Network Healing Centre
January 2006 Newsletter
Well it is that time of year again; when we are inclined to make some New Years resolutions which the majority of us valiantly do our best to keep, but usually end up falling through the cracks despite our best efforts. Why not change it up this year by helping yourself or someone else to improve their wellness. Our Centre offers four different therapies to assist you in attaining your goals; Massage Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine and Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractic. Call Andrea at 725-0988 to book your appointment or alternatively we offer Gift Certificates all year round for all our modalities if you prefer to give a gift.
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, January 12th until Thursday, January 19th – Massage Therapy Office Closed
Tuesday, January 24th – Gateway to Healing Introductory Workshop from 7-8 pm
Gateway to Healing Introductory Workshop
Tuesday, January 24th from 7-8 pm
An Information Session for all New Patients to attend as well as anyone who is interested in learning more about Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractic and how this gentle method can help in many different ways. The Workshop consists of a half hour talk about the work, followed by a half hour demonstration of the work. This workshop is an important part of your care and we encourage you to join us. Call Andrea at 725-0988 to reserve your space.
Letting Go
By Dr. Michael Tucker, D.C.
Final Lesson for the Carpenter
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said, “Yes,” but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house.
He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.”
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently.
But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall.
“Life is a do-it-yourself project,” someone has said.
Your attitudes and the choices you make today build the “house” you live in tomorrow. Build wisely! Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’d never been hurt. Dance like nobody is watching. USE WHAT YOU HAVE TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.
Author Unknown
Healing Story Contest Results!
In November we held a Healing Story Contest with a fantastic package for the winner. We had some great entries and we want to thank all of you who participated. Our winner this year was Barbara Eade who is the recipient of, a Massage Therapy Session, A CranioSacral Therapy Session, A Naturopathic Consultation and an NSA adjustment. This package is valued at $340.00!
The following is our winning entry.
In Feb 1999, my health changed dramatically when I was a victim of a car accident. I was fortunate to have no major injuries, but, my neck and right shoulder suffered a great deal. Physiotherapy helped to heal me to the point where I could function again. But… and it was a big but… I recovered to the point where I could use my right arm to operate the computer mouse, but, for only for 20 minutes at a time before the pain would start. I could ride my bicycle to work but, only for 20 minutes before the pain would start and the commute was 35 minutes. I could carry groceries, but, not far, I could sit in a chair, but, only for 20 minutes, I could play my guitar and paddle canoe but, only for 5 minutes. I could sleep with a special pillow, but, only for few hours…. So you see, although I could function, I was still spending most of my time in pain. I tried many things and each of them helped a little. I changed my lifestyle, changed my daily habits, changed my job, and tried massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation techniques, stress management, and prayer. I even tried meditations to make sure that I wasn’t subconsciously holding on to my injuries for the attention that they brought. For over three years I tried new things, but, I was still living in pain more than half the time.
Finally someone told me their story of how Craniosacral Therapy with Rosemary Tucker-Brown had helped them. I will admit I was highly skeptical. I am a left-brained person who prefers to analyze and understand everything, but, I was also feeling desperate to get my life back. Rosemary was (and still is) wonderful. From the first visit she has done amazing work with me. She found every single sore spot in my shoulder to the point where I had tears come to my eyes, but, the following days I felt better and better,. She also helped me release tension from various other places in my body and gave me exercises to help my ankles. The following 3 months were like living in a dream. I didn’t know why it was working, but, I felt better each time and my stamina was increasing every day. At the end of the fourth month, I had a vacation and even though it included several things which usually aggravated my pain such as carrying luggage around, kayaking and I didn’t have my special pillow, I still spent 6 days almost entirely pain free. I knew I couldn’t stay on a stress free vacation forever, but, this gave me HOPE for the first time since the accident. I now knew it was possible to heal.
At this point Rosemary realized that there was something about my neck that the Craniosacral therapy wasn’t healing completely. She suggested that I try NSA with Michael Tucker and even though I was even more skeptical of NSA, I began my next healing journey. This healing was not just about the car accident. The first few months uncovered problems I’d been living with since childhood, including mild scoliosis, feet and knee problems, difficult emotions etc.
To make a long story short, through a combination of Craniosacral Therapy and NSA over the last couple years, I have not only recovered from my car accident injuries to the point where they rarely bother me, but, I have also learned to be more resilient and more balanced. I have learned better ways to manage stress in my body; I have changed from having severe headaches at least 5 times per week to less than 3 times per month. I have recovered so well that for the first time I was able to go on a 3 day backpacking trip in the mountains, something the doctors told me when I was 12 that I would never be able to do. Perhaps the greatest relief of all was when Rosemary helped me heal my chronic sinus problem. I lived for several years unable to breathe properly which had been exhausting and frustrating.
Working together with Rosemary and Michael I believe I’m getting closer and closer to best possible state of health I can be in. My quality of life now has exceeded even my greatest hopes. It truly has been a wonderful healing journey.
If you would like to read some other of our interesting Healing Stories and Poems, please feel free to browse through the purple binder in our office.
Five Point Stance
By Angela Soberal, RMT
Imagine starting the New Year off with a new body, your body, only better. Now imagine making this change simply by paying more attention to how you hold your body throughout the day. How you carry yourself not only effects all the soft tissue in your body it can also have an impact on your mood. You can start to make a change for the better by taking just a minute a day out of your schedule & practicing the following postural exercise. Hopefully in time it will transition from an exercise into something more natural for you. Follow these five simple steps and try to be aware of how your body feels as you make these subtle movements.
Step 1: Stand with your feet & toes facing straight forward and placed under your PSIS (your hip area).
Step 2: Next tuck your tailbone under, this should lengthen your spine and reduce any strain you might feel in your knees.
Step 3: Now lengthen and widen your trunk by elevating your breast bone (sternum).
Step 4: Lengthen your neck and shoulder area by moving you arms and hands down towards the floor without straining.
Step 5: Now balance your head over your feet and trunk.
Once you have completed each of these steps hold this position for 15 seconds through 3 repetitions with a 5-10 second break in between. Once you have practiced this exercise once a day for two weeks take the time at that point to note any changes that may have occurred in your posture or how practicing the “Five Point Stance” now makes your body feel. Different? Better? It’s still you.
Rolled up Candy Bar
Dr. Leesa Kirchner, N.D.
This recipe only makes one candy bar at a time. (this is much safer since you might end up eating the whole batch if there were more).
1Tbsp. tahini (sesame butter)
1Tbsp. pumpkin seeds (best if soaked 8 hours in water)
1Tbsp. sesame seeds (unhulled)
1Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1Tbsp. unsweetened, shredded coconut
Drain soaked pumpkin seeds.
Mix all ingredients together.
Roll into a small ball and freeze until firm.