Community News
Balance is Key!

When it comes to fitness, balance and variety is key. A combination of cardio, strength, and flexibility training are required to achieve overall fitness. Cardio sessions of varying intensity will give you a strong and healthy cardiovascular system. Strength training with weights and resistance builds strong bones and muscles. Working out with weights is especially important for women to help defend against osteoporosis. Weight workouts should include a functional component as a gym weight machine can mimic few of the day-to-day stresses we put on our body. Stretching, both passive (stretches held in one position) and dynamic (stretching while moving), needs to part of your fitness regime. This will help with injury prevention, ease of movement and mobility, and strengthening tendons and ligaments. Finding a yoga class is a great way to get in your stretching. It will help to ease the physical and mental stress that our daily lives put on our bodies. Keeping that balanced approach to your fitness will help keep you feeling and looking great for a long time to come.
Todd Dennis, www.northstrongfitness.com

Reflexology–Restoring Balance

In Reflexology all the reflexes are worked in the feet that correspond to every gland, organ, and part of the body so all the body systems become balanced. The lymphatic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous system reflexes are located throughout the feet. The endocrine system and nervous system are worked on the feet as these systems maintain homeostasis (balance). The adrenal glands modify stress and inflammation and the solar plexus promotes relaxation. When you receive a reflexology session, the entire body is worked through the feet. Autumn is a time when people are affected by allergies, colds, and flu. The respiratory system, including sinuses, throat, bronchi, lungs, and diaphragm are worked on the feet. This work helps alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, and sinus congestion. The immune and lymphatic systems, which includes lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils and adenoids, help with allergies, infections, and autoimmune disorders. Reflexology is a great way to maintain balance in the body.

Rositha Jeanson, www.rositha.ca

Allergy Relief at Last!

NAET® was discovered by Dr. Devi S. Nambudripad in November of 1983. Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques, also known as NAET, are non-invasive, drug free, natural solutions to alleviate allergies of all types using a blend of selective energy balancing, testing, and treatment procedures. The varieties of techniques applied include acupuncture/acupressure, allopathy, chiropractic, nutritional, and kinesiological disciplines of medicine. We know that many symptoms, such as headaches, backache, joint pain, indigestion, or a cough, are often triggered by food and environmental sensitivities. If left untreated, these reactions may eventually cause illness. This therapy often alleviates adverse reactions to egg, milk, peanuts, penicillin, aspirin, mushrooms, shellfish, latex, grass, ragweed, and flowers. In addition, people who suffer from allergens such as perfume, animal dander, animal epithelial, make-up, chemicals, cigarette smoke, pathogens, heat, cold, and other environmental substances also find relief. Talk to your acupuncturist today if you desire to finally see an end to your allergy suffering!

Dr. Lin Li, www.brandon-acupuncture.com

Beat the Blues

People suffering from seasonal affective disorder report feeling better after a visit to the tanning salon for a tanning bed session. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is an all too common disorder that affects many people during our long winter months. These “winter blues” can be mild for some people but very debilitating for others. The rays emitted by Catch-A-Tan’s beds have been proven to aid in treatment for those suffering from SAD. Tanning can be very helpful to aid in the treatment of the “winter blues” as well as part of a treatment program developed with the aid of a physician. Arthritis pain and PMS are two conditions that have symptoms alleviated by the sun’s rays. Joint pain can be relieved during the cold, damp months of winter, and the symptoms of PMS can be helped by moderate tanning.
Tracy Delmage, www.catchatan.ca

Knitted Knockers – An Alternative Breast Prosthetic

It takes time to adjust to the loss of a breast. The medical appointments, surgery, and the bruising and scaring will eventually pass but the emotional journey can last longer. How you look can affect your self-esteem. It can be difficult to accept the changes. Decisions need to be made regarding reconstruction after mastectomy or using a prosthetic. If you chose a prosthetic, there is a new option available that is free and does not require a special bra. This new prosthetic is called a Knitted Knocker. It is a hand knitted prosthetic made of mercerized cotton which is non-irritating. This can be a great alternative for women who find traditional breast prosthetics too expensive, heavy, sweaty, and uncomfortable. For more information, visit your local yarn store, or visit Knitted Knockers of Canada, a non-profit organization committed to helping women who have lost a breast to cancer.
Connie Harvey, theknit2scrap2store.com

Am I Normal? Post-Partum Life

Now that you’re post-partum, what should you expect from your body after giving birth? 0-8 WEEKS AFTER DELIVERY: you may feel like your bottom is falling out and not know how you should be standing or sitting. You may also experience pain in your back, hips, or pubic area. In addition, you may have difficulty controlling urine, gas, or stool. Your neck, arms, back, and hips may be sore as you adjust to lifting and feeding your baby. This is an important stage of healing; allow yourself time to listen to and adjust to changes in your body! 8+ WEEKS AFTER DELIVERY: your bleeding should have stopped and any incisions/tears should have healed. You should be pain free. You should have control over your activity level and consider returning to your exercise class/practice. IF YOU STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS, get some advice and help from a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Your optimal health will benefit your parenting journey!
Marita Dowsett, B.P.T., Physio 4 U

Can You Hear Me Now?

Hearing loss is one of most common health problems in the world. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most ignored conditions. Hearing loss and its psychological side effects are highly treatable. The problem goes far beyond hearing. While most hearing deficits do not cause physical pain, they often have social and psychological consequences. Such consequences may include: breakdown of communication, social isolation, employment difficulties, depression, frustration, and loss of self-esteem. If you’re suffering with an untreated hearing loss, you may feel isolated and frustrated; it’s like you’re missing out on life. Those around you may be feeling frustrated, too. It’s important to know you’re not alone. Approximately 1 in 10 people experience some degree of hearing loss. Happily, about 90% of these people can be helped with the use of hearing aids. If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, don’t hesitate any longer to reach out for some help!
Lisa Ballegeer, www.innovativehearingtechnology.ca

Having Trouble Feeling Grateful?

Leading busy and hectic lives can quickly shift our focus away from the aspects of our lives that are truly valuable to us. We may take our loved ones for granted or start comparing ourselves to others, increasing resentment and envy and diminishing our own self-worth. How do we begin to feel grateful? Start by becoming more present. Slow down and see what’s actually in front of you. Appreciate the value even the simplest of things can bring to your life. These are the instances we often take for granted and toss aside to chase newer and more exciting options. As you do this, you will begin to cultivate your curiosity and question the truth of the stories you are telling yourself that keep you in a state of disillusionment.
Brent Tocher, chooseauthenticity.ca

Ditching Chemicals for a Healthy Home

Many homes are filled with chemicals that are quite harmful, even DANGEROUS to you, your family, and your pets. Scientists have now listed hundreds of these “hidden dangers” in household products. Some of these chemical ingredients are respiratory and skin irritants, or worse, and have been linked to neurotoxicity, reproductive disorders, and even CANCER! How are we supposed to clean our homes and protect our family from germs without these common products? It’s actually quite simple, we look to nature’s essential oils for the answers! For example, Clove & Cinnamon oil are POWERFUL anti-bacterial agents, Lavender is the ideal scent substitute for your laundry, and Tea Tree and Lemongrass essential oils work to purify the air.   Wouldn’t you agree it is time to ditch the harmful products and switch to healthy ones in your home?
Sylvia Provenski, Young Living Essential Oils

Having Trouble Feeling Grateful?

Leading busy and hectic lives can quickly shift our focus away from the aspects of our lives that are truly valuable to us. We may take our loved ones for granted or start comparing ourselves to others, increasing resentment and envy and diminishing our own self-worth. How do we begin to feel grateful? Start by becoming more present. Slow down and see what’s actually in front of you. Appreciate the value even the simplest of things can bring to your life. These are the instances we often take for granted and toss aside to chase newer and more exciting options. As you do this, you will begin to cultivate your curiosity and question the truth of the stories you are telling yourself that keep you in a state of disillusionment.
Brent Tocher, www.chooseauthenticity.ca

Not All Oils Are the Same

When you go for a massage do you ever ask your therapist what kind of oil or lotion he/she uses? Do you care? Some therapists are purists and others are not. For example Holly Oil, which is petroleum based, tends to be used due to cost effectiveness. A popular and more natural option to try is fractionated coconut oil, which is a light carrier oil, fragrance free, and much better for your body. With fractionated coconut oil, the lauric acid component is removed leaving it liquid at room temperature. As with all oils and lotions, make sure you are purchasing from a trusted supplier. Quality and freshness differs greatly. Buy organic when you can and stick to natural ingredients whenever possible. Up to 85 % of the product is in the top three ingredients listed. Your body deserves the best!
Chelsea Nault, RMT