the areas of life you are most motivated to change.

5. Learn how to use small steps to create sustainable change.

6. Maximize your innate potentials as a whole person.

7. Create more balance in your personal and professional life.

8. Discover a higher level of personal health and wellbeing.

9. Free 20 Min Consultation – the results may surprise you!

Denise Ropp, Occupational Health & Safety Consultant, Specialist – Personal & Business Health & Wellness Services, DRHealthSolutions.com

If Not Diets, Then What?

We know from a growing body of literature that diets don’t work, meaning weight loss, and in the long run dieting is actually most likely to lead to weight gain. When we look at different factors, weight itself doesn’t seem to be the issue with poor health outcomes either. The lesser known fact is that you are much further ahead if you work with your body rather than against it. To do this we need to start listening to our bodies and taking care of them where they are right now, regardless of our weight. You can’t hate yourself to health.

Jenn Abele, BSc. RD, JennAbele-rd.ca

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy practice which aims to restore function to the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue in the pelvis. Pelvic health concerns, including incontinence and pelvic girdle pain, are quite common but unfortunately not often talked about or treated. These concerns can arise in both men and women at anytime including during the pre- or post-partum period, after surgery, with weight training or peri-menopausally. Dysfunction in the pelvic floor can significantly impact individuals both physically and emotionally. Current literature supports pelvic floor physiotherapy as the first line of treatment for incontinence and pelvic pain. 

Lissa Fraser, Registered Physiotherapist, Fresh Tracks Physiotherapy, FreshTracksPhysio.ca

Springtime Renewal and Managing Risk

Tis the season of renewal for plants, animals and our hopefully, our energy levels as we emerge from a colder than average winter. Before the fun really begins it’s a good time to consider your risk management and in the world of finance, that can mean a number of things. Insurance is one of the greatest tools to manage the big risks we all face in life, such as an untimely demise, critical illness or disability. Do you have enough of the right type of insurance at the right cost? Consider working with a professional to evaluate your needs.

James Vasilyev – IG Wealth Management, [email protected]

Acupuncture for Sports Injury

Most sports-related injuries occur when a particular part of the body is overused, which leads to a repetitive stress injury. This can lead to injuries such as runner’s knee or tennis elbow. Many athletes rely on acupuncture to treat their injuries and boost their performance – but also to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Acupuncture offers many benefits when it comes to pain management, recovery, and prevention, including: 

1. Releasing tight muscles or activating muscles that aren’t firing properly.

2. Boosting healing and recovery of tendons and ligaments.

3. Relieving stress.

4. Improving the immune system.

5. Aiding with sleep.

6. Keeping the pain away. These are all great reasons to use acupuncture to keep you active.

Aysha Nuttall, RAc, Inner Strength Acupuncture and Health, InnerStrengthAcupuncture.ca

Get Things Moving Again!

Chronic constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints, and it can lead to all sorts of problems, including build-up of toxins in the body, sluggish liver function, abdominal discomfort, and brain fog and fatigue. Some ways to restore proper bowel function include: 1. Drinking enough water (8 to 12 cups per day). 2. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. 3. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fibre from fruits, vegetables, and other fibrous foods. 4. Managing daily stress. 5. Taking fibre, probiotic, or specific mineral supplements, as recommended by your doctor.

Kayla MacDonald, RHN, Edible Island Whole Food Market, EdibleIsland.ca

Ask The Expert

Q: I can’t get comfortable vision for my computer with my progressive lenses. Do I have to get something different?

A: Yes, if you’re using a computer for long periods of time then you’d likely get a lot of benefit from some glasses focused specifically for your computer work. Standard progressive lenses might not have enough usable areas for the focusing distance of a computer. There are a number of different lens designs for this. Ask about it the next time you get your eyes checked.

Dr. Alex Kennedy, MosaicVisionCare.com