Community News
Prolozone for Whiplash

Whiplash syndrome describes a traumatic event of the neck, secondary to abrupt flexion and extension of the neck. The most common causes are due to motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries. Whiplash can cause damage to various parts of the neck including ligaments, facet joints, cervical vertebrae, cervical disc, nerves, and muscles. It is one of the most common causes of pain in the general population. The usual imaging, such as x-rays, CT, or MRI is unlikely to show evidence of injury, giving little insight into what is responsible for ongoing pain. Whiplash symptoms can include: Neck pain, muscle tightness, decreased range of movement, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, fatigue, inability to focus. A relatively unknown but effective treatment for cervical spinal pain is Prolozone. Prolozone therapy works by addressing the cause of pain: ligament, tendon, and joint instability. Prolozone involves the injection of ozone to regenerate the ligaments and cartilage tissue in the areas that have become weak.

Dr. Ross Ralph Dr.TCM, R.Ac., DOMP, courtenayhealingcentre.ca

A Healthy Heart is a Happy Heart

Did you know that nine in ten Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke? Those odds can be daunting but keeping our individual risks low can be simple. In addition to being active, recommended preventative measures include eating higher fiber and nutrient rich foods with healthy fats. Diet changes don’t always mean eliminating choices, though, just making better ones; such as switching whole-wheat bread with whole-grain and seeds. Whole grains are naturally higher in fiber, as they include all parts of the grain, and seeds (like flax) while adding to the fiber content, often contain omega 3 fatty acids. It’s so simple that it doesn’t seem like much, but it’s a great step in the right direction. Almost 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through healthy behaviors. What better time to get started, then during this month of the heart?

Cakebread Artisan Bakery, www.cakebread.ca

The Best Way to a Persons Heart

This Valentine’s day, you might be thinking the best way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. While this may or may not be true, research shows one of the best ways to optimal mental health is, indeed, through the stomach. What you eat is critical to the health of your entire body including brain health. Many of the nutrients we digest are essential building blocks of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that regulate mood, appetite, sleep, weight and a myriad of other processes that work to keep us functioning properly. Diets containing whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean meat, and fatty fish as well as probiotic-rich foods like pickles, sauerkraut, and kefir are associated with better physical and mental health. Omega 3 fatty acid and vitamin supplementation can play an integral role in our mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Always consult your healthcare provider before making lifestyle changes.

Canadian Mental Health Association, www.cmha.ca

Book Club: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō. Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles? Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. www.goodreads.com

Home Remedies for a Cough

Did you know that onions can be used to cleanse airways and reduce congestion? Try a poultice of roasted onion to the chest every few hours. They can also be drunk as a warm broth. Cabbage also works well, as it has an extraordinary ability to draw out toxin. Crush the leaves with a rolling pin until the juice starts to appear. Place 3 or 4 leaves over the chest and cover with gauze. You can also drink the juice of a cabbage sweetened with a little bit of honey. Adapted from the book “The New Guide to Remedies” by Paragon Staff

6 Ways to Alkalize Your Body

Did you know that your immunity is based on how alkaline your diet is? Having an overly acidic diet eventually leads to a weakened state, and our bodies become susceptible to disease. Here are six ways to alkalize – and healthify – your body! 1. Drink plenty of water. Drink half your body weight in ounces every day to keep your body systems regulated. For an extra boost in alkalinity – add lemon! 2. Trade coffee for tea. Green tea is highly alkaline. Try jasmine, Sencha or Matcha. 3. Kick that sugar habit. Use stevia, coconut sugar or small amounts of honey in place of sugar. 4. Eat more greens. Vegetables are highly alkaline and oxygen rich. Consume fresh green vegetables often as possible. 5. Move. Exercise to create more oxygen and qi flow in the body and to avoid stagnation. 6. Reduce stress. Meditate as often as possible, practice deep breathing, do yoga, and get plenty of sleep

Sleep Your Way to Improved Health

Insufficient sleep has been linked to obesity, diabetes, depression and cardiovascular disease. Most experts have concluded that getting enough high-quality sleep may be as important to health and well- being as nutrition and exercise. Massage Therapy has been proven to calm the nervous system, and therefore, lessen anxiety, depression, stress, and aches or pains. Many people say they have a more restful and deeper sleep after having a massage. Insomnia is often associated with a lack of serotonin. Studies have shown that massage increases serotonin, which increases the melatonin and helps circadian rhythms to reset. Circadian cycles are the internal periodic rhythms that profoundly affect sleep and wakefulness. This rhythm is what keeps us healed and whole. Regular sessions of massage, either weekly, every 2-weeks or monthly, can greatly improve not only sleep problems but allow a deeper rest time, providing a more positive outlook on life.

Katie White RMT, HTP, CYT, Courtenay Massage Therapy, courtenaymassagetherapy.com

Aromatherapy – Ways to use Myrrh

Last year around this time I touched on some benefits of Frankincense. The following points will give you ideas of how to use Myrrh essential oil (dilute!) 1. Used topically to help relieve colds and coughs. 2. Used topically to relieve minor skin irritation 3. Used topically to relieve cuts 4. Used topically to relieve bruises 5. Used topically to relieve burns 6. Used for symptomatic relief of eczema and dermatitis 7. Powerful cleansing properties, especially for the mouth and throat 8. Add one to two drops to toothpaste for added cleansing benefits 9. Put one drop in two ounces of water and gargle for an effective mouth rinse 10. Soothing to the skin; promotes a smooth, youthful-looking complexion 11. Add one drop to your lotion/moisturizer to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 12. Diffuse to promote awareness.

Nelson Meggitt, www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca

Health Benefits of Weight Loss

Research shows that losing 10% or more of your unhealthy body weight can improve your general health, and survival in those who have an obesity-related illness, especially Type 2 Diabetes. Losing 10% of your body weight can help to decrease your blood sugar levels and prevent your chances of becoming diabetic. Many healthcare practitioners offer the protocol to their patients to help them lose weight and as a result, reverse metabolic syndrome – the cluster of conditions including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that are often pre-cursors to heart disease, stroke and Type 2 Diabetes. The Ideal Protein Protocol is a four-phase, low carbohydrate, moderate protein, ketogenic weight management solution. A healthier lifestyle education is a key component of the method, which features personalized, one-on-one coaching and a protocol to promote losing fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.

Alma Naranjo, Success Weight Loss, www.successweightloss.ca

Super-Charged Oxygen Treats Chronic Pain

Oxygen is the lifeblood of the cellular system; without it there would be no you! Ozone is a supercharged form of oxygen that contains an extra atom; a typical oxygen molecule contains two (O2), while ozone contains three (O3). When treatment is applied, this extra atom breaks off after 20-30 minutes inside the body and does more than just oxygenate cells; these oxygen singlets are free to bind and destroy any viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, molds, yeasts and any abnormal tissue cells it finds in the body. These abnormal cells absolutely hate ozone, so disease simply doesn’t stand a chance! Once these abnormal cells are oxidized and eliminated from the body, they are replaced with healthy cells. Ozone therapy in conjunction with injection therapy is used to treat and eliminate chronic pain resulting from nerve injuries, degenerative joints, and ligaments.
Dr. Sterling Desmond, Dr. TCM, R.Ac., EvolveWithDesera.com

Resolve to Achieve

“I want to eat better/be healthier.” Sound familiar? One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions we as a culture make, and fail to achieve every year, is based on our diet. Unfortunately, the reason for failure is often simply that the change is too drastic and does not easily work into our current lifestyle. Try to make things simple for yourself: Locate local businesses on one of your regular routes that provide fresh, locally sourced options and connect with them online to regularly see deals and features. Join a group of like-minded individuals that can offer support, in person, online or even through an app. Add recipe sharing sites that fit with your resolution to your daily feed for meal inspiration. Subscribe to newsletters or magazines that will encourage you to stay on track. Start by setting small goals and work towards them – when you reach them, reward yourself!

Cakebread Artisan Bakery, www.cakebread.ca