Community News
Bowenwork for Back Pain

Bowenwork is a very gentle, holistic, hands-on form of bodywork that essentially resets the body to heal itself. Bowen Therapy can be extremely effective with issues related to lower back pain, even when other therapies were unsuccessful. The Bowenwork Practitioner never forcefully manipulates the body into correction. On the contrary, the body is gently signalled through the nervous system by the practitioner’s moves, and then left to heal itself, with minimal intervention. Bowenwork restores balance of the entire body through the nervous system. Once muscles become balanced, blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients are increased, and toxins are released. Additionally, bones move back to where they should be, and pinched nerves are set free. Often there is pain relief in multiple areas of the body, resulting in a profound sense of well-being. Don’t give up! Talk to a Certified Bowenwork Practitioner about starting your healing journey today.

Bernadette Kozak, Certified Bowenwork Practitioner, www.WinnipegPainRelief.ca

Brace Yourself

When you have knee osteoarthritis, the space between the bones in your knee becomes narrower as you lose cartilage. As your condition worsens, and without the protective layer of cartilage, the bones begin to come in direct contact with one another. The result – pain, inflammation, and reduced function of the knee. One solution to resolve these symptoms is to wear an offloading knee brace. The function of these braces is to increase the space between the bones of the knee and to off-load the bone on bone contact. The outcome – decreased pain, decreased inflammation, and increased function of the knee. Talk to your doctor to see if an off-loading knee brace is right for you. The variety of braces that we are able to provide ensures that we will find one you can comfortably wear throughout your day.

Innovative Medical Supplies, innovativemedicalsupplies.com

Re-Think Omega Fatty Acids!

Fat could be your biggest ally in health maintenance and cardiovascular disease prevention. But we need to think about the RIGHT fats. Omega fatty acids are crucial for helping to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides. They are essential to maintaining our nervous system and act as an anti-inflammatory to fight diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Some forms of omega-3 can also reduce fat while improving lean body mass. But which omega fatty acids do we REALLY need?   The ones most North Americans need is omega-3 from FISH OIL, as the typical Western diet does not give enough of it. When you are looking for an omega-3 product from the pharmacy, keep in mind a few tips: 1. Look for omega-3s from fish oil instead of krill oil. This is because krill oil contains very little omega-3. 2. Look for ingredients of EPA/DHA as opposed to alpha-linolenic acid as EPA/DHA is the form of omega-3 that the body can use most efficiently.

Teresa Giesbrecht, www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Book Club: The Dirt Cure:

Growing Healthy Kids with Food Straight from Soil. In the tradition of Michael Pollan, Mark Hyman, and Andrew Weil, pioneering integrative pediatric neurologist Maya ShetreatKlein, MD, reveals the shocking contents of children’s food, how it’s seriously harming their bodies and brains, and what we can do about it. www.dirtcure.com

Natural Product Review: pureWash® Pro

pureWash® Pro is a breakthrough in home laundry purification. As it turns out, your laundry has been keeping a dirty little secret, (It’s really not that clean at all!). Detergent may leave clothes smelling clean, but it does not eliminate the mold and bacteria that builds up from sports activities, pets, and everyday living. pureWash® Pro cleans clothes with the disinfecting power of oxygen, not detergent. This same technology is used in Hospitals and Hotels. It’s clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and mold, plus it’s both safe for the environment and for family members of all ages! If you have sensitive skin, you will not get skin irritations as you do from detergent. Detergent build-up promotes mold growth and does not kill bacteria. Independent, scientific studies have proven pureWash® Pro kills 99.9% of both with cold water. The power of naturally oxygenated water eliminates dirt, bacteria, and mold better than detergent!

Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, Leit.ca

3 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

It’s officially cold and flu season. Here are five simple things you can do to improve your body’s natural immunity: 1. Drink a TON of Water: Ensuring you are hydrated is an important part of keeping your immune system strong. Try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day to keep your body in tiptop shape and ready to fight cold and flu bugs. 2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: The body regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep. Getting a proper night’s rest – between six and eight hours – is important for keeping your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. 3. Take a Hot/Cold Shower: The next time you take a shower try alternating hot and cold water. Research shows the body’s immune system is stimulated when it tries to warm itself up in between the extreme temperature changes. White blood cell production is increased and endorphins are released that help you relax and relieve pain.

Brett Scott, www.disabilitytaxcredit.webs.com

Who Are You?

Poets and writers have said the same thing for centuries, “Know yourself, follow your dreams, and live your passions.” It is good advice. However, we live in an “instant” society where we have everything we need literally at our fingertips. Truly getting to know ourselves is not something that happens quickly, and we won’t experience a sense of fulfillment until we know what it is that brings meaning to our lives. Journaling is a good place to start in your quest for self-knowledge. It only requires a few minutes a day, but the important thing is the process (writing requires time because you must slow down and reflect). It’s this time that is largely missing for many of us. So what should you journal about? A good place to start is by looking at your self-concept. Who is the real you and does your life reflect your authentic self? Happy hunting!

Dr. Lori Doan, Ph.D., www.drloridoan.com

The Power of Touch

There are approximately 5 million mechanoreceptors in your skin and 3000 on the tip of your finger. Whenever we get touched or when we receive a massage, our body releases endorphins which are natural pain killers. Any type of touch can reduce the heart rate and set on a sense of relief. Mechanoreceptors trigger nerve impulses that also release serotonin which can lower chances for depression and lower blood pressure. Did you know that massage not only helps us relax, but it also gives our immune system a boost? Receiving Massage has been found to increase the number of white blood cells that help defend the body from disease. Do you suffer from sleep problems? When a body receives massage, it almost instantly relieves tension and the stress level in body is reduced. Furthermore, 60 minutes of massage have same effect on your body like 7 to 8 hours of good sleep. The antidote to a stressful day or health ailments could lie right at our fingertips.

Chelsea Nault, Soulful Instinct Massage Therapy

Natural Remedy for Thick Hair

Did you know that regular use of castor oil might stimulate and increase hair growth, reduce and prevent breakage, and condition and moisturize the hair and scalp? Castor oil is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture to the skin and hair. The antibacterial and anti-fungicidal properties of ricinoleic acid in castor oil protects the scalp against hair loss, while making hair stronger, smoother, and less frizzy. To use, dilute the castor oil with another oil (think argan, coconut, or sweet almond). Castor oil is very thick, which can make it hard to apply. Warm the oils and start with damp, but not wet hair. Massage your head with your fingertips using small, circular motions. Use your fingers to comb your hair; this helps distribute the oil. For best results, treat yourself to castor oil twice a week.

What is Low-Level Laser Therapy?

Low-Level Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that may help to reduce pain related to injury. When it comes to therapeutic use, lasers are often referred to as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT). Highpower lasers are used in laser medicine to destroy or cut tissue, whereas low-power lasers are claimed to stimulate tissue and to encourage the cells to function. The Low-Level Laser Therapy utilizes red infrared light on areas of injury or wounds in order to mend the soft tissue and also to give relief from acute and chronic pain. This type of therapy accelerates your body’s own natural healing process through photo-bio-stimulation. Reduced therapy time quickens the reproduction of cells and their growth. It can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms, and increase functionality.

Innovative Medical Supplies, www.innovativemedicalsupplies.com

Bowenwork: The Answer to TMJ/Jaw Pain

Have you ever come from a dentist appointment or cleaning and felt jaw pain that just won’t go away? Maybe you or someone you know has braces, dentures, clenches their teeth all day, or wears a night guard? Do you know that some people grind their teeth so intensely at night that they wake up with chronic migraines, headaches, or a sore jaw? Grinding teeth can also cause painful teeth, a tight face, and sore neck muscles. Bowenwork can help you STOP grinding your teeth at night, so you can get rid of that ‘attractive’ night guard. Many desperately search for a solution but have not found a natural, effective, and long-lasting option. Sound familiar? If this is you or someone you know, you should try Bowenwork to help with your TMJ/jaw pain. Bowen Therapy works, even if other therapies were unsuccessful. Don’t give up your search for natural pain relief!

Bernadette Kozak, Certified Bowenwork Practitioner, WinnipegPainRelief.ca