We all have a private story about who we are. Shame researcher Brene Brown talks about not feeling good enough. She finds she gets caught in moments where she reacts badly because she feels bad about herself – is this familiar? Self-esteem is our story about self. Some lucky people don’t doubt themselves. But others tend to think things like “am I okay?”, or “what is wrong with me?”. We really aren’t sure we’re okay, sometimes. When our self-esteem story is low, we have self-doubt, maybe we blame ourselves, and maybe we aren’t confident in our relationships or at work. You may want to learn to handle bullies, or just to assert yourself. Or maybe you want to be okay with your body image. Counselling can be a safe place to share these feelings, find new ways to appreciate yourself, and rediscover your confidence.

Mary Munro, www.marymunro.ca

A migraine headache can make even the simplest of tasks difficult to accomplish. There’s never a good time to have one. Migraines seem to be unique for almost each person who experiences them, making this a difficult condition to treat and diagnose properly. As a result, many medical doctors will merely prescribe something to help with the pain and recommend keeping a journal to identify and avoid potential triggers. One new treatment being offered involves surgically implanting a nerve stimulator in the head. This device sends out electrical impulses that are supposed to stop pain signals. While some have reported fewer migraines after the procedure, the 8,000 people who have initially received this treatment are now walking around with an implanted device and still suffer from occasional migraines. Would you rather seek out a natural and non-invasive solution?

Dr. Matthew Kittleson, uclife.ca

In HealthJournal@wsj.com, Melinda Beck cites research indicating that the medial prefrontal cortex may serve as a hub where music, memory, and emotions meet. In her article called, A Key for Unlocking Memories, she mentions decades of studies which have demonstrated that music can help premature infants gain weight, autistic children communicate, stroke patients regain speech and mobility, surgical patients control chronic pain. In the same article, Dr. Tomaino, executive director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function says “…listening to music goes beyond the entertainment value by helping to stimulate seemingly lost memories and even help restore some lost function… By engaging very basic mechanisms of emotions and listening, music is stimulating dormant areas of the brain that haven’t been accessible due to degenerative disease.” In the hands of a qualified music therapist, music is the tool used to stimulate improved function in many areas and work with clients towards assessed goals.

Nejama Ferstman, www.shirimysong.ca

Bio-resonance health scans are used for assessments and restoration of the energy field for the physical and emotional body. The ETA-Scan identifies the sources of interfering energetics such as electro-smog, parasites, virus’s, bacterial infections, allergies, pollutants or food sensitivities. Before and after images of graphs and symbols are read with the practitioner so the distinctive wave patterns of the condition are evident. You may want to have an ETA-Scan done before and after cranial sacral therapy, a cleanse, or lymphatic drainage treatment to see what improvements are made or which remedy or therapeutic modality is the most optimal for that specific condition. Are parasites vanquished, or are the kidneys functioning better after the tonic? Did the liver flush give the desired result? Was blood circulation in the brain improved after cranial sacral therapy? The ETA-Scan is a time saver and a money saver in the over- all picture of health!
Laurie Pryce, www.biodynamicbody.ca

Susan had physical limitations due to Cerebral Palsy. Our first meeting at school, I saw a young child bent over her own lap, able to hold her head up just enough to meet my eyes for a brief moment. We sang our alphabet, chanted our numbers, and drummed and hummed. It did not take long for muscles in Susan’s back, neck, and abdomen to respond. Singing requires sound which requires breath to produce the sound. Joining in a song requires timing, synchronization with others, and more breath. Clapping, tapping and spontaneously moving to the beat calls on muscle groups in several parts of the body to respond. Soon Susan was looking up, looking outwards, and reaching outwards. Susan is now in her twenties, living independently from her parents. She sings beautifully, has an infectious laugh and enjoys the company of good friends. She continues to enjoy the many benefits of Music Therapy.
Nejama Ferstman, www.shirimysong.ca

Oriental medicine considers fall as the season when the lung organ works the hardest. As it gets colder, oriental medicine calls for warm and soupy meals opposed to eating lots of raw veggies and fruits. It is the time when the internal body needs support of warmth and nurturing. The season calls for more protein, as well as a bit of spice such as ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. The digestive system supports immune and lung functions. It is important to support digestion with nutrition, herbs/spices, as well as probiotics. Food that is healthy for lungs during this season are: almonds, walnuts, grapes, cabbage, miso, navy beans, apricots, banana, eggs, apple, and lemon. Additional beneficial food includes: asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, quinoa, amaranth, and rice. Fall is a great time to clear mental and emotional clutter and grief. It is naturally a time of closure. Ref. “ Healing with Whole Foods” Paul Pitchfort.
Dr. Hegillman, www.oriri.ca

Climbing into a float tank (or pod) has been described much like revisiting the womb – a peaceful, quiet, warm and comforting place. It is a place where one can relax, recover and remove oneself from their busy and stressful lives. Once settled on the surface of the tank (the water is saturated in Epsom salts so you float effortlessly) and the lights go out – the outside world disappears. No sight, no sound, and no sensation – even the forces of gravity drift away as you are suspended in perfect harmony. Your body/mind instantly begin to slow down as your reach Theta state (deep meditative state), breathing rate decreases, blood pressure decreases and stress hormones all naturally decrease (cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine). The decrease of stress hormones is because your sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”) is allowed to finally turn off (which is very rare). In return, your body is flooded with natural “feel good” chemicals – specifically dopamine, which gives you that happy “high” feeling. So the next time you feel overwhelmed or stressed – a float session may very well be the answer!
Erik Zaremba, www.floathousevictoria.com