Community News
Train for Your Sport

Depending on the sport/activity of your choice, the demands of that sport should influence on how you train. Factors that should be considered in training programs are the energy systems being used. For example, anaerobic/alactic exercise includes short powerful bursts of activity typically lasting 30 seconds or less. Activity at higher intensity levels performed greater than 30-45 seconds start to stress the anaerobic system which often produces lactic acid as a bi-product. This is known as “the burn” in the legs. Other factors to be considered are the work/rest ratios and movement patterns performed in your activity. This may influence your exercise program to include parallel stance (squats), split stance (lunges), or single leg stance (step ups) based on what activities you love to do. Remember, move well so you can move often.

Jason Moniz, South Sherbrook Therapy
www.southsherbrook.com

Block Therapy

Word is spreading! People all over the world are finding their way to Block Therapy and they love it. The best part is that the benefits are so varied. It doesn’t matter what your issue is, by using Block Therapy, it improves oxygen and blood flow and overall tissue health. We as a population need to take control of our health; we can’t expect the system to help us when we aren’t consciously aware of our own body. But it also isn’t our fault. We have been told to sit up straight but the force pulling us down is overpowering. Gravity is relentless and the resultant compression is what causes suffering. The solution is to de-compress; this is what Block Therapy does. This will open the gates for health and healing and create the space necessary for a fulfilling and creative life. Don’t wait any longer to feel great. Do Block Therapy!

Deanna Hanson, Fluid Isometrics
www.fluidIsometrics.com

Extension is the Key

As we hunch over our computers and phones, or lean forward to cook and wash dishes, ever think we pretty much do everything ‘in front’. Evolution has prepared us for some side reaches and some combination twisting movements, but hardly ever do we reach or work behind our bodies. Now that the majority of the population may sit for greater than 4 hours per day, we develop this forward head look that’s not only unattractive but possibly damaging to our health. Extension is the key. Working to strengthen those muscles on the back of our spine, legs, neck and arms that support these ‘forward activities’. Biomechanically, most of these muscles stabilize, and even decelerate the movement to maintain safety. Exercise to build stability; work the ‘back’ muscles twice as much as the ‘front’ muscles, ie; seated rows versus chest press. Exercise for function.

Concourse Physiotherapy
www.yourphysio.com

One Simple Change

Most of us strive to live a healthier lifestyle. Finding the right place to start is a challenge. Eating right, exercising regularly, and still making time for family, friends and our own needs can seem like overwhelming goals. Instead of attempting to conquer our health all at once, what if you started by setting more manageable goals? Making small changes today can lead to great health benefits down the road. Physical activity: Get More Exercise. Most people look at exercise to burn energy and lose weight. Think of exercise as a way to gain energy and stimulate your body and mind. With many demands fighting for your attention, it is a challenge to find time for a trip to the gym. Start with simple activities you can incorporate into your daily routine. One simple change can make a big difference in how you look and feel.

Sandy Lefley, Juice Plus+
www.slefley.canada.juiceplus.com

A Better Sleep

Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principal there are reflexes in the feet, hands, and ears that correspond with every organ, gland, and system in the body. Through application of pressure on the reflexes, Reflexology improves circulation, relieves tension, and helps promote the natural function of related areas of the body. This process may assist you in achieving better sleep by relieving tension and encouraging the body to return to a state of homeostasis. Reflexology helps the body enter a state of relaxation, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and supporting the body’s self-healing ability. When you work to support your body, your body will work to support you!

Nichole Guthrie
www.nicholeguthrie.com

Care about Your Hair

Hair loss is a sensitive matter for chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients. For those undergoing treatment, capillary and sebaceous gland activity is sharply reduced, causing the scalp and skin to dry out considerably as well as leading to temporary hair loss. The Térapo Médik™ Well-Being

Care Kit lets you fully hydrate your scalp during treatments, ensuring vigorous regrowth after hair loss. It contains two sets of lotions and shampoos made with gentle natural ingredients that relieve dry scalp and hydrate to ease discomfort experienced during and after treatment. Undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment is already a lot to deal with. However, hair loss during this time can be even more distressing. While the Well-Being Care Kit is unable to prevent the loss of hair, their natural ingredients will nurture before and throughout treatment. A great way to help kick start your hair growth for stronger, fuller, healthier hair!

City Looks
www.citylooks.ca 

Reduce Your Stress

If stress has you anxious, tense and worried, consider trying meditation. Spending even a few minutes in meditation can restore your calm and inner peace. Anyone can practice meditation. It’s simple, effortless, natural, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. You can practice meditation wherever you are. Meditation is considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine. It produces a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, we go beyond the sphere of thoughts and experience pure consciousness, our own reservoir of inner piece, creativity and energy, enlivening our whole physiology. It can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. These benefits don’t end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and may even improve certain medical conditions.

Lilian Lontra, Transcendental Meditation
[email protected]

The Kinesio Benefit

Do you ever wonder why some pro athletes are wearing colourful tape on their shoulders, knees and elbows? This tape is called kinesiology tape. Kinesio tape is very thin and light weight mostly made of cotton and elastic properties, the tape mimics skin and can be stretched to different tensions. It can be used anywhere on the body and is applied to provide support that helps you stay active while recovering from injuries. It works by affecting the way your muscles fire either by relaxing them, or helping them fire stronger. Physiotherapists commonly use kinesio tape for muscular injuries, postural correction and to help decrease swelling. The tape in some situations can be a great alternative to bulky braces and can be easy to apply once the technique is shown. If you’re suffering from pain and think this tape may help, ask your physiotherapist at your next treatment!

Kristy Maksymyk, Prairie Trail Physiotherapy
www.prairietrailphysio.ca

Aromatic Wellness Treatment

Aromatic Wellness Treatment provides numerous benefits for your overall health and well-being. During the “Aromatic Wellness Treatment” various essential oils are used on the back, hands and feet to target stress, help boost the immune system, reduce inflammation in the body and balance the body’s nervous system. The hot stones are used with massage strokes on the back to help aid the absorption of the essential oils and also to relax and soothe the body. This treatment is ideal for those who experience a lack of energy, constant pain and inflammation in the body, have a weakened immune system and anyone needing a boost to stay healthy. The combination of essential oils used, the hot basalt stones and soothing music will give you a complete hour relaxation and comfort.

Sue Mazur, Aromatic Earth Aromatherapy
www.aromaticearth.ca

Animal Massage

Did you know that by massaging your animal friend, you are healing her/him? As with the majority of therapeutic touch practices, animal massage has many benefits. Massage helps to ease stress and anxiety; whether your animal is newly adopted or has recently been introduced to new circumstances. Massage improves circulation in older animals who are no longer able to walk well, or are anemic and malnourished. By massaging your animal, you are reducing muscle soreness and joint stiffness that may have resulted from arthritis or aging. Did you know that there is an entire practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine that focuses on massaging just the ear? There are many pressure points in the ear and long the animal’s body that can trigger a physical healing process. Perhaps the most important and enjoyable benefit of massaging your animal is the physical, emotional and spiritual connection that you will share from the experience!

Jill Saifer, Soulstice Spirit Healing
www.soulsticespirithealing.wordpress.com

 

Are you ready for change?

With the fall comes inevitable change…change of seasons, weather and schedules. Wondering what else you might be interesting in changing in your life? There are 5 core stages to creating change and making it happen and stick. What stage are you on?

The first stage is recognizing what it is you want to change. Naming the pattern, behavior or identifying the issue to focus on. Let’s say I want to decrease my anxiety. The second stage is about creating a plan of action to make the change you want possible. That would mean identifying when my anxiety comes up, what the triggers are and creating a plan to meditate and learn mindfulness. The third stage is figuring out whom to enlist, what type of structure is required to best support your success. I chose to exercise daily, learn deep breathing and release exercises known to help anxiety and empower myself to learn to work through the deep feelings under the anxiety instead of numbing out. The fourth stage is making the necessary changes step by step throughout your day. Taking time to tune into myself and learning how to slow down seems to help when I feel overwhelmed. The fifth stage is assessing what is working and not working within your plan and begin integrating it in your life. I changed the time I exercised and added in some yoga, stretching and began shifting my thoughts and core beliefs to a more loving and compassionate way of being with myself. Now it’s your turn…

D’Arcy Bruning-Haid, M.A. Counselling
www.souls-journey.com