Graston Technique® (GT) is an innovative, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (a variation of cross fibre friction massage) that enables clinicians to detect and effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions, as well as maintain optimal range of motion. GT is clinically proven to achieve faster and better outcomes for acute and chronic conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, MCL/LCL sprains, AC sprains, edema reduction, thoracic outlet syndrome, scar tissue adhesions, carpal tunnel, adhesive capsulitis, IT band syndrome, lumbar strain, and plantar fasciitis. GT is designed to minimize discomfort; however, some post-treatment reactions, like reddening of the skin, superficial bruising, and some soreness, are normal. A typical treatment consists of:

1. Warm up of the treatment area,

2. Graston Technique instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation,

3. Stretching,

4. Strengthening/rehabilitation exercise.

Willie Muller, RMT, Courtenay Massage Therapy, CourtenayMassageTherapy.com

Many children and adolescents have flat feet but have no joint pains.  There are others who develop knee and/or arch pain that limits their ability to enjoy certain activities such as running or playing sports.  If there is pain, and an obvious fallen arch, foot orthotics in the shoes, either over-the-counter or custom, may be warranted taking into account family history and degree of severity.  If there is no pain, yet there is an obvious fallen arch then the question is whether to correct or not.  Many medical professionals believe that fallen arches will adversely affect the knees and hips and lead to early arthritic pain.  Correcting the foot posture early on is then seen as a preventative measure for future knee and hip joint health.  If you are concerned with your child’s foot alignment it is worth discussing the options with a biomechanical professional.

Diane Calder, BSc KIN, Certified Pedorthist, B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics & Orthotics, MitchellPando.com

Did you know that sweet marjoram (Origanum marjoram) is also referred to as Joy of the Mountains? The genus name Origanum comes from the Greek words oros and ganos. Together they translate as joy (or adornment) of the mountains. Ancient Romans associated the herb with love, and among ancient Greeks, it was used as a crown of adornment for a bride and groom. Sweet marjoram essential oil has a uniquely spicy, woody, and camphoraceous scent. Due to its pleasantly calming and warming character, it is typically beneficial for anxiety, mood, stress, sleep, and hyperactivity issues. It may also help alleviate muscle tension, bruising, and fatigue. Use one drop of sweet marjoram essential oil in recipes that call for dried marjoram. Apply to arms and legs before and after exercising. Apply to a fussy child’s feet prior to a nap. Blends well with lavender and rosemary essential oils.

Nelson Meggitt
OptimumWellnessFactor.ca

Q: I got something in my eye while gardening this spring, but my eye doctor says there’s nothing in it. She said to keep using drops and it will get better. Please help.

A: I don’t know the details of your case, but it’s a common complaint. If you don’t have anything foreign in your eye, then it’s probably irritated from a slow-healing abrasion or simply from inadequate lubrication. Keep up with the drops and your doctor’s instructions. Warm compresses on your eyelids would also help. You might need to be patient. Wearing eye protection while gardening is also important.

Dr. Alex Kennedy
MosaicVisionCare.com

Clean eating means enjoying whole foods in their most natural state, those that are un- or minimally processed, refined, and handled. Be mindful of the food’s pathway between its origin and your plate. Buying products that have traveled thousands of km from locations with questionable standards is not sustainable for the planet or your health. Modern food production is sophisticated and eating whole foods is challenging. Most processed foods contain additives to make processing easier, alter taste, and prolong shelf life; these can include corn, salt, sugar, wheat, soy, rice, MSG, and chemicals that defy pronunciation. Eating locally grown fruits and vegetables and non-processed meats and grains allows the body to shed the build-up of ingested toxins. Read the labels. Generally, if there are more than 3 ingredients in a product, avoid it.

Stephen Dalley, B.Ed., MA
Comox Valley HCG Holistic Weight Loss, ComoxValleyHCG.com

Losing weight takes a great mindset and determination. It’s a not a diet, but a lifestyle change. Marianne shares her weight loss transformation through Ideal Protein Protocol.

“When I started my journey, I never thought I would be able to lose 20 lbs, let alone 70 lbs. I started with sticking to the plan 100%. It wasn’t easy at first to be around a lot of food temptations, but I just kept reminding myself that what I was doing was working and it wasn’t worth it to slide back into eating unhealthy food. The plan is very simple, everything is laid out for you to follow, and they have fantastic food you can eat. The ladies at Success Weight Loss are so helpful with recipes to try. My coach Janet helped me so much and was so encouraging. I am truly thankful for all their support.”
– Marianne M. Courtenay.

Alma Naranjo
SuccessWeightLoss.ca

Whiplash syndrome describes a traumatic event of the neck, secondary to abrupt flexion and extension of the neck. The most common causes are due to motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries. Whiplash can cause damage to various parts of the neck including ligaments, facet joints, cervical vertebrae, cervical disc, nerves, and muscles. It is one of the most common causes of pain in the general population. The usual imaging, such as x-rays, CT, or MRI is unlikely to show evidence of injury, giving little insight into what is responsible for ongoing pain. Whiplash symptoms can include: Neck pain, muscle tightness, decreased range of movement, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, fatigue, inability to focus. A relatively unknown but effective treatment for cervical spinal pain is Prolozone. Prolozone therapy works by addressing the cause of pain: ligament, tendon, and joint instability. Prolozone involves the injection of ozone to regenerate the ligaments and cartilage tissue in the areas that have become weak.

Dr. Ross Ralph Dr.TCM, R.Ac., DOMP
Courtenay Healing Centre
CourtenayHealingCentre.ca

How does Massage Therapy help with athletic performance?

The benefits of Massage Therapy have long been recognized by top-level athletes as well as “weekend warriors “. So what are the physiological effects?

• Massage greatly affects the cardiovascular system. It helps with dilation (increase in diameter) of blood vessels which in turn work to move blood more efficiently and therefore promotes circulation
• Massage encourages venous blood flow back to the heart which enhances blood flow to deliver fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and help with removal of waste and toxins
• Because of the relaxed state you are in after a massage treatment you will experience a drop in heart rate
• Massage especially affects the muscular system. The increased and enhanced blood circulation relieves muscle tension, decreases soreness (DOMS), speeds up recovery time and helps to increase range of motion and flexibility
• Massage aids to decrease inflammation after a strenuous workout and promotes growth of mitochondria (the energy center of our cells).

What about the psychological effects?

• Massage helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system by increasing dopamine and serotonin levels and decreasing the stress hormone cortisol to help with stress and tension relief as well as managing pre-event anxiety

Sports Massage can be categorized into various types:

1. a) a short, stimulating, fast paced treatment as a pre-work out or pre-race warm up to get you ready to function at your optimum
2. b) a more relaxing treatment post- work out or post- race to assist in recovery

Benefits of Massage Therapy to the aspiring athlete are manifold as it will improve your performance and speed up recovery. Regular, weekly massage treatments will (just like exercise) have a cumulative effect and should be part of any serious training program.

Willie Muller RMT
CourtenayMassageTherapy.com