Health Action Fall 2013 by Health Action Network Society

Fall 2013

A Non-Profit Project of Health Action Network Society (HANS) Information Education Action

Spotlight on Breast Cancer Genetics Earthing Against Inflammation

Medicinal Herbal Vinegars

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Traditional Chinese Medicine for Thyroid Health Preventive Measures for Medical Mistakes

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Health Action

Health Action Fall 2013

A Fall Harvest of Fresh Energy.....................................................5 Preventive Measures for Medical Mistakes.................................6 Angelinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical Choice..............................................................8 Traditional Chinese Medicine for Thyroid Health...................10 HANS Member News and Events..............................................12 Self-healing Through Energetic Consciousness.......................14 NUCCA: Gentle Chiropractics..................................................16 Mindfulnessâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;The Creation of Self-Awareness and Appreciation...............................................18 Chair Yoga on the Rise..................................................................19 Simplifying Back to School...........................................................20 Sound Healing.................................................................................21 Earthing: Defence Against Pain and Inflammation...................22 Back Pain from Disc Degeneration?..........................................23 Medicinal Herbal Vinegars............................................................26 Golden Root: Ancient Health Benefits for Modern Life........27 HANS Wellness Directory...........................................................28

Published quarterly by Health Action Network Society President Jane Shaak Executive Director Lorna Hancock Managing Editor Michelle Hancock Assistant Editor/Proofreader Julie Cheng Layout & Design Angela Nat Contributors Jeda Boughton, BA, R.Ac, Dr. TCM, FABORM; Kathy Cameron; Marie Chang; Julie Cheng; Bronwen Erickson; Klaus Ferlow, HMH, HA; Sharon Gurm, BSc, ND; Canteris Hartley, DCH, HMC; Kurt Kelly; Karin Mattern, DC; Susan McIver; Zhihong Oon, ND; Jane Shaak; Angie Shand Submissions: editorial@hans.org Letters to the editor and requests for article references may be sent to editorial@ hans.org. HANS reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. Health Action Network Society 214-5589 Byrne Rd, Burnaby BC V5J 3J1 T: 604-435-0512 F: 604-435-1561 www.hans.org hans@hans.org PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40050050 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 330-123 Main St, Toronto ON M5W 1A1 circdept@publisher.com Health Action magazine is a free publication to its membership. The opinions expressed within are those of the writer and not necessarily those of HANS. Those with health concerns should contact their health-care provider. We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

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A Fall Harvest of Fresh Energy

all is here, and I have no idea where the summer disappeared to. One day, my husband and I were planting seeds for the greenhouse, and in the blink of an eye, we are finishing our harvest! Where has the time gone? Mark your calendars! Fall brings with it some events that I hope all HANS members will catch. On October 26th, the HANS 6th Annual Cancer Prevention and Healing Event is taking place at the Alan Emmott Centre in Burnaby. Register at www.hans.org. Dr. Robbie Wood, BDS, D.Orth. R.C.S.(Eng), D.D.Orth. R.C.P.S.(Glasg), has come from the U.K. to talk to us about breakthroughs in nutrition and cancer. Dr. Wood has taught oncology courses, performed a variety of surgeries on oral cancers and lost a wife to cancer so he has seen this disease from all angles. Dr. Kathryn Tian B.Sc.(China), Dr.TCM will also be joining us as a speaker, bringing her expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer. We’re also excited to be bringing back by popular demand, Dr. Sharon Gurm ND, for her timely talk: Trends in Breast Cancer—Current Research on Prevention, Screening & Treatment. (See page 8 for her article and page 12 for event details). We try to be in the forefront for the benefit of our members, and if you aren’t attending for yourself, you might want

to take information to family and friends who need it. Hope to see you there! On November 9th and 10th, we are at the Vancouver Health Show and invite you to drop by. Many of our professional members will be participating at our booth as well, so bring your questions. As an independent provider of information, the role of HANS remains singularly important. Recently journeying the medical system alongside a family member, I can uncategorically say that the system continues to support a monopolistic approach to health care. While we have this imbalance, HANS must not only continue on, but we who guide it need to keep strategizing on how to be better. Many years ago, I was interviewed by CBC radio and the sentiment I spoke that day remains true. “The premise of HANS is that people who prefer a nutritional or non-drug approach to health care should have the same rights and privileges as those who prefer conventional therapies.” I also want to take a moment and commend our small but dedicated office team and volunteers, under the guidance of our new director of operations Michael Volker. In a few short months, opportunities have expanded, particularly for HANS professional members, including participating in our large booth at the Vancouver Health Show, and a new monthly

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professional newsletter, Network News. Please call us with your ideas or if you wish to get involved. We’re always on the lookout for volunteers. I hope you’ll also enjoy this issue of Health Action magazine, starting with an important article on the impact of medical errors and on how consumers can navigate their own health care experience. Following that is Dr. Gurm’s article with an in-depth look at the genetics behind breast cancer. Learn about Chinese medicine for thyroid health and with back-toschool season here, we’ve included a few articles on the mind-body connection, and how to relax. Ahh... H

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Preventive Measures for Medical Mistakes by Susan McIver

2012 report stated that 38,000 to 43,000 deaths occur annually in Canada in connection with health-care delivery. That is the equivalent of 80 jumbo jets crashing every year—one e very five days or so. According to the author William Charney, a veteran health and safety officer in health care and author of numerous books on health-care safety, the actual number of deaths is undoubtedly greater because of the high rates of non-reporting. In 2009, J. O’Hagan and colleagues revealed that approximately one in six Canadians said they had experienced at least one error in the previous two years. This translated to 2.4 million adult Canadians. Not all of these reported errors caused even minor hardship, but their numbers clearly illustrate the magnitude of the problem. An increasing awareness of and concern about medical errors in Canada and globally is driving extensive efforts to understand why and how errors occur and how to prevent them. The multitude of types of errors and the often complex reasons for their occurrence can make creating solutions difficult. My new book, After the Error: Speaking Out about Patient Safety to Save Lives, co-written with Robin Wyndham, a

retired registered nurse, tells the stories of heroic Canadians who have used their personal tragedies resulting from medical errors to prevent similar suffering in others. Their accomplishments have often come at considerable emotional, psychological and financial expense.

“The Plain Language Labelling Initiative aims to improve the safe use of drugs by making drug labels easier to read and understand.” Some heroes The day after Terence Young’s 15year-old daughter, Vanessa, suddenly died on March 19, 2000, he began his journey to find out why. Questions and comments by attending medical professionals led him to suspect that Prepulsid, which Vanessa had been prescribed for mild bulimia, had played a role, and that he and Vanessa’s mother had not been told the whole story about the drug’s known dangerous, even lethal, side-effects.

Strengthened by a formidable amount of disturbing knowledge, Young successfully argued for an inquest into the circumstances associated with Vanessa’s death. He established the research and advocacy organization Drug Safety Canada, launched lawsuits and wrote the book, Death by Prescription, an investigative journey into the world of Big Pharma. In 2008, he ran successfully for Member of Parliament for Oakville, Ontario, in order to influence federal regulation of prescription drugs. On June 14, 2013, Young and the Honourable Leona Aglukkag, Minister of Health, announced the launch of the Plain Language Labelling Initiative. The initiative aims to improve the safe use of drugs by making drug labels and safety information easier to read and understand. “It is difficult for me to overstate the importance of this change. What the Minister is announcing today will save thousands of lives,” Young said. A particularly wrenching story is that of Heidi Klompas, 17, who died from complications arising from treatment she received in two B.C. hospitals, not from the injuries she sustained when struck by a car. Subsequently, her mother, Catherine Adamson, wrote a book, Heidi Dawn Klompas: Missed Opportunities, which

“38,000 to 43,000 deaths occur annually in Canada in connection with health-care delivery, the equivalent of 80 jumbo jets crashing every year.” 6 | Health Action | www.hans.org

has been widely read by surgeons and has led to improved treatment for patients with severe fractures. Adamson is a member of the Wrongful Death Law Reform Group, a group of more than 50 families who work with other organizations such as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and Trial Lawyers Association of BC to bring about a Wrongful Death Accountability Act. This act contains an integrated series of statutory reforms designed to ensure that the two goals of fair compensation and meaningful deterrence are satisfied in every situation where a person is killed by the negligent conduct of another. For several years after the sudden death of her teenaged son in 1990 from a misdiagnosed inherited cardiac arrhythmia, Pam Husband was told by members of the medical community that such deaths were rare. But upon hearing frequent mention of sudden, unexplained deaths of young people in casual social conversation, her instinct and intellect told her otherwise. Today, inherited cardiac arrhythmias are recognized as one of the leading causes of death of Canadians under 35 years of age. In 1995, Pam Husband and Dr. Robert Hamilton of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children decided to form a group that evolved into the Sudden Arrhythmia Deaths Syndrome (SADS) Foundation. Over the years, Husband and her colleagues have saved thousands of lives through their work to raise awareness, provide educational opportunities and support research. Staying safe Patients must go on the defensive when it comes to their care. Below are suggestions on how to stay safe. A wealth of information is available online. When visiting your doctor be upfront about your lifestyle and activities, what the reasons are for your visit and what you expect from the visit. Listen carefully. If you don’t understand what the doctor is saying, ask for an explanation. Take notes. Take someone with you, especially if bad news is a possibility. Make sure the doctor has listened carefully to you. Don’t be afraid to disagree with your doctor but do so in a respectful manner. Upon leaving the doctor’s office you

should have a treatment plan that makes sense to you. You may also be asked to have tests to discover more about the reason for your difficulty. Follow the plan and have the tests. Know your medications—their names, why you are taking them, their dosage level, their possible side-effects, when you are supposed to take them. Ask the pharmacist about any possible interactions. The best advice about hospitals is to try to stay out of them. Live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. If you need care, get it at home or on an outpatient basis, if possible. If hospitalization is necessary, go prepared. Understand the procedure: reasons it is being performed, potential risks

“Know your medications—their names, why you are taking them, their dosage level, their possible side-effects.” and desired outcomes. Appoint a substitute decision-maker and make sure the doctor and hospital have copies of the documents. If possible, keep an advocate at your bedside at all times. Your advocate can help keep you safe and clean, do simple tasks to assist you, and alert nurses, if something goes wrong. Your advocate can monitor nurses’ and doctors’ hand washing and medication administration. Your advocate should keep a diary of your care: who sees you when, what is said, what medications are prescribed, when they are given and by whom. All caregivers who enter your room should identify themselves and ensure they are indeed seeing the correct patient. If possible, have a private room. This decreases the probability of getting an infection from a roommate. If you think an error has occurred The first step, of course, is to determine if an error has occurred. Not every 7 | Health Action | www.hans.org

unfortunate outcome is the result of an error. There are several crucial steps that need to be taken to determine the cause of a death or other negative outcomes. Discuss the situation with the involved physicians. A plausible explanation that satisfies your concerns may be forthcoming. If not satisfied and dealing with a death, request a coroner’s investigation and an autopsy. If the coroner rejects the case, consider paying for an autopsy yourself. Establishing the definitive cause of death is crucial to any further action. Obtain a copy of all medical records including physicians’ notes, scans and laboratory tests. Have a knowledgeable friend or relative such as a nurse review the records for you. Obtain the billing records from funding jurisdictions such as British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan in order to establish the date and cost of all treatments. If a journal has been kept, it may prove invaluable in highlighting significant events. Keep in contact with physicians, hospital and health region authorities. Work with them if possible. Request that the hospital and region do reviews of the case. Lay complaints with the relevant professional colleges. Consult a medical malpractice lawyer. Even if you don’t launch a suit, you may learn helpful information. Whatever the eventual degree of your personal resolution, don’t be destroyed by anger and a desire for revenge. Rather, engage in activities that promote a safer health-care system.1 H

Susan McIver holds a PhD in entomology/microbiology and was a professor at the University of Toronto with appointments to the faculty of medicine. She served as a community coroner in B.C. and is the author of Medical Nightmares: The Human Face of Errors. For information and to order After the Error visit www.ecwpress.com/aftertheerror.

Angelina’s Medical Choice Spotlight on genetic risk of breast cancer by Sharon Gurm, BSc, ND

arlier this year, Angelina Jolie announced her personal decision to have a radical double mastectomy after learning she is a carrier of a significant cancer gene. Knowing of my academic background in medical genetics and a clinical focus on integrative cancer care—and, in particular, breast cancer—many have asked me to share my thoughts on Jolie’s decision. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic of genetic factors and how they affect our risk for cancer. No one-size-fits-all approach First, I fully respect a woman’s right to make an informed decision. However, it’s unfortunate that the media frenzy didn’t embrace the powerful opportunity to fully inform women of all the facts about genetic risk and the impact of other factors, such as “epigenetic” factors scientifically established to influence the way these genes can affect the risk for developing breast cancer—or any cancer for that matter. It cannot be overstated that a onesize-fits-all approach is far from the appropriate standard of care for a woman who learns she is a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene carrier. It must be made clear that when a woman undergoes such radical surgeries, the risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer is diminished, but the gene defect still remains. Therefore, the risk of developing a cancer is still present and, according to the evidence available, can only be further reduced through certain chemo-preventive therapies, as well as dietary, nutritional and lifestyle factors that influence the way our genes behave. If surgery is the chosen option, there are risks to be aware of. In addition to potential complications from surgery, if a woman chooses to have breast reconstruction surgery, the implants can make it

more difficult to detect future cancers that may develop deep inside the chest wall. Further, any major surgery has been shown to reduce lifespan, and, therefore, any decision for aggressive surgical intervention must be carefully weighed among the potential harms and benefits. I’m sure Jolie didn’t make her decision lightly. I’m sure she weighed all the options. But that decision was for her. That is not to say all women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or those who learn they are a genetic carrier, should follow the same path as she has chosen for herself.

“A one-size-fitsall approach is far from the appropriate standard of care.” Every case is unique and even if a woman is a carrier of a cancer gene, there is a lot to consider before making a decision on the appropriate course of action. The power of prevention Here are some key facts to know about the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation and cancer risk: Carriers of the BRCA1 or 2 genes can have anywhere from a 56 to 85 percent probability of developing breast cancer in their lifetime and anywhere from a 15 to 45 percent lifetime probability for developing ovarian cancer. There are other genetic tests available that can help further stratify risk (determine the individual level of genetic risk among those who carry the gene), thereby assisting in the decision-making process. A woman has the option to be screened more frequently, beginning as early as age 30, using a multi-modal approach (that is, 8 | Health Action | www.hans.org

using more than just one type of screening technology) if she is a gene carrier. Given the number of recent advancements in breast imaging technologies (automated breast ultrasound, digital breast tomosynthesis, spectral mammography, MRI, digital mammography) not only can we detect breast cancers at an earlier stage, we can also better determine the degree of breast density (an important, independent and significant risk factor for breast cancer). Women who carry the BRCA gene should also be screened with semiannual transvaginal pelvic ultrasonography in addition to a blood test that measures levels of an ovarian cancer marker, known as CA-125. Early detection is associated with better outcomes. For premenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer, the chemopreventive drug Tamoxifen has been associated with a 50 to 70 percent reduction in breast cancer in the opposite breast in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. It may be effective in primary prevention as well, but this has yet to be proven. Several studies have demonstrated the strong impact of diet, nutrition and lifestyle factors in women who are carriers of the BRCA1 and 2 cancer genes. These epigenetic factors have tremendous influence on the way our genes behave. Here are just a few studies of note: In 2009, a study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment demonstrated that women with the inherited mutation who ate more fruits and vegetables significantly reduced their risk of developing cancer compared to the women with the mutation who ate fewer fruits and vegetables. A 2007 study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that women who carried the mutation and followed dietary guidelines based on quality food choices and principles of macronutrient distribution, moderation,

variety and proportionality had a significantly reduced risk for breast cancer than the carrier group who did not follow the dietary guidelines. The researchers concluded a high-quality diet that meets specific guidelines can constitute an effective preventive strategy for reducing BRCA-associated breast cancer risk. In a 2006 study, also featured in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, women who carried the mutation and had normal weight and prevented weight gain as they aged also had much lower risk of developing cancer than women with the mutation who were overweight. A 2005 study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention found the long-term use of oral contraceptives is associated with a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer among BRCA1 c arriers. A 2012 study in Breast Cancer Research determined that breastfeeding for at least one year was associated with a 32 percent reduction in risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers, while breastfeeding for two or more years conferred an even greater reduction in risk. In addition, carriers of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene tend to have higher levels of oxidative stress, which in turn leads to damage in DNA, thereby increasing the risk for cancer development. Urinary levels of 8-oxo-dG (a marker for oxidative stress and DNA damage), which has been shown in studies to be higher in carriers of BRCA1 mutation, reflect the individual’s need for antioxidant supplementation (such as selenium,

vitamin D and glutathione, among many others) to counteract the DNA-damaging effects of oxidative stress in the body. A double-blinded placebo-controlled study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention in 2009 found that the group of BRCA1 patients who were given antioxidant supplementation to reduce their levels of the urinary marker 8-oxo-dG had a lower incidence of cancer. I routinely run this test in my patients to understand their level of risk, their need for antioxidant and nutritional support, as well as to monitor the efficacy of treatment. Before you decide, be informed The take-home message? There is a vast database of research supporting the efficacy and need for an appropriate preventive strategy to reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer if she carries the BRCA1 or 2 gene mutation, as well as other gene mutations. What you have just read offers only a glimpse into the ocean of prevention and treatment research available for strategic planning and action. A personalized preventive strategy should be emphasized regardless of whether a woman chooses to undergo a radical double mastectomy and/or salpingoophorectomy (complete hysterectomy) or not. The point is if you are a carrier of the gene, you have a choice. It is critical to have all the information before making a personal choice that is right for you. I am a firm proponent of patient

Dr. Gurm is a utonomy. I speaking at our support my p a t i e n t s ’ 6th Annual Cancer rights to Prevention & Healing make a Event, Oct 26th p e r s o n a l See p 12 choice by ensuring they are well informed. No matter what, be sure you know all the facts before making your decision and seek out the advice of two or three health practitioners, each with diverse medical backgrounds, with expertise in the care and management of breast cancer treatment and prevention. Empower yourself Knowing you have the gene is not a cancer sentence. Just like any challenge in life, if you learn you are carrier of the gene, take it as a call to action—an opportunity to expand your awareness and take control of your health. Ultimately, the decisions you make should empower you. If it does, then you’re on the right path.1 H

Sharon Gurm, BSc, ND, is a naturopathic physician providing integrative cancer care and prevention. Dr. Gurm is the founder of Port Moody Naturopathic Health & Wellness, a progressive, comprehensive health-care centre dedicated to providing excellence in integrative medicine. She is also a health educator for Rethink Breast Cancer. www.portmoodynaturopathic.com (604) 949-0077

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Traditional Chinese Medicine for Thyroid Health by Jeda Boughton, BA, R.Ac, Dr. TCM, FABORM

our thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck and acts like a thermostat in your body. This powerful gland produces thyroid hormone, combining iodine with the amino acid tyrosine to create the triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones. Every single cell in your body has thyroid hormone receptors that rely on T3 and T4 to regulate metabolism and generate energy. Your thyroid affects every system in your body. If your thyroid is not running optimally, neither are you. You may have a thyroid imbalance if you have ever had any of these challenges: • Exhaustion • Unexplained weight gain or loss • Unmanageable stress • Anxiety, irritability, depression • Hair loss, brittle nails • Malnutrition (such as iron deficiency) • Insomnia • Digestive issues • Dry skin • Heat and cold intolerances • Infertility It is estimated that 10 percent of North Americans suffer from thyroid problems and that more than half of all thyroid disorders are undiagnosed. There are two main thyroid imbalances: 1) Hyperthyroid: when the thyroid is over functioning 2) Hypothyroid: when the thyroid is under functioning Hypothyroidism accounts for 90 percent of all thyroid imbalances and the leading cause of it is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease.

Why are so many thyroid conditions misdiagnosed? Unfortunately, the blood tests used to diagnose thyroid conditions are not always indicative of what is actually going on in your body. In the 1970s, a blood test was developed testing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. This test is now used as the primary indicator of thyroid function. This is a problem because: The TSH test was developed using 200 volunteers to establish the “normal” range intended to represent the range of values for those in a healthy population, but there is no way of knowing if that sample population had thyroid problems. TSH is a pituitary hormone not a thyroid hormone, and the TSH lab test does not account for problems with the pituitary gland. TSH can take time to become abnormal, long after the onset of a thyroid condition. The pituitary gland releases TSH in response to both T4, T3 and reverse T3 levels (rT3)*. If you have enough T4 but if it is not converting to T3 or is converting to rT3, your TSH may be normal but your body will not have enough T3 hormone to function properly. *Reverse T3 is a mirror image of T3. It is a hormone that the body creates in response to physical, environmental and emotional stress. It blocks your T3 receptors to help your body conserve calories and energy so that in times of famine we survive longer. When treating thyroid imbalance in my practice, I apply the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for diagnosis and treatment, rather than depending solely on blood analysis. TCM has a 2,500-year history that

does not rely on machines or lab tests. It excels in the areas of chronic illness, systemic weaknesses and immune-system imbalances. What gives it an advantage in these areas is proficiency in using clinical signs and symptoms to identify patterns of illness and the ability to develop a treatment plan that addresses root causes. Chinese medicine and acupuncture have been used successfully for centuries to balance the hormone system. What causes thyroid dysfunction? Systemic inflammation affects your thyroid function and disrupts your hormones, interfering with the conversion of T4 to T3 and depressing thyroid receptor site sensitivity. Conditions that cause an inflammatory response in your body include chronic stress, insufficient sleep, malnutrition, toxic load, impaired digestive function and too little or too much exercise. All of these areas are addressed through a holistic TCM assessment of your body function and environmental factors. How do these conditions cause thyroid imbalance? Stress: Proper thyroid function depends on healthy adrenal glands. Stress includes anything that disturbs your body’s natural balance and makes your adrenals work harder to pump out more cortisol. Chronic adrenal stress depresses hypothalamic and pituitary function, both of which direct thyroid hormone production. Therefore, anything that disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis will also suppress thyroid function. Stress can place a burden on adrenal glands in many ways. Some factors that

“Systemic inflammation affects your thyroid function and disrupts your hormones.” 10 | Health Action | www.hans.org

we don’t commonly associate with stress are blood sugar swings, stomach dysfunction, food intolerances (especially gluten), chronic infections, toxicity and autoimmune problems. Sleep: Your thyroid is dependent on several other hormones such as melatonin and growth hormone. Melatonin is a hormone, made from the serotonin that you release at night, that helps you sleep soundly and restoratively. Human growth hormone is released in a pulsed manner during deep sleep, and so the lack of deep sleep abruptly stops the release of this hormone. Chinese medicine views proper sleep as a balance between the yin and yang energies in your body: yin is the restorative and nutritive forces and yang is the active and circulatory forces. A doctor of Chinese medicine uses modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage and herbal medicine to provide safe, natural solutions to promote a restful sleep without the unwanted side-effects of drowsiness and addiction that are often associated with pharmaceuticals. Nutrition: Nutrient deficiencies or excesses can trigger or exacerbate thyroid symptoms. A diet rich in foods that contain iodine, vitamin D, omega 3s, vitamin B12 and selenium support thyroid health. Foods that can block thyroid function include soy, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, sugar, preservatives and alcohol. TCM also considers the energetic qualities of foods, such as hot or cold, and their impact on your vital essences. In order for your organs to function optimally, keep them well nourished with a whole food diet that excludes processed foods and focuses on nutrient-dense vegetables and at least two litres of water a day. Digestive function: About 70 percent of your immune system resides in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which has many important functions for your health including digestion, nutrient absorption, elimination, detoxification, hormone metabolism and energy production. Moreover, 20 percent of the T4 in your body must be converted into T3 in the GI tract. For this conversion to happen, healthy colonies of beneficial bacteria must be present. If your digestive system is not working optimally, your thyroid hor-

mones may not be converting properly. Chinese medicine helps strengthen digestion by enhancing transformation, absorption and the distribution of nutrients throughout your body. How your digestive system functions is just as important as what you put in it. Toxic load: Chemicals, including parabens, chlorates and pesticides, are linked to thyroid disease. Toxins in cosmetics and household products such as toothpaste, cleaners, colognes, detergents, antiperspirants, body lotions and plastics are known hormone disruptors. Toxic Free Canada has a great online guide to help you identify and clear out toxic products from your home: www.toxicfreecanada.ca/pdf/CancerSmart_3.1_final.pdf. For a list of clean cosmetic and selfcare products, check out the Environmental Working Groups’ Skin Deep database at www.ewg.org/skindeep/. TCM helps with toxic load by supporting mechanisms of detoxification

“Toxins in cosmetics and household products are known hormone disruptors.” including sweating, bowel function, urination, menstruation and breathing. Exercise: Exercise boosts your growth hormone which, like melatonin, stimulates thyroid hormone production. Sweat from exercise helps your body release toxins as well. However, too much exercise can cause oxidative stress leading to thyroid inflammation. How can traditional Chinese medicine treat my thyroid? TCM treats the whole person, not just the disease. This holistic approach is designed to restore the supporting networks in your body, resulting in a return to homeostasis. A Chinese medical diagnosis includes a clinical assessment of all of your signs and symptoms. These may include pain and swelling; weight changes; muscle weakness; bowel problems; menstrual irregularities; depression and anxiety; sleep problems; hair or skin changes; 11 | Health Action | www.hans.org

fingernail changes and reflexes. Thyroid disease is the result of an imbalance within your body. As a TCM doctor, I perform a detailed analysis of all signs and symptoms to identify patterns that highlight underlying weaknesses and root causes of imbalance. However, rather than focusing entirely on your thyroid, the perspective is broadened to address your overall wellness/health condition. In TCM, one of the main causes of thyroid imbalance is kidney energy deficiency. This does not refer directly to how your kidney organ is functioning but rather to that meridian (or energy) system. The kidney system is the foundation of all of your other organs. It is the fundamental substance for birth, growth and reproduction and is the motivating force of all physiological processes. Kidney meridian weakness can be caused by a multitude of activities that I addressed above, specifically overwork, poor sleep habits, overconsumption of food and alcohol, drug abuse, lack of nourishing foods and unmanaged levels of stress. Some common signs of kidney energy dysfunction are moodiness, rapid body temperature changes, low back pain, chronic knee pain, ringing in your ears, fatigue, premature hair loss, low sex drive and infertility. Left untreated, thyroid disease can lead to obesity, pain, infertility and heart disease. A TCM doctor works with each patient to find their unique pattern or constellation of symptoms that contribute to hormone problems. Depending on your specific imbalance there may be a combination of specific food choices, Chinese herbal remedies, acupuncture and lifestyle changes recommended to effectively treat your whole system to restore your longterm health.1 H

Jeda Boughton, BA, R.Ac, Dr.TCM, FABORM, is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and director of BodaHealth in Vancouver. To book a free consultation contact 1245 West Broadway #302, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 1G7 (604) 733-2632 www.bodahealth.ca. For more tips on thyroid health, “like” www.facebook.com/ NaturalThyroidHealth.

HANS Member and Event News

Adam Dreamhealer Now a Doctor Dr. Adam McLeod is pleased to announce his graduation as a naturopathic doctor. He now writes his board exam to practise medicine in B.C., which will give him the same rights as a medical doctor to diagnose, treat patients, prescribe prescription medications and use natural approaches to healing whenever possible. He has been studying at university for nine years to achieve this goal. Adam was also the valedictorian at his graduation ceremonies, which were held at UBC on June 28th, 2013.

Celebrating 40+ Therapists at Electra Electra Health Floor is Vancouver’s largest multi-disciplinary clinic. Recently, we celebrated the addition of another (our 40th!) exceptional practitioner to our team. The key to our success is our great people who are passionate about their practice. It’s important to us that clients receive the best care possible. We’re open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow for varying schedules. Each practitioner has his or her photo, bio and testimonial on our website so clients know who we are. See you on the health floor! www.electrahealthfloor.com (604) 685-4325

News from Michael D’Alton’s School of Bio-Energy Healing After celebrating 20 years of practising bio-energy treatments, and assisting thousands of clients, Michael of Michael D’Alton’s School of Bio-Energy Healing has decided to focus his time training new practitioners. So as of June 1, 2013, senior bio-energy practitioner Kaia Duggan will be providing bio-energy healing sessions in Michael’s clinic. Also, we are happy to announce our first International Level 2 Practitioner Diploma Course. The training will take place in Costa Rica, November 2014. More information and registration: https://bioenergypractitioner.eventbrite. com www.daltonsbio.com

Woodgrove Moves and Expands Woodgrove Pines Chiropractic Health and Wellness Clinic is now practising in a brand new facility in Nanaimo, B.C., at 102-6135 Metral Drive. New services include physiotherapy, spinal decompression, laser and shockwave therapy. Your health and well-being is our number 1 goal! (250) 390-2003

HANS 6th Annual

Cancer Prevention and Healing Event Saturday, October 26th 1pm-5pm Alan Emmott Centre, 6650 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, B.C. Tickets: HANS Members: $10 in advance, $15 at the door (with valid membership card) Non-Members: $15 in advance, $20 at the door www.hans.org or 604-435-0512

Keynote Speaker Dr. Robbie Wood BDS, D.Orth. R.C.S.(Eng), D.D.Orth. R.C.P.S.(Glasg) Salvestrols: Cancer Treatment and Prevention —The Link between Diet and Cancer Dr. Sharon Gurm ND Trends in Breast Cancer—Current Research on Prevention, Screening & Treatment Dr. Kathryn Tian B.Sc.(China), Dr.TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer

12 | Health Action | www.hans.org

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Free DVD with memberships or renewals! Circle below or call for other favourites. (Please include $5 S&H) Annual Cancer Prevention & Healing Conference: choose from 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Digestion, Mercury and Your Health Jonn Matsen, ND, (2010). Women’s Health Collection Hormones in menopause, TCM and fertility, anti-aging strategies and intuitive eating (2009). Healthy Breast Seminar Sat Dharam Kaur, ND, of The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer (2009). Alzheimer’s Disease: Cause-Prevention-Reversal Harold Foster, PhD (2008). Peace Begins with Me Ted Kuntz, M.Ed. – Practical strategies to increase peace, joy and happiness (2008).

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Self-healing Through Energetic Consciousness by Julie Cheng

cience has taken us to the point where we can pinpoint specific energy frequencies in the body, says Adel Mosley, the managing director of the HeartMind Institute of Canada, which he founded 25 years ago and has been running out of Penticton, B.C., for the past four years. The HeartMind Institute has quantified years of scientific research into accessible self-healing programs. Each of its 25 biofrequency programs activates the body to achieve a health benefit such as radiation protection, stress relief, digestion remedy, deep sleep and detox. “Through specific electromagnetic fields and impulses, we can create responses in the body,” Mosley explains. “When these are properly targeted, we can activate or reactivate our own auto-poetic healing (self-healing) abilities in specific parts of our bodies.” Mosley points to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as one scientific approach to measuring the body’s electromagnetic fields. “We know the various frequen-

cies in a healthy body versus an unhealthy body. We know what a healthy liver looks like, what an unhealthy liver looks like, through electromagnetic fields.” As an example, the energetic imprint of the rose essence can be defined as a frequency group. “When that specific frequency is infused, you have the same effect as being exposed to a rose essence.” “If your heart is constricted, rose essence opens up that part of the energy. We bring you a bunch of roses, or rub rose essence, or we can infuse you with the same frequency.” Each biofrequency program uses sound as a carrier, layered with music, and comes in an MP3 file that you download from TheHeartMindInstitute.com. A program like detox and cleansing provides direct, physical experiences similar to doing a normal cleanse and, many times, an emotional response. The biofrequency programs are just the beginning of what drives the HeartMind Institute. Its educational program works to create a new paradigm of ener-

Welcome New HANS Professional Member

getic consciousness, where we learn positive healing through our bodies’ own energies. Through workshops, Mosley teaches people how to overcome the patterns of the brain and shift their worldview to become in tune with our energy fields. Once this happens, our own healing abilities increase because we’re no longer disconnected from our environment. “It’s where the heart and the mind come together. It’s like where intention goes, energy grows, then manifestation takes place.” Mosley runs workshops for 10 to 30 people and larger groups based out of the Okanagan. He’s happy to travel to locations such as Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. 1 H The HeartMind Institute of Canada, 101-429 Young Street, Penticton, B.C. (778) 476-1414 TheHeartMindInstitute.com

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NUCCA: Gentle Chiropractics Getting back to balance by Julie Cheng

“It’s hard to believe that the six weeks of treatment have passed so quickly. Thank you for all your guidance and words of encouragement during the way, I’m starting to feel improvements from the treatments. Take care and thank you again.” Bill and Sue, Whitehorse, Yukon

he couple was headed back to Whitehorse after Bill received six weeks of treatment from Dr. Michael Foran, a NUCCA chiropractor for 20 years who specializes in neck pain, whiplash and car injury cases. All too often, Foran sees patients who, like Bill, come to him as a last resort. This shouldn’t be the case, when there’s what Foran calls “a safe, gentle and effective” procedure like NUCCA available to help those in pain. NUCCA (which stands for National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association)

is an upper cervical specialty within chiropractic that was developed over 50 years ago. “There are more than 200 techniques in chiropractics, and NUCCA is just one of them,” Foran explains. Out of roughly one dozen NUCCA practitioners in British Columbia, Foran is one of two who are board certified, and the only one located in Vancouver, where he runs the NUCCA Spine Clinic. There are about four board-certified NUCCA practitioners across Canada and 30 w orldwide. A light touch NUCCA doesn’t hurt and there’s no bending, twisting or cracking. This light technique is a good option for people who fear neck manipulations and is suitable for all ages from children to seniors. When you first see a NUCCA practitioner, expect an initial consultation of a couple hours that includes extensive

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measurements and three-dimensional X-rays of the neck area. “We look at people in a biomechanical fashion,” says Foran. “It’s quite scientific,” involving physics, math and biomechanics. Foran describes a patient who had a three-degree tilt of her shoulders and hips, a three-degree twist to her pelvis and was standing 12 pounds heavier on one foot. After adjustments her shoulders and pelvis levelled out and her balance returned to normal with half of her weight on each foot. “It’s a full-body procedure even though we’re focussing on one small misalignment on the upper part of the neck.” Typically repeat visits are needed to gain repetitive muscle memory to balance the body. The better the correction

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the longer the adjustment will hold. The longest Foran has seen someone hold their adjustment was five years. The usual treatment plan is to come in twice a week for six weeks.

Michael J. Foran, DC, Board-Certified NUCCA Doctor, NUCCA Spine Clinic, Vancouver, B.C. (604) 266-1461, toll free 1 (888) 8632537 neckdr.com

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Gentle relief Besides whiplash injuries, headaches, neck pain, any cervical spine trauma, other conditions NUCCA helps include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, chronic fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances and fibromyalgia. Foran helps multiple sclerosis patients to increase their cerebral blood flow, with referrals coming from vascular surgeons whose MS patients had undergone treatment to open blocked veins in their necks. NUCCA is also increasingly recognized by dental specialists to address TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder or misaligned bite) and by personal trainers as part of their exercise rehabilitation program. Along with the adjustments, Foran provides recommendations to help maintain alignment and treat the body from the inside out.1 H

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Realigning the atlas NUCCA focuses on realigning a twoounce bone just below the brain stem, called the atlas. When the head becomes misaligned with the neck in what’s called atlas vertebral subluxation complex, the entire body becomes imbalanced, resulting in shoulder tilt, pelvic twist, shortened muscles on one side of the body or one shortened leg. Realigning the atlas works to correct body imbalance, take pressure off the brain stem and spinal cord and normalize central nervous function. An aligned body directs its energies to healing rather than fighting gravity.

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Mindfulness—The Creation of Self-Awareness and Appreciation by Zhihong Oon, ND

ow often have we caught ourselves going through life so focused on getting things done, on going places, on thinking about the past, on planning our next step that we forget why we were doing it in the first place? Do you remember the last time you lay in bed to appreciate your good health or simply paused to savour the scent of an apple before biting into it? You most likely got out of bed with a to-do list running through your head, grabbed an apple and devoured it so that you might have more time to get on with that to-do list. What is mindfulness? A path towards understanding our needs, passions, values and purpose is through learning mindfulness. Mindfulness is the art of being in the present moment. Being mindful helps to remove that vicious cycle of living in our head―where we are constantly mulling over the “what ifs” and “should haves” —and instead puts us in a state of presence. Rather than constantly meeting obstacles head-on or avoiding them by incorporating distractions into our lives, mindfulness teaches us acceptance and acknowledgement. In order to change our life, we must generally reach a state of acceptance. With mindfulness-based practice, we learn to become an objective observer to situations. Being an objective observer expands our outlook, provides us with greater clarity and insight, and places us in a more unique and able position to appreciate and deal with life’s trials. Mindfulness cultivates greater selfawareness through observation of our thoughts, beliefs and behaviours. With an

enhanced self-awareness, we can learn to alter our responses to stress and negative life experiences. The amygdala, a portion of the limbic system in the brain, assists with vigilance (keeping careful watch for danger) and is typically activated in response to stressful stimuli or situations. This area of the limbic system is hyperaroused, especially in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. Counterintuitively, it has been found that during meditative states the amygdala does not calm down but is activated. This might explain the heightened awareness experienced during mindfulness-based practices.

“Letting go of tension can be uncomfortable if you have never learned how to fully relax.” One study found that higher levels of mindfulness correlated with fewer automatic negative thoughts. A lot of negativity and unhappiness in life stems from an imagined ideal that creates a gap between where we are right now and where we want to be. We get so caught up with filling that gap that we forget how to live. Mind-body stress effects In this day and age of rampant chronic stress, we seem to spend our lives running away from the bear in fight-orflight mode. We are never allowed to fully reach a parasympathetic state, which is the opposite of the fight-or-flight state.

This might explain the health concerns that plague our society: depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic pain, digestive problems, inflammatory conditions―the list goes on. Stress has been shown to reduce neurogenesis (birth of neurons) in the hippocampus, the portion of the brain associated with memory, thereby leading to memory impairment. Prolonged periods of elevated levels of cortisol, produced by your adrenal glands during times of stress, have been shown to contribute to visceral adiposity (belly fat), metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis, among others. How do I create more self-awareness? A good start is to relax the body. Letting go of tension can be uncomfortable if you have never learned how to fully relax. Holding on to tension becomes so second nature that it can be a little frightening to enter an unfamiliar parasympathetic state, relinquishing that constant need for control. You may feel fearful, vulnerable and unprotected about having to let your guard down. If you find it hard to relax, try a progressive muscle relaxation exercise where you contract a muscle for a few seconds and then relax it, working from head to toe. Consciously contracting and then relaxing muscles helps to bring your awareness to the body and also to areas of tension or discomfort that you might never have noticed before. Those who still struggle with creating bodily awareness, even after conscious breathing practice (see first tip below) or progressive muscle relaxation exercises, might try biofeedback therapy, which trains you to relax but still control your body.

“Prolonged periods of elevated cortisol levels have been shown to contribute to visceral adiposity (belly fat), metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis.” 18 | Health Action | www.hans.org

Four simple tips for more mindful living 1. Observation: Pay attention to aspects of life that you take for granted or ignore. Notice how you feel from moment to moment and notice what is on your mind. A good starting place is to sit in your chair or lie on your bed and bring your awareness to your breathing. Notice where your breath originates. Is it up in your chest or in your abdomen? Is it smooth? Do you notice yourself holding your breath at the end of each inhale/exhale? Is your exhale longer or shorter than your inhale? After practising this for a couple of minutes, you can then bring your focus to areas of your body where you feel tension and discomfort and simply notice what you feel and where you feel it. 2. “Being” as opposed to “doing”: Disengage from the constant need to be doing and instead incorporate more being. Perhaps that’s why we are called human beings. The to-do lists will never end. You could go through life on autopilot missing things as you whizz by them or you could go through life with more conscious appreciation and awareness for the things and people around you. 3. View thoughts and mental events like clouds: You allow them to enter your mind, across your mental field of view. Then allow them to pass you by, like clouds in the sky. This will help decrease negative thoughts and self-limiting beliefs. 4. Give yourself permission: Allow yourself to go for that much-needed massage, vacation, hike in the woods or new hobby. By doing so, you extend compassion and appreciation to yourself, one of the steps towards more conscious mindful living. That being said, go out there and start enjoying the life-changing and liberating experience of mindful living!1 H

Zhihong Oon, ND, is a naturopathic doctor based in Port Moody, B.C., specializing in chronic disease and mental-emotional health. (604) 949-0077 www.portmoodynaturopathic. com

Chair Yoga on the Rise by Marie Chang

hair yoga is gaining popularity, especially with our aging population. But if you think it’s just for older adults, think again. It is, in fact, suitable for all ages. Like the yoga you do on the mat, chair yoga helps you breathe and relax the mind and body. If you’ve ever worried you couldn’t do the exercises of a regular yoga class, chair yoga is the solution. Even people who have health issues such as arthritis, high blood pressure and chronic pain can participate. You can do a wide variety of exercises in a chair and still get a good workout! Classes are generally 60 minutes and usually include standing poses using the chair for balance and support. Those who are unable to stand can do the upper part of the exercise sitting or can just take that time to rest. These chair exercises help build confidence and increase flexibility, while the relaxation techniques help release tension and anxiety. 19 | Health Action | www.hans.org

Chair yoga makes a trouble-free workout at work because you don’t have to change into exercise clothes and the only equipment you need is, you guessed it, a chair. Recognizing that modern-day workers are hunched over their computers for hours at a time, often feeling stressed and overwhelmed, workplaces now encourage employee wellness, including yoga sessions at lunch. Chair yoga is an ideal option. Even if you have no time for a class, you can still practise standing and stretching poses right at the desk throughout the day. Simply looking up from the computer and doing eye exercises, shoulder shrugs and neck rolls can be beneficial for your health and that of your company.1 H

Marie Chang teaches chair yoga at Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby, B.C. For more information about chair yoga and upcoming chair yoga sessions, please contact her at marie@insighttowellness.com.

Simplifying Back to School by Canteris Hartley, DCH, HMC

ack to school is an exciting time of the year, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming for some children, not only at the beginning of school, but even more so as stress accumulates throughout the year. Signs of stress in children include fatigue, anger, defiance, insomnia, forgetfulness, frequent colds and flus, temper tantrums, eating disorders, head and stomach aches, anxiety, depression and hypersensitivity. One way to relieve stress is to simplify our children’s schedules and create rhythm. Less is more Overscheduling has become the new norm. We are busy and stressed all the time and so are our children. It’s important to examine our children’s appointments, play dates and activities and find ways to simplify their days and weeks. They’ll breathe a little easier and find more meaning and enjoyment with school and their activities. Not only that, there could be more room to spend with family (assuming mom and dad have simplified their schedules as well), for free play and g etting to know themselves.

For healthy development, children, like adults, need time to process their day. The way they do this is during free, imaginative play, when nothing is scheduled—and when they are not staring into a screen. The saying “less is more” has some truth here. One way to simplify our schedules is to revisit our family values. What did we envision our family’s days and weeks to be like? If your family’s life does not look like what you intended, then it is time to make some changes. Can you imagine, for example, spending week after week, year after year driving your children to soccer practices and games only to find out, later, that they didn’t really like soccer? The areas that come up as a feeling of dissatisfaction are the most likely areas to let go. Change can be as simple as riding a bike to school rather than driving, choosing just one extracurricular activity a school term rather than two or three, having only one play date a week, or setting aside a special day or evening on the weekend that the family spends together, just doing nothing (not in front of a screen) and seeing how the time together unfolds. These spaces between our activities

20 | Health Action | www.hans.org

can bring us our deepest connection to what we do or allow us to discover what direction we really want to go. What would it be like for your child to just focus on that one favourite activity and see how far and deep he or she can go with it? If our children are allowed to experience this freedom in their schedules while growing up, then as adults they will know themselves better and be able to feel more connection to whatever endeavours they choose. Rhythm The other area that can relieve stress is creating rhythm. Having our lives predictable for ourselves and our children brings a sense of security and ease to what we do. We are surrounded by rhythm in nature with the rising and setting of the sun during the day and the seasons. If we can create rhythm in our family life it can greatly relieve stress for both our children and ourselves. Having dinner together at the same time each night, or Saturday nights as family night or Wednesday nights as pasta night are ways of creating rhythm. For the younger ones regular bed-

times and mealtimes are essential to feeling rhythm and security. Their little biological rhythms lend well to this as they are too young to conceive which day of the week it is or that 7 p.m. on the clock is bedtime. This makes it easier for them to orient themselves throughout the days and weeks. In turn, you will notice they are calmer and better able to play and make transitions. Bedtime becomes much easier as well! For those children who suffer from disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and learning challenges, for example, simplifying can bring them relief and can bring these disorders down to a more manageable level. To quote, “There is always enough time to do the important things.” You will know that it is too much for you and your children if you and they do not feel a sense of connection, contentment, ease and joy to your days. To begin the process of discovering what is right for your children and your family life, is to begin to simplify in any way that you can. 1 H Canteris Hartley, DCH, HMC, has been a practising classical homeopath for more than 14 years. She is a Simplicity Parenting coach and group leader, and mother of one. www.coasthomoeopathy.com

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Sound Healing by Kathy Cameron

he world is alive with sound, and sound and vibration have measurable effects on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Among other benefits, sound healing: • promotes relaxation • reduces stress • calms the mind and body • facilitates inner peace • rejuvenates the mind and body • promotes a restful sleep. Everything in the universe is vibrating at its own natural frequency. We are vibrational beings, and when we’re healthy, all of our cells, tissues and organs vibrate in harmony or resonance. Illness results when a part of the body begins to vibrate at a different frequency, out of tune with the rest. Through the intentional use of sound and vibration, a more harmonious and optimal state of resonance can be achieved. We at Harmony of the Spheres have found gongs and singing bowls to be very effective in restoring harmonious vibration. We share this balancing healing energy at what we call a “gong bath.” This term was coined by Grand Gongmaster Don Conreaux. Could you use an hour of stillness … an hour of peace? The gong experience is a total immersion in sound that is very beneficial to body, mind and spirit. Lying comfortably on a mat, recipients are bathed in layer upon layer of deep, rich, swelling 21 | Health Action | www.hans.org

sound waves. The waves of sound create a profound relaxation and promote a peaceful, meditative state. The vibrations have a healing effect at a cellular level— cleansing blocked energy and nourishing and renewing the body. Imagine the level of nourishment, relaxation and healing offered by bathing in sound for an entire night. The allnight gong puja is a sound meditation originated by Gongmaster Conreaux and is held in a yoga studio or similar venue with a gathering of people. Gongmaster Conreaux says that the 450 minutes of continuous gong sound immersion that you’ll get at a puja equals 7.5 hours of deep and relaxing sleep. According to Gongmaster Conreaux, “Human beings in the fullness of health are like the gong—fully resonant. When we resonate fully, we function with intuitive power and feel the happiness of inner peace. The more resonant we are, the more alive we are, and the result is a happy and abundant life.” H1

Harmony of the Spheres is an ensemble of sound practitioners who are passionate about harnessing the healing power of sound to restore harmony and balance to body, mind and spirit. www.harmonyofthespheres.net (604) 340-4955

Earthing: Defence Against Pain and Inflammation by Kurt Kelly

lthough inflammation is an essential immune response, it can harm the body over time as easily as it heals it. Chronic inflammation can increase the risk of diabetes, cancer, heart attack and autoimmune disease. Luckily, researchers have found that earthing, the groundbreaking practice of connecting with the Earth’s healing energy, has p roven to be a natural and effective defence against chronic inflammation. It’s the perfect complement to a healthy regimen of an anti-inflammatory diet and regular exercise. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself against inflammation. What is inflammation? As your body’s method of selfprotection, inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to allergens, trauma or infection. There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation attacks the infection with

pro-inflammatory compounds, then releases anti-inflammatory compounds to repair your system after the infection has dissipated. Chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system continues to promote inflammation throughout the body with

“Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to allergens, trauma or infection.”

pro-inflammatory compounds. This phenomenon can cause significant damage to healthy cells and tissues. Inflammation is also known to have a biological effect on the natural process of aging, an occurrence commonly known

as “inflammaging.” Regardless of the end result of chronic inflammation, health experts agree that it causes your body and immune system to weaken over time due to repeated or prolonged stress. What are the disorders associated with chronic inflammation? Recent studies have shown that inflammation is a contributing factor in many of the most prevalent chronic diseases, including: Heart disease: A study by scientists at Stanford University found that patients with coronary artery disease were predisposed to the disorder because they carried gene variants linked to inflammation. The Physician’s Health Study also discovered that the C-reactive protein, a byproduct of inflammation, indicates a greater risk of a heart attack. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD refers to chronic disorders that cause inflammation of the intestines, name-

“Inflammation is known to produce chemicals that help tumour cells to multiply at a greater rate, and harm the DNA of surrounding cells.” 22 | Health Action | www.hans.org

ly ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms include abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and sometimes inflammation in other parts of the body. Mild to high levels of inflammation indicate whether the disease is active or in remission. Arthritis: There are more than 100 types of arthritic conditions that cause chronic joint pain. Some, but not all, types are associated with inflammation, including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis. An increase of proinflammatory compounds within the joint can wear down cartilage, and cause irritation and the swelling of joint lining. Cancer: Cell proliferation and mutation, two byproducts of chronic inflammation, often lead to an environment that contributes to the development of cancer. Inflammation is known to produce metastasis-promoting chemicals that help tumour cells to multiply at a greater rate, harming the DNA of surrounding cells. Diabetes: Studies have identified a higher level of inflammatory chemicals called cytokine in the fat tissues of people with type 2 diabetes. The chemicals found in the extra weight cause the body to become resistant to insulin, and the resulting inflammation contributes to the progression of diabetes. For those suffering from a disorder linked to prolonged inflammation, the resulting chronic pain can often be unbearable. Available treatments include several anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid drugs that can have considerable side-effects on your health. Luckily, there are more natural treatments that can help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. How can earthing help with chronic inflammation pain? A wholesome diet, regular exercise and plenty of rest can help you to normalize your insulin levels and prevent and treat prolonged inflammation. However, when a balanced and healthy regimen isn’t enough, you should seek alternative lifestyle strategies to help you relieve chronic inflammation pain and achieve better health. Earthing, or grounding, is an effective way of fighting chronic inflammation. When you’re grounded, it allows for better transference of the Earth’s free electrons to your body. The negatively charged free

Back Pain from Disc Degeneration? Restoring joint movement is key to relief by Karin Mattern, DC

any people, when asked if they have consulted a chiropractor for their back pain, reply that nothing can be done because they’ve been told they have degenerated discs. This is a description of what has happened to the spine but not a diagnosis of the cause of the pain. Disc degeneration is not an unavoidable part of aging. The disc receives its nutrition from surrounding fluids. When the vertebrae are not moving properly, the disc can no longer expand and contract, and it becomes brittle and inelastic. This stimulates the production of new bone in the form of protrusions from the vertebrae, or bony spurs. The spurs can be seen on X-ray, along with a decrease in the disc space and new bone formation at the posterior spinal joints. However, even when degeneration is present, it is seldom the cause

electrons help to neutralize the buildup of positively charged free radicals that cause inflammation, cell damage and oxidative stress within your system. Research has shown that these electrons are powerful antioxidants that can lead to several health benefits, including a decline in skin resistance, improvements in heart rate and decreased levels of inflammation. Earthing is also known to thin your blood and make it less viscous, reducing the risk of blood clots, elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The most fundamental grounding 23 | Health Action | www.hans.org

of pain. The pain is the result of improper movement of the spinal joints and can frequently be relieved by correcting the joint movement. In addition, restoring proper joint function can prevent further degeneration. A degenerating disc is not a contraindication for chiropractic care. In most cases, restoration of movement to the spinal joints can bring relief from pain and slow down further deterioration.1 H

Karin Mattern, DC, provides chiropractic care for families with a personal and caring touch. Based in Nanaimo, B.C, Dr. Mattern can be reached at drkarin@shaw.ca or (250) 758-7022, or visit drkarinmattern.shawwebspace.ca/.

method is simply walking barefoot outdoors. For other ways of grounding in your daily life, you can sleep on earthing bed sheets, use earthing pads at work or wear earthing bands as you exercise. However you choose to stay grounded, earthing has been known to reduce pain, improve sleep and enhance cortisol c ycles.1 H Kurt Kelly is a wellness coach who studied with Lars Gustafsson at the Body Mind Institute. He has found over the years that the simplest of changes can yield the most profound results. This is what has drawn him to earthing. www.earthingcanada.ca

Our Innovation Through an impressive legacy of devoted individuals, a sincere dedication to quality and ongoing innovation, Flora has rapidly evolved into one of North America’s premier natural health products companies. Current production facilities include state-of-theart equipment for processing quality herbal teas, liquid tonics, encapsulating herbal extracts and cold-pressing certiﬁed organic seeds into health-beneﬁting oils.

Our Commitment Flora’s focus on research and development has resulted in production methods which are among the finest in the world. The staff at Flora are proud to have been honoured with numerous awards for their fine products over the past 48 years. The company remains family-owned and a leader in the field of natural health products. Flora is committed to its mandate of offering only premium quality products that positively impact people’s lives.

24 | Health Action | www.hans.org

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A world famous iron supplement, Salus Floradix® effectively prevents iron deﬁciency and assists with the formation of red blood cells and their proper functions. It also supports tissue formation, proper growth and enhanced iron absorption and utilization through organically bound iron gluconate, vitamin C and B vitamins. Floradix® is non-constipating, safe for long-term, daily use and contains no dairy, lactose, alcohol, GMO, chemical preservatives, colouring or ﬂavouring.

Udo’s Oil™ 3•6•9 Blend is a ﬁsh-free blend of plant-sourced oils designed to supply the ideal 2:1 ratio of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. It contains all the good fats you need, without any of the bad fats you should avoid. It’s pressed in a state-ofthe-art, low heat, low light and oxygen-free environment to optimize freshness and provide maximum nutritional value. All of the ingredients in Udo’s Oil™ pass rigorous quality control testing and are certiﬁed organic whenever possible. It’s packed in amber glass bottles and refrigerated for storage to ensure optimal freshness.

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From the Garden to the Dispensary: Medicinal Herbal Vinegars by Angie Shand and Bronwen Erickson

erbal vinegars are a tasty way to make use of the medicinal properties of herbs. Simply use two to three teaspoons a day in water, on salads or other foods. Here is a selection of easy-to-make herbal vinegars with various health benefits, and they are safe for children. Nettle, a plant rich in chlorophyll, rebuilds the blood, stabilizes blood sugar and supports bone health, strengthening the whole body. Nettle is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins A, C, D, E and K, as well as quercetin and flavonoids. Nettle also contains calcium, iron, potassium and sulphur. Medicinally nettles are astringent and toning, and cleansing for the kidneys and blood. When making vinegars out of nettles, use the tops, leaves and stems. Chickweed is an excellent source of vitamins A, D, B complex and C, and rutin (an accompanying flavonoid), as well as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium, copper and silica. Chickweed is believed to help break up fat and fatty deposits in the body. Chickweed is a demulcent, helping to re-

duce inflamed tissue and joints and promoting a cleansing, soothing, tonic effect on the urinary system for relieving cystitis and urinary inflammation. Use the whole plant before flowering. Red raspberry is an excellent source of vitamins C, E, A and B complex, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, silicon, sulphur and calcium. Magnesium helps the absorption of calcium and increases the absorption of certain hormones. These minerals additionally promote strong nails, bones, teeth, hair and skin. It can be used as a mouthwash for sore throats, weak gums and mouth ulcers as well a great tea for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diarrhea. Traditionally known as a blood tonic and purifier, red raspberry possesses hormone-regulating and uterine-toning properties. Use the leaf. How to make herbal vinegars Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to use apple cider vinegar in this recipe. Apple cider vinegar helps to break down minerals with its enzymes and increases the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which helps to absorb the Âminerals.

Pack a clean glass container (a canning jar, a recycled peanut-butter jar) loosely with the herbs youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve chosen. Cover with apple cider vinegar warmed to room temperature. Tamp the herbs down to release the air bubbles then add more vinegar to completely submerge the plant material. Cap the container tightly, set in a dark, warm place and let the herbs steep for a month to six weeks. Use a plastic cap or a piece of plastic film tied with a rubber band to prevent the acidic vinegar from corroding a metal top. Strain out the herbs and repeat the process with more herbs if you want a stronger-flavoured vinegar. Otherwise, decant the vinegar into a cork- or glassstoppered container. Store your herbal vinegars in a dark, cool place. It will keep for up to one year.1 H Angie Shand and Bronwen Erickson are practising herbalists at Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary, which offers exceptional plant-based medicine to cleanse and nourish the mind, body and spirit. 2672 West Broadway, ÂVancouver. (604) 734-4372 www.gaiagarden.com.

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Golden Root: Ancient Health Benefits for Modern Life by Klaus Ferlow, HMH, HA

olden root (Rhodiola rosea) is a perennial plant of the Crassulaceae family that is indigenous to cold regions of the world such as the Arctic of Eastern Siberia, the Rocky Mountains of North America and the mountains of Central Asia and Europe. Because of its extraordinary antistress and positive mood-enhancing properties, golden root extract is one of the most popular phytomedicines in Europe and is gaining popularity in North America. Results of human clinical studies from the former Soviet Union have increased interest in this medicinal plant. For centuries, Russians and Scandinavians have used golden root to cope with the cold climate and the stress of life. Ancient cultures had figured out that adaptogenic herbs are the answer to stress long before the western world adapted to it! In Siberia, people still say, “Those who drink Rhodiola tea will live more than 100 years.” Stress saviour It is known that excessive stress leads to fatigue-related depression and other health problems. According to Statistics Canada, in 2011 more than 23 percent of Canadian adults reported that most days were extremely or quite stressful. In the U.S., the American Psychological Association found that stress causes close to 80 percent of people surveyed to experience physical symptoms (including fatigue, headache and upset stomach) and almost 50 percent to lie awake at night. Golden root is included among a class of plant derivatives called adaptogens. Adaptogens have different physi-

ological effects than stimulants such as nicotine and amphetamine. Several double-blind clinical trials with placebo controls provide evidence that golden root extract possesses positive mood-enhancing and anti-stress properties. The extract has been shown to positively affect the higher nervous system, increasing attention span and memory and improving mental stability. Pilot studies in humans showed that golden root improves physical and mental performance and may reduce fatigue. Golden root’s proven effectiveness for depression has led Russian scientists

“The extract has been shown to positively affect the higher nervous system.” to use it in combination with antidepressants. Patient intellectual and physical levels increased while the length of hospital stays and negative side-effects associated with tricylic antidepressants decreased. Nature’s answer to healthy weight management Some 30 years of Soviet research provides fascinating evidence that Rhodiola rosea stimulates the release of fat from adipose tissue. Golden root extract in combination with daily exercise is an extremely effective method of weight management. 27 | Health Action | www.hans.org

Enhance performance and energy production According to the Moscow Institute of Sport and Physical Culture, Rhodiola rosea extract provides a boost for the physically active. Golden root extract can help oxygenate the brain and muscles and enhance energy levels. Based on positive results from more than a decade of clinical trials, in 1975 the Pharmacological Committee of the USSR Ministry of Health authorized a Rhodiola rosea extract for medical use and commercial production. Rhodiola rosea contains a variety of compounds that may contribute to its effects, including the class of rosavins that includes rosavin, rosarin and rosin. Studies suggest that the active components are likely the rhodioloside and tyrosol showing synergistic effects with rhodioloside, rosavin and rosin. It’s important to seek out a golden root extract that contains sufficient standardized levels of its unique active ingredients rosavin, rosarin and rosin to ensure that you get a form that really does work. Misinformation typically used to justify substitution and adulteration makes it difficult for consumers to get the benefits they expect and deserve from phytomedicines like golden root. If in doubt, check the research.1 H

Klaus Ferlow, HMH, HA, is an author, innovator, lecturer, researcher and writer. In 1975, he founded Ferlow Botanicals, which manufactures and distributes herbal medicinal and personal care products. He co-authored the book Seven Steps to Dental Health. klausferlow1@ gmail.com, www.ferlowbotanicals.com

HANS Wellness Directory Your natural health resource. More details at www.hans.org * *Discount to HANS Members naturopathic physicians acupuncturists chiropractors homeopaths environmental services natural skin/hair care and more. Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine ACU‑BRIDGE Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic (604) 432‑7209 5238 Irmin Street, Burnaby BC BC Naturopathic Association (604) 736‑6646 2238 Pine Street, Vancouver BC, bcna. ca BodaHealth (604) 733‑2632 bodahealth. ca 302‑1245 West Broadway, Vancouver BC Lorne Brown, BSc, CA, Dr TCM, RAC (604) 678‑8600 #250 ‑ 828 West 8th Avenue, Van BC acubalance. ca Caldwell Acupuncture Clinic and TCM (604) 618‑3111 #801 ‑ 1200 Burrard Street, Van BC caldwellclinic. com Dr. Erikson‑Chinese Medical Dermatology (778) 886‑1180 15767 Roper Ave, White Rock BC drerikson. com Dr. Ara Elmajian & Associates (604) 876‑9228 701‑805 West Broadway, Van, BC draraelmajian. ca evolve Nurturing Vitality (604) 255‑7777 102‑2025 West Broadway, Vancouver BC IMeG Health™ www. imeghealth. com (604) 279‑9355 160‑6111 River Road, Richmond BC Lifelong Health lifelonghealth. ca (604) 538‑6850 15228 Pacific Ave, White Rock BC NeuroKinetics™ Traumatology & Concussion Clinic Vancouver BC, (604) 736‑3963 neurokinetics. com Shelley L Page, Dr TCM (604) 541‑9336 690‑15355 24th Ave, Surrey BC PCU College of Holistic Medicine www. pcucollege. ca (604) 433‑1299 TCM Association of BC (604) 602‑7550 4347 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC tcmabc. org Jen Wasmund, RTCMP (604) 738‑5569 #409 ‑ 2150 West Broadway, Vancouver BC Yackel, Avery, BASc, R. TCM. P. (604) 671‑4682 202‑2383 King George Hwy, Surrey BC Yackel, Avery, BASc, R. TCM. P. (604) 671‑4682 108‑2078 West 4th Ave, Vancouver BC Lyla Yip, MSc, RAc, DTCM (604) 872‑6833 #203 ‑ 2256 Brunswick Street, Vancouver BC Weidong Yu, DTCM, FAc. , BM, MPh (604) 737‑7876 916 West King Edward Avenue, Vancouver BC

Animal & Pet Holistic Health Care Richard Calland, DVM (604) 565‑7217 7280 Adera St, Vancouver BC Fraser Valley Animal Care (604) 852‑4480 206 ‑ 2825 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford BC

For Associations, Non-Profits and Support Groups, please visit www.hans.org HANS does not recommend, prescribe or endorse any particular product, service or professional. This directory is for informational purposes only.

Aromatherapy Ferlow Botanicals Manufacturers/ Distributors ferlowbotanicals. com Vancouver BC (604) 322‑4080 Young Living Essential Oils (604) 874‑7318 Carolyn Zerr & Micheal Au http:/ / carolynzerr. younglivingworld. com

Assessments NeuroKinetics™ Traumatology & Concussion Clinic Vancouver BC, (604) 736‑3963 neurokinetics. com

Associations For these FREE listings, visit www.hans.org

Ayurvedic Medicine Ferlow Botanicals Manufacturers/ Distributors ferlowbotanicals. com Vancouver BC (604) 322‑4080 Jaisri M Lambert, www. ayurveda‑seminars. com Ayurveda Seminars and Consulting (604) 290‑8201

Biofeedback Eloise O’Ball, RN, Registered Holistic Allergist pacificallergyandwellness. com (778) 839‑6557

Business Opportunities Pacific Institute of Reflexology (604) 875‑8818 535 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC

Cancer Information, Treatments & Support Acquired Intelligence Inc (Salvestrols) Victoria BC salvestrol. ca (250) 483‑3640 Callanish Society (604) 732‑0633 2277 W 10th Ave, Vancouver BC Brian Davies, BSC, ND (778) 340‑1114 #1‑156 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver BC IMeG Health™ www. imeghealth. com (604) 279‑9355 160‑6111 River Road, Richmond BC InspireHealth (604) 734‑7125 #200 ‑ 1330 West 8th Ave, Vancouver BC Dr Nelie C. Johnson, MD (604) 467‑1794 www. awarenessheals. ca LEMMO Integrated Cancer Care (604) 428‑1991 327 Renfrew St, Vancouver BC Dr. Gurdev Parmar, ND, Integrated Health Clinic 202‑23242 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley BC (604) 888‑8325 **Solutions Health Care Navigation (Cancer Coaching) North Vancouver, BC (778) 237‑4137

28 | Health Action | www.hans.org

Unbridling Your Brilliance (604) 626‑4806 25027 Robertson Cres, Aldergrove BC Wellness Trading Post www. wellnesstradingpost. com Julieta Criollo, DNM, CHT, New Westminster, BC

Children’s Health National Vaccine Information Centre (703) 938‑DPT3 204 Mill Street, Suite B1, Vienna Virginia Autism Canada (519) 695‑5858 PO Box 366, Bothwell ON Autism Research Institute 4182 Adams Avenue, San Diego CA Canteris A. Hartley, DCH, HMC, www. coasthomeopathy. com #201 ‑ 1001 Gibsons Way, Gibsons (604) 886‑3844 IMeG Health™ www. imeghealth. com (604) 279‑9355 160‑6111 River Road, Richmond BC Integrated Health Clinic, Sarah Sjovold, ND Fort Langley, BC (604) 888‑8325 www. drsjovold. com VRAN ‑ Vaccination Risk Awareness Network Inc. (250) 355‑2525 PO Box 169, Winlaw BC

Chiropractors Gregg Anderson, DC (604) 531‑6446 305 ‑ 1656 Martin Drive, Surrey BC Christine Bird, DC (604) 885‑7124 Box 358, Sechelt BC Dr Janice Blanke (819) 687‑9021 90 CH Morgan, Montcalm QC DesLauriers Chiropractic Group & Assoc 1219 Johnston Road, White Rock BC (604) 535‑2500 Dr Barbara James Chiropractic (250) 868‑2951 1333 St. Paul St, Kelowna BC Dr Kevan Shong Chiropractic (604) 540‑1551 Suite E ‑ 7487 Edmonds Street, Burnaby BC evolve Nurturing Vitality (604) 255‑7777 102‑2025 West Broadway, Vancouver BC Helen Fadden, DC (604) 852‑4480 #206 ‑ 2825 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford BC Dr. Mahin Darabi ‑ Fraser Chiropractic (604) 321‑6704 #315, North Tower 650 41st Ave W, Vancouver BC Drs Rainer & Randall Zindler ‑ Fraser Chiropractic (604) 321‑6704 #315, North Tower 650 41st Ave W, Vancouver BC John W C Loh, MSc, DC (604) 941‑0644 201 ‑ 3377 Coast Meridian Road, Port Coquitlam BC Karin Mattern, DC (250) 758‑7022 3648 Departure Bay Road, Naniamo BC

Kitsilano Chiropractic (604) 731‑6773 3446 W. Broadway, Vancouver BC Alvin G Klassen, DC, FCCRS(c), CPT (604) 271‑6442 10020 No 3 Rd, Richmond BC Jay Lepp, DC (604) 939‑7556 2325 St. John’s Street, Port Moody BC McCallum Chiropractic @ the Bay (604) 604‑864‑8232 #2 ‑ 32900 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford BC Peter Mulyk, DC, 1318 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC (604) 685‑9416 Rozeela Nand, DC (604) 736‑5157 #220‑2475 Bayswater St, Van, BC Don Nixdorf, DC (604) 278‑3505 10020 No. 3 Rd. , Richmond BC Nucca Spine Clinic ‑ Dr. Michael J. Foran Vancouver, BC (604) 266‑1461 www. neckdr. com Orion Health‑ Surrey (604) 575‑2325 #120 ‑ 16555 Fraser Highway, Surrey BC Robert T Ohori, DC (604) 946‑0144 5017 ‑ 48th Avenue, Delta BC Edith Veillette, DC (819) 669‑9676 435 boul. La Verendrye e. , Gatineau PQ Brent Willox, DC (604) 253‑6930 1279 Nanaimo St. Van, BC www. vanwellness. com Woodgrove Pines Chiropractic (250) 390‑2003 or (250) 390‑2993 102 ‑ 6135 Metral Dr, Nanaimo BC

Cleansing & Detoxification ABC of Colon Care/ Prime Vitality (604) 929‑7452 North Van BC primevitality. ca Cedar Springs Renewal Center (360) 826‑3599 Sedro Woolley WA cedarsprings. org Radiant Health Saunas (604) 221‑1799 Vancouver BC radianthealthsaunas. com **South Granville Naturopathic Clinic (604) 738‑3858 212‑3195 Granville Street, Vancouver BC Lisa Keith (604) 738‑3858 212‑3195 Granville Street, Vancouver BC

Colon Hydrotherapy ABC of Colon Care/ Prime Vitality (604) 929‑7452 North Van BC primevitality. ca **Kevin Patrick / Vestta (604) 731‑3571 111‑511 W 7th, Van / vesttawholehealth. com Integrated Health Clinic 202‑23242 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley BC (604) 888‑8325 Lifelong Health www. lifelonghealth. ca (604) 538‑6850 15228 Pacific Ave, White Rock BC Lisa Keith (604) 738‑3858 212‑3195 Granville Street, Vancouver BC The Happy Colon (604) 525‑8400 #360 ‑ 522 ‑ 7th Street, New Westminster BC **Vancouver Colon Hydrotherapy Clinic (604) 738‑3858 212‑3195 Granville Street, Vancouver BC Village Health Clinic (604) 575‑7275 105 ‑ 15153 No 10 Hwy, Surrey BC

Counsellors (Registered) Brigitte R. Clark, M. Ed, C. C. C. , S. E. P. Vancouver, BC (604) 928‑5913 www. freefallinsurrender. com

Craniosacral Therapy Brenda Pulvermacher, BSc (604) 986‑9355 200‑1401 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver BC

Dentists Arshbir S. Kler, DDS/ A. Ross Gorrell, DDS #201‑5405 12th Ave, Delta BC (604) 943‑2291 Art of Dentistry (604) 431‑0202 104‑6411 Nelson Ave, Burnaby BC Dr. Ara Elmajian & Associates (604) 876‑9228 701‑805 West Broadway, Van, BC draraelmajian. ca Evangelo Papoutsis, DDS (604) 886‑4543 315 ‑ 287 Gower Point Rd, Gibsons BC Van Cosmetic/ Implant Dentistry (604) 434‑0248 #359 ‑ 4800 Kingsway, Burnaby BC

Electromagnetic Fields & Earth Radiation Jim Waugh, EMF SafeHome (604) 788‑0743 Greater Vancouver, BC EMFSafeHome. com Milt B Bowling (604) 949‑1502 http:/ / www. cleanenergycanada. com/ Earthing Canada 1‑877‑819‑1968 www. earthingcanada. ca Farren Lander, HealthyHomes Environmental Surrey, BC (604) 538‑0809 **Vlasty Senovsky, Geopathic Consultant (604) 990‑0524 Lower Mainland, www. geopathic‑consulting. com **Terra Essence Health (778) 383‑6822 Burnaby, BC terraessencehealth. com

Energy Medicine **Brioso Holistics, Robine Yohm (604) 317‑6676 Burnaby BC, www. briosoholistics. com Maria Djordjevic, BSc. CIEHP (604) 727‑4186 Vancouver BC sanare. ca Earthing Canada 1‑877‑819‑1968 www. earthingcanada. ca Diane Louie, EFT Practitioner (604) 888‑2950 21231 ‑ 93rd Avenue, Langley BC Michael D’Alton’s School of Bio‑Energy Healing (604) 688‑5177 www. daltonsbio. com Vancouver BC Ann Perrick (604) 250‑4916 EMF Balancing Technique, North Vancouver, BC The HeartMind Institute (778) 476‑1414 Penticton BC www. theheartmindinstitute. com Phillip W Warren (604) 946‑4919 4459 ‑ 52A Street, Delta BC rebprotocol. net

Environmental Products & Services Milt B Bowling (604) 949‑1502 http:/ / www. cleanenergycanada. com/ **Nature Cleaning Services (604) 255‑3735 2316 Nacht Avenue, Port Coquitlam BC

Food Preparation & Healthy Cuisine Earthsave Canada (604) 731‑5885 Vancouver BC, www. earthsave. ca FarmFolk/ CityFolk Society (604) 730‑0450 Vancouver, BC ffcf. bc. ca Raw Food Society of BC (778) 737‑8852 8051 Poplar St, Van BC www. rawbc. org

Health & Education Centres Amazing Health (604) 856‑9472 6581 Sunshine Drive, Delta BC Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (604) 730‑5611 #100 ‑ 2245 West Broadway, Vancouver BC Dominion Herbal College (604) 433‑1926 Burnaby BC, dominionherbalcollege. com IMeG Health™ www. imeghealth. com (604) 279‑9355 160‑6111 River Road, Richmond BC Institute of Holistic Nutrition (604) 558‑4000 300‑604 Broadway W, Vancouver BC Love Peace Harmony Vancouver (604)733‑0853 www. lovepeaceharmonyvancouver. com PCU College of Holistic Medicine www. pcucollege. ca 604‑433‑1299 Vancouver Island College of Natural Wellness Nanaimo, BC (800) 255‑2816 www. vicnw. com

Health & Life Coaches Allan Lawry Fitness and Lifestyle Coaching (604) 220‑7188 www. alfitness. ca Brenda Eastwood (800) 884‑9220 Saanichton BC, brendaeastwood. com Health Plus (604) 437‑6286 3512 East 24th Avenue, Vancouver BC Moira Khouri, NC, MH, HHP, CCP Vancouver, BC (604) 346‑1471

29 | Health Action | www.hans.org

Trish Lim‑O’Donnell, CCP (604) 544‑2902 Vancouver BC, www. trishlimodonnell. com Gillian Padgett, Okanagan Stress Management Inc www. okanaganstressmanagement. com (250) 542‑7602

Health Food Stores **Alive Health Centres www. alivehealthcentre. ca With 14 locations in BC, mostly in the Vancouver area Ave Maria Specialties (250) 563‑6388 1638 20th Ave, Prince George BC Clearwater Natural Foods Limited (250) 674‑3147 735 Clearwater Village Road, Clearwater BC Community Natural Foods (403) 229‑2383 10th Ave Market Location 1304‑10th Ave SW, Calgary AB Community Natural Foods (403) 541‑0606 Chinook Market Location 202‑61st Ave SW, Calgary AB Consumers Nutrition Centre (604) 270‑0007 #1318 ‑ 6551 No. 3 Road, Richmond BC Dawson Creek Health Food Ctr (250) 782‑4656 901C ‑ 103rd Avenue, Dawson Creek BC Edible Island Whole Foods Market (250) 334‑3116 477‑6th St. , Courtenay BC **Gaia Garden Herbals 604‑734‑HERB (4372) 2672 West Broadway, Van BC, gaiagarden. com **Kelly’s Specialty Shop Ltd. (604) 485‑5550 4706 Marine Ave, Powell River BC Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery Health Food Store Duncan BC (250) 748‑4421 **Marks Pharmacy (604) 731‑8535 3750 Oak Street, Vancouver BC **Mother Natures (250) 365‑7750 Caslegar, BC www. mothernaturescastlegar. com Nurture Health & Wellness (403) 208‑0812 63 Crowfoot Terrace NW, Calgary Alberta Sunnyside Naturals Kaslo BC (250) 353‑9667 The Pantry Natural Foods (604) 826‑7561 33051 First Avenue, Mission BC The Peanut Mill Natural Foods Market (905) 685‑8848 191 Welland Ave. , St. Catharines ON Valley Health (780) 624‑1332 10019‑100 St Peace River AB

Health Products & Equipment AIM Canada (604) 263‑8497 theaimcompanies. com 390‑2025 W. 42nd Ave. , Vancouver BC CHI Wellness (604) 767‑3834 Vancouver BC CHI MACHINE www. chidvd. com/ chiwellness Earthing Canada 1‑877‑819‑1968 www. earthingcanada. ca Eastern Currents Distributing Ltd. (604) 263‑5042 9109 Shaughnessy St, Vancouver BC easterncurrents. ca Heather Gabriel (604) 536‑5585 Independent Zango Distributor, Surrey, BC Health Plus (604) 437‑6286 3512 East 24th Avenue, Vancouver BC **Healthy Business Consulting Ltd (778) 294‑0611 Ron & Maggie Gale South Surrey BC healthybusiness. ca Infinite Possibilities Consulting (250) 598‑8574 USANA Distributors, possibilities_intl. usana. com Preferred Nutrition (519) 853‑1118 153 Perth St. , Acton ON, pno. ca Radiant Health Saunas (604) 221‑1799 Vancouver BC radianthealthsaunas. com

Health Retreats & Spas Cedar Springs Renewal Center (360) 826‑3599 Sedro Woolley WA cedarsprings. org

Healthy Homes & Interiors Holistic Interior Consultant (778) 823‑6960 Kimberly Easterbrook Farren Lander, HealthyHomes Environmental Surrey, BC (604) 538‑0809

Herbalists (Registered) Dominion Herbal College (604) 433‑1926 Burnaby BC, dominionherbalcollege. com Island Healthworks Natural Health Clinic (250) 468‑7685 1830 Douglas Crescent, Nanoose Bay BC Lifelong Health lifelonghealth. ca (604) 538‑6850 15228 Pacific Ave, White Rock BC PCU College of Holistic Medicine www. pcucollege. ca 604‑433‑1299 Wellness Trading Post www. wellnesstradingpost. com Julieta Criollo, DNM, CHT, New Westminster, BC

Herbs & Herbal Products Community Natural Foods (403) 229‑2383 10th Ave Market Location 1304‑10th Ave SW, Calgary AB Community Natural Foods (403) 541‑0606 Chinook Market Location 202‑61st Ave SW, Calgary AB Eastern Currents Distributing Ltd. (604) 263‑5042 9109 Shaughnessy St, Vancouver BC easterncurrents. ca Ferlow Botanicals Manufacturers/ Distributors ferlowbotanicals. com Vancouver BC (604) 322‑4080 Flora Manufacturing and Distributing florahealth. com (888) 436‑6697 Heather Gabriel (604) 536‑5585 Independent Zango Distributor, Surrey, BC **Gaia Garden Herbals 604‑734‑HERB (4372) 2672 West Broadway, Van BC, gaiagarden. com Joy of the Mountains Wild Mediterranean Oil of Oregano joyofthemountains. com (866) 547‑0268

Homeopaths Arnica Homeopathy Centre (604) 780‑2114 205‑1401 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver BC BC Society of Homeopaths www. bcsh. ca Referrals to classical homeopaths Canteris A. Hartley, DCH, HMC, www. coasthomeopathy. com #201 ‑ 1001 Gibsons Way, Gibsons (604) 886‑3844 Marie Lamey, Trinity Homeopathy Clinic Vancouver, BC (604) 837‑7396 Diane Louie, DCH, RSCHom, Classical Homeopath 21231‑93rd Avenue, Langley BC (604) 888‑2950 Sonya McLeod, BA, DCH (604) 677‑7742 351 E 39th Ave, Vancouver, BC Neil Tessler, ND, DHANP (604) 542‑9759 203‑2828 152nd Street, Surrey BC West Coast Homeopathic Society (604) 803‑9242 #101 ‑ 1001 West Broadway Ave Unit 120, Vancouver BC

Hyperbaric & Oxygen Therapy Dr. Gurdev Parmar, ND, Integrated Health Clinic 202‑23242 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley BC (604) 888‑8325

Hypnotherapy Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BC Div) (604) 688‑1714 2036 West 15th Ave. , Vancouver BC Heather Gabriel (604) 536‑5585 Suite 176 106‑1656 Martin Dr, Surrey BC Gillian Padgett, Okanagan Stress Management Inc www. okanaganstressmanagement. com (250) 542‑7602

Inspiration **Banana Moon (250) 390‑4010 102 ‑ 6135 Metral Dr, Nanaimo BC

Iridology **Irimeta Health Services (604) 731‑8535 Vancouver, BC www. irimeta. com Island Healthworks Natural Health Clinic (250) 468‑7685 1830 Douglas Crescent, Nanoose Bay BC

Kinesiology **Well Balanced Kinesiology and Consulting (604) 936‑5463 Coquitlam BC denisecambiotti. com CHI Wellness (604) 767‑3834 Vancouver BC CHI MACHINE www. chidvd. com/ chiwellness

Alexis Costello (250) 491‑7559 7655 Falconridge Cres. , Kelowna BC

Live Blood Analysis Arnica Homeopathy Centre (604) 780‑2114 205‑1401 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver BC

Massage Therapy Behrs’ Massage Therapy Clinic (604) 485‑2155 4763 Joyce Avenue, Powell River BC Mavis Brown RMT ‑ (250) 774‑6769 Top Flr, Sikanni Plaza/ 5004 52nd Ave W, Fort Nelson Elfi M. Dillon‑Shaw, RMT (250) 247‑9504 730 Captain Ahab’s TRC, Gabriola Island BC Electra Health Floor (604) 685‑4325 Electra Health Floor ‑ 970 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC Doug Fairweather, RMT (250) 542‑3553 11601 Palfrey Drive West, Coldstream BC Pauline Johnson, RMT (250) 472‑3629 #106 ‑ 1595 Mackenzie Avenue, Victoria BC Joyce L deVooght, RMT (250) 372‑1365 #92 ‑ 665 McBeth Place, Kamloops BC Sandra MacDonald, RMT (902) 421‑7549 #440 ‑ 5991 Spring Garden Road, Halifax NS Massage Therapy Assn of BC (604) 873‑4467 Ste 180 Airport Square 1200 W 73rd Ave, Vancouver BC John Russell & Colleen Schmitt, RMT (604) 436‑5500 308 ‑ 4900 Kingsway, Burnaby BC www. burnabyrehab. com Murray P Schwabe, RMT (604) 532‑3050 #203 ‑ 5755 Glover Road, Langley BC Leslie Smith, RMT (250) 492‑5599 1458 Government Street, Penticton BC

Medical Doctors Connect Health Centre (604) 733‑4400 205 ‑ 2786 16th Ave W, Vancouver BC International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine (416) 733‑2117 16 Florence Avenue, Toronto Ontario Zoltan Rona, MD (416) 920‑9241 8188 Yonge St. Suite 101, Thornhill ON

Meditation Training in Power Academy, Chris Fleck, Van, BC (604) 255‑5702 www. traininginpower. com Soul Power Metro Vancouver Group www. powerofsoul. ca

Mental & Emotional Wellness **Brioso Holistics, Robine Yohm (604) 317‑6676 Burnaby BC, www. briosoholistics. com IMeG Health™ www. imeghealth. com (604) 279‑9355 160‑6111 River Road, Richmond BC Dr Nelie C. Johnson, MD (604) 467‑1794 www. awarenessheals. ca Gillian Padgett, Okanagan Stress Management Inc www. okanaganstressmanagement. com (250) 542‑7602 Truehope Nutritional Support Ltd (888) 878‑3467 PO Box 888, Raymond Alberta Unbridling Your Brilliance (604) 626‑4806 25027 Robertson Cres, Aldergrove BC

Naturopathic Physicians A New Leaf Naturopathic Clinic (604) 514‑8555 #103 ‑ 4061 ‑ 200th Street, Langley BC Arbour Wellness Centre (250) 729‑4969 2136 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo BC BC Naturopathic Association (604) 736‑6646 2238 Pine Street, Vancouver BC, bcna. ca Bellevue Natural Health Clinic (604) 913‑2262 1467 Bellevue Ave, West Vancouver BC Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (604) 777‑9981 #300 ‑ 435 Columbia St, New Westminster BC Anita Bratt, ND (250) 862‑2673 www. drbratt. com 102‑1441 Ellis St, Kelowna B. C. Timothy W Brown, ND (604) 538‑3017 #200 ‑ 12761 16th Avenue, Surrey BC

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Kristen Brown, ND (604) 568‑6899 350‑507 West Broadway Ave, Vancouver BC Cdn Assoc Naturopathic Doctors (416) 496‑8633 1255 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto ON Phoebe Chow, ND (604) 327‑0021 2298 Newport Ave, Vancouver, BC Brian Davies, BSc, ND (778) 340‑1114 #1‑156 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver BC Mandana Edalati, ND (604) 987‑4660 213‑1940 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver BC Dr. Ara Elmajian & Associates (604) 876‑9228 701‑805 West Broadway, Van, BC draraelmajian. ca evolve Nurturing Vitality (604) 255‑7777 102‑2025 West Broadway, Vancouver BC Paula Fainstat, DC, ND (604) 222‑2433 #312 ‑ 2083 Alma Street, Vancouver BC Dorothy Fairley, ND (604) 738‑2205 2490 Blenheim St, Vancouver BC Juliet Ghodsian, ND (604) 697‑0397 487 Davie Street, Vancouver BC Brenda Gill, ND (250) 362‑5035 Suite 1 1995 Columbia Ave Box 1841, Rossland BC Tom Glew, ND (604) 263‑6338 330‑2025 W 42 Ave, Vancouver BC Hawthorne Naturopathic Centre (250) 598‑3314 1726 Richmond Avenue, Victoria BC Holistic Healing Arts Centre (519) 751‑3488 213 King George Road Unit 209, Brantford Ontario InspireHealth (604) 734‑7125 #200 ‑ 1330 West 8th Ave, Vancouver BC Shyrose Karim, ND (604) 451‑7786 or 604‑922‑7372 J2‑925 Main St, West Vancouver BC Westcoast Naturopathic Clinic (604) 681‑5585 1190 Thurlow Street, Vancouver BC **Michael Lederman, LLB, ND (604) 738‑3858 212‑3195 Granville Street, Vancouver BC LEMMO Integrated Cancer Care (604) 428‑1991 327 Renfrew St, Vancouver BC Paul Levendusky, ND, RAc (604) 536‑8600 #202 ‑ 15210 North Bluff Road, White Rock BC Bruce Lofting, ND (403) 270‑3372 3701 17th Avenue SW, Calgary AB Jonn Matsen, ND (604) 986‑7774 156 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver BC Heathir Naesgaard, ND (604) 980‑4181 #1 ‑ 3731 Delbrook Avenue, North Vancouver BC Dr. Karen Parmar, ND Integrated Health Clinic 202‑23242 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley BC (604) 888‑8325 Dr. Gurdev Parmar, ND, Integrated Health Clinic 202‑23242 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley BC (604) 888‑8325 Peninsula Naturopathic Clinic (250) 655‑1660 102 ‑ 9725 Fourth Street, Sidney BC Ingrid Pincott, ND (250) 286‑3655 300 ‑ 1170 Shoppers Row, Campbell River BC Dr Allana Polo, ND (778) 397‑3979 New Westminster, BC www. drallanapolo. com Port Moody Naturopathic Health & Wellness (604) 949‑0077 #202 ‑ 101 Klahanie Drive, Port Moody BC Danny Jui, ND Ray Clinic (604) 461‑7900 #3‑201 Morrissey Road Port Moody BC Denise Rochon, ND, FCAH, CCH (604) 885‑3150 8442 Redrooffs Rd, Halfmoon Bay BC William Russell, ND (604) 535‑4003 305‑1656 Martin Dr, Surrey BC Selkirk Naturopathic Clinic (604) 463‑4911 230‑22529 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge BC Dr. Pieter C Taams, MD, ND (604) 856‑5687 Abbotsford, BC www. naturopathic‑retreat. com Neil Tessler, ND, DHANP (604) 542‑9759 203‑2828 152nd Street, Surrey BC Gudrun Tonskamper, ND, RAc (604) 536‑1400 #200 ‑ 1676 Martin Drive, Surrey BC Village Health Clinic (604) 575‑7275 105 ‑ 15153 No 10 Hwy, Surrey BC

Jennie Weisenburger, ND (604) 876‑1150 603 ‑ 805 West Broadway, Vancouver B. C. **Jese Wiens, BSc,ND (250) 276‑9485 318 Main St. , Penticton BC

Non-profit Organizations For these FREE listings, visit www.hans.org

Nurses (Registered) Betty Minifie, HTCP/ I, RN, BSCN, QM Calgary, AB (403) 474‑7399 **Solutions Health Care Navigation North Vancouver, BC (778) 237‑4137

Nutritional Consultants (Certified) Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (604) 730‑5611 #100 ‑ 2245 West Broadway, Vancouver BC Brenda Eastwood 800‑884‑9220 Saanichton BC, brendaeastwood. com **Irimeta Health Services (604) 731‑8535 Vancouver, BC www. irimeta. com Institute of Holistic Nutrition (604) 558‑4000 300‑604 Broadway W, Vancouver BC

Organic Products Community Natural Foods (403) 229‑2383 10th Ave Market Location 1304‑10th Ave SW, Calgary AB Community Natural Foods (403) 541‑0606 Chinook Market Location 202‑61st Ave SW, Calgary AB Essentia ‑ Natural Mattresses (604) 738‑0321 2144 West 4th Ave, Van. BC myessentia. com FarmFolk/ CityFolk Society (604) 730‑0450 Vancouver, BC ffcf. bc. ca Genki Foods Calgary, AB 1‑866‑338‑6583 Experience the power of whole foods! genkifoods. com **Green Earth Organics (604) 708‑2345 Organic delivery service in Vancouver BC Health Plus (604) 437‑6286 3512 East 24th Avenue, Vancouver BC NingXia Red™ Super Juice 604‑874‑7318 Van BC, ningxia‑red‑juice. com 778‑222‑7318 cell **West Pointe Organic Produce (604) 736‑2839 2183 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver BC

Orthomolecular Medicine International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine (416) 733‑2117 16 Florence Avenue, Toronto Ontario ISF International Schizophrenia Foundation (416) 733‑2117 16 Florence Avenue, Toronto Ontario

Osteopathic Practitioners **Carolyne Abrams, DO DPO (UK) (604) 730‑5950 11‑3615 West 19th Ave, Van ‑ vancouverosteopathy. net **Sarah Stranan, Vancouver Osteopathy Centre 201‑2475 Bayswater St, Vancouver BC (778) 835‑1633 Melanie Swithin‑Jones (604) 973‑0210 North Vancouver, BC harmonyosteopathy. ca **West Coast Clinic of Osteopathy (604) 960‑1171 210‑145 West 15th St. , North Vancouver BC

Personal Development Training in Power Academy, Chris Fleck, Van, BC (604) 255‑5702 www. traininginpower. com Brian Madigan (604) 626‑6277 Stressed out at work? endworkstress. com The Haven 1‑800‑222‑9211 240 Davis Road, Gabriola Island BC

Professional & Business Friends of HANS Caligiuri Financial Group Inc. (604) 685‑6525 1200‑1111 Georgia St W, Van caligiurigroup. com Jane Shaak (888) 484‑7253 Royal LePage 484 Main Street, Penticton BC

Publications (Health & Environmental) Alive Publishing Group Inc. (604) 295‑9333 100 ‑ 12751 Vulcan Way, Richmond BC Common Ground Publishing Corp (604) 733‑2215 #204 ‑ 4381 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC The Herbal Collective Magazine (250) 754‑7103 Distributed on Vancouver Island, BC The Natural Health Show www. thenaturalhealthshow. ca Saturday mornings at 11am on am650 Vancouver

Reflexologists Enerflow Alternative Healing ‑ Amelie St. Pierre Port Coquitlam, BC (778) 668‑6750 enerflowhealing. com **Moira Khouri, NC, MH, HHP, CCP Vancouver BC (604) 346‑1471 Pacific Institute of Reflexology (604) 875‑8818 535 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC Reflexology Association of BC (604) 435‑8325 720 Sixth St PO Box 248, New Westminster BC

Rehabilitation NeuroKinetics™ Traumatology & Concussion Clinic Vancouver BC, (604) 736‑3963 neurokinetics. com **South Granville Naturopathic & Prolotherapy Clinic 212‑3195 Granville Street, Vancouver BC (604) 738‑3858

Reiki Holistically Yours Holistic Healing (604) 929‑2952 North Vancouver BC holisticallyyours. ca Inner Focus Holistic Healing (604) 985‑7302 North Vancouver BC innerfocus. ca Christa Lynn (604) 837‑5125 Vancouver BC www. christalynn. ca Brian Madigan (604) 626‑6277 Stressed out at work? endworkstress. com Myorei Healing (778) 239‑4555 Vancouver BC myorei. ca **Cress Spicer ‑ Infinitebodytalk (604) 908‑3743 Vancouver, BC www. infinitebodytalk. com

Saunas Radiant Health Saunas (604) 221‑1799 Vancouver BC radianthealthsaunas. com **South Granville Naturopathic Clinic (604) 738‑3858 212‑3195 Granville Street, Vancouver BC

Shiatsu Raphael Limsico (604) 876‑4948 House calls available, www. shiatsubyraphael. com

Skin & Hair Care Active Skin Care (604) 961‑7533 Vancouver BC www. activeshiatsu. com Dr. Erikson‑Chinese Medical Dermatology (778) 886‑1180 15767 Roper Ave, White Rock, BC drerikson. com Ferlow Botanicals Manufacturers/ Distributors ferlowbotanicals. com Vancouver BC (604) 322‑4080 New Visage Advanced Skincare & Anti Aging Ltd. #417 ‑ 1770 W 7th Ave, Vancouver BC (604) 893‑8872

Sound Healing Harmony of the Spheres (604) 340‑4955 Vancouver BC www. harmonyofthespheres. net

Support Groups For these FREE listings, visit www.hans.org

The BodyTalk System Christa Lynn (604) 837‑5125 Vancouver BC www. thebodytalkclinic. com **Cress Spicer ‑ Infinitebodytalk (604) 908‑3743 Vancouver, BC www. infinitebodytalk. com

Water & Air Systems Best Water For You, Keremeos, BC Toll Free 1 (855) 499‑8892 www. bestwater. ca

31 | Health Action | www.hans.org

Watermatters (604) 733‑7888 Vancouver BC www. yourwatermatters. com World Living Water Systems Ltd. (604) 990‑5462 North Vancouver, BC www. alivewater. com

Weight Management AL Fitness ‑ The Healthy Weight Program (604) 220‑7188 www. alfitness. ca Dr. Lederman HCG Weight Loss Clinic (604) 738‑3858 www. drlhcg. com **Irimeta Health Services (604) 731‑8535 Vancouver, BC www. irimeta. com IMeG Health™ www. imeghealth. com (604) 279‑9355 160‑6111 River Road, Richmond BC Sonya McLeod, BA, DCH (604) 677‑7742 351 E 39th Ave, Van, BC Radiant Health Saunas (604) 221‑1799 Vancouver BC radianthealthsaunas. com

Women’s Health Brenda Eastwood (800) 884‑9220 Saanichton BC, brendaeastwood. com Canteris A. Hartley, DCH, HMC, www. coasthomeopathy. com #201 ‑ 1001 Gibsons Way, Gibsons (604) 886‑3844 IMeG Health™ www. imeghealth. com (604) 279‑9355 160‑6111 River Road, Richmond BC Integrated Health Clinic, Sarah Sjovold, ND Fort Langley, BC (604) 888‑8325 www. drsjovold. com Dr. Karen Parmar, ND Integrated Health Clinic 202‑23242 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley BC (604) 888‑8325 Unbridling Your Brilliance (604) 626‑4806 25027 Robertson Cres, Aldergrove BC Vancouver Women’s Health Collective (604) 736‑5262 #225 ‑ 119 West Pender, Vancouver BC

Yoga Marie Chang, Burnaby, BC (604) 809‑8378 www. insighttowellness. com Salt Spring Island Centre of Yoga (250) 537‑2326 Salt Spring Island BC www. saltspringcentre. com Sandra Tonn (604) 483‑3509 Powell River BC, sandra_tonn@telus. net

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