Health & Wellness on Salt Spring Island spring 2018 by Gulf Islands Driftwood Publishing

HEALTH directory

S P RI N G 2 0 1 8

salt spring island

patient

voices

Network seeks rural perspective

Hula-hooping

All-ages way to get fit and have fun

healthy emotions

Island womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book wins Nautilus Award for personal growth

a month of health pgs 18 + 19

DgiM

Driftwood gulf Islands Media

Rainbow Road

Aquatic Centre

250.537.1402

Rainbow Road Spring/Summer Schedule April 21 to September 2, 2018 MONDAY

o t

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Early Bird Shared 6:30 - 8:00 6:30 - 8:00

Energizer 8:00 - 9:00

Open Aqualite 9:30 - 10:30

Lap Swim 8:00 - 10:30

Open Aqualite 9:30 - 10:30

Lessons & Lap 10:30 - 12:30

Open

Nooner 1:00 - 2:00

Adult Youth 1:00 - 2:00

Nooner 1:00 - 2:00

Adult Youth 1:00 - 2:00

Nooner 1:00 - 2:00

Everyone Welcome 2:00 - 6:00

Shared 4:00 - 6:00

Swim Team 6:00 - 7:30 Hot Tub $2

Evening Lengths 7:30 - 8:30

GENERAL ADMISSION Single Admission rates apply to each entry per day. Fees include applicable taxes.

Single Visit

Taxes included / Toonie swim $2.00 Passes 10 Times

20 Times

1 Month

Annual

Adult (19 yrs and older)

6.00

54.15

102.30

60.15

410.00

Youth/Student (13-18 yrs or valid student card)

4.50

40.50

76.50

45.00

295.00

Child (6-12 yrs)

3.50

31.50

59.50

35.00

295.00

Tot (5 yrs and under)

Free

Family (max 5 members)

13.00

117.00

221.00

130.00

820.00

SATURDAY SUNDAY

Lap Swim 7:30 10:00

Shared 10:00 - 12:00

Everyone Welcome 12:00 3:00

WATER FITNESS CLASSES Energizer This class will challenge you to work hard in shallow or deep water. A qualified Instructor will guide you through a number of exercises which will help with your strength, flexibility and fitness. Nooners For those looking for more strength and stretching. These exercises are designed to get your blood flowing and your muscles moving.

Toonie Swim 1:30 5:30

Everyone Welcome 2:00 - 6:30

Friday Night Madness 6:30 - 8:30

AQUAFIT:

Pass $7.50 drop-in 1 month pass $67.80 • 10x $67.50 Annual $575.00 _______________________

Aqualite If you have had hip or knee trouble or have had heart problems, then this is the class for you. This low intensity, cardio exercise class is perfect for those needing to focus on balance and core strength. Friday Night Madness This is a fun time for the youth in our community to come out and enjoy the pool. Special activities will be planned for this time slot.

$2 hot tub or shower Monday to Thursday 6-7:30pm

Please contact us at 250-537-1402 for MORE information & to register. 262 Rainbow Road • ssiparc.ca 2

health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018

DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

Contents 4 5 8 9

massage magic Brian Pack has unique skills.

your input wanted Patient Voices Network seeks Salt Spring participants.

HEARING LOSS Causes explored.

personal growth Toko-pa Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book wins Nautilus Award.

12 feet first

The importance of having proper footwear.

13 help with health

Community Farm Store packed with expertise.

14 hYPERTENSION

How to accurately take your blood pressure with a home measurement device.

16 HULA-HOOP HYPE

Salt Spring woman promotes fun activities.

18 day by day

Month of may health tips.

20 Ingest the best

Whole foods & supplements.

21 Health-Care Listings And index to our advertisers.

23 TIPS FOR PARENTS

Keep your kids healthy and happy.

Driftwood GULF ISLANDS

Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

N E W S P A P E R

S I N C E

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MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

His Unique Skills Will Relax You He has probably helped someone you know, just ask around

Orthopaedic Massage by Brian Pack is serious repair work wrapped up to feel like the best, most enjoyable massage you could ever imagine having but couldn’t find. Incomparable with any other form of massage, it’s extremely effective in resolving acute and chronic conditions, totally safe and comes guaranteed for the best results. In developing his skills as a manual therapist, Brian started with six years of intensive studies in related disciplines t h r o u g h o u t A s i a b e f o re entering private practice. He now has 27 years of broadbased clinical experience in pain relief, joint release and spinal restructuring as well as delaying and avoiding

surgeries. He’s developed comprehensive pre- and postsurgical protocols for faster and fuller recoveries if an operation is still required. He has probably helped someone you know, just ask around. Here’s what a couple of Salt Springers have to say about their experiences last year: “Brian’s experience and knowledge as a bodyworker are amazing. His holistic approach considering overall health and contr ibuting factors precedes his gentle approach. It’s as if his fingers have eyes that guide him to the root of the problem. I had lost my stride, limped with pain, it got to the point that I could only shuffle.

“After the first treatment, I regained my stride. After three treatments, the result for me was a major realignment of the parts of my body and posture affected. His skillful touch pulled me back from a crippling edge. That’s why I call him ‘the bone whisperer.’” April Curtis “These days I am walking around with complete f r e e d o m o f m ov e m e n t , no pain, and reasonable flexibility. So what!? Isn’t that to be expected? Not really! A few weeks ago, I could barely move, was bent over and couldn’t find a comfortable sleeping position. What made the difference? Two words. Brian Pack. Try him. He’s a magician.” Dave Phillips ■

ORTHOPAEDIC MASSAGE – Treat Your Body Right! Relax and Heal!

• 12 years accredited as Maui’s top massage practitioner. Many doctors’ first choice for their patients’ problems. • Actively licensed in Hawaii as a medical massage practitioner (US and some private Canadian insurance reimbursable) • All athletic performance improves measurably

• Hawaii State registered in Lomi Lomi (traditional Hawaiian massage), specializing in its therapeutic forms • Seasonally serving SSI since 1992. Canadian-born, globally taught

250 538 7658 bestmassagessi@gmail.com ALL TREATMENTS ARE PROFOUNDLY RELAXING

health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018

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Patient Voices Network needs Salt Spring volunteers

Patient voices network photo

Participants enjoy a Patient Voices Network event.

Make your voice heard and help make B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health care system better

o you have recent experience receiving health care services or helping a loved one navigate the health care system? Are you interested in sharing insights and information about your experiences to inspire positive changes? The Patient Voices Network (PVN) wants to hear from you! The PVN is a B.C.-wide community of patients, families and caregivers that volunteer their time to partner with health care staff on quality improvement, patient safety and service redesign initiatives.Â Patients often see and experience the health care system differently from those who work within it. The inclusion of patient voices provides new perspectives and greater understanding for >>

Summer Dance Workshops Register by June 15 and receive a 10% discount

July 3 - August 24

For more information and to register

rainwooddancestudio.com 320 UPPER GANGES ROAD, SALT SPRING ISLAND DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

It’s more than what donations buy, it’s what donations do. Donations don’t just build facilities and buy

These and other improvements, including a

equipment; they change lives. That’s why we

new echocardiogram service for testing and

are dedicating the next year to raising $2 million

diagnosis, will benefit everyone in our

to support important modernizations of our

community. With your support we can make

hospital, from Emergency to Residential Care

our hospital even better. After all, you never

and Palliative Care.

know when you might need help.

Your donation will help us do more for our patients, staff and community. your community, your health 6

250-652-7531 sphf.ca health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018 DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

medical doctor endorsements • comprehensive personalized ongoing support both patient and health care partners, leading to more informed decisions. There is a growing need for patient volunteers who are ready, willing and able to partner with health care staff, share their perspectives and bring meaningful change to the system. Each volunteer opportunity is unique and gives patient partners the chance to apply based on their interests, skills and experiences. For example, recent engagement opportunities in the Island Health region include: enhancing and expanding virtual care as an advisor, assisting in a knowledge translation project on medical assistance in dying and participating on a steering committee tasked with the creation of a primary care network. There are frequent opportunities for patient partners to join working groups, be a part of focus groups, review patient education material and share their patient experience stories at conferences Finally a weight loss method with... or continuing education events. While some Finally a weight loss method with... opportunities in the province require (expenseover a decade of success • weight loss & nutrition education over a decade of success • weight loss & nutrition education paid) travel to major city centres, participation is Finally a weight•loss method with... medical doctor endorsements guidelines medical doctor endorsements •comprehensive personalized ongoing support & tools often possible via phone or videoconference. over a decade ofpersonalized success • weight loss & nutrition education comprehensiveongoing guidelinessupport & tools medical doctor endorsements • comprehensive guidelines & tools New Members Welcome at Pharmasave on Salt Spring! Any B.C. resident is invited to join PVN as a patientNow available personalized ongoing support Now available at Pharmasave on Salt Spring! partner, as each person has a unique experienceTalk to your Ideal Protein Weight Loss Coach today! Talk to your of interacting with the health care system and can Now available at Pharmasave on Salt Spring! Ideal Protein Weight Loss Coach today! contribute a different perspective to conversations Talk to your Ideal Protein Weight Loss Coach today! about care. We are particularly keen to connect with those who bring a rural and remote perspective to health care services. An orientation session on Salt Spring Island will be scheduled in summer 2018. Ready to sign up? The process to start volunteering is very simple. All you have to do is sign up as a patient partner on the Patient Voices Network website, attend an orientation session and choose the engagement opportunities you’d like to participate in. ■

Rapid Weight Loss on S Now available at Pharmasave

Talk to your

With Lasting Rapid Weight Loss WithResults! Lasting Results! Ideal Protein Weight Rapid Weight Loss With LastingLoss Results!C

Medically Supervised Medically WeightSupervised Loss Weight Loss

For more information, connect with PVN!

Pharmasave Downtown Ganges Ganges Pharmasave Downtown 104 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2S7

Phone: 250.537.5534 104 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C Pharmasave Downtown Ganges 104 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2S7 Phone: 250.537.5534 Phone: 250.537.5534

• www.patientvoicesbc.ca • @PatientVoicesBC – Twitter • https://www.facebook.com/PatientVoicesBC – Facebook • https://www.linkedin.com/company/PatientVoicesBC – LinkedIn • Kira Tozer – Southern Vancouver Island engagement leader — ktozer@bcpsqc.ca or 250-888-4525

Results non-typical. You should not expect to experience similar results. You should consult your physician or other health care professional before starting this or any other diet program to determine if it is right for your needs. This is an Independent Centre approved by Ideal Protein to promote the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method and sell Ideal Protein Products.

it is right for your needs. This is an Independent Centre approved by Ideal Protein to promote the Ideal Results non-typical. You should not expect to experience similarifresults. YouProtein should consult your physician or other health care profes Weight Loss Method and sell Ideal Protein Products. to determine if it is right for your needs. This is an Independent Centre approved by Ideal Protein to promote the Ideal Protein Weig DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness 7

Have you heard? causes of hearing loss are varied The most common type of hearing loss (Presbycusis) is due to age. Presbycusis is a result of hair cell loss inside the cochlea or inner ear. It usually results in more hearing loss for treble than for bass sounds. In speech, the treble sounds are those like /s/, /f/, / th/, /ch/, /sh/, etc. If these are hard to hear, then words that rhyme will be hard to distinguish from each other, and the person is left guessing what might have been said. Think of the words “cat, fat, sat, hat, that.” All of them have the vowel “a,” but it is the high-pitched consonants at the beginning of the words that tell you what the words were. Hearing loss can also be due to exposure to loud noise. In fact, noise is the second most common cause of hearing loss. It too results in hearing loss for treble sounds. Hearing loss can also result from certain medications, ear

infections, diseases, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth or prenatal) or hereditary factors. Modern medicine cannot repair damaged hair cells. The only course of action is hearing aids and helpful loved ones. Another type of hearing loss can result from problems with the middle ear, behind the eardrum. One of the more common examples of this is ear infections that result in earaches. As we all know, hard blowing of one’s nose can be felt in the middle ear behind the eardrum. This is because there is a connection from the throat to the middle ears. Throat infections can creep up into the middle ear through this connection and cause a middle ear infection. Childrens’ faces are shorter and the connection between the throat and middle ear is therefore more horizontal. This is why kids tend to get more ear infections than adults do. ■

Wish you knew then? Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by overexposure to loud sounds. In some cases, the damage is only temporary. But repeated exposure to excessive noise for long periods such as heavy equipment, gun shots or prolonged exposure to loud music can cause permanent damage. If you suspect a hearing loss try our free, online hearing test today or visit a clinic near you.

SALT SPRING 778.353.3012 Grace Point Square 1108–115 Fulford-Ganges Rd

WorkSafeBC and other Provincial WCB Networks, VAC, BCEA and NIHB accepted

health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018

nexgenhearing.com Registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC

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Nautilus Awards honour Salt Spring writer

Book explores finding a sense of belonging By MARC KITTERINGHAM D R I F T W O O D S TA F F

A Salt Spring Island author’s first book was given a Nautilus Book Awards gold award on April 30.

www.toko-pa.com

Toko-pa Turner

The book, called Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home, was written by and published by Her Own Room Press in December 2017. It has since become popular in Canada, the United States and in the U.K. In the book, Turner writes about looking for a sense of belonging that is missing from many people’s lives. The Nautilus awards are given out yearly to books that support conscious living and green values. Turner’s book won in the personal growth category. Past winners of the award include Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama. >>

Dorothy Price Certified Yoga Teacher

“Come and see what you have been missing”

SSI Classes For All Levels Rejuvenating Retreats On Salt Spring Island And Worldwide

OUR SERVICES:

Salt Spring Transition House & Help Line 250-537-0735 or toll-free 1-877-435-7544

Women’s Outreach Services 250-537-0717 or toll-free 1-877-537-0717

Stopping the Violence Counselling for Women 250-538-5568

Children Who Witness Abuse Counselling 250-538-5569

250-537-7675 Visit my website for class schedules & retreat information WWW.SANTOSHA-YOGA-RETREATS.COM

‘Transitions’ Thrift Store #1-144 McPhillips Ave.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK A welcoming and centrally located environment

SAFE • FREE • CONFIDENTIAL

www.iwav.org

Funded by BC Housing and the BC Ministry of Justice DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

SweetHaven Hands Tisha Boulter

Certified Bodywork and Reiki Practitioner, 20yrs 171 Cedar Lane, Private Studio

250.537.1476

onLine Booking:

sweethavenhands. acuityscheduling.com

Belonging is more than fitting in to a place or a situation

Mobile Sales & Service Call PatriCk 250-537-1990 Sales, Repairs & Installation New • Used • ReNtals

• Lift Chairs • Walkers • Wheel Chairs • Scooters • Grab Bars • Stair Lifts • Bathroom Safety • Security Poles • Sports Medicine • Air Casts **NEW** Ossur Cold Rush® system in stock for knee and hip replacement

ssimedicalequipment@gmail.com

To view products visit: 166 Wildwood Crescent, Salt Spring Island 10

health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018

“The idea behind the book is so many of us have this longing to belong and it drives us,” she said. “What if belonging isn’t something that is outside of ourselves, but is actually a skill or a set of competencies that we in modern times have lost or forgotten?” In the book, Turner explores the need for belonging through three different lenses. Belonging starts with a personal desire to feel needed, and it is that personal desire that allows people to start trying to fulfill that need. The next section looks at how our general lack of belonging has affected our society on a cultural level. The book also explores belonging on an ancestral level and how belonging has changed through the generations and how that shift has affected people. “It’s a big complicated question and the book has a lot of different layers to it,” she said. “It’s nutrient rich.” People have what Turner calls an ancestral inheritance of alienation, since over the past few generations many people have broken their ties to their ancestral sense of place. We have also become disconnected from ancestral teachings from older generations.

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“There are all of these stories in our culture of people with vastly different family experiences . . . All of these places where the momentum of our ancestral relationship with our place of origin has been broken,” she said. “There is a grief and a confusion in that brokenness which transmits down through the family lines.” Belonging is more than fitting in to a place or a situation, Turner said. She considers it more a set of learned skills that people have forgotten over the past few generations. “In all these ways you’re searching for something you needed, that you longed for . . . In the end when you can go into and heal somebody’s wounds, you realize that your own life and what you create can be a shelter of belonging for others,” she said. “It makes no sense to say ‘I feel a sense of belonging without you.’ It doesn’t work that way.” Turner grew up in a Sufi commune in Montreal. Sufism is Islamic mysticism and that thinking has influenced Turner’s writing. As a child she learned the importance of sharing and paying attention to dreams. Turner also has a background in Jungian analytical psychology, which allowed her to explore her ideas from an eco-psychological perspective. This attention to dreams is what gave Turner the idea for the book. “I became very interested in dreams and how to understand the language of dreams. Eventually >>

PHOTO courtesy toko-pa turner

Toko-pa Turner’s book amid symbols of the natural world, spirituality and healing.

the western approach or purely psychological approach to working with dreams had its limitations for me and I became interested in how dreams are connected to nature itself,” she said. “I try to weave that into everything that I write about as well.” The book has received a positive response from readers, she said.

“I think there’s kind of a disconnect when you do things as a writer,” she said. “You put your work out into the world and you don’t really have a sense of how it is going to be received until you have a physical manifestation of it, so the response is like winning a wonderful award.” The book is available at Salt Spring Books and on Amazon. ■

Dan Hardy

STATION STREET EYECARE

DENTURIST

Gayleen,

Todd, Kerri

STATION STREET 25% OFF EYECARE

ALL NON-RX SUN GL ASSES

BUY ONETodd, PAIR Gayleen, Kerri % 25 GET 2ND PAIR FREE OFF

Salt Spring office located at Gulf Clinic 241 Lower Ganges Road • New Dentures • Reline & Repairs • Home & Care Facility Visits

For appointments call

1-250-710-1884

BUY PAIRALL NON-RX BUYONE ONE PAIR SUNGLASSES 250-597-8191 GET 2ND PAIR FREE Station Street Eyecare” GET 2ND“ You’re on the right track with 177 Station St., Duncan (Former Pearle EYE25EXAM REFERRALS • LOCALLY OWNED • OPERATED years at this PAIR FREE! location – Todd is now 250-597-819 25 years at this location – Todd is now Owner/Operator

Dan Hardy Denturist

177 Station St., Duncan (Former Pearle Vision Location)

Owner/Operator We direct bill most insurance plans

“ You’re on the right track with Statio

177 Station St., Duncan • 250-597-8191 EYE EXAM REFERRALS LOCALLY OWNED stationstreeteyecare.ca

EYE EXAM REFERRALS • LOCALLY OWNED LOCALLY OPERATED DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

Love your feet! “The human foot – a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art” - Leonardo da Vinci

A close look at the human foot reveals a marvel of design and efficiency. One quarter of all the bones in the human body are in our feet, working together with muscles, ligaments and tendons to support and balance the entire weight of our body. Your feet are your foundation and can affect the alignment of every other joint in your body, from your ankles, knees and hips up through your spine to your skull. Feet are, of course, critical to the gait cycle and also work like a shock absorber on all kinds of different terrains from beach to concrete to grass. Most people are born with strong healthy feet, but

• CUSTOM MADE ORTHOTICS & SANDALS • COMFORT SHOES

Unit #16 Merchant Mews www.saltspringfootprints.ca

250-537-1720 12

health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018

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given the fact that the average person takes about 10,000 steps a day and walks around the earth about three times in a lifetime, you literally might run into some foot-related problems that need some special expertise and attention. With aging we very often see that the strength of the arches in people’s feet get weaker and the natural padding decreases. Exercising, stretching and massaging is highly recommended to keep your feet flexible and strong. Sometimes extra help and support is needed to correct a misalignment like over pronation and to ease plantar fasciitis or forefoot pain. Appropriate footwear and socks are also very important factors to your foot health. Just remember that your feet are worthy of love, both in times of health and in times of distress. So, let your feet take you for a walk or run, dance or climb or a jump of joy. Massage them, pamper them, and give them the attention they need and deserve. ■

elp! appy to h h e r a e W oerschke

sP & Marku ints Barbara helping Footpr g in r p erience in S p x e d Salt e in lems. ears comb lated prob re t o Over 40 y fo d h foot an people wit 20 -17 a 250-537 tprints.c pringfoo s a lt a .c s s t @ info tprin pringfoo s lt a .s w ew ww r at our n s we offe e ic rv e s and Products cation. ’ Mews lo ts n a Merch , Taos, Footwear: d Sandals n a s g lo Comfort C s, cks fort Shoe Tough So Finn Com rn a D & e tim m made Think!, Bio e Orthotics, Custo ns odificatio ad Custom m dals, orthopedic m San Orthotic ar. e tw to foo

Community Farm Store ~ Wellness Advisory Team

The Community Farm Store We are here to help

“We make planet-friendly shopping easy! No GMOs, no toxins, no factory farming! Staffed by 55 tree-hugging, planet-loving, community-building, organic food and farming enthusiasts. We only sell to our customers what we would feed to our own families. Conscious buying for conscious shoppers. 100% community owned. Our Wellness Team is currently staffed by nine health-care practitioners, with more than 100 years of combined experience; we are here to help you navigate your holistic health concerns. There is so much conflicting health information in the media

that it can be easy to get overwhelmed and off track. With credentials in Holistic Nutrition, Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Homeopathy and Energy Medicine and our fingers on the pulse of the latest Holistic scientific studies, our team is waiting to inspire your physical and mental evolution. The holistic tools we stock in our department are effective, ethically produced and well-researched. We are so confident that all of the members of the Wellness Advisory Team regularly use these products to maintain the health of themselves and their families. ■

ORGANIC HEALTH & WHOLE FOOD MARKET

S ERVING

THE

C OWICHAN V ALLEY

SINCE

1993

5380 Trans Canada Hwy Monday-Friday 8-7 1 minute south of Duncan Sat 8-7 • Sun 10-6 www.communityfarmstore.ca 250-748-6227

GROCERIES • LOCAL PRODUCE • BULK • HERBS • WELLNESS • TEXTILES • ART DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

Home Measurements Hypertension Month tips for taking your blood pressure

Over three million Canadians have purchased blood pressure measurement devices for home use, yet those personal devices may not be accurate, cautions Hypertension Canada. May is Hypertension Month, and for more than 15 million Canadians living with or at risk for hypertension, regular blood pressure measurement is key to knowing how their lifestyle changes or medications are working to keep their blood pressure within a healthy range. “Inaccurate devices may give readings that are lower or higher than the blood pressure actually is, giving false indications of your health,” says Angelique Berg, chief executive officer of Hypertension Canada. “With the number of devices available for purchase, it can be difficult for people to tell which are accurate.” Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of our blood vessels, and for most of the population, ideal blood pressure measures 120/80

mmHg or below. Too much force in the vessels, called hypertension, causes organ damage in the brain, eyes, heart and kidney over time, and can lead to chronic and deadly diseases like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and dementia if not controlled. Blood pressure is also sensitive to treatments. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, like the low-sodium DASH-diet, have been shown in research to reduce systolic blood pressure, the top number in a reading, by up to 10 mmHg. Medications can produce similar reductions. “Hypertension is highly sensitive to treatment, so accurate monitoring of blood pressure control is of key importance,,” explains Dr. Nadia Khan, president of Hypertension Canada. “Readings that are too low leave a person at risk of complications, and readings that are too high cause needless worry, and even may be a contributing factor behind the recent increase in

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health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018

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FORBES MAGAZINE SAYS:

Perhaps its greatest benefit is that it’s relatively quick to learn and easy to master. No waiting weeks or months of practice before you see results: TM cuts right to the chase, taking only days — or for some, minutes — before one feels reprieve from their painful and overwhelming thoughts.

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To learn more about TM on Salt Spring Island, call 778.353.3014 for a free Intro talk. Or ﬁnd us on the web: http://tmsaltspring.com

hypertension-related emergency department visits.” Blood pressure monitors fall into Health Canada’s Class II medical devices, which requires only the manufacturer’s senior officer’s attestation that the device does what it says it will. The device might measure blood pressure, but its degree of accuracy may be unproven. The question of accuracy gets more confusing with the claims of some wearable devices and the ease of ordering devices online that may not be regulated at all. To cut through the confusion, Hypertension Canada has released the first list of recommended blood pressure measurement devices in North America, each reviewed and confirmed to have met the newest international standards set by AAMI (the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) and the ISO (the International Organization for Standardization). Open to all blood pressure devices, including those used at home, in clinics, and in pharmacies, the program helps Canadians and Canadian organizations to easily identify validated, accurate blood pressure measurement devices when making purchasing decisions. “Choosing the right device is the right first step,” says Khan. “Equally important are ensuring the device’s cuff fits well upon purchase, and using the device in the right way.” See the list at www.hypertension.ca. ■

The Right Way to Take Your Blood Pressure? With SMILES: Hypertension Canada recommends the acronym, SMILES as the right way to measure blood pressure, whether at home or in a clinic or pharmacy:

S - Seated, with back and measurement arm supported,

Mi - Middle of the cuff at heart level, its lower edge one inch above the elbow crease,

L - Legs uncrossed and feet flat on the floor, E - Empty bladder and bowel, and with S - Silence, for five minutes before and during the measurement, no talking, movement or distractions. About Hypertension Canada Hypertension Canada is the nation’s provider of clinical practice guidelines for hypertension. Powered by a professional network of the leading multidisciplinary experts in hypertension, Hypertension Canada is Canada’s only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the prevention and control of hypertension and its complications.

Minerva MIDLIFE COACHING

…supporting women towards greater wellness, health and joy. CALL VIV FOR FREE 1/2 HOUR CONSULTATION

Vivian M. Nielsen, M.A. 250-538-7029 | 250-931-7206 vivnielsencoach@gmail.com www.minervacoaching.ca “What is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life?”

- MARY OLIVER

Dr. Andrea N.Varju* Optometrist Complete vision & eye health care

• Ocular emergencies • Laser surgery co-management • Eyeglass and contact lens fitting & sales

#108-150 Fulford-Ganges Rd. Creekhouse Building

250-537-4356 www.saltspringeyecare.com *Optometric Corporation

DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

By Kya Dalton

S p e c ia l to t h e D riftwood

Islander shares hula hoop passion

Hula hooping. The idea might bring up images of the past, perhaps of school children, or teenagers in the 1950s.

Or of the beautiful First Nations hoop dances that have held spiritual and cultural significance for generations. You may have have seen amazing circus performers or fire spinners showing off their skills at events and festivals, which can sometimes make “hooping” feel a bit exclusive and out of your league. The truth is that anyone can learn to hula hoop, and hooping has many benefits for anyone willing to put in the hours to experience them. Salt Spring has huge potential to be one such thriving hoop community and I was excited to hold a beginner hoop event at Mahon Hall at the There are a few tricks and tips to get you started end of April. on the right foot. Finding the right-sized hoop is an important step. I have many different sizes of hoops that people can try out to see what feels best. Hula hooping has many benefits. First of all, it’s great exercise for the body and because there are different kinds of hooping, like on-body, off-body and multi-hooping, there are many different ways to customize your workout routine. This means that it can be modified for people with physical disabilities and well. If you prefer core strengthening movements then on-body hooping with a big heavy hoop is your best bet. If you like quick jumps and a faster pace to dance too, then smaller dance hoops and lightweight poly-pros will give you that. If you really like to challenge yourself then you can try multi hooping, which is learning to focus on different body parts at the same time. Every new trick you practice has its own learning curve, and while hooping is a great way to get in shape, it’s also a fantastic tool to exercise your mind and give you confidence in your own ability to learn. PHOTO by juli paul One of the best lessons that hooping has to teach is that Kya Dalton throws her everything becomes possible with time and effort. While hoop on an island beach. the “flow” or trance-like state of hooping is a huge part of the allure, the drilling and learning of new moves can be an intellectually stimulating activity. Not to mention the faster reflexes and better coordination that come from it. >>

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PHOTO by julius fisher

Kya Dalton (also known as Khya on social media) leads a beginners’ hoop class in Mahon Hall.

The next benefit is that hooping is accessible and affordable. Sure it’s takes the initial investment of buying or making a hoop, but in comparison to a gym membership it’s not much. And for all the hours of entertainment you’ll get out of it, it’s got a pretty darn high return on investment. It’s an activity you can

use to maintain an active lifestyle from the comfort of your living room. If you prefer spending time outsides, you can take your hoop out into the sunshine. It’s an incredible way to have social time. There are amazing hoop communities across the globe, tons in the U.S. and many pockets of

A project of the Gulf Islands Seniors’ Residence Association

vibrant communities throughout B.C. where everyone gets together weekly and “jams.” Each person with their own hoop, able to interact and share tricks or retreat into their “flow.” If anyone wants more information about hula-hooping, they can contact me at kyadalton@gmail.com. ■

Morning coffee w Meadowbrook tu ith friends. rns 15 this year!

121 ATKINS ROAD 250 538 1995 DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

may

Special dates, activities and tips

Ways to optimize your health are available on Salt Spring Island year-round. In our May calendar, check out some local classes and activities, get some general health tips and learn about health-focus days or organizations.

FOCUSon Health:

May

ENJOY MEDITATION

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

with Deb on Wednesdays at 10:10 a.m. at the SS Seniors Centre.

NEED RELIEF FROM A TENSION HEADACHE?

MOVE FOR HEALTH DAY. PARC Scavenger Hunt Wrap-up Party at the Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre. 3 to 6 p.m.

MAY IS BLADDER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

Thursday is DANCE TEMPLE DAY at Beaver Point Hall. 7 p.m. (It’s also on Mondays at the hall.)

80,000 Canadians are living with bladder cancer. #yellowhelps is the campaign hashtag.

at https://opto.ca/.

health and wellness l MAY 9, 2018

MAY IS CELIAC AWARENESS MONTH.

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH.

Aim to get between 7 and 9 hours per night.

MAY IS PHYSIOTHERAPY MONTH.

physiotherapy.ca/

Living gluten-free could be for you. www.celiac.ca

Try massage therapy.

MAY IS VISION HEALTH MONTH. Learn more

runs May 1-7. Reach out to a youth in your community.

meets on the first Thursday of each month at SSI Wellness Centre. 1 to 2 p.m. Info: Claire, clairebeariona@yahoo.com

B.C. YOUTH WEEK

with the use of medical equipment. Wheeled walkers rock!

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SENIORS CAN STAY MOBILE

CANADA’S FOOD GUIDE is being

revised. Give your feedback to Health Canada.

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY -

A great day to kick the habit.

MAY 2018 TRY EATING SOME HEALTHY MICROGREENS — the baby versions of radishes, cabbages, kale and broccoli.

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY. Chosen

because May 12 is the birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.

Want dragon boat info? onthewater181@ gmail.com

MOTHER’S DAY FREE SWIM at

Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre.

NATIONAL CHILD & YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH DAY. See http://www. familysmart.ca/ programs/may-7th/

Watch the boats leave Ganges Harbour at 10 a.m.

Island participants! See article on page 5 of this magazine.

14 CHALLENGE CUP SOCCER TOURNEY.

Cheer on the home teams today!

RUCKLE TRAIL RUN IS TODAY. 3K,

10K + 16K. More info at www.runsaltspring.com.

DID YOU KNOW? Gardening burns between 200 and 400 calories per hour.

PATIENT VOICES NETWORK wants Salt Spring

ROUND SALT SPRING SAILING RACE.

SPIRIT POINTS DRAGON OPEN PADDLE DAY

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

Shauna Devlin holds a

5RHYTHMS MOVEMENT CLASS

at Stowel Lake Farm today. 7:15 p.m.

Victoria Day. Enjoy the stat holiday and get out into the sunshine. Kathy & Ron’s

SOCIAL BALLROOMWALTZ

dance class series begins today. Register through PARC.

PICKLEBALL

meets Tuesdays at All Saints. 10:30 a.m.

THE WEATHER IS GREAT! Learn

players meet at the Portlock Park court from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. See complete schedule at www.saltspringpickleball. net/schedules/.

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TAOIST TAI CHI

how to canoe or kayak on island lakes and shores.

MAY 9, 2018 l health and wellness

Whole Foods + You The first and simplest step you can take towards improved health and self is a return from processed, refined carbs and sugars, denatured fats and proteins to a natural and whole foods diet. When you ingest processed junk it is foreign to your body and hard to digest, leading to inflammation

Become Your Best Self From supplements to essential oils, we carry a range of products to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.

and over time, disease. As we age, our bodies get less and less efficient at tolerating this. But you can take gradual steps to going whole, by nixing the processed packaging and sugar, drinking more water, and increasing your intake of fiber-rich fruit and vegetables! Don’t forget healthy raw fats, and lean clean protein sources, all to keep your whole body and mind functioning top notch. Because of lacking minerals in our soil nowadays, environmental stress, and our own stresses and individual health battles, supplements often come in very useful, adding into your improved diet. With the large array of advertisements and selection on the shelves, it can be difficult to choose to avoid the prescription drugs and opt for something without those harmful side effects (or something to take in conjunction with). At Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery, we can help you find a product suited for you and your needs, and to compliment your diet and health regimen. Come visit our newly renovated store (grand opening June 18) in Duncan, and check out our wide selection of health products, food items, and natural body and household care. We love it when you visit and share! ■ To your health and well-being, Tina Foster, RHN, Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery

Stay active!!

at SALT

SPRING SENIORS CENTRE 379 Lower Ganges Road

• Yoga, Meditation, Active Learning, Coﬀee Time • Caregivers, Choir, Art Group, Games • Bridge, Library, Great Lunches, Computers, More !

Providing excellent service for over 20 years

LYNNS VITAMIN GALLERY 4-180 Central Road, Duncan, BC V9L 4X3 • Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30 250-748-4421 • info@lynnsvitamingallery.ca Closed for Renos June 1-17th • Grand Re-Opening June 18th 20

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Want to Start Something?

Find new friends, share ideas, talk, laugh & stretch your skills.

Where Seniors care about each other!

saltspringseniorscentre.ca

250-537-4604

AUDIOLOGY NexGen Hearing Selene Finlayson At NexGen Hearing, we are committed to providing you with an exceptional service, value & experience. In fact, we guarantee that you won’t find better service and value anywhere in B.C. When you visit one of our clinics, you can expect to be treated by a professional consultant who passionately cares about one thing: helping you experience an improved quality of life through better hearing. Victoria Oak Bay Hearing Clinic #402-1990 Fort Street 250-598-9884 Salt Spring Hearing Clinic Suite 1108 - Grace Point Square 778-353-3012 See ad on page 8

DAN HARDY DENTURIST New dentures, reline and repairs. Home & care facility visits. Salt Spring office located at #202-338 Lower Ganges Rd., Upper Ganges Centre. For appointments 1-250-710-1884 See ad on page 11

FOOTWEAR Salt Spring Footprints Markus & Barbara Poerschke Qualified orthotist and orthopedic shoe technicians offer you custom made orthotics, shoe modifications, electronic gait analysis. Plus quality handcrafted custom made sandals. Free consultations. Unit 16 Merchant Mews 250-537-1720 . See ad on page 12

COACHING MINERVA - MIDLIFECOACHING My Coaching designation was obtained via a Master of Arts program at a Bastyr University affiliate, Leadership Institute of Seattle. This was a transformational journey of deep learning and growth. The skills taught were profound. I also hold an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Psychology, as well as post-secondary certification in Gerontology and Leisure Studies, where I studied Recreation Therapy. My educational background is diverse and comprehensive, leading to wonderful, varied professional positions in Human Services. 250-538-7029 / 250-931-7206 vivnielsencoach@gmail.com www.minervacoaching.ca see ad on page 15

COUNSELLING Island Women Against Violence Non-profit society providing services throughout the Southern Gulf Islands to women and their children affected by poverty, violence, and abuse. 24-HOUR VIOLENCE AND ABUSE HELP LINE Toll Free 1-877-435-7544 Salt Spring 250-537-0735 See ad on page 9

DENTURISTS Cowichan Valley Denture Centre We specialize in full; partial dentures, denture repairs. We welcome patients of all ages with all types of smiles at our denture clinic. You can expect friendly, customized and professional service from our staff. 250-246-1021 1-2592 Legion St., Chemainus BC V0R 1K3 See ad on page 23

FITNESS RAINBOW ROAD AQUATIC CENTRE Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre is Salt Spring Island’s year-round, indoor swimming complex, featuring a six-lane multi-purpose pool and a 14-person whirl pool. Open 7 days per week. For Program Registration, including summer camps and classes contact: 262 Rainbow Road, 250-537-1402 www.ssiparc.bc.ca . See ad on page 2 RAINWOOD DANCE STUDIO Are you wanting to try dance but not sure what type? Do you want to stay active and have fun over the summer? Try one of our 5 day workshops, for all ages and levels. Our studio offers a variety of dance styles to choose from, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, and Musical Theatre. Register now, as spaces are limited. rainwooddancestudio@gmail.com www.rainwooddancestudio.com See ad on page 5

FOUNDATIONS LADY MINTO HOSPITAL FOUNDATION The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to supporting the Lady Minto Hospital here on Salt Spring Island. We raise funds to increase and improve the provision of medical care to those who live in the area served by the Lady Minto Hospital through fundraising activities which enhance services and facilities. We are proud of our community hospital which is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Salt Spring Island. 250-538-4845 ladyminto.foundation@viha.ca Fax: 250-538-4870 See ad on page 24 DRIFT WOOD PUBLISHING

HE A LTH & WELL N ESS