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It is the Vision of the Counselling Centre to provide hope, healing and encouragement for daily living through the provision of professional, affordable therapeutic counselling. This Vision is carried out, day to day, by our team of dedicated, compassionate and highly skilled counsellors who assist individuals, couples, families and groups with such issues as stress, conflict resolution, anger management, grief support, life transitions, marriage & family, depression and anxiety. Professional counselling can successfully improve an individual’s sense of well-being, increase harmony in relationships and improve their ability to cope at home, in their work environments and in the community. Working with a professional therapist will help you to discover what you are feeling, identify your options and help you learn to make positive life choices. Remember: “The problem is not problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem!”

Heather Karrouze, The Counselling Centre, www.counsellingcentre.ca

Fight or Flight vs. Rest and Digest

Did you know the body’s nervous system only has two modes of functioning? Either you are in a sympathetic mode which is the flight/fight mode. What most people do not realize that when one is in this mode – one is not resting, digesting nor healing. Having a huge “To Do” list creates people to be in this mode. Thus, your aches and pains are more prevalent, and you may eat more because you are not ingesting the nutrients from the food you are ingesting. One’s goal is to get the body and the mind into the Parasympathetic mode in which you are healing, digesting and the body is able to rest and recuperate from stressors more easily. Anything to get you out of your mind and into your awareness of your being and your body will quickly bring you into this mode. Try a yoga class, a Reiki treatment, meditation, or Access Bars session.

Robin Chant, Inspire You Studio, www.inspireyoustudio.com

Physio 4 Pregnancy

It is great to be seeing an emphasis on information and education for pre and post-partum women. We all understand the significance of exercise to maintain weight and to have healthier easier deliveries. There are now many opportunities to join fitness or yoga classes. However, what do we know and understand about the function of the pelvic floor muscles? Remember, these are the muscles that support our organs and assist with labour and delivery. How is this vast and dynamic muscle affected after traumatic deliveries? What is the recovery time? When can the muscle accept the loads demanded of it with regular routines? Can you prepare yourself in advance? Are Kegel exercises just a simple exercise? Or is the muscle part of a very integrated and complex muscle movement pattern? These questions are important, and a physiotherapist knowledgeable and trained in pelvic floor health can guide you.

Marita Dowsett, B.P.T., Physio 4 U, www.physio4u.net

Curcumin as an Anti-inflammatory

In looking for safe, natural ways to help reduce the effects of inflammation, one particular culinary spice is gaining much attention. Curcumin has a long tradition of anti-inflammatory use and a present and future as one of the most research-backed nutraceuticals on the market. Although curcumin, naturally occurring in turmeric root, has tremendous potential for overall health due to its anti-inflammatory properties, its poor absorbability has been a challenge. It’s estimated that as much as 75% of curcumin is directly excreted after ingestion. New research suggests that a patented complex of curcumin with phosphatidylcholine improved blood levels 29 times over standard turmeric extracts and even higher levels in the liver. More absorption means better anti-inflammatory effectiveness. Whether you’re suffering from the common inflammatory disease of osteoarthritis, or want help in preventing some of today’s other major health conditions, curcumin can be helpful in putting out the inflammatory fire.

Hedley’s Heath Hut, www.healthfirstnetwork.ca/hedleyshealthhut

Spring into Summer with Yoga

Summer is here and that means more time outdoors. Yay! Whether it’s golf, running, or gardening that makes you happy, summer is a time when many step away from their yoga practice. We may think of yoga as something that is confined to a class setting but its benefits go well beyond. A regular yoga practice can go a long way towards every day health and the strength, stamina, and flexibility which help us participate in other activities. Moving our bodies through a variety of poses keeps us mobile and can balance out the over-use or repetitive movements often associated with other activities. Being present in our practice also teaches body and breath awareness, which can help with focus in other sports, and the wisdom to know when our body has had enough of something. So, keep yoga as a part of your regular exercise routine and spring into summer!

Susan Turner, Yoga Connections
www.yogaconnections.ca

Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD)

Reflexology is a therapy that uses the stimulation of reflexes on the feet or hands which are related to different parts of the body. Manipulating these points encourages these parts of the body to rebalance. RLD is given via the feet reflex points and targets the body’s lymphatic system to restore drainage of lymphatic fluid. RLD is a technique used by complementary healthcare professionals to provide relief from symptoms of secondary lymphedema. Lymphedema can often follow treatment for breast cancer, which wreaks havoc on the lymph vessels and lymph nodes. RLD mimics the effects of simple manual lymph drainage techniques which alleviate the swelling, pain and stiffness associated with lymphedema. Early indications suggest that RLD may be useful with many other conditions, including fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory auto-immune disorders, pregnancy and premenstrual fluid retention.

Balance and Harmony, Rositha Jeanson
www.rositha.ca

Green Goddess Smoothie

Juicing and smoothies are huge right now, and for good reason! The juicing process extracts all of the vitamins from the fruit and vegetables. These vitamins are absorbed into the blood stream within 15 minutes. It’s like drinking a liquid vitamin! Smoothies on the other hand offer you all the vitamins but also the fibre of the fruit and vegetable. And because it’s already broken down it takes less time for the body to break it down and digest it. My favourite smoothie recipe is the “Green Goddess”. Using a good-quality blender, blend the following ingredients together: 1 cup spinach, 1 avocado, 1 banana, 2 tbsp of hemp hearts, ¼ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp of nutmeg, ¼ tsp of ginger, 1 tbsp of maple syrup and 1 ½ cup of nut milk of your choice. Enjoy!

Carole Tetreault, Calder Healing House
www.shineyourlight.ca

Health Benefits of Nature

It’s not just our adoration for foliage that leaves us feeling Zen—being outside can actually offer relief for everything from depression to negativity. Did you know that being out in the wilderness can ease depression and feelings of stress? If you are sick of getting that workout done indoors in a smelly, stuffy gym, then why not grab a friend and head to the countryside for a nice long walk along a quiet path or rural road. Bring a picnic and have a light, airy meal in the grass. But what happens if you get lost or hurt while out in the wilderness? Would you know what to do? There are several great Wilderness Survival courses available to you, one being offered right here in the Southeast on June 12th for youth & adults! Registration can be done through Eastman Safety Training Centre at www.eastmansafety.ca

 

#NotJustAHeadache

Misconception: Migraines are psychological manifestations of women’s inability to manage stress and emotions. Actuality: Neurologists are very clear that migraines are a real, debilitating medical condition related to temporary abnormal brain activity. Women are 3 to 4 times more likely to suffer from migraines than men. It has to do with hormones that activate neurons in specific parts of the brain which trigger pain sensation during their menstrual cycle; and has nothing to do with emotions. But hormones are just part of the puzzle. Lights, smells, certain foods and alcohol are also key triggers for Migraines. Both Reflexology and Indian Head Massage, when taken at reasonable intervals, are proven therapies for curing migraines, whatever the cause.

Gloria Laing – Certified Reflexology Therapist and Indian Head Massage Practitioner
www.gloriasreflexology.ca

Benefits of Cassiolamine

This multi-flavonoid compound helps in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and in the reduction of high blood pressure. Cassiolamine helps to maintain healthy blood vessels by reducing the adhesion (stickiness) of blood platelets, which promotes healthy blood flow. This important ingredient also serves as an anti-oxidant, which helps to maintain a healthy heart and improved immune system. What this natural legume-based extract is mostly known for is its powerful lipase-inhibiting features, which results in the prevention of fat absorption and an effective carbohydrate blocker.

Roma Stefanowich, Valentus
www.easygo.valentustour.com

Benefits of Cassiolamine

This multi-flavonoid compound helps in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and in the reduction of high blood pressure. Cassiolamine helps to maintain healthy blood vessels by reducing the adhesion (stickiness) of blood platelets, which promotes healthy blood flow. This important ingredient also serves as an anti-oxidant, which helps to maintain a healthy heart and improved immune system. What this natural legume based extract is mostly known for is its powerful lipase-inhibiting features, which results in the prevention of fat absorption and an effective carbohydrate blocker.

Michelle, Valentus
www.chello.valentustour.com