When patients with cancer are treated in an integrative approach with Chinese and conventional medicine, several factors are taken in account such as the patient’s conditional environment and lifestyle factors that played a role in the evolution of the cancer. The treatment interventions from the conventional medicine view are generally cytotoxic and carry predictable side effects, depending on the specific intervention. There are several treatment principles that Chinese medicine uses to interact with conventional medicine cancer treatments: Fu zheng Qu xie, to strengthen the constitution, improve the immune system, and eliminate pathogenic factors to allow the body to heal from within; Huo xue Qu Yu, which refers to the activation of blood circulation, which may prevents metastasis; Qing Re Jie Du, to describe the clearing of heat, and toxins; and Ruan Jian san Jie, which refers to the softening and dissolving of cancer masses. Dr. Ross Ralph, Dr. TCM, R.Ac., DOMP., Courtenay Healing Centre, CourtenayHealing.ca
Community News
Have you Explored Hypnotherapy?
Did you know that hypnosis and hypnotherapy have been around for a long time? According to The Wellness Institute [www.wellness-institute.org], “Hypnosis is one of the world’s oldest sciences. Amazingly, ancient hieroglyphics show that the Egyptians were using hypnosis as early as 3,000 B.C. There is evidence the Greeks and the Mayans understood it and used it as well.” You can visit their website for more background information on the subject and to explore numerous articles describing how hypnotherapy has helped people with various concerns, including PTSD, depression, migraines, addiction, weight problems, anxiety/stress, OCD, grief, cancer, childbirth, sleep, and even dementia. Dave Kelch, BPsych, DipMHA, OptimumWellnessFactor.ca
Stressed about Stress?
Stress is often thought of as something that happens to us. However, stress is a response to an event and therefore mostly within our control. A major study found that when people view unpleasant physical sensations, like a racing heart and nervousness, as helpful instead of harmful, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death diminishes greatly. How can we change our mind about stress? By intentionally subjecting ourselves to a healthy stressor. Fifteen minutes of intense exercise releases endorphins – our body’s natural pain killers and stress fighters – which helps us associate a positive feeling with stress-inducing events.
Need a Creativity Boost?
The benefits of floatation therapy are numerous and far-reaching. Perhaps the most universally appealing is floating’s tendency to enhance creativity, learning, and memory. From students to artists to working professionals, most of us would love to experience a boost in our ability to think, learn, and solve problems. Floating can do just that. Study after study has shown that time spent in a float cabin enhances our cognitive powers. Since all external sources of distraction are removed, floating provides an extreme form of rest, and this appears to amplify the positive effects of letting our mind take over. Erik Zaremba, Float House Victoria, FloatHouseVictoria.com
Exfoliate Naturally with Enzymes
What is an exfoliant? An exfoliant is a product that helps detach the outer layers of the skin, removing trapped debris and clearing the way for oils to flow naturally. Enzymatic exfoliation is a plant active based therapy, mainly from fruits. Why exfoliate? Exfoliation is an important tool against rough and dull skin. Also, dead cell proteins will clog the pores, increasing the chance of breakouts and acne. Enzymatic exfoliation is gentle and has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it particularly good for sensitive skin. Enzymes work at a deeper level; improved smoothness and texture, and minimized lines and wrinkles result from regular enzyme exfoliation. Christopher Laidlaw, DMK Skincare, DmkSkinCentres.com
Do the Side Hustle
Have you ever thought about a side hustle? A little something on the side that would not interfere with your regular job or home life, but would provide something extra to the budget so that you could use less credit or none at all. Perhaps you want to save for a holiday or new appliance, or to give yourself a spa treatment. What about dog walking, painting, house or pet sitting, tutoring, yard work, and even joining focus groups? With gift-giving season approaching, it would be great to have the funds ahead of time, and side hustles can help you avoid holiday debt. Doris Minervini, Abakhan & Associates Inc., Abakhan.com
Counselling for SAD
It’s really difficult for most of us to get through the grey, dark winter days in November to March. Feeling changes such as a loss in energy, focus, concentration, passions, and hope; and increases in feelings of stress, worry, and guilt are typical symptoms of depression. If this is your experience, you have to live through a lot of invisible pain that many people cannot understand. Knowing about Seasonal Affective (or Adjustment) Disorder (SAD) may be a key to happier days. Contact a counsellor, your GP, or the Canadian Mental Health Association (www.cmha.bc.ca) to learn about SAD treatment. Barbara Gilmore, Registered Counsellor, www.bgilmorecounselling.com
The Movement and Learning Connection
Is your child feeling overwhelmed or frustrated about keeping up at school? Is he or she struggling with lack of focus or motivation? What if learning can be fun? Imagine your child learning multiplication tables while doing physical exercises. Boredom and fatigue slip away. It’s not long before your child lights up and realizes he is finally grasping and recalling math or new concepts in science. Confidence begins to grow. Movements that cross the midline of the body fire up the brain. Brain gym exercises release stress and flood the body with endorphins, which also help with depression or anxiety. Simply put, when the body moves, the mind moves.
Sophie von Herrmann, Expressive Arts Therapist B.Ed. M.A. VictoriaExpressiveTherapies.ca
How Do You Find Courage?
Brene Brown talks about the courage within vulnerability. But vulnerability can be scary and sometimes painful – you’re opening yourself up, and you don’t know what will happen! Will you get judged or knocked down? Will you fail? What if your worst critics were right? Luckily, it is possible to work through whatever feelings are in your way, whether it’s shame, self-criticism, or just a feeling of emptiness. You can start finding ways to support yourself in your quest! Counselling is a great place to be heard and supported, to find a path forward. MaryMunro.ca
Rhythm from the Inside Out
Digestion, blood pumping through our veins, and breathing are just a few of the functional rhythms inside us that we rely upon to live. When we are unwell, we sometimes say that we are feeling ‘out of sorts’ or ‘out of sync’; it is a bit like losing one’s rhythm. We know when we have found it again because we feel more ‘in the groove’. Music therapy can be helpful in re-discovering that intrinsic rhythm when retrieving it ourselves is a struggle (as with mood and social cognitive disorders; rehabilitation from brain injury, stroke, or heart attack; cerebral palsy; Huntington’s disease; etc.).
Nejama Ferstman, MTA Certified Music Therapist, ShiriMusicTherapy.ca
Get Moving
Did you know that exercise is one of the simplest, healthiest and most effective means of stress management? Movement of any kind is physically, mentally and emotionally beneficial. If we remain physically active we can counteract the body’s natural stress response. Among many other things, exercise rids the body of natural chemicals that are released during stress and releases endorphins that create a sense of well-being. Exercise is one of the best ways to get relief from irritability, depression, anxiety and anger so don’t let the rain get you down, just start moving. When exercise is not enough, speaking to a trained counsellor can be beneficial.
