Autumn/Winter 2019

Team Updates

We are excited to welcome back Maegan Chase, RMT, and Elizabeth Richard, RMT, after several months maternity leave!

Maegan returned in October and is working Tuesdays and Saturdays.
A Registered Massage Therapist since 2006, Maegan offers visceral manipulation, myofascial release, scar tissue release, and craniosacral therapy.
Read Maegan's full bio »

Elizabeth will return to working Fridays in January 2020.
Born and raised on Salt Spring Island, Elizabeth went straight from high school to the West Coast College of Massage Therapy. She offers general Swedish massage, myofascial release, and scar tissue release.
Read Elizabeth's full bio »

Stephanie Dempster, CAT, will be increasing her availability on Fridays and Sundays as of January 2020.
Stephanie is a Certified Athletic Therapist with 17 years of experience in her field. Her practice focuses exclusively on manual therapies (i.e. hands-on assessment and treatment) rather than the use of electrical modalities or the creation of reconditioning programs.
Read Stephanie's full bio »

Desiree DeRuiter, RMT, is adding Fridays to her schedule as of January 2020.
Desiree graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2018 and joined Vitality shortly after. She specializes in visceral manipulation, myofascial release, scar tissue release, and craniosacral therapy.
Read Desiree's full bio »

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Fee Increase Jan 1, 2020

After two years and considerable deliberation, we are increasing our Registered Massage and Registered Acupuncture rates slightly to meet the rising costs of providing our healthcare services. Certified Athletic Therapy rates will remain the same. Fortunately, most extended health plans have already increased coverage amounts, so this will likely represent only a minor increase in out-of-pocket expense to you. Thank you for trusting us with your on-going care needs.
RMT rates include 5% GST. Acupuncture is exempt from GST.

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Hand Washing & Drying Tips
excerpted & edited from McGill U article

We have all been taught how important hand washing is to prevent illness, but there are new studies showing that how we dry our hands is just as important as how we wash them.

Is there a difference between the air dryer and the paper towel dispenser? Yeah, we know about environmental footprint – the need to reduce single use items. And the financial argument is completely understandable; hand dryer manufacturers assert air drying can cut costs by as much as 99.5%. But the big issue is hygiene.

So, the answer: Yes. A review of twelve different studies shows it's all about bacteria. Granted, it's often the individual's fault who doesn't stand at the air dryer long enough to eliminate bacteria. Wet hands are likely to lead to cross-contamination.

Discovery Channel's Mythbusters also sought to prove or disprove the difference, with significant results. They swabbed 16 subjects' hands three times: once after going to the bathroom, once after washing their hands, and again after drying them. The experiment was performed twice: once with the air dryer, which reduced bacterial load by 23%, and again with the paper towel, which reduced bacterial load by 71% – almost three times as much! The environments around each piece of equipment were also tested: 41 colonies of bacteria surrounded the air dryer versus a total of 3 around the paper towel dispenser.

So the science says paper towels win over air dryers, but don't forget about washing properly in the first place. Use soap, up and over your wrists, and sing a stanza of Happy Birthday – that's how long it takes to wash bacteria from your hands!

Read full article on McGill University:
Hand Dryers or Paper Towel? »

12 Natural Cold & Flu Treatments
excerpted & edited from WebMD

Looking for natural or alternative ways to treat your cold or flu symptoms?

1. Stay warm and REST.
   Fighting a cold or flu takes energy. Help your body direct its energy to fighting.
2. Know when NOT to treat symptoms.
   Those annoying symptoms are evidence the immune system is combating illness. Fever is your body creating a hotter-than-normal environment to try to kill viruses and increase circulation to bring in antibodies and clear out germs; if you can endure a mild fever for a day or two, you may get well sooner. Coughing clears your airways of germ-filled mucus to protect your lungs; help it out. Even a stuffy nose is best treated mildly; a decongestant restricts blood flow to nose and throat blood vessels, but the increased circulation is helpful to healing.
3. Blow your nose often and softly, one nostril at a time.
   Don't sniff germ-laden mucus back into your head and also don't blow too hard, as the pressure can push it back into your ear passages, causing earache.
4. Rinse your nasal passages with saline water to clear congestion.
   Mix 1/4 tsp. salt with 1/4 tsp. baking soda in 1 cup warm water and squirt 2-3 times into each nostril using a bulb syringe or nasal irrigation kit.
5. Gargle with salt water to moisten and temporarily relieve sore throat.
   Mix and gargle 1/2 tsp. salt in 1 cup warm water, four times daily. To reduce scratchy throat, gargle and/or drink a warm tea of 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp. honey and 1 cup water.
6. Drink plenty of clear, hot fluids (tea, soup broth) to relieve congestion, soothe the inflamed lining of nose and throat, and remain hydrated.
7. Take a steamy shower to moisturize respiratory passages and help you relax.
   If you feel dizzy, run a steam shower while you sponge-bath nearby. Or soak a hot bath with Epsom salts to soothe aches and pains.
8. Dab a salve under your nose to help breathing and sooth irritated skin.
   Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor all have mild numbing ingredients to help relieve pain of a rubbed raw nose.
9. Use hot and/or cold packs for congested sinuses, sore neck or other aches.
   Buy reusable hot/cold packs from the drugstore or heat a damp washcloth in the microwave for 30-60 sec. to make a hot pack.
10. Elevate your head and sleep with an extra pillow to relieve nasal congestion.
11. Don't fly (or travel) unless necessary.
    Remember tip #1? But also, changes in air pressure from take off and landing stress the upper-respiratory system and cold or flu congestion can temporarily damage your eardrums as a result of pressure changes. If you must fly, use a decongestant.
12. Eat immune-system-boosting foods.
    Bell peppers and oranges contain Vitamin-C. Carrots contain beta-carotene. Chili peppers, mustard and horseradish may clear sinuses, if you can handle the heat. Cranberries may prevent bacteria from sticking around in the bladder and urinary tract. Bananas and rice soothe upset stomach and curb diarrhea. Blueberries are high in natural aspirin, helping with aches and pains. And of course garlic and onions are super powers, with antibacterial properties.

Serious conditions such as sinus infections, bronchitis, meningitis, strep throat and asthma can present like the common cold. If you have severe symptoms, or don't seem to be getting better, visit your doctor.

Read full article on WebMD:
12 Natural Treatment Tips for Colds & Flu »