Pandas have it easy!

by Gord Grant PhD, RAc Panda bears have it easy. A panda doesn’t need to make any food choices.  They just eat bamboo — ALL day long.  Oddly, a panda bear, like its bear cousins, has a complete omnivore-type digestive system, capable of handling an omnivore’s diet. Behaviourally though, they have evolved to only eat just bamboo. That’s their niche. They have special gut microbes they inherit from their mothers…

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Why do you eat?

Guest blog by Michelle Brewer, BA, MPhil, PhD (cand) Michelle is a philosopher, activist, instructor and counsellor. She did her academic work in philosophy, psychology and women’s studies. She has a passion for women’s issues and liberation, especially how these help women use their relationship to food and their bodies as a portal to their best possible lives. She is the counsellor at “Dragonfly Freedom – Counselling & Wellness” in…

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Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis

by Gord Grant PhD, RAc Drs. Terry Selfe and Anne Taylor of the Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies (U of Virginia) reviewed the scientific research published in English journals. They included randomized, controlled experiments studying the effects of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis. Ten trials representing 1456 participants met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. They concluded that these studies provide evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for…

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The Trick to Massaging your Baby

Baby Massage

by Carl Parnham RMT Infant massage is a simple, healthy and therapeutic way of bonding. After engaging baby all day, feeding, changing diapers, just holding, and getting things done, you’d think that mom (or dad if you are the primary caregiver) would not need to be doing infant massage to bond!  But this is often an oversight, and a missed opportunity to intentionally create some very high quality time together. …

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Gua Sha – an ancient practice revisited – “iaSTiM”

by Gord Grant PhD, RAc and Alina Tousseeva RAc Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue mobilization (iaSTiM) is not a new idea at all! Who has not used a solid object or tool to work out the tight knots in your back muscles?  And think of all the self myofascial release instruments such as foam or ribbed plastic rollers, rubber balls and or other devices.  iaSTiM is indeed an ancient practice.  It…

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Inspired by Olympic Athletes — 3 exercises to try!

The Acupuncture Turning Point collaborates with Nicole and Len, owners of Breathe Fitness, to help our clients be at their best. Go to the Breathe Fitness website to find out more… by Nicole Lark BHK, PTS, TSCC-3 I am writing this blog with great difficulty because I am missing the coverage of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games! Ever since I was a little kid, I become completely enthralled during…

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Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome

by Carl Parnham RMT First off what is your IT Band? Well, it’s a reinforced band of fascia that is connected from the Tensor Facia Lata and Gluteus Maximus muscles down to your Tibia (shin bone). Stop right there! What is Fascia anyhow? Fascia is connective tissue. Which does just that – it connects and envelopes all muscle, organs and bones; holds them in place and supports them and allows…

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The infrared laser therapy – moxibustion connection

by Gord Grant PhD, RAc Infrared laser technology is used by dentists, physiotherapists, and now acupuncturists to decrease pain and inflammation. Although it is used by physiotherapists and dentists to treat a local and acute inflammation, acupuncturists also can use it in lieu of acupuncture needles to activate acupoints. Moxibustion involves the local heating of skin and superficial tissues at acupoints and/or at tender and painful areas.  To do this,…

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Finding your resolve to a healthier You – Why not start today? – Now? – Right now!

The Acupuncture Turning Point collaborates with Nicole and Len, owners of Breathe Fitness, to help our clients be at their best. Go to the Breathe Fitness website to find out more… by Nicole Lark BHK, PTS, TSCC-3 It seems inevitable that the week between Christmas and New Year’s people start asking me the all too familiar question: “have you made your New Year’s Resolution yet?” The Globe and Mail had…

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Blogging! What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

The Acupuncture Turning Point collaborates with Nicole and Len, owners of Breathe Fitness, to help our clients be at their best. Go to the Breathe Fitness website to find out more… by Len Panchuk, MSc, PTS of Breathe Fitness I am not sure what to call myself anymore.  A personal trainer? Well that can sound elitist.  An exercise therapist?  That sounds too medical!  How about an exercise trainer?  Well, whatever…

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