Last summer I was surprised by an unexpected bit of nature. One lone petunia had planted itself in a crack in the pavement and had found enough water and nutrients to burst out in a lovely bloom. This sparked my thoughts about the story of Viktor Frankl.  During WWII, Viktor survived 3 years in a concentration camp. During a long trek on foot through freezing temperatures Viktor decided he could go on no longer. However, at that exact moment Viktor had a profound revelation. He saw a vision of himself speaking to a large crowd about how he had survived. In an instant, his whole demeanour changed. The pain became a catalyst for a triumphant recovery.  He lived to fulfill that vision and went on to become one of the world’s great psychotherapists and gave so much hope and vitality to the global community. When we take the time to “notice” aspects of our life that have been overlooked, we can discover powerful new meaning in our lives.

Terri Czegledi
www.comoxvalleycounselling.com

Do you suffer from headaches or earaches? Do you have a stiff neck and upper back? What about on-going stomach issues, anxiety or depression? Dissimilar as all these issues might sound, the root cause may be your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ.

Studies estimate that 30 per cent of the world’s population has some form of TMJ disorder. Known as “the hidden imposter” for the way it mimics other symptoms and syndromes, TMJ disorder is not only very common, it’s also often misdiagnosed.

The TMJ is the hinge where the jawbone connects to the skull. The disorder occurs due to excess pressure in the joint. Factors that can cause TMJ issues include misalignment of the jaw or teeth; physical trauma, such as whiplash or dental work; degenerative diseases; or, most commonly, tension resulting in teeth clenching or grinding.

The resulting effects are wide-ranging and can cause chronic or intermittent pain varying from mild to severe. While actual joint pain may or may not occur, typically symptoms manifest elsewhere in the body and include migraines, earaches or tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hip and pelvic pain and muscle soreness in the upper body. Because of these diverse symptoms, correct diagnosis is often overlooked while treatment doesn’t deal with the underlying problem.

As health practitioners who focus on a holistic approach, all our treatments begin with a thorough whole-body examination. Upon diagnosis of TMJ disorder, treatments typically include acupuncture and neuro-structural integration therapy (NST), a hands-on therapy that calms the autonomic nervous system and releases muscles of the neck, shoulders and jaw. Treatment of severe cases may also integrate the use of a soft dental appliance, and patients are given exercises to perform at home. Most people feel relief after the first treatment.

Think you may have TMJ disorder? Give us a call and get to the root of the problem.

Dr. Brigitte Tetrault is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncturist at Courtenay Healing Centre.

Dr. Brigitte Tetrault, Courtenay Healing Centre

Frankincense is especially popular during the Christmas season due to it’s reputed history as being one of the gifts that was given by the Magi to the Christ child. The historical physical, mental and spiritual health benefits of the resin and essential oil continue to be corroborated by science including research into the pain management, immune enhancing and cancer preventative properties. One client provided this testimonial and attributed his relief to frankincense.“When I broke my wrist and fractured my hip recently, I had a bit of trouble accepting that an essential oil could make a difference. What a pleasant surprise I got when I followed Nelson’s instructions and choices and tried them. My painful muscle spasms went down about 80% instantly. Sleep came much easier. Thanks Nelson for your help!” – Alan F. Courtenay, BC

Nelson Meggitt – www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca/

November 8 – Living with a Dragon Workshop

For cancer survivors and supporters.
Free Admission!
Westerly Hotel
www.livingwithadragon.ca

Every second Tuesday @ 1:30-4:00pm.
The Finger Poke Capillary A1C Testing has moved to: Diabetes Education Centre on 14th St. Courtenay

Saturdays, 9:00 – 12:00pm

Comox Valley Farmers Market
Headquarters Rd, Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds
www.comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com

Dental hygiene is often overlooked as an essential component of one’s complete health plan.  Research indicates that there is a strong link between periodontal disease – disease of the gums and supporting bone – and overall health. Gum disease has been linked to serious illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.  Regular dental hygiene care can help control periodontal disease and play a key role in decreasing both the rate of incidence and severity in the above systemic diseases.  Floss Dental Hygiene Services was opened in 2009 to provide care from the downtown Comox clinic and to residents in the Comox Valley’s long term care facilities.  Floss offers a relaxing environment, featuring a soothing waterfall, aromatherapy, warm pillows and blankets.  Each visit ends with a warm towel.  No referral is necessary to become a client at Floss. Remember that dental hygiene care is an essential component of a healthy body.

Heather Mayhew, RDH
www.flossdentalhygiene.ca

Do you find November one of those months that’s just plain hard to handle? Shorter days, grayer skies, and seemingly unending rain can make for early winter blues. We all know that rain is a vital part of our beautiful West Coast ecosystem but often we don’t respond well to all the dampness, dwindling light and somber skies. We can lack motivation, be tired and irritable, and feel down. Bio-Energy Healing is a remarkable natural remedy for this as well as providing a big boost to our immune system at the cold and flu time of year. Eating well, getting enough sleep and making time for things you enjoy are all good practices to hold. Bio-Energy Healing can jump start your energetic systems and get you feeling lighter, brighter, more energetic, resilient and optimistic. Lively up yourself! Get lighter and freer in body, mind and spirit!

Shari Dunnet
www.lightbodyhealingworks.com 

Studies from the Touch Research Institute have looked at people of all ages with a variety of health conditions and complaints. The range of benefits is remarkable. Here are some highlights from a few of the many published studies. Migraine headaches: Massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches along with sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. Asthma: Children with mild to severe asthma who received regular massage were better able to exhale (a problem with asthma because the air passages constrict). In addition, the children suffered less stress and anxiety. Premenstrual symptoms: After massage therapy there was improved mood and a decrease in anxiety. Pain and symptoms of water retention were also reduced. Pregnancy: Women who had massage through pregnancy showed decreased levels of stress hormones and experienced less anxiety. There were fewer complications before and after birth including fewer premature births.

Katie White
www.courtenaymassagetherapy.com

Is Aloe really the miracle plant people say it is? Scientific studies have shown it is effective in the treatment of many conditions. Dr. Ivan Danhof, a gastroenterologist teaching at the Southwestern Medical School of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Dallas, is considered the world’s foremost expert on aloe vera. His research into this amazing healing plant began with investigations into the effectiveness of the aloe in healing ulcers. To his amazement, he found that in fact aloe did heal stomach ulcers in lab animals, so he tested this new revelation against standardized ulcer drugs and found aloe was equal to if not superior to Tagamet. This was the beginning of his quest to uncover more about this aloe vera plant and what other benefits could be derived both internally and externally by the use of aloe vera, and he has since found many other benefits.

Maureen Glowasky
www.maureenglowasky.com

We strive to maintain our health today with exercise, diet and preventative care by visiting our general practitioners annually, but what about our eyes? How often should you see an optometrist? Today eye exams are recommended once a year for a multitude of reasons, and having good vision doesn’t exclude the need. A person can have 20/20 vision and still require prescription glasses to help with symptoms such as fatigue and headaches caused by binocular or accommodative disorders. An optometrist is not only trained in detecting ocular diseases, like glaucoma macular degeneration and tumors, but also systemic conditions, that often times have changes within the eyes, such as diabetes, hypertension and multiple sclerosis. Many of these diseases may be asymptomatic in the early stages, but can cause permanent vision loss if not detected early. So if you’ve never seen an optometrist, or it’s been a few years, you’re overdue.

www.iris.ca

Autumn is here and winter is just around the corner, it’s time to prepare to bypass those colds and nasty flu bugs that come with it. Take a common sense approach to staying healthy by avoiding getting sick in the first place. Keep a positive outlook and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and nutritious foods. Keep stress levels low and rest your body and mind so that you can stay strong. There is no substitute for good hygiene – wash your hands thoroughly and often with plain old soap and water. Take some natural remedies, herbal supplements, super-foods and probiotics to help in the battle to ward off attacks from viral and bacterial infections. At Thrifty Foods Vitamins & More Dept. we have an extensive array of alternative and natural products to keep your immune system functioning at it’s best.

Thrifty Foods Vitamin & More Dept.
www.thriftyfoods.com