Network Healing Centre
June/July 2009 Newsletter
(613) 725-0988
Important Dates to Remember
Wednesday, July 1 – Canada Day (Office Closed)
Far-Infrared Sauna
Complimentary Introductory Special
If you have never tried our Sauna,
Your first session is Free!
Subsequent visits are $32 per visit or
$100 for a package of ten visits
Please speak to Lisa or Mary to book your sauna appointment.
Network Spinal Analysis for Kids
Summer is almost upon us!
Summer – when children are out of school – is a great time to begin
Network Spinal Analysis visits.
How can children benefit from Network Spinal Analysis?
If your kids are physically active – if they have allergies or asthma
- if they have learning disabilities – if they are anxious
- if they have trouble concentrating
Then they can benefit from the increased awareness of their bodies,
neurological care, focusing techniques, and relaxation
that Network Spinal Analysis provides.
We offer special rates for children.
Please see Lisa or Mary at the front desk for more information.
Head Forward Posture and Suboccipital Compression
By Erin Whyte, RMT
There are four small muscles at the base of the neck (eight if you consider that they exist on either side of the spine) that are an important clinical consideration when treating clients with head forward posture. Collectively they are known as the suboccipitals: sub meaning below and occiput being the name of the skull bone at the base of the neck. They surround the vertebral artery.
Head forward posture (HFP) is the position of the head, specifically the ears relative to the top of the shoulders. HFP rarely exists on its own and is typically part of a larger picture of rolled shoulders or slouched posture. As the body’s posture begins to roll forward at the shoulders, the neck stretches forward in response. As this occurs, the head compensates by tilting back (extending) so that the eyes are still looking up in a straight line, otherwise our vision would drop down towards to the floor and we wouldn’t be able to see what we’re doing! This is where things start to get sticky, or rather stuck if you will.
The muscles start to adaptively shorten and the increased tone of the muscles can cause trigger points, nerve irritation and vascular compression. Range of motion can become limited and the joint restricted in movement due to the misalignment of the occiput on the first vertebrae. Along with a host of other posterior cervical muscles, the suboccipitals greatly contribute to headache and neck pain. The trigger point referral is described to almost penetrate the skull as it travels from the occiput, behind and over the ear, toward the eye.
Treatment of the suboccipitals involves thoroughly addressing all muscles in the region of the neck, compression to alleviate muscle tension, and stretching to improve range of motion. Breathing is a wonderful tool to enhance the relaxation of tight musculature. On exhalation, most muscles release their contraction. Perpetuating factors need to be addressed to stop the cycle of activation; the use of bifocals, resting the chin in hands while sitting or lying down, having a computer monitor too high, or having the head turned while looking at documents on a desk are a few examples of such factors.
CranioSacral Therapy and Labyrinthitis
By Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear structure called the labyrinth. The labyrinth is encased in each of the inner ears and is a maze of interconnected fluid-filled canals. Parts of the labyrinth sends information to the brain about sounds and movement and position. Any disturbance to the labyrinth sends faulty information to the brain which can result in spinning (vertigo), motion sickness (nausea/vomiting), and tinnitus (ringing).
The possible common causes are bacterial or viral infections leading to build-up of fluid in the inner ear; structural (head or ear trauma); certain medications; allergies; alcohol abuse; BPPV ( benign paroxysmal positional vertigo where small stones, or calcified particles, break off within the vestibule and bounce around which triggers the brain to interpret as movement); or benign tumours.
CranioSacral therapy offers a safe and painless approach to this condition by assessing and gently manipulating the bones of the head and neck to bring about greater balance and often relieving inflammation in the inner ear in adults and babies. It is advised to see your medical doctor first to rule out any serious conditions that may be the cause. Therapeutic maneuvers such as the Epley maneuver may be helpful if benign positional vertigo is the cause.
Fear
by Dr. Michael Tucker, DC
I am confused at the media frenzy and sense of panic that is building regarding the so-called "Swine Flu Epidemic”. I am concerned about how quickly snap decisions are being made at so many levels of bureaucracy in various agencies with regards to this "coming plague". People are doing some fearful things like canceling Scout camps, avoiding travel to Mexico, and wearing cloth masks when they are out in public. I am not sure a mask with a weave of 100 microns will stop a virus that is less than 0.1 micron.
Awareness is important, but unwarranted alarm, anxiousness, and powerlessness are important blocks to our health and healing as well. Overreaction can be damaging in its own way by increasing anxiety and worry to unhealthy levels.
On the morning of May 1/09, according to the WHO there are 34 confirmed cases of this "epidemic" in Canada (all mild according to public health officials) and no deaths. This falls short of the definition of epidemic. This number will rise in the coming weeks and there is potential for the virus to mutate; however, I will be shocked if it truly hits the proportions the "Chicken Little's" of the public health world (and the profiteers associated with them) are predicting.
Consider the following information that might put these numbers into perspective. Each year there are approximately 1600 cases of TB in Canada, with 75 deaths. There are 2500 fire-related injuries each year with 300 deaths. There are 160,000 auto-accident injuries each year with 14,000 deaths.
This statement is not intended to minimize the potential ANY influenza has for sickness and mortality. There are currently 109 confirmed cases in the USA with 1 death, and 156 confirmed cases in Mexico with 9 deaths.
We can take a balanced approach. We can have compassion for all those who are suffering or have lost a loved one. We can also be of service to ourselves and to mankind by taking a step back for a moment, be aware of our fear of viruses, breathe, and let go.