d Publishe lley in the Va for
Autumn IN THE VALLEY 2015
15s
Year
Being fit & having fun Page 7 emotional health Page 10 Hospice at The Views Page 18 laughter wellness Page 24 Canine kennel cough Page 29
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Table of Contents Nerve pain getting on your nerves? . . . . . . . . 4 by Dr. Deidre Macdonald Intuition for your well-being . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 by Sharon McCann
Publisher’s Note Hi everyone. A very hot summer is hopefully coming to an end. This fall, we are getting cooler weather and rain.
This will be my last issue that will be inserted in the newspaper. Starting with Quantum Health Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . 8 the winter issue, the maga by Karen Holton zine will be found online at You and your emotional health . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 comoxhealthandrecguide. by Marny Elliott com, and available at many locations in the Valley and Bio-energy healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 also online. This is due to the increasing cost. Being fit and having fun never gets old . . . . . 7 by Ted Hagmeier
by Shari Dunnet
Live a less stressful, more peaceful life . . . . . . 14 by Ted Yells Pedego Interceptor pedal-assist bike . . . . . . . . . 16 by Sue Vince
Below are a few of the locations that the magazine can be picked up. I will also have a list printed in the magazine where they can be found.
The Record office, Comox Recreation, Comox Mall, Church Street Bakery, Courtenay & Comox senior Hospice at The Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 centre, Sun West RV, Edible Island, Dr. Deidre by Terri Odeneal Macdonald’s office, Van Isle Vets, Tee Box Restaurant, Death Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Island Technologies, Dr. Lisa Lundy’s office, various Tim Hortons, MacDonald’s in Courtenay and Comox, by Dale Presly Island Technologies, Circles Wellness Centre, regional “Gone Bananas”... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pools, The Medicine Shoppe, Seeds Food Market in by Liz White Cumberland, Insight Massage and many places in the The Seventh Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 local area. I will also post a list of spots on the web site. by Wes Gietz
Electrolyte replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 by Debbie Bowman Put down the phone and straighten up! . . . . . 23 by Dr. Debbie Wright Feelin’ good with laughter wellness . . . . . . . . 24 by Joanne McKechnie and Susan Baker
Please enjoy all the great articles in this fall issue, which includes a look at quantum health transformation by Karen Holton. Also, Heather Matheson discusses canine kennel cough and herbal treatments, and Marny Elliott considers emotional health.
Sure it works, but what’ll it cost me? . . . . . . . . . . . 26 by Dr. Dawn Armstrong Masculinity, men, and emotions . . . . . . . . . . . 28 by Danielle Lambrecht Canine kennel cough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 by Dr. Heather Matheson Door to door delivery? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 by Dave Mills
Front Cover: Photo by Norm Prince - ©Norm Prince Woman riding a Pedego pedal-assist bike
~ 2015 WINTER ISSUE ~
Article submissions on health & recreation in the Comox Valley are required by October 26 th, 2015 and ad submissions are required by November 9th, 2015. Submission Guidelines can be found on our web site. www.comoxhealthandrecguide.com
PUBLISHER : Allan Gear PHONE : 250.339.0252 FAX : 250.339.2210 EMAIL : alg1@telus.net EDITOR : Scott Stanfield LAYOUT : Lenore Lowe Comox Valley Health & Recreation Guide is published 4 times a year. All rights are reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for, and does not endorse, the contents of any advertisement herein, and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not the publisher. The publisher is not liable to any advertiser for any misprint(s) in or about the advertisement that is not the direct fault of the publisher. And, in such an event, the limit of the liability shall not exceed the amount of the publishers charges for such advertising. Articles published in Comox Valley Health & Recreation Guide are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.
YEARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE ~ $10.00 postage paid
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3
Nerve pain getting on your nerves? by Dr. Deidre Macdonald, ND
Nerve pain is one of the most challenging types of pain. It can cause burning, tingling, shooting pain, pins and needles, and more symptoms that generally leave its sufferers quite miserable. Numbness can affect walking or hand dexterity, pain can affect sleep and even the medications given to manage these symptoms have their own host of potential side effects. What is important to understand is that nerve issues happen for a reason. It is critical to understand the root cause of the problem and not just treat the symptoms. Neuropathy can be a signal of an underlying health issue such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, viral infections (e.g. shingles), bacterial infections (e.g. Lyme disease), alcoholism, kidney, thyroid or liver disease and more. It can be caused by multiple sclerosis, cancerous tumours, spinal issues, medications and cancer treatments. So if your family doctor or neurologist has given you the drug Gabapentin or other painkillers without telling you why you have neuropathy, it’s time to get a second opinion and start digging for the root cause. As a naturopathic doctor, I conduct an extensive health history, physical exam and lab work up to help determine the cause of the neuropathy. Then we get to work on helping the body overcome those causes. For instance, I had a 62-year-old patient who had diabetic
peripheral neuropathy that kept him awake at night, impaired his ability to walk, and caused chronic numbness and pain in his feet. Over a period of six months, I coached him on how to achieve normal blood sugars with less medication. He lost 29 pounds, started exercising and took targeted natural medicines. He also had 12 sessions of low-level laser therapy to treat the neuropathy in his feet. This safe, painless form of laser therapy has been shown in placebo-controlled studies to reduce the pain of diabetic neuropathy. The patient was thrilled with the results. He had much less pain and was able to regain more function in his feet. Another patient came to me with peripheral neuropathy, but for different reasons. At our first visit, I found out that she also had rheumatoid arthritis. I did some blood testing and found that she was deficient in two nutrients. I suspected that she had impaired nutrient absorption, since her diet seemed adequate. We tested her and determined that she had Celiac disease. This autoimmune reaction to gluten can cause intestinal problems, autoimmune diseases, increased inflammation, and/or neurological/psychiatric issues. Once she got gluten out of her diet for good and did 10 sessions of low-level laser therapy at our clinic, her foot problems resolved. In addition, her energy levels were markedly increased and her arthritis symptoms decreased by 50 per cent. Spinal issues can also cause nerve pain. I had an otherwise healthy 75-year-old male patient with tingling and shooting pain in his feet and shins. He had a history of lower back issues and I suspected by the pattern of the pain that it might be coming from a pinched nerve in the lumbar region of the spine. I
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made sure he had an x-ray to rule out cancer, since he’s at the age where prostate and other cancers can sneak up and spread to the spine. The x-ray showed arthritic degeneration in the spine and we treated it with laser therapy. The high-powered laser beams that we use can penetrate deeply into the vertebrae and regenerate tissue, such as the discs that create space in the spine. It can also help reduce inflammation in the ligaments in the spine that can pinch the spinal column. This patient was very happy that after 14 treatments he had no more nerve pain in his feet and his back felt better than it had in years. A program of stretching and exercise was recommended to protect him from further back injuries.
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Intuition for your well-being by Sharon McCann, Registered Clinical Counselling Hypnotherapist Have you ever had a sense of knowing something without knowing the source of the information? Did you act on it and benefit? Or did you ignore it and later regret it? Sometimes it’s regret over not following a hunch that has led to a greater respect for your intuition.
When we listen inside to our inner sensations and feelings, we can access valuable information to inform our decisions for well-being. For example, when we acknowledge inner sensations of stress, we can use this information to make choices for change. In our society, we are so often distracted by our smart phones, computers and TVs that we have forgotten how to look within. We may choose to overwork without recreation, not noticing the effects until we have heart attacks or chronic fatigue. Chronic stress not only leads to disease — it can lead to harmful habits to cope, such as overeating, smoking, or abuse of legal or illegal drugs. If you do not acknowledge a chronic emotion of anger, you may displace it and target an unrelated person instead, possibly harming your network of support.
On the other hand, do you acknowledge feelings of excitement and joy? Do you allow them to guide your life direction? How often do you allow the need for self-care to guide your choices? When we listen inside — to our bodies and inner knowing, also defined as intuition — we can make decisions that are just right for our well-being. The issue for many of us is how to listen inside and how to trust what we sense. In our scientific culture, we have been trained to depend on analytical thinking and objective evidence. This emphasis
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has led to ignoring our subjective experiences and denying our emotions and inner knowing. This has also led to dependence on the experts without also taking responsibility for self-care. Perhaps even if you have come to sense the value of listening to yourself, you may be unsure about what inner knowing really is, how it manifests, and when to know you can rely on it. It’s a subtle sense, difficult to prove or explain to others, and comes without an outside source to fact-check. And yet there are famous scientists like physicist Albert Einstein, for whom the theory of relativity arose through his intuition and by recreation. The founder of modern physiology, Claude Bernard, said that feeling alone guided his mind. Nobel Prize winner and geneticist Barbara McClintock intuited a solution to the problem of sterile corn pollen, acknowledging the answer came from her subconscious.
Intuition arises from the subconscious through our inner sensations. Often people experience their intuition through their unique preferences of sensing: through a small voice or words, a gut feeling, sensations across the chest or in the skin, or visual images including symbols. Intuition is often accessed when relaxed or at play. Wouldn’t you like to solve a problem or make a decision the easy way, instead of by worry, “analysis paralysis” or pressure to perform? Hypnosis is an excellent technique to learn how to access your intuition. In addition, the practice of self-hypnosis requires that you take a break Continued on page 13...
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Sharon McCann, RPC, RCCH Counselling & Hypnotherapy For more workshop details: www.hypnomccann.com hypno.mccann@gmail.com
Being fit and having fun never gets old by Ted Hagmeier, recreation supervisor for the Comox Community Centre It is one of life’s paradoxes that the older you are the healthier you need to be. And yet the older we get the harder it is to stay healthy. It shouldn’t be that way.
It should be hardest getting out of bed when you’re youthful and full of energy. Or maybe that’s already the case since most teens sleep in so late. But once you hit 40, 50, 60 and beyond, well, getting out of bed is challenging for all kinds of reasons, not just age. Aches, pains, medical conditions, you name it... they all sap our ability to exercise and stay fit. Instead of puttering along in a Rolls Royce we’re at the wheel of a rust bucket. What happened? Part of the paradox is that as we get older we stop seeking, recognizing and seizing ‘fun’. We don’t do the things we did in our skylarking youth that oh-by-the-way kept us healthy. So when a spouse or doctor gives us the talk that we have to start “exercising” it’s like swallowing cod liver oil instead of grasping an opportunity to try new things and to have some fun.
Now that I’ve dropped the E word can we all relax? Health and fitness has come a long way since the RCAF published the 5BX plan. Exercise classes come in all forms for all ages, fitness and health levels. Instructors are trained to make modifications for customers’ particular needs. Most importantly, instructors know, at some level, you have to have fun or you won’t be back. The Comox Community Centre is the leading fitness and recreation provider in the Comox Valley, and with special programs and equipment for older exercisers.
Start in our award-winning fitness studio with cardio machines, free weights and fitness circuit. You can work out on your own, use the free, selfdirected workout guide or join a program like Circuit Training 50+, with group instruction on weight machines. The community centre also offers fitness programs like Forever Fit, Zumba Gold, Balance Function, and Fitness and yoga for all levels and abilities. There is also the Cardiac Pulmonary Wellness program offered in partnership with St. Joseph’s Hospital. Persons with heart and lung problems, and referred by a physician may attend a 12-week education and exercise program. One of the most popular programs we offer is pickleball. First-time players marvel at how much fun can be had with a racquet and plastic ball. And how much exercise it is, too.
Pickleball is played on a court similar in size to a Continued on page 11...
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Quantum Health Transformation: evolve, manifest by Karen Holton Quantum Health Transformation will assist you to transform your health and life experience into a complete state of wellness. It is more than physical, mental, spiritual or social. My website delivers everything you need to transform your life and become the healthiest, happiest you possible. Quantum Health Transformation is the same program I use myself; in fact I developed it as I lost and keep off 178 pounds of excess weight, and continue to evolve and enjoy the life I have always wanted. As described in my nine-step video series: food, chemicals in our environment, what we think about and believe, and our daily practises all affect our biochemistry and thus our mental and physical health. These factors can create symptoms that often appear to be psychological in nature, but are actually physiological. Discover how mental and physical symptoms can be eliminated or reduced by correcting all the imbalances in your life and environment. As we bring enjoyable, healthful practises into your life, the old negative, self-defeating habits fall away automatically. I would love to support you through your journey of self-discovery and recovery. My free nine-step Quantum Health Transformation workshop series will assist anyone (with any health or lifestyle concerns) to evolve, manifest and thrive
– found online at www.karenholtonhealthcoach. com. This video series offers many different options for healing. Steps nine through four were covered in previous issues of this magazine; Steps three, two and one are summarized here: The step three primer slideshow video features techniques to help you to manifest more effectively so that your life better resembles your desires. Find out how all things follow an expansion and contraction pattern, and by working with this, we can will anything into our experience which benefits us. The live action video (of the same name) shows you some of the amazing results that I have experienced by following my own techniques. Besides losing a significant amount of weight, I have dramatically improved my relationships with loved ones, and overcame financial disaster. The step two primer slideshow video explains higher selves in universal terms so you can create a framework to facilitate access to the spirit guides of your choice, and access the akashic records/ living library, and beyond. The subconscious mind is complex but not inaccessible. Just as you care about yourself, so does your subconscious mind, because it is a part of you. Then join me for the live video (of the same name) to learn about higher selves as I experience them in my own life. I explain what my experiences are like, what is required in order to have some of these experiences happen in your life, and the benefits that come from being able to access our higher selves. The step one primer and live videos explain “state of bliss” and how we can achieve it. Bliss includes feelings of perfect happiness and spiritual joy. Achieving a state of bliss requires comfort for the body, mental happiness and contentment, along
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and thrive with a joyful spirit. This combination creates a magical condition which makes all things possible. By practicing the 9 Steps to Quantum Health Transformation, we bring comfort to the body (Steps 8, 6 and 5), happiness to the mind (Steps 9, 7, 4 and 3) and joy to our spirit (Steps 2 and 1), thus creating the conditions necessary to feel a “state of bliss.” I offer some non-religious exercises that will bring joy to your spirit and create a reality environment which is peaceful and rewarding. These exercises will improve every experience you have – in surprising ways.
The Step nine — one videos are featured under the Transformation Videos tab of my website. Feel free to choose the step which is most useful to you, and call or email me for your customized lifestyle program, or if you have any questions. I offer a couple products to help you get started, and a full range of public and personal services. www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com delivers everything you need to transform your life and become the healthiest, happiest you possible.
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You and your emotional health by Marny Elliott, Emotional Health Therapist Have you ever struggled in your life? Do you notice that similar patterns repeat themselves? Are your relationships and experiences with others what you want them to be? Do you experience emotions that you feel unable to manage or that get expressed in ways that you would like to change?
What challenges us in this life varies from person to person as does our ability to cope with these challenges and yet, the fact that we struggle is a common thread – for ourselves and our children. The questions become, does it need to be this hard and how do we live life differently?
Of course, the answers are not as straightforward as the questions. As humans, we often become trapped in patterns of behaviour that we have learned or we are stuck in a belief that we are capable of less than what we truly are. We move through our lives making choices based on what we ‘should’ do, what others want for us and even based on very little conscious thought – we just
react or do what we have always done. We often treat those around us in ways that prevent us from having what we desire. Change can be hard and also deeply satisfying when you make it happen.
It is important to note that being ‘emotional healthy’ does not mean we feel a certain euphoria all the time. It means that we let go of the ways of being that no longer work for us in creating the life we want and learn ways to go through life that do work for us. We establish a strong foundation of inner qualities that then help us ride the ups and downs that are bound to happen without letting them control us, define us or diminish our spirit. Instead, life can be a set of experiences that influence and stay with us as we choose them to be. Since our emotions are a direct communication to our behaviour, when healthy, they give us critical information, we hear it and then choose how to respond. The goal is to move away from expectations of happiness which can be dependent on external (therefore ever changing and often out of our control) circumstances to feelings of strength, peace, resilience and self-worth. These internal qualities become accessible to us whenever we need them. Then, when we are faced with challenges, we feel triggered by an experience, things happen that are out of our control or choices need to be made, we have those inner resources to move forward with clarity and confidence. By taking time to explore and tend to our emotional health, we find that, similar to our physical health, when we rid our bodies of limitations (e.g. poor
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eating habits) and focus on improving our abilities (e.g. exercise and nutrition) we open ourselves up to a renewed sense of well-being and enjoyment of life. So to with our emotional health, when we rid ourselves of the past experiences, behaviours and coping mechanisms that keep us stuck, we open ourselves up to new levels of personal success, life satisfaction and healthy relationships.
The critical part for most of us is to understand that we all struggle at times and that making changes first takes our own realization that we need to do something different. It is like a personal acknowledgement that life is not panning out the way we had hoped and that we have the power to make a difference. We all have qualities within us that set us up for success – uncover them, let them grow, live a joyful life. EFULLY CHECK OVER THIS
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Ted Hagmeier’s article continued from page 7... doubles badminton court with a tennis-like-net but hung two inches lower. Players use a hard paddle and wiffle ball. It looks a lot like tennis but there are important differences. A wiffle ball travels more slowly than a tennis ball so with the smaller court it is an easier game to learn and play. And because pickleball can be played in gymnasiums it is played year round. For the longest time Rolls Royce never published the horsepower of their engines. It was unseemly for a gentleman to know and if you asked the answer was ‘adequate.’ At a certain point I think that is an apt way to refer to one’s age. So if your age is adequate but your level of fun and exercise isn’t, contact the Comox Community Centre at 250-339-2255 or visit www.comox.ca/recreation. Let us help you get fit and find your fun, no matter what your age. Ted Hagmeier is recreation supervisor and, as a recent transplant to the area, is looking forward to discovering all the fun that can found in the Comox Valley. His age is adequate. Thanks for asking.
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Bio-energy healing: what is chakra health? by Shari Dunnet
With the proliferation of yoga classes springing up in communities across the West Coast, the term, “chakras” is becoming fairly familiar. But what are chakras? And what does “chakra health” really mean? Western understanding of energy healing and the chakra system has been growing over the past several decades. Bio-Energy Healing – the practice I work with – works with the biofield of energy around the body and the seven major chakras through a non-invasive process that re-establishes the flow of energy and activates health and wellbeing on all levels. Chakra health is a reflection of our wellbeing. But unlike Western medicine which generally looks primarily at the body and its functions, and secondarily at the mind and psyche, Eastern practices tend towards being integrated – body, mind, spirit. Chakra health means yes, our digestive system is functioning, our respiratory and circulatory systems and so on, but not only that. It also means our ability to speak our truth, stand up for ourselves, be grounded and
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centred, to be living passionately, authentically and connected spiritually. So when I meet with a new client, I don’t relate to them as a physical body per se, but as a whole person. The goals are different with each client. Sometimes we’re working on strengthening assertiveness and the ability to speak up. Sometimes we’re working on a digestive system that is out of whack or a specific condition such as asthma, heart problems, back issues, anxiety or depression. Sometimes it’s about letting go of grief so one can embrace life more fully, or easing and enlivening the transition from working life to healthy retirement. Sometimes it’s simply about stress relief and the ability to focus more fully, or activating one’s creativity or intuition. What is bioenergy? It’s the natural energy that flows through us – and also flows through animal and plant life. This energy flows through our bodies from the sun, earth and prana through our chakras. The term chakras is Sanskrit for “wheel of light.” In the yogic tradition the translation is “vortex,” which describes the action of the chakras as they spin to take energy into the body systems. Although chakras are essentially invisible to the human eye, studies show that they can be measured with sensitive scientific instruments. In terms of science, chakras are considered “unique electro-magnetic wave generators” that each create
a particular frequency. Interestingly, each chakra’s frequency also corresponds to a note on the major musical scale and a colour frequency. Although we aren’t consciously aware of them, chakras perform amazing and vital functions in our everyday lives and wellbeing. They spin, concentrate and transform energy into “energy food” for the organs, tissues and cells of the body. Chakras change the vibration of energy into frequencies required by our different organs and each chakra is associated with an endocrine gland. Meridian lines, which are like energy rivers, carry this vital energy around the body feeding organs, tissues, blood, cells, bones and muscles. The seven main chakras are located in and around the trunk of the body starting with the root chakra (just below the tailbone) and moving up the body to the top of the head – up from the root are the sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow and crown chakras. Each has different qualities and relates to various functions that promote our wellbeing on all levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual – which I’ll continue to explore in upcoming articles. To your health and wellbeing! Shari Dunnet is a certified bio-energy healing practitioner and intuitive therapist offering services in the Comox Valley at the House of Now, Rasa Centre for the Healing Arts and on Denman Island. Contact: 250-897-2707 or www. lightbodyhealingworks.com
Sharon McCann’s article continued from page 6... from your routine and bypass the conscious mind that is often over-worked by analytical thinking. By focusing your awareness internally, you can ask your intuitive self for information about anything. Be open to what comes. The answer may be so simple, it surprises you and makes sense at the same time. In addition to the practice of self-hypnosis, you can also increase access to your intuition by the following: • Practice maintaining an open-minded, experimental, non-judgmental outlook.
playful,
• Daydream, doodle, brainstorm, and write down words or phrases that come to you when problemsolving. • Practice making wild guesses, such as: a person’s name; what an unknown person or place will look like; who is calling on the phone; and which elevator arrives first. Imagine laughing when you are wrong to free yourself for making wild guesses.
• Listen to your inner dialogue. Replace negative selftalk with affirmations. Make positive suggestions to yourself. • Ask positive and specific questions to your intuition. Then listen to what comes through your inner senses.
I will be offering a workshop to develop your intuition with hypnosis this fall. For more information or to be notified about how to register, go to www.hypnomccann.como
Artisan sourdough breads are made everyday, using organic flours and baked in our wood-fired brick oven, giving them a unique flavour that cannot be matched! Pizza by the slice, soup & sandwiches are served daily along with Cumberland donuts.
Monday ~ Saturday from 8:00am - 5:00pm 250.890.3200 • 221A Church Street, Comox CV Health & Recreation Guide
13
Something we can do to live a less stressful, more by Ted Yells
It is well known that our experience of “life” is determined by our internal belief system, hence the phrase, “If you want to know what your beliefs are, just look at your life.” However, the idea of working on beliefs can be seen to be a touchy subject for some of us, due to our beliefs about beliefs. If you are ready to entertain the idea that some of your beliefs may not be true or not helpful, a useful place to start might be to understand where beliefs come from in the first place. In the first six to seven years of life we accept everything we are told and experience as the truth. This forms our basic beliefs about who we are and how life works. Key influences are family/parental behaviour, religion and culture, schooling, friends and any authority figure. Our “self image” is created out of all of this and has an ongoing influence on our ongoing behaviour. For example, not good enough, don’t deserve, not safe to, have to do it this way, momma/daddy always said, you’re too stupid, you will never learn how to, and so on. Traumatic events at any time in our lives create a “program” of beliefs designed to protect us from getting into that kind of situation again, and they can also result in dissociated parts whose ongoing role is to keep us safe. For example, hospital stay, family trauma, bullied, physical/sexual abuse, etc. The mind stores all of the sensory data associated with these traumas and this information then acts as an early warning system that can trigger the original stress response program even when there is no real threat. In the extreme this can lead to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). It has also been proven that we can inherit multi-generational family patterns and beliefs at
14 CV Health & Recreation Guide
conception from memories that are stored in the DNA of our parents’ cells. As you can see, many of our beliefs do not come from deliberate, conscious choice, they are not really “ours”, and knowing this can create some “wiggle room” to explore changes. This can be a challenge, as it turns out that these beliefs/programs and our self-image reside in the subconscious mind and are not accessible from the conscious mind. And, research has shown that 90 per cent or more of a typical day is run by this subconscious aspect of our mind. This also means that the actions we take and the reactions we have, based upon any beliefs that are not really true, are largely not noticeable and are experienced as normal for us. We automatically behave our beliefs! To begin to help ourselves we can start noticing stress and intuiting/remembering the beliefs that must be the cause of how we feel, then questioning the validity of those beliefs. A number of energy psychology methods are available that can help us work with the subconscious mind to shift or eliminate wrong beliefs, and to shut down old trauma programs, and we can also re-integrate dissociated parts. I have developed a process for finding the time frames in a client’s history that contain beliefs or programs that are still impacting them today, and I use TAT to clear out that history. Traumas can also leave energy of the emotion(s) experienced trapped in the body, and this can lead to pain or other issues through time. The Emotion Code provides a means to release these. I also use 2 Points One Smile and Matrix Energetics to work with client intentions, and physical or emotional issues as well as limiting beliefs.
peaceful life Until Sept. 15 I am offering, at no cost, to provide you with the time frames that are still affecting you now, and a discount on any follow-up work to clear them. Ted Yells can be reached at Energy In Harmony:
250-339-2227. For more information visit www.
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CV Health & Recreation Guide
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Matters of Aging Pedego Interceptor pedal-assist bike fitness test by Sue Vince In the fall of 2014, I bought a Pedego Interceptor 48V 10amp pedal-assist bike. I admit at first I felt my face blush when I told people I bought one, feeling like I turned to the dark side. I was fully able to hold my own cycling on my hybrid and mountain bikes, so why an e-bike? Well a bike racer I am not. In fact, I pride myself on being slow and steady but a fit recreational and utility bike rider. However, I soon learned to like how efficiently I could get around on my ebike. Was I now going to lose my fitness at the cost of speed? It was this nagging fitness question that bothered me. I thought it was time to test it out. On July 29 with a fully-charged battery I cycled 55 kilometres from my home to Pedego, Qualicum Beach. While tracking my heart rate, speed and time, I journeyed past Union Bay at about the 13-minute mark, Buckley Bay 30 minutes, Fanny Bay 40 minutes, and Bowser 65 minutes. At this point I was 35-40 minutes faster than when using my hybrid bike. My heart was ticking in the moderate exercise response range; my speed was averaging close to 28 km/h and I was feeling great. I journeyed onward up and down a few hills and after one hour and 59 minutes of pedaling, I arrived at Pedego with battery power to spare. Based on my cycling history, I was nearly one hour ahead of my hybrid cycling time. My heart rate monitor confirmed the perfect workout. The fitness question was answered. Riding my e-bike would keep me in shape too.
As it turns out, there are a number of reasons I enjoy my Pedego Interceptor. I live in rural B.C. so places are a bit further away: three kilometres to the corner store, seven kilometres to the grocery store and 10 kilometres to the city centre. I can easily talk myself into using my car instead of cycling. That brings me to the top reasons I love my Pedego Interceptor: 1. It is a fun and motivating way to get regular moderate exercise; 2. Higher cycling speed makes it efficient for rural living so I can regularly use cycling as a transportation option; 3. Street clothes and favourite shoes are what I wear on my e-bike, making cycling practical and hassle free; and 4. It helps me stay true to my personal lifestyle goals of combining health and fitness with shopping local and reducing my carbon footprint.
I am glad that I didn’t wait to buy a Pedego pedal-assist bike. I find myself looking for any reason for an e-bike ride because it is fun. At the end of the day I cycle more and cannot help but proudly smile when people ask me about my Pedego Interceptor pedal-assist bike. Sue Vince, Royston, board member of the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition
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16 CV Health & Recreation Guide
ÂŽ
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This has been a summer none of us will quickly forget. We’ll remember the fires, the smoke and the increasing awareness of water. No longer can we take the presence of water, or rain for that matter, for granted. Yes, we have all enjoyed the continuing sunshine. However, wouldn’t most of us welcome a full week of rain, enough to water our precious and stressed trees? Years ago a yellow lawn was considered a sign of laziness and thoughtlessness as it stood out in comparison to the neighbour’s lush green lawns. Now it is the other way around. Green lawns identify waste and inconsideration for the overall well-being of the community.
Official weather reports are indicating the changing weather patterns will soon have our lush province looking excessively dry, like much of California. This information must be faced by each of us. The more conscious we become of our role in tending this simple resource, the better off we will all be. We can look around our homes to find ways we can conserve water. Secondly, we can remember any little spark is dangerous and fires are deadly. Nature sets some fires as a result of lightning and we don’t have to help her by carelessly flipping a cigarette or not completely extinguishing a campfire.
Stock photo from Metro
IMPORTER OF LOOSE LEAF TEAS
Yes, for many of us this summer has provided a new level of consciousness and awareness about our delicate relationship with nature, and that is one thing we shouldn’t forget. ~ Phyllis Chubb
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Liz White, MSc RYT-200
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• Private & Small Yoga Classes • Pilates Mat & Reformer Training • Small Classes/Privates/Duets
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pedegoqb.ca • toll Free 1-844-738-9333 CV Health & Recreation Guide
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Matters of Aging Cont...
Hospice at The Views — a new option for care by Terri Odeneal Like other life events we all have in common, we have expectations of what our own experience with dying will be. Most of us hope that those we love will be around us, and that we will be free of pain, comfortable, cared for, and at peace. The Comox Valley Hospice Society (CVHS) has been a tangible expression of compassion in the Comox Valley for over 30 years.
With a team of dedicated health care professionals and trained volunteers, compassionate care and support resources are offered free of charge to people in the Valley who
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are dying, coping with life-limiting illness, or faced with the grief of losing a loved one. Together with the person who is dying and their loved ones and caregivers, the CVHS care team strives to meet physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs in ways that are sensitive to individual beliefs and cultures, whether in people’s homes, in hospital or in other care facilities.
With the exciting addition of residential hospice care now offered by Hospice at The Views — an innovative care partnership between St. Joseph’s Hospital and Foundation, Island Health and the CVHS — people in this community now have access to care options available in other places across the province. In addition to current CVHS programs which
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support care at home, in care facilities and in hospital, Hospice at the Views offers personalized care in a residential hospice setting.
The four private rooms offer views of natural beauty, overlooking the ocean and the Beaufort Mountains with direct access to a lovely outdoor patio and garden. The rooms also have a private refrigerator for the patient’s favourite foods, television and Wi-Fi access, and a bath designed with optimal privacy, safety and care in mind.
Visitors are always welcome, including wellbehaved family pets, and each room has a comfortable sleeper chair as an overnight option for companions or guests. There are also shared spaces available, including a cozy family lounge with comfortable seating, a fireplace, television and kitchenette.
An integral part of this new setting is the care centre, where family physicians, specially-trained staff and a palliative physician upon request will co-ordinate 24-hour personalized care, based on each individual’s wishes. Trained hospice volunteers are also available to offer emotional support, a compassionate presence, a warm blanket or a cup of tea. As people in the community consider the care that will best meet their own or their loved ones’ needs during these tender times, we would encourage them to talk with their family physician or care team to see if Hospice at the Views could be the right choice.
For more information on hospice services available in the Valley, visit www.comoxhospice. com or call 250-339-5533. Information on Advance Care Planning including upcoming fall workshops can be viewed at www.AdvanceCarePlanningCV.ca
Death Café by Dale Presly Death Cafés are where ordinary people come together to talk about death over tea and cake. To date, there have been more than 2,000 Death Cafés in over 30 countries. I attended the first Death Café held in Canada that took place in Victoria several years ago and began hosting them in the Comox Valley soon after. The format of Death Café is informal as I discovered when I sat down at a table with three other people I had never met. We took turns speaking of things that are hard to speak about and by the end of the evening we were no longer strangers. Our shared stories of death and fears of dying are a rich and valuable source of information not found anywhere else. Death Cafés have no agenda. They might be the place to speak about the challenge of comforting a dying person or the desire for a good death and how to prepare for one. Death Café is an opportunity to listen and speak about the many ways dying unfolds. Death Cafés are held on a monthly basis at Serious Coffee beginning Sept. 20. Go to www.salishseahospice.org for details.
Patti Whacker’s Physiotherapy A private hands on approach to musculoskeletal disorders. Structural integration focuses on chronic tissue problems that limit flexibility and strength. If you have pain & dysfunction of a chronic or reoccurring nature... ...Patti Whacker is worth a try.
Patti J. Doyle “The Organic Mechanic” BScPt, BScP.Ed, OCS 1915 Merino Place, Comox
250.650.1350 CV Health & Recreation Guide
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“Gone Bananas” by Liz White
We live in a complex, consumer society and can feel frustrated about creating environmental or workplace changes. For example, I try to minimize the amount of driving I do and drive a hybrid, but my impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions seems like just a drop in an ocean of petrochemical consumption. We may feel we are trapped in a system and there is little we can do about it. However, because the system is based on consumerism, our power lies in our purchasing decisions. Furthermore, since the system is spreading throughout the world, the choices that we make in our day-to-day lives can affect environments and workplaces thousands of miles away. The key is to become aware of the connections between the food and products that we consume and their source. It is easy to be lulled into complacency in our busy lives; sometimes it requires an unusual experience or coincidence to raise our awareness. Since spending a month in Mexico, I am now committed to buying only organic bananas. Previously, it was more of a preference. I now feel that I am making a difference in the working conditions of a plantation somewhere in South America or Mexico by purchasing only organic. The observations that I made while living in Mexico prompted this change. The condo I rented in the “old town” section of Puerto Vallarta was two blocks away from a farmers’ market where I bought fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the surrounding plantations. The arugula was remarkable. When made into a salad, it didn’t even require a salad dressing, there was so much peppery flavour in the leaves. In fact, all the produce tasted better. However, it took some effort to find bananas that weren’t over-ripened. Mexican
Dr. Lisa J. Lundy B.Sc., Dr. TCM
Acupuncture, laser therapy, herbs, dietary therapy, massage, and cupping. *NEW office location in Royston drlisajlundy@gmail.com *NEW Number* 250.650.0030 www.drlisajlundy.com
20 CV Health & Recreation Guide
bananas are smaller and sweeter than the ones sold in Superstore and they have a shelf life of about two days. After I arrived home, I viewed the heaps of bananas on display in the grocery stores differently. I wondered what processes these fragile fruits had been subjected to before they could endure the long journey to Canada and still be edible. What chemicals were involved? Were these bananas safe to eat? I realized I needed to learn more. I discovered that the leading exporting countries for bananas are Ecuador, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Columbia. It can take one to three weeks for bananas to reach their destination in Europe or North America, so they are picked when green. Just before they are sold, they are treated with ethylene gas so that they will ripen and turn yellow. Ethylene gas is a plant hormone that is naturally produced in fruits as part of the ripening process. It regulates the plant’s growth and the rate at which development occurs, as hormones do in animals. The ethylene gas tricks the plant into ripening earlier. This is a natural process and is deemed not to be harmful to humans. The problem is the way the plantations are operated. Large transnational companies such as Dole and Chiquita control the world’s banana trade. They make millions from the sale of mass produced low cost bananas. Only 20 per cent or less of the price paid for these bananas goes to the country where it was grown. Even less goes to the plantation worker who must endure gruelling hours of work and difficult working conditions. Huge amounts of pesticide and fungicide are sprayed on these plantations, usually while the workers are in the groves, and at up to 10 times the rate that these products are used in industrialized countries. Many of the workers complain how the spray stings their bare arms as they work. Some of these chemicals, such as Nemagon or DBCP, are banned from use in North America, but not in countries where major fruit companies operate farms. Nemagon has been proven to cause sterility, birth defects, cancer, paralysis, bone brittleness, strokes, blindness and diabetes. In 2002, Nicaraguan farmers won a landmark case again Shell, Dole and Dow Chemical, who were ordered to pay $489 million in damages Continued on Page 25...
The Seventh Gift by Wes Gietz
Remember the song that goes, “Where have all the flowers gone…”? Here’s another verse for that song, appropriate to modern times: “Where have all the elders gone?” And the modern answer: “Gone to care homes, every one. “When will we ever learn, “When will we ever learn?” A while ago I heard a comment, “We don’t honour our elders, we warehouse our seniors.” This has some truth in it. No one planned this. It happened for reasons that I’ll leave to the sociologists. I’m interested in elderhood partly because I’m on my way there, and I don’t want to be warehoused. I consider myself fortunate to have been exposed to some truths about elders from cultures where children are elders in progress, and where elders are honoured, valued and given a central role in the community. I’m also interested in elderhood because I see around me many older people who have a lot to give to younger people and their communities, with no way to do so, and younger people who are looking for – even yearning for – elders, many of them without knowing it. I believe that we have the opportunity and the tools to help both olders and youngers come together and re-create relationships with each other. As I look around me in mainstream society, I see few people who know how to become elders, how to be elders, or how to be with elders. What is to be done? The Apache people have developed a modern ceremony known as Walking Back. This ceremony is for people who did not experience rites of passage to welcome them from childhood into youth or youth into adulthood. It’s a new ceremony. Ceremonies like this were not needed in earlier times, when rites of passage were understood to be necessary and customary experiences in the development of young people. Are you chronologically gifted, say 65 years or more? I would like to invite you to a workshop. Are you younger than 65? We need you too! And you need us, to learn how to become an elder. At
this workshop, I invite you to step into a role of learning and supporting the older folks who are there, and who need the love and assistance of all of their community. The title of the workshop is The Seventh Gift, based on a model of the phases of life as understood by the Anicinabe people. The same stages of life are also the subject of an excellent book by Bill Plotkin, Nature and the Human Soul. We will explore and apply these models in the workshop. The seventh gift is the seventh decade of life, where the elder role is manifested as teacher. The subtitle of the workshop is Walking Back to Elderhood. Here are some details: Dates: Oct. 24 to 26 (Saturday to Monday) with an evening introduction (7 to 8:30 p.m.) on Friday, Oct. 23. The evening introduction will be a discussion of becoming older in modern society, where the gifts of elders are neither understood nor utilized, and how we as elders and youngers can reconnect with each other in order to come together in a healthy community that includes all ages. The next three days will be an experiential workshop for people who desire to learn more about Continued on Page 22...
Wes Gietz wgietz@windwalker.ca
The Seventh Gift October 23 - Evening Introduction October 24-26 - Workshop Youngers & Olders - we need you all here. You will grow toward or step into elderhood through individual exploration, group work, and your own ceremony of passage and welcoming.
www.windwalker.ca/schedule
250.339.3197
COMOX
CV Health & Recreation Guide
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Electrolyte Replacement by Debbie Bowman, registered holistic nutritionist for Edible Island Whole Foods Market Whether you’re a serious athlete or a recreational exerciser, it’s important to make sure you stay hydrated before, during and after exercise, especially during the hot summer when we are likely to lose even more fluid through increased perspiration. For workouts that last less than an hour, simple water is all one needs to stay hydrated, but for longer workouts it’s important to replace lost electrolytes. A great way to do just that is to reach for a bottle of coconut water.
Called noelani, or dew from heaven by Hawaiians, coconut water is fat-free, cholesterol-free and full of the electrolytes: sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. It’s also loaded with B vitamins and additional minerals such as selenium, zinc and iodine. Coconut water naturally contains about 11 or 12 grams of sugar, which adds up to about 50 or 60 calories per serving. For an alternative to the highly sweetened and artificially coloured sports drinks on the market try this delicious recipe that uses coconut water as its base. DIY Electrolyte Replacement Drink:
3 cups coconut water 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 2 cups water 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 2 tablespoons honey
Mix in a blender and enjoy.
Wes Gietz’s article continued from pg 21... the journey into true elderhood; who are looking to their years of elderhood and wish to claim their elderhood in positive and constructive ways; or who wish to have and support elders in their own lives. The workshop will engage participants of all ages in understanding and defining elderhood in a challenging world, and will culminate in a selfdesigned ceremonial rite of passage into elderhood for those who choose to do so, witnessed and supported in a ceremonial and meaningful way.
We will look into models for understanding growth and elderhood as well as models of rites of passage. Participants will be invited to adapt or design a rite of passage for themselves, and they will be acknowledged and welcomed as initiated elders. The suggested age range for participants is from 30 years on up, to the highly chronologically gifted. Younger people are invited to contact me to discuss their participation. Maximum 40 participants.
Location: The Little Red Church in Comox.
Cost: Sliding scale of fees: $270 to $350 includes GST.
The fee for the evening introduction is $20, which is applicable to the cost of the full workshop if you register for the weekend. Space is limited to 40 participants.
A note for younger people: we need you! Your presence among elders is important, for them as well as for you.
There are opportunities for work trades in The Seventh Gift. In exchange for your help with food preparation and other logistical help, we can offer you a reduced fee.
For more information go to http://www. windwalker.ca/schedule.html, and scroll down to the second last entry.
Visit us at:
216 - 5th Street Courtenay Phone:
250.218.2130 or Email:
info@comoxvalleyreflexology.com
www.comoxvalleyreflexology.com 22 CV Health & Recreation Guide
Put down the phone and straighten up! by Dr. Debbie Wright Is your phone a pain in the neck? Research is starting to shed some light on the condition known as “text neck”, which is becoming common in adults and children. Whether watching videos, sending a text or reading emails – you spend an average of two to four hours a day looking at your phone.
The position adopted by your head, neck and mid-back while you stare at your phone places a large amount of stress on these areas. This strain can cause irritation of the joints, muscles and nerves of the neck and mid-back, which can lead to acute symptoms such as neck pain, headaches, back pain, and arm pain or numbness. If left unaddressed for long periods of time, it can lead to excessive wear and tear of these joints, permanent changes in your posture and chronic pain.
Our heads weigh between 10 and 12 pounds, but as we angle them down to look at our phones the effective weight on our necks increases. At a 15-degree angle it is about 27 pounds, but at a 60-degree angle it rises to 60 pounds. So what can you do to lessen the effects of this abnormal posture? Here are some easy tips to lessen the pain and straighten up:
1. Change Positions – don’t stay stuck in the same static posture for long periods of time. Changing positions will ease the strain on your body and engage different muscles and joint positions. Look around from time to time and change the positioning of your head and shoulders.
2. Stretch – running through a gentle range of motion of your neck (bending it forwards, side to
side and turning) will help to mobilize joints and stretch out muscles. Don’t be afraid to get up and walk around in addition to stretching.
3. No Hands – if you are watching a video, prop the device up so you don’t have to hold it continuously. Try to prop it in a position where you can look at it without hunching forward or looking down.
4. 20-20-20 – Every 20 minutes take a break of at least 20 seconds and look at an object at least 20 feet away.
5. Relax Your Hands – gripping your phone or tablet can lead to strain on your forearm or hand muscles. Relax these muscles by occasionally opening and closing your fingers and hands.
6. Download the App – Do you want to improve your posture? Canadian chiropractors have a free app for that. Just search for Straighten Up
Continued on Page 25... Open Evenings
Providing Veterinary Services in the Comox Valley Since 2001
250-334-8400 24hr emergency on call care
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Dr. Debbie Wright & Dr. Alicia Steele • Chiropractic care for the entire family • Special interest in pediatric, pre- and post-natal care • ICPA certified in the Webster Technique w w w. b ay vi ewc hi ro. c a
bayview chiropractic
250.334.4844 • 544 4th Street, Courtenay 02075187-CVE-C-DrDebbieWright 10x35.indd 2
1/26/12 2:28:41 PM
CV Health & Recreation Guide
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w
Feelin’ good with laughter wellness Comox Valley by Joanne McKechnie and Susan Baker Coming to a Laughter Wellness session with the willingness to laugh is all the commitment one needs. That’s right. We show up to laugh for the purpose of feeling good…our guaranteed way of receiving the health benefits of laughter. Laughter Wellness is a unique concept where anyone can laugh for no reason, without relying on humour, jokes or comedy. Laughter Wellness sessions integrate simple laughter yoga exercises with the power of breath, movement, sound and more into an hour of fun that is a powerful tool in creating and maintaining good health. The sessions are suitable for most body types and conditions as a gentle to moderate form of cardio, followed by relaxation exercises. Research has proven that the feel-good hormones (endorphins) are released through laughing, whether fake or real, as the brain cannot tell the difference. In turn, this
relieves stress and depression. Wellness benefits continue with a boost to the immune system, increased circulation, lowered blood pressure, as well as providing emotional and psychological release for an overall feeling of well-being. Laughter Wellness sessions will be offered this fall at both the Comox and Courtenay recreation centres for adults 18 and older. Also, there will be a family class offered as one of the Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections programs on Saturday mornings. The sessions will be facilitated by Joanne McKechnie, certified laughter yoga leader. Visit
www.invokelaughter.com
for
more
information on Laughter Wellness, as well as for updates on class locations and times.
Joanne McKechnie can be reached at (250)
465-1201.
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Liz White’s article continued from pg 20...
Debbie Wright ’s article continued from pg 23...
to 450 workers affected by the use of Nemagon. The victims have yet to receive anything. Thanks to the resilience of the human spirit, there is hope. In some regions, small scale banana producers are uniting to form fair trade cooperatives. Using a cooperative model, these farmers are able to improve working conditions for workers and meet higher environmental standards. Not all, but most free trade organizations produce organic bananas. The price for organic produce is higher than that for conventional product because a free trade premium is charged by the fair trade organization. It’s like a membership or licensing fee. The premium must not be used to cover operating expenses, but rather to improve living and working conditions. For example, some cooperatives put the money into education and health care for workers. Therefore, when you buy fair trade organic bananas, you are enhancing the life of a small producer while avoiding your own exposure to chemicals – a win/win situation. This research project reinforced my commitment to buying organic produce, especially in the case of my favourite fruit, bananas. Previously, I had been shopping on the basis of habit, convenience and cost, and was not aware of the consequences. However, in our expanding global economy, we can make a difference. By speaking with our purchasing power, we can support more humane and environmentally sensitive practices by the producers of our food. Lacking awareness, we may be unknowingly contributing to unjust and unhealthy working conditions in a far away country. Now that is food for thought.
Canada in the app store of any Apple or Android device. If these tips can’t seem to get your symptoms under control, it would be wise to consult a health care practitioner for a proper examination and diagnosis. While chiropractors treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, we specialize in the spine and its surrounding muscles, joints, ligaments and (most importantly) nerves. Not only can your chiropractor address your symptoms and pain, but they can also teach you some strategies for prevention. Anyone with a back or neck injury will attest to the importance of having a healthy spine for future quality of life. A healthy spine begins in childhood, and I urge you to discuss the contents of this article with your children. Kids these days are growing up in a technology-filled environment quite different from even a generation before, and most are unaware of the physical implications of this reality.
Liz White. M.Sc., Consumer Studies, can be reached at 250-871-1737, eh-white@shaw.ca or visit www.energysourcepilates.weebly.com.
Dr. Debbie Wright is a chiropractor at Bayview Chiropractic, and is back at work after her second child. For more information visit www.bayviewchiro.ca or call 250-334-4844.
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CV Health & Recreation Guide
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Sure it works, but what’ll it cost me? by Dr. Dawn Armstrong, B.Sc.,D.C
Imagine you have a pain — a deep, gnawing, unrelenting ache in your low back and hip that grabs and bites every time you get up from the couch. What started as a pinch at the base of your spine, when you picked up your luggage at the airport after a long flight from New Zealand six years ago, has come to define your life. You’ve given up playing baseball with your kids. And gardening. And vacuuming. And wearing socks because it
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hurts too much to put them on. You had to give up a great job because it involved too much sitting, or too much standing — either way, it just hurt too much. You can’t remember the last time you slept through the night. It’s a hard pain. You cannot pretend it isn’t there because it’s there every day, every time you reach to get a dish from the cupboard or bend over to pick up a toy from the floor. You’ve spent months and months doing physiotherapy exercises. You’ve tried electrical therapies, laser treatments, traction and ultrasound. It all helps a bit, for a little while, but no one can tell you why the pain isn’t going away. It’s not clear what’s wrong even though you’ve had three sets of X-rays, two CT scans and one MRI. There’s the ibuprofen and T3s and opiates – they take the edge off, but you’re starting to worry what they might be doing to your stomach and your liver. You’ve gained 40 pounds, your blood pressure is going up and so is your blood sugar — the doctor has warned you that type 2 diabetes is looming on the horizon. Your feet hurt, your knees hurt and exercise feels impossible. You’re waiting to hear about an appointment with yet another specialist. The months go by. One morning, the phone rings, but it’s not them. It is an invitation to take part in a clinical trial at a hospital in Saskatoon. Dr. Cassidy (a chiropractor) and Dr. Kirkaldy-Willis (an orthopedic surgeon)
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are researching the effectiveness/cost-effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation as a treatment for chronic low back pain. You, along with 170 other people in the same situation of disabling pain (suffering on average for 7.6 years), will receive daily chiropractic manipulation for three weeks. So you decide you have nothing to lose for trying. Three weeks later, 67 per cent of the group — that’s 114 people — achieved complete symptom relief and were quickly able to return to full function with no restrictions on their activities. Success was maintained on follow-up 12 months later and, most importantly, though not everyone found complete relief, no one was made worse (an ever present possibility with surgery). Imagine then that you are one of the study participants who responded so well. What did it cost for your chiropractic care? If you do the math, 21 x $45 (average price for a treatment) makes the total $945. Getting your life back? Priceless! World renowned economists from Canada (Dr. Pran Manga) and Australia (Prof. John Dillon) have concluded that when it comes to money and care for back pain, chiropractic is an extremely cheap option. Unlike primary medical practice it does not spiral costs into the system through specialist services, hospitalizations and pharmaceuticals. On average, a dollar spent on a chiropractor’s services causes no further costs. In terms of cost-effectiveness, a chiropractor can best be compared to a dentist. Both see the patient directly and generally provide all necessary diagnosis and treatment themselves. If you or someone you care about is suffering with back pain and hasn’t yet tried chiropractic care and want more information, visit www.ccachiro.org or the British Columbia Chiropractic Association’s website. For more details on the clinical trial, see Canadian Family Physician, March 1985 (Volume 31).
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1819 Beaufort Avenue • 250-465-8482 Helping You Take Better Care of Yourself
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Masculinity, men, and emotions by Danielle Lambrecht M.C., CCC
As a culture, young boys can be taught not to express or to hide their emotions for concern it may de-masculinize them, or they may be called names by their peers such as “cry baby”, “weakling” or “sissy.” When these young boys grow up to be teenagers they most likely will continue to feel ashamed or “feminized” if they show their emotions to anyone. Teaching males to hide from their emotions is to inadvertently teach them to disconnect from their emotional mind and physical body. Research has found that there are also biological reasons why men cry less than women. According to the American Psychological Association, men produce testosterone that inhibits crying, whereas women produce prolactin, a hormone known to be associated with increased emotions. Furthermore, the infamous debate between nature versus nurture was illuminated in a study conducted in 35 countries such as Chile, Sweden, U.S., Ghana, Nigeria and Nepal. It was found there was a difference between how often men cried compared to women, and the difference was based on the level of acceptance for the freedom
Delhi 2 Dublin and The Fugitives
Wild double-bill that will take you around the world Saturday, September 19th 7:30 pm
Bollywood Masala Orchestra & Dancers of India Spirit of India Pre-Show Chat: 1:45pm in Harmac Room Sunday, September 27th 2:30 pm
Guy Mendilow Ensemble: Tales From the Forgotten Kingdom Post-Show Chat in Theatre Monday, October 5th 7:30 pm
Lorne Elliott Comedy Show
Canadian humourist, storyteller, musician & playwright Sunday, November 1st 2:30 pm
Ballet BC Solo Echo, New Work, Twenty Eight Thousand Waves Ballet BC brings together three choreographers Wednesday, November 11th 7:30 pm
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to express emotions. While some men like to fish, hunt and engage in other outdoor activities, other men may not be interested. The social pressure men may endure to “be a man” may push them to do things they would rather not. It may be difficult for them to speak up especially if they did not receive positive feedback if they wanted to do something different such as hopscotch, skipping or hanging out with girls when they were younger. To further confirm the cultural morals and concepts and its impact on men, Tsai reviewed multiple studies that compared North America and East Asian culture and found clear evidence that emotional functioning was influenced by cultural expectations, contexts and models of the person. This research reinforces the idea that it is the North American way to masculinize men. Of all the issues mentioned above, the purpose of the article is to draw attention to the fact that men have emotions too. For men to express emotions has nothing to do with the notions of masculinity; it has to do with humanness. Whether men choose to do outdoor sports or have skills and talents in sewing, the reality is gender should not contain them. As a society and community, mindfulness of the expansion of gender would be a positive change for us all. For more information call Danielle Lambrecht at 250.898.9847 or visit www.daniellelambrecht.ca.
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Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 Int/Adv Hatha 15 Drop-in $13/class Thursdays 6:30-8:00 PM PM Beg/Int Hatha 15 classes classes $150 $150 Classes take place in Royston. The yoga postures are presented as a moving Thursdays 6:30-8:00 PM Beg/Int Hatha 15 classes $150 meditation that help students increase awareness of the mind/body connection. A focus Drop-in $13/class on core strength and alignment will improve posture and mobility of the joints. Classes take place in Royston. The yoga postures are presented as a moving Drop-in $13/class meditation that help students increase awareness of the mind/body connection. A focus Classes take place in Royston. The yoga postures are presented as a moving on Fine core strength alignment will improve posture and mobility of the joints. A Spineand Workshop meditation that help students increase awareness of the mind/body connection. A focus Saturday, October 17, 2015 1-4posture PM and mobility of the joints. $45.00 on core strength and alignment will improve This workshop will Workshop introduce students to the anatomy of the spine. We will look at the A Fine Spine structure and function of the spine, its joints and supporting musculature. By focusing Saturday, October 17, 2015 1-4 PM $45.00 A Fine Spine awareness on theWorkshop subtle movements of the spine students will gain a greater This workshop will introduce students to the anatomy of the spine. We will look at the Saturday, October 17, ability 2015 to improve 1-4spinal PM mobility. A series of gentle exercises $45.00 understanding of their own structure and function of the spine, its joints and supporting musculature. By focusing will taught towill helpintroduce participants recognize and maintain spinal Thisbe workshop students to the anatomy of optimal the spine. Wehealth. will look at the awareness on the subtle movements of the spine students will gain a greater structure and function of the spine, its joints and supporting musculature. By focusing understanding of their own ability to improve spinal mobility. A series of gentle exercises awareness on the subtle movements of the spine students will gain a greater will be taught to help participants recognize and maintain optimal spinal health. understanding of their own ability to improve spinal mobility. A series of gentle exercises will be taught to help participants recognize and maintain optimal spinal health.
Bryan Hill, RMT Bryan Hill, RMT www.BryanHill.ca 250-702-7048 Bryan Hill, RMT
28 CV Health & Recreation Guide
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Canine kennel cough and herbal treatments by Dr. Heather Matheson
“I think there is something stuck in his throat” is the signature symptom of canine infectious tracheobronchitis, otherwise known as bordetella or kennel cough. Kennel cough occurs when a bacteria (bordetella bronchiseptica) teams up with one of several possible viruses. Parainfluenza is the most common virus involved in outbreaks of kennel cough but other viruses such as canine adenovirus, reovirus and the canine herpes virus may be involved. When bordetella and parainfluenza combine to cause kennel cough, symptoms show up four to 10 days after exposure. Just like the common cold in humans, tracheobronchitis is highly contagious, rarely fatal and runs its course. In mild cases, infected dogs will remain active and alert, with a good appetite. In severe cases, symptoms may progress towards pneumonia and include lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and of course the goose-honking, gacking cough that won’t stop. That gacking cough will typically hang around for about 10 days but even after the coughing stops your pooch may continue to shed the bordetella bacteria for up to 14 weeks. That means he is contagious and a poochy-petriedish potentially sharing with his doggie-buddies. Prevention: Vaccination is available for bordetella, however there are many strains of bordetella, much like the flu vaccine in people. Immunized dogs may still contract tracheobronchitis despite being vaccinated. Also the vaccination in some cases will cause kennel cough symptoms. Healthy, strong immune systems are resistant and do not catch kennel cough.
Treatment: Just like the common cold, tracheobronchitis will typically run its course with dogs recovering on their own. That said, there are a number of things we can do to keep our caninebuddy comfortable while they are feeling crummy and speed their recovery. Homeopathic kennel cough nosodes will boost the immune system targeting kennel cough. Yin Chiao and astragalus are both herbal supplements that stimulate the immune system, often decreasing the symptoms of kennel cough and shortening the disease length. Manuka honey and coconut oil are both soothing for the throat and have antibacterial effects. Acupuncture is also helpful for the goosehonk. Antibiotics are indicated only if a fever and potential pneumonia are developing. Finally a note of caution: just because your canine is coughing, don’t assume it is kennel cough. There are many other reasons dogs can cough including heart disease, fungal infections, collapsing trachea, asthma, heartworm, paralysis of the larynx, megaesophagus, inhaled foreign bodies such as grass seeds and lung cancer. As you can imagine, these other causes of coughing are treated much differently than kennel cough. For more information call 250-871- 4355 or visit www.balancedpawsvet.com
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Door to door delivery - a service worth protecting? by Dave Mills
You may have seen the signs sprouting up on lawns across Comox and Courtenay or heard about the court battles between Canada Post and the cities of Hamilton and Montreal — the fight is on over the Harper Government’s decision to allow Canada Post to eliminate door-to-door delivery service.
trips per-day down your street, the consequences of which are noise, danger to children and pollution; expect more litter and break-in attempts, the consequences of which are an increase in your tax bill. Expect your home’s value to drop the closer you are to a superbox.
Some folks, particularly those who live in communities previously planned around community mail boxes, don’t see what all the fuss is about: ‘I’ve been getting mail from my box for years, and it’s never bothered me…’ And that is a good point — because the box is not right in front of someone’s’ home, the streets are wide with pullouts, and the locations are designed to accommodate the flow of traffic.
Mail delivery is a valued subsidy-free service. Fire protection, policing, medical, civic, military — none of these services make a profit, in fact they cost us an arm and a leg. Along with the most affordable delivery options from a trusted brand, Canada Post provides annual contributions to general revenue along with the corporate and payroll tax revenues generated by people from the Comox Valley doing honest work. Despite what you hear about letters, in the world of online shopping, it has a bright future. Why distinguish ourselves as the only G8 country to eliminate postal services?
Unfortunately, in our denser urban settings, that is not the case. So what will streets in your neighbourhood feel like when the super-box shows up? Expect the following: hundreds of extra car
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30 CV Health & Recreation Guide
To find answers, start with questions like who stands to benefit? Who stands to lose? (well, when you slip on an icy sidewalk on a dark January night after you’ve come home from a long day at work, that one’s easy). By the time you read this, the federal election campaign will be underway. I know the answers to these questions, but it’s not for me to tell them to you. That job is for the candidates seeking your vote on Oct. 19. Ask them. And if you don’t like the answer, vote accordingly. To receive a Save Door to Door lawn sign contact daveyspey@icloud.com.
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250.338.6761 CV Health & Recreation Guide
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