I am a sucker for stories with morals. I recently came across this story that I think is an apropos reminder at this time of year of how our thoughts, words, and deeds affect our lives:
‘A man and his young son were hiking in the mountains, when the boy suddenly lost his footing and slid down the steep mountain side. On his way down, the boy caught a tree root. The root kept the boy from falling onto the rocks at the bottom of a deep chasm thousands of feet below. Scared and embarrassed, the boy cried "you idiot!" A voice shot back "you idiot!"
A short time later, the father reached the boy and pulled him to safety. The boy told his father that while he was hanging onto that tree root - he heard someone call him an "idiot". "That was your echo", the father said. "Let me demonstrate. You are strong!" the father yelled. A voice echoed "You are strong!"
There is a universal law that says, whatever you say, think, or do - comes back to you. It's known as the "echo effect". If you project positive things in your thoughts, words and deeds - positive things will come back to you. If you lie, cheat, and steal...well, you know what you can expect. Being positive or being negative will come back to you. You can choose to do one or the other. Which will you choose?’
Here’s to POSITIVITY in 2011!
Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
Monday, January 17, 2011
Growing Pains: The truth about this strange phenomenon
Dr. Jordanna Clarfield-Henry, DC
Does this sound familiar? Your child has been complaining for weeks about pain in her leg. She didn‟t fall, or get in an accident. She simply started feeling deep aching pain in her hip, knee and leg that just won‟t go away.
Your GP tells you she has growing pains, and that there is not much you can do, other than wait it out; he recommends, in the meantime, she take some children‟s Advil to ease the pain. Well, that‟s one version of the truth.
From a chiropractic viewpoint, this scenario raises some questions: Is your child‟s leg growing faster then the rest of her body? If not, then why isn‟t she getting growing pains in the other leg, or her arms? How come she only has pains in one leg? Why are some kids affected while others are pain-free?
Here‟s an alternate explanation: Our pelvis is designed to move in a figure-eight pattern as we walk. There are two large joints in the pelvis (the sacroiliac joints) that share the work of the lower body, 50/50. Imagine the left SI joint becomes stuck; the right SI joint would take on almost 100% of the workload. Guess what? Those muscles down that right leg are going to get tired, achy and sore. The alleged growing pains are actually overworked muscles complaining about the injustice of this imbalance.
Your chiropractor can gently adjust your child‟s SI joints to get that „stuck‟ left side moving again, and help to stretch out the tight, overworked muscles on the right side. She may also provide some home exercises and tips to help maintain this balance. With regular check-ups your child should be able to grow - without any more “growing pains”.
Dr. Jordanna Clarfield-Henry, DC
Does this sound familiar? Your child has been complaining for weeks about pain in her leg. She didn‟t fall, or get in an accident. She simply started feeling deep aching pain in her hip, knee and leg that just won‟t go away.
Your GP tells you she has growing pains, and that there is not much you can do, other than wait it out; he recommends, in the meantime, she take some children‟s Advil to ease the pain. Well, that‟s one version of the truth.
From a chiropractic viewpoint, this scenario raises some questions: Is your child‟s leg growing faster then the rest of her body? If not, then why isn‟t she getting growing pains in the other leg, or her arms? How come she only has pains in one leg? Why are some kids affected while others are pain-free?
Here‟s an alternate explanation: Our pelvis is designed to move in a figure-eight pattern as we walk. There are two large joints in the pelvis (the sacroiliac joints) that share the work of the lower body, 50/50. Imagine the left SI joint becomes stuck; the right SI joint would take on almost 100% of the workload. Guess what? Those muscles down that right leg are going to get tired, achy and sore. The alleged growing pains are actually overworked muscles complaining about the injustice of this imbalance.
Your chiropractor can gently adjust your child‟s SI joints to get that „stuck‟ left side moving again, and help to stretch out the tight, overworked muscles on the right side. She may also provide some home exercises and tips to help maintain this balance. With regular check-ups your child should be able to grow - without any more “growing pains”.
STRESS RELIEF
Julia Pilliar, BKin, CPT
The holidays are a time to unwind and relax – right? So why does it usually feel like we need a break after they‟re over? The holidays pose their own stresses, with late nights, driving through blizzards, buying numerous presents, and hosting parties; these can take their toll. Since stress is a primary cause of diseases including heart disease, mental illness, and cancer, we need to find ways to cope. Here are some strategies to reduce your stress and enhance your physical and mental wellness:
Regular physical activity: Any way you want ... get moving! Simply moving your body to raise your heart rate stimulates feel-good hormones. A balance of strength-training, cardiovascular-training, and flexibility-training is best.
Eat REAL food: Foods that are not present in nature, or that have been refined or processed are not easily recognized by the body, causing stress to the digestive system, which may need to use some of its own nutrient stores to properly metabolize these unnatural foods. Base your diet on a balance of natural foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean meats, natural yogurt and dairy products) and stay hydrated with water.
Breathe DEEPLY: Deep breathing increases the oxygen coming into the body and rids it of all metabolites such as CO2. It also requires muscular contraction and tones the core muscles. Slowly and fully inhale through your nose, hold, and slowly exhale all the air out through your nose, forcing the last little bit out of the lungs. Repeat for at least 5 breaths, concentrating on the evenness of your breath.
LAUGH each day: Laughter is truly the best medicine. It works the core abdominal muscles, it releases endorphins, and it‟s contagious. There‟s even a yoga practice based on laughing, making use of its anti-stress properties.
Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for physical repair and recovery. The hours between 10pm and 2am are essential for psychological repair, and between 2 and 6am are needed for physical repair. Go to sleep earlier each night to feel more relaxed throughout the day.
Julia Pilliar, BKin, CPT
The holidays are a time to unwind and relax – right? So why does it usually feel like we need a break after they‟re over? The holidays pose their own stresses, with late nights, driving through blizzards, buying numerous presents, and hosting parties; these can take their toll. Since stress is a primary cause of diseases including heart disease, mental illness, and cancer, we need to find ways to cope. Here are some strategies to reduce your stress and enhance your physical and mental wellness:
Regular physical activity: Any way you want ... get moving! Simply moving your body to raise your heart rate stimulates feel-good hormones. A balance of strength-training, cardiovascular-training, and flexibility-training is best.
Eat REAL food: Foods that are not present in nature, or that have been refined or processed are not easily recognized by the body, causing stress to the digestive system, which may need to use some of its own nutrient stores to properly metabolize these unnatural foods. Base your diet on a balance of natural foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean meats, natural yogurt and dairy products) and stay hydrated with water.
Breathe DEEPLY: Deep breathing increases the oxygen coming into the body and rids it of all metabolites such as CO2. It also requires muscular contraction and tones the core muscles. Slowly and fully inhale through your nose, hold, and slowly exhale all the air out through your nose, forcing the last little bit out of the lungs. Repeat for at least 5 breaths, concentrating on the evenness of your breath.
LAUGH each day: Laughter is truly the best medicine. It works the core abdominal muscles, it releases endorphins, and it‟s contagious. There‟s even a yoga practice based on laughing, making use of its anti-stress properties.
Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for physical repair and recovery. The hours between 10pm and 2am are essential for psychological repair, and between 2 and 6am are needed for physical repair. Go to sleep earlier each night to feel more relaxed throughout the day.
Gluten Free vs. Wheat Free
Sarah Dobec, Holistic Nutritionist
There is a lot of buzz about wheat and gluten allergies these days. In a nutshell, we eat a lot of wheat in North America, and for some of us, we need a break from it. Like anything in life, when we get too much of it we can create an intolerance (a lack of enzymes) or a sensitivity due to overexposure.
Wheat can be found in bread, cereal, cakes, cookies, crackers, pasta even soy sauce. Gluten on the other hand is the protein composite found in wheat, rye, barley, kamut and spelt. It gives elasticity to dough and a chewy texture to other food products. Many people have an allergy to gluten (an immune response), the most sever being Celiac Disease.
Everyone could benefit from avoiding gluten or reducing their intake, we tend to eat far too much in this country. Gluten-free grains include millet, rice, quinoa, Job's tears and buckwheat. There are heaps of wheat and gluten alternatives on the market these days; everything from pancake mixes, bread, crackers, cakes and cereals.
Sarah Dobec, Holistic Nutritionist
There is a lot of buzz about wheat and gluten allergies these days. In a nutshell, we eat a lot of wheat in North America, and for some of us, we need a break from it. Like anything in life, when we get too much of it we can create an intolerance (a lack of enzymes) or a sensitivity due to overexposure.
Wheat can be found in bread, cereal, cakes, cookies, crackers, pasta even soy sauce. Gluten on the other hand is the protein composite found in wheat, rye, barley, kamut and spelt. It gives elasticity to dough and a chewy texture to other food products. Many people have an allergy to gluten (an immune response), the most sever being Celiac Disease.
Everyone could benefit from avoiding gluten or reducing their intake, we tend to eat far too much in this country. Gluten-free grains include millet, rice, quinoa, Job's tears and buckwheat. There are heaps of wheat and gluten alternatives on the market these days; everything from pancake mixes, bread, crackers, cakes and cereals.
Let us help you get FIT & HEALTHY in 2011!
In our new FIT & HEALTHY class you will SWEAT, you will WORK your muscles, you will improve your strength, endurance and flexibility. You will BURN calories and TONE your muscles. The FIT & HEALTY program will help you bring balance to your body (and your life) through functional and corrective exercises, proper nutrition and good lifestyle choices.
Join us Wednesdays at 6pm - Call Today!!!
In our new FIT & HEALTHY class you will SWEAT, you will WORK your muscles, you will improve your strength, endurance and flexibility. You will BURN calories and TONE your muscles. The FIT & HEALTY program will help you bring balance to your body (and your life) through functional and corrective exercises, proper nutrition and good lifestyle choices.
Join us Wednesdays at 6pm - Call Today!!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Lifewise Health & Wellness Bulletin - December 2010
It has been a busy year at Lifewise, with many positive changes that we hope will help us to continue to grow and to serve you better for years to come. As 2010 comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our patients and students for your feedback and for all the kind words of support over the past year. All of us at Lifewise feel blessed to have such happy and generous people to work with each day, and are thankful for the smiling faces you bring each time you visit the office. Warmest wishes to you for the holiday season!
Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
HOLIDAY HOURS
The office will be CLOSED From December 23rd – 27th & January 1st and 4th
Dr. Jordanna will be in the office for chiropractic care on Dec 27th , 29th , & 31st and Jan 3rd from 10:30am to 3:30pm
(Massage and Reiki available by appointment.)
Regular hour will resume on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
The office will be CLOSED From December 23rd – 27th & January 1st and 4th
Dr. Jordanna will be in the office for chiropractic care on Dec 27th , 29th , & 31st and Jan 3rd from 10:30am to 3:30pm
(Massage and Reiki available by appointment.)
Regular hour will resume on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
Immune System Down? Try a Massage!
Dennis Newhook, RMT
Researchers from the Cedars-Sinai Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences in Los Angeles have recently published a study investigating the effects of massage therapy on the immune system - their findings were promising. Although the study size was small, results indicated that this area warrants further investigation.
In this study, subjects received 45 minutes of massage therapy; afterwards blood taken before and after the treatment was compared. This analysis showed reduced blood levels of cortisol and arginine vasopressin (a hormone linked to cortisol release) following treatment. Elevated cortisol plays a huge role in the stress response. It can also lead to elevated blood glucose levels (involved in diabetes), decreased bone formation (a factor in osteoporosis), and decreased immunity.
Study participants were also found to have decreased levels of cytokines following treatment. Cytokines are proteins released by white blood cells when the body is under stress or senses danger. Reduced levels of cytokines play a role in helping people manage inflammatory or autoimmune conditions in which the body's immune system overreacts, and the body begins attacking itself.
We already knew that massage can help improve circulation, alleviate muscle tension and pain, and is a great relaxation technique; now, it looks as though the benefits are even more significant..
This study was published in the October issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Did you know CANADIAN researchers are also investigating the effects of massage and other complementary treatments? You can read more about the Holistic Health Research Foundation of Canada on their website: www.holistichealthresearch.ca
Dennis Newhook, RMT
Researchers from the Cedars-Sinai Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences in Los Angeles have recently published a study investigating the effects of massage therapy on the immune system - their findings were promising. Although the study size was small, results indicated that this area warrants further investigation.
In this study, subjects received 45 minutes of massage therapy; afterwards blood taken before and after the treatment was compared. This analysis showed reduced blood levels of cortisol and arginine vasopressin (a hormone linked to cortisol release) following treatment. Elevated cortisol plays a huge role in the stress response. It can also lead to elevated blood glucose levels (involved in diabetes), decreased bone formation (a factor in osteoporosis), and decreased immunity.
Study participants were also found to have decreased levels of cytokines following treatment. Cytokines are proteins released by white blood cells when the body is under stress or senses danger. Reduced levels of cytokines play a role in helping people manage inflammatory or autoimmune conditions in which the body's immune system overreacts, and the body begins attacking itself.
We already knew that massage can help improve circulation, alleviate muscle tension and pain, and is a great relaxation technique; now, it looks as though the benefits are even more significant..
This study was published in the October issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Did you know CANADIAN researchers are also investigating the effects of massage and other complementary treatments? You can read more about the Holistic Health Research Foundation of Canada on their website: www.holistichealthresearch.ca
Surviving the Holiday Season
Julia Pillar, CPT
There are three ways people can approach the holiday season: They may Give-In to stress and over-indulgence; Succumb to Guilt; or Go with the Flow.
The GIVE-IN group surrender to over-eating, over-stressing, and throw out their healthy routines and exercise schedules - stating that there is ‘no time’ to be active with all that needs to be done. These types are left feeling exhausted, unwell, and in need of a New Year’s resolution to ‘get back on track’ with healthy eating and appropriate physical activity.
Others try to avoid all temptations of delicious desserts and stick to a strict (and sometimes more intense than usual) exercise routine to counter extra holiday calories. These people feel GUILTY after indulgence or if an exercise session is missed. They burn-out during the holidays and often find little enjoyment, feeling thankful when this time of year is over.
The third and healthiest approach to the holidays is taken by those who simply TAKE IT IN STRIDE, accepting that the holidays are a time when extra treats abound and stress levels may rise. Regular activity remains an important part of most days (as it always is), but it serves no purpose to feel guilty if an exercise session is missed. Holiday goodies may be enjoyed in moderation, with an understanding that there are more than usual at this time of the year; it is ok to enjoy indulgences occasionally. People who can take this approach get the most enjoyment out of the holiday season and experience the lowest levels of stress, which is ultimately the key to good health.
To make the most of your holiday season this year, take time to think about what brings you enjoyment. Whether it is spending time with friends and family, engaging in a favourite sport or activity (including deep breathing, or stretching and flexibility exercises), ensure to include it in your daily routine.
Remember that wellness is a combination of mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. An adequate balance of stimulation and relaxation in all of these areas is essential to keep stress levels low and well-being high.
Julia Pillar, CPT
There are three ways people can approach the holiday season: They may Give-In to stress and over-indulgence; Succumb to Guilt; or Go with the Flow.
The GIVE-IN group surrender to over-eating, over-stressing, and throw out their healthy routines and exercise schedules - stating that there is ‘no time’ to be active with all that needs to be done. These types are left feeling exhausted, unwell, and in need of a New Year’s resolution to ‘get back on track’ with healthy eating and appropriate physical activity.
Others try to avoid all temptations of delicious desserts and stick to a strict (and sometimes more intense than usual) exercise routine to counter extra holiday calories. These people feel GUILTY after indulgence or if an exercise session is missed. They burn-out during the holidays and often find little enjoyment, feeling thankful when this time of year is over.
The third and healthiest approach to the holidays is taken by those who simply TAKE IT IN STRIDE, accepting that the holidays are a time when extra treats abound and stress levels may rise. Regular activity remains an important part of most days (as it always is), but it serves no purpose to feel guilty if an exercise session is missed. Holiday goodies may be enjoyed in moderation, with an understanding that there are more than usual at this time of the year; it is ok to enjoy indulgences occasionally. People who can take this approach get the most enjoyment out of the holiday season and experience the lowest levels of stress, which is ultimately the key to good health.
To make the most of your holiday season this year, take time to think about what brings you enjoyment. Whether it is spending time with friends and family, engaging in a favourite sport or activity (including deep breathing, or stretching and flexibility exercises), ensure to include it in your daily routine.
Remember that wellness is a combination of mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. An adequate balance of stimulation and relaxation in all of these areas is essential to keep stress levels low and well-being high.
SPROUTING: Getting your GREENS in Wintertime
Sarah Dobec, Holistic Nutritionist
Sprouting is an easy way to get fresh greens into your diet during the winter. Quite simply any seed, grain or bean will sprout. They are all full of life and need only water to release their nutritional value. Most seeds will sprout in a jar, sunflower seeds and wheatgrass need a bit of soil in a tray.
Start with alfalfa seeds or lentils. Soak them in a jar of water for 6-8 hours. Drain the water and simply rinse and drain twice a day until the grains have sprouted, depending on the grain 3-5 days. It is a great activity for kids. Sprouts are full of vitamins, minerals, protein, phyto-nutrients and fibre.
You can add them to salads, sandwiches, smoothies or eat them right out of the jar.
Sarah Dobec, Holistic Nutritionist
Sprouting is an easy way to get fresh greens into your diet during the winter. Quite simply any seed, grain or bean will sprout. They are all full of life and need only water to release their nutritional value. Most seeds will sprout in a jar, sunflower seeds and wheatgrass need a bit of soil in a tray.
Start with alfalfa seeds or lentils. Soak them in a jar of water for 6-8 hours. Drain the water and simply rinse and drain twice a day until the grains have sprouted, depending on the grain 3-5 days. It is a great activity for kids. Sprouts are full of vitamins, minerals, protein, phyto-nutrients and fibre.
You can add them to salads, sandwiches, smoothies or eat them right out of the jar.
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