Spring is in the air! Along with all the lovely tree, grass and weed pollens! Allergies are incredibly common in our pets, especially here on the coast, and can be divided into 4 known categories; Contact, Flea, Food and Inhalant. When discussing inhalant allergies, we can’t forget mold or mildew, and of course our favourite tiny cosmopolitan pyroglyphid, the dust mite! Unfortunately, the clinical signs of all allergic reactions are commonly shared, and in cases tend to overlap, but each type can manifest its own unique characteristics. The most common type of allergy in our region, next to flea contact dermatitis, is the inhalant type, also called ‘atopy’. For reasons obvious to the seasonally suffering human, allergies are just as misery inducing in our pets. Itchy, raw and irritated skin, watering eyes, nasal discharge and congestion make up but a few symptoms that should inspire a visit to your veterinarian.”

Ken Seaman, Dr. of Veterinary Medicine
www.puntledgevet.ca

Stress in the body can come from a variety of causes- including mechanical (poor posture), emotional (conflicts, loss), or trauma (MVA, fall). All of these stressors can cause the same reaction in our bodies- pain. Pain can often result in a cycle which looks like this: pain initiates reflex muscle contraction in nearby muscles- the contracting muscles become ischemic (reduced blood supply) leading to spasm and more pain. The pain cycle will continue unless something intervenes to stop it. Enter massage. According to Melzack and Wall’s Gate Control Theory, non-painful sensory input closes “gates” to the spinal cord so the painful stimulus cannot travel to the central nervous system, thereby interrupting the pain cycle. Simply put, when you bump your elbow and immediately begin to rub the area, you are activating sensory nerve fibers that are faster at sending messages to your brain than the fibers that transmit pain.

www.courtenaymassagetherapy.com

Do you suffer from headaches or earaches? Do you have a stiff neck and upper back? What about on-going stomach issues, anxiety or depression? Dissimilar as all these issues might sound, the root cause may be your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. Known as “the hidden imposter” for the way it mimics other syndromes, TMJ disorder is not only very common, it’s also often misdiagnosed. The TMJ is the hinge where the jawbone connects to the skull. Factors that can cause TMJ issues include misalignment of the jaw or teeth; physical trauma, such as whiplash or dental work; degenerative diseases; or, most commonly, tension resulting in teeth clenching or grinding. While actual joint pain may or may not occur, typically symptoms manifest elsewhere in the body and include migraines, earaches or tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hip and pelvic pain and muscle soreness in the upper body. Because of these diverse symptoms, correct diagnosis is often overlooked while treatment doesn’t address the underlying problem.

Dr. Brigitte Tetrault
www.courtenayhealing.ca

Spring is a season that is filled with excitement and anticipation.  Nevertheless, spring can also bring with it added stress.  The thought of warmer weather can cause us to worry about the extra pounds we gained over winter becoming visible.  Or, we might stress at the thought of added hours of yard work to our already-busy schedule.  If you notice yourself beginning to worry about this transition from winter dormancy, give yourself a gentle nudge back into the present moment. On the drive to work in the morning, look for signs of new life on the trees and reflect on the vitality of nature.  Whatever your personal situation, purposefully take a second to reflect on the present moment and challenge your consciousness to reflect on one thing that is wonderful or amazing.  You will find that you can powerfully change your state of mind in an instance and free yourself to capture the beauty of the season.

Terri Czegledi, MA, MFT
www.comoxvalleycounselling.ca

When energy from the heart intertwines with the energy field of a plant, communication can take place. Luther Burbank, Masanobu Fukuoka, Goethe, Stephen Harrod Buhner, and many others have spent their lifetimes researching the unique qualities of Nature. By developing their heart perception, they can trace the true form of a plant right back to the beginning of their existence. By holding the image of the true form of a plant, by talking to it, one can trigger a plant to produce seeds from their historical origin.

As a result Masanobu Fukuoka found the true shape of fruit trees and learned to grow them from seed without the need to prune. He also used this understanding to grow plants that did not need fertilizer, weeding or tilling the soil.

Imagine a world where it was common place for people to communicate with plants to receive their healing, their information to assist one’s soul journey and their growing qualities without the need for chemicals that are hazardous to our environment. People have been connecting with plants since the beginning of time, and now the world is awakening to the importance of this. It is time.

Gord Weber, Spirit Gardens
[email protected]
250-218 9462

This month we’d like to tell you a little bit about a family remedy for the Cold & Flu.  This product “ Citrus Soother “ was inspired by Holistic Pharmacist RoseMarie Pierce, BSc.Pharm.  This recipe was based on one used by her mother when she was a child in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  It has been updated and fortified and  It’s natural healing properties now include Vitamins C & D, along with immune-boosting zinc, elderberry, lemon balm, and Echinacea.  Nothing has a more soothing and protective effect than a hot lemon, honey and ginger drink.  When you are feeling under the weather and need to fight off a viral bug try “ Citrus Soother “ – a delicious instant cold * flu remedy that really helps you feel better faster.

Lindy Berkowitz, Vitamins Dept. Manager, Thrifty Foods
www.thriftyfoods.com