Valentina's Fall ~ The Beacon for Nov. 18, 2012

Valentina, a Lifehouse member, is now 5 months old.  And what a sweetheart she is!  Two weeks ago she had a major fall.  While resting on the change table her brother accidentally pulled her off of it.  A fall like this is not uncommon, in fact, The National Child Safety Council says that approximately 50% of children fall head first from a high place during their first year of life.   As common as it is, it is still a very significant experience for a little being to go through.  There was so much for her to process that later that afternoon she was throwing up - resulting in her mom taking her in to the emergency ward.  The attending doctor quickly looked her over and announced that there was nothing broken, her head felt fine and that she would get over it.

The next day Valentina came to our office.  Her stomach had settled, however her neck was completely displaced turned at a 50 degree angle towards her left shoulder.   There was a massive subluxation in the upper part of her spine.  Her mom informed me that she had been in this position all day since the accident.  Upon further examination it was apparent that her skull bones had misaligned as well, putting pressure onto her brain.  A gentle adjustment and her neck subluxation resolved itself by 80%, and on the next visit completely resolved and her cranial bones regained their natural cranial pulse restoring the flow of fluid to her developing brain.

I couldn’t help but think, "What would have happened if she had not been adjusted?"   I have met many children who were struggling with ear infections, who were recommended to have tubes put in their ears, a rather common procedure for children now a days.  With each of these children when I have assessed them I have found a subluxation in the upper part of the neck in the same area that Valentina was subluxated.  And with each of these children after a series of adjustments they were no longer challenged by recurrent ear infections.   Also recognizing that the cranial fluid is the only way the brain nourishes itself, proper nourishment is essential to optimal growth and development of the brain. 

Although children falling on their heads, having regular ear infections and having less than optimal mental function are all common they are by no means ideal.   The truth is, children live a high impact, high stressed life, just because they don’t tell you they have a headache doesn’t mean they don’t need an adjustment.  To ensure your children and the children of your loved ones are growing up to be the best that they can be have their nervous system checked today!

For a healthier and brighter community tomorrow,

Dr. Norm

 

 

Lifehouse Events

Wednesday, Nov. 21st 7-8:30    
Complimentary Health Essentials This is your opportunity to ask questions, hear more about chiropractic care and how it can support and impact your life, health and wellbeing.
Thursday, Nov. 29th 7 pm
Advanced Nutrition Talk
 Join Dr. Norm and learn about holistic nutrition and nourishment.  You will leave understanding what you can do to fascilitate easy ways to nourish yourself through the food you consume, awareness around what we digest (foods, thoughts, emotions) and you will be given a mini cookbook.

Learn :
What is the difference between nutrition and nourishment?
What are supperfoods and what is all the rave about?
Are you feeding your emotions or are you nourishing your body?
Why following Canada’s Food Guide is an unhealthy choice.

Reserve your space today by emailing transform@thelifehouse.ca or call 250 740 0333

 

Studio Hours

Monday            12-1:20   &   3:40-5:40

Tuesday           7:40-9:40   &   12 

Wednesday      12-5:40Thursday          7:40-9:40   &   12-1:20 pm 

The Permission Slip ~ The Beacon for Nov. 8, 2012

It is undeniable that your lifestyle, (including how you nourish your body with the foods you eat, your amount of physical activity, the thoughts you think and whether you get adjusted or not) is by far the leading cause or preventative factor for all lifestyle diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, depression and obesity.  Knowing this and then taking responsibility for this leaves you accountable for your health which may come as a great relief and for others may be disappointing.  Regardless, it is the truth.  You are ultimately responsible for your own health.  

I find it fascinating to witness people who have and are continuing to live unhealthy lives who go to their doctor with a concern.  Perhaps it is that they have had a minor heart attack, have diabetes or are suffering from depression.  The typical visit includes a physical assessment, lab work and other diagnostic findings followed by a short discussion and then the doctor writes on his or her white pad, a 'permission slip', a prescription for a drug that gives permission to that individual to continue living their unhealthy lifestyle.  So many people leave that visit feeling relived that the doctor found what was wrong and has determined which drug will cure them.   They have just been granted permission to continue living the same unhealthy life that they have been living.  Very convenient isn’t it?

Unfortunately, nature is not as permissive as our doctors.  Over time those symptoms will return as the body will adapt to it’s unhealthy environment, becoming more determined to intensify it’s adaptative response (like having high blood pressure when we are stressed), growing immune to the medication or will begin to express other side effects from the toxic load of this new drug.   Remember that nature always has the final word and nature cannot be cheated.  We must learn to live in balance and harmony with nature as we are part of nature.  Health is the result of this.  Disease is an indication that we are out of balance with nature.  Symptoms are the bodies cry to make a change.  To wake-up to our choices.  Whether you get permission from your doctor or not, it is as simple as that.

Sincerely,
Dr. Norm and The Lifehouse Team

Oil Spill In Nanaimo! ~ The Beacon for Nov. 1, 2012

People are coming together like never before to tell our provincial and federal governments that BC’s coast must be protected from tar sands pipelines and tankers.

Although this is not a health issue and may seem like a non-chiropractic topic, when one is rooted in a vitalistic perspective of life it is impossible to separate the health of the individual from the health of the planet.  

If the pipelines are built, there will be a massive increase in supertanker traffic on BC’s coast - including 84% more traffic through the Hecate Straight, the fourth most dangerous waterway in the world. The biggest tankers will carry 8 times as much oil as the Exxon Valdez spilled.  Many people agree it is not if a tanker spill occurs, it is a question of when.  

For a moment imagine what your life would be like if a spill did occur.  How would this affect your business, the value of your home, the places that you visit for outdoor recreation and holidays?  What about the wildlife, the plants and our valuable oceans?  A spill would change everything for us on this beautiful island that we live on.  What is to be gained, to support an industry that we know is unsustainable, that needs to be replaced with something more viable, more congruent with the times?  

When I was a kid the destruction of the Amazon rainforest was the largest environmental disaster on the planet, today it is the oil fields in Alberta.  Wow!  There is a small window of time to change this forever, and the effects will be felt for generations to come.  I urge you to take action in what ever way you feel call to do so.  Email your local MP, sign the facebook page, join a rally, stand up, your voice matters.  

Yours in health of the individual and that of the planet. 

Dr. Norm

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -- Martin Luther King Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9MeEEf9mZY&list=UUJEhb1J1VznvzO-PTNNxnTQ&index=1&feature=plcp

http://defendourcoast.ca/oct24/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Upcoming Events  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday, Nov. 7th 7-8:30    
Complimentary Health Essentials 
This is your opportunity to ask questions, hear more about chiropractic care and how it can support and impact your life, health and wellbeing.

Tuesday, Nov. 13th 7-10 pm $30    
Somato Respiratory Integration 
Using tools, resources & strategies from The 12 Stages of Healing, by Dr. Epstein, develop and expand your connection with your body and breath.

Wednesday, Nov. 21st 7-8:30     
Complimentary Health Essentials 
This is your opportunity to ask questions, hear more about chiropractic care and how it can support and impact your life, health and wellbeing.

Reserve your space today by emailing transform@thelifehouse.ca or 
call 250 740 0333

Heather Spreads Her Wings ~ The Beacon for Oct. 25, 2012

The one thing constant in life is change.  That is especially true if you are growing.  In fact, stasis is one of the best indicators of disease.  

As many of you may already know and I imagine some of you are wondering, Heather is making some significant life changes.  As much as I have enjoyed working alongside of her (now over 3 ½ years) and we will forever share our vision of a healthier, happier planet her role in The Lifehouse is changing.  Of course being the heart of The Lifehouse you will still see her around, see her touches in our emails and videos and will hear from her from time to time on phone calls.

I can’t tell you yet what her plans are but what I can tell you is she has already been approached by three different people wanting to co-create with her.  It is safe to say her expression in the world is blossoming.  I am so proud of you Starshine!  

Courage is taking that step in the dark and finding a hand there to guide you!  

I know many of you are aware that it would be nice for your life to change as you are living in and working in situations that no longer serve you.   I dare you to summon your courage and take that first step, ask for help and go for it.  I leave you with this poem by Guillaume Apollinaire that sums it up.  Until next time be well and spread your own wings.  

Dr. Norm

“Come to the edge.' 

'We can't. We're afraid.' 

'Come to the edge.' 

'We can't. We will fall!' 

'Come to the edge.' 

And they came. 

And he pushed them. And they flew.” 

~ Guillaume Apollinaire

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Huge thank you to all the 350+ guests in attendance for Dr. James Chestnut's talk.  

We appreciate each and everyone of you for your continued commitment and interest in your health and wellbeing.

Thank you to the following very special people who contribution made it such a powerful evening:

Toni, Power House Living Foods Co.

Kavita and Daniel, Red Door Yoga

Jane, Nanaimo Athletic Club

Andre Nobels for his beautiful gift of music.

Thank you to all the chiropractors for your support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The value in the exchange ~ The Beacon for Oct. 13, 12

"Don't die with your music still inside you" a quote shared recently by Dr. Wayne Dyer.  Great advice to live by and share your unique gifts and passion to their full potential.  While I was preparing for a yoga class it dawned on me that to expand on this the music needs to be heard to be fully appreciated and understood.  Once that clear message is sent and received both parties benefit from the exchange.  

Whether it be a compliment, advice or directions if you're lost, the exchange of information, ideas and gifts create opportunities for learning, growth and new perspectives on both sides. Have you ever attended a concert or theatrical presentation and the crowd was really into the event, clapping and screaming, which seemed to inspire the performer, which feed the audience even more and a upward spiral of energy occurred?  In contrast there are times when the message was not fully received,  have you ever hugged someone who wasn't interested and they stand there with 'limp fish-arms' as you give them a squeeze and you both walk away feeling flat?  

This week we have a great opportunity to experience a powerful presentation by Dr. James Chestnut, an international speaker on wellness who will be here in Nanaimo to share his wealth of knowledge and experience to a room filled with vital, vibrant people committed to their expanding health and wellness.  This is a phenomenal opportunity for each one of us to connect to a very powerful, tangible message.  

With each person in attendance adding their energy and enthusiasm the vibration ripples out from the event to our community, our country and beyond

The more I hear about Dr. Chestnut professionally and personally, the deeper the sense I get of what a treat each one of us is in Wednesday, Oct 17th.

On my own healing journey of personal development and growth I've invested all sorts of time, energy and resources to attend workshops and hear speakers and have literally traveled around the world to do so.   It's nice for a change to have something of this high caliber be available locally.

We are truly fortunate to have the North Vancouver Island Chiropractic Society (a local group of chiropractors who have banded together) with the support of Power House Living Foods Co. and Red Door Yoga to welcome Dr. Chestnut to our "backyard" for a fantastic evening.   I encourage you to come listen to Dr. Chestnut’s music and meet it with the fair exchange that is deserved.

Sincerely,

Heather