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This is the cozy season. Fireplaces, cuddles, lapcats, rainy walks, warm sweaters, boots...etc. You get it. Remember your self care routine - don't have one yet or have you forgotten about it because of other world events happening? Some things are out of our control and many things are in our control - self care is one of those things that you have to do. Exercise, bathe, feed, and clothe yourself. But the best part is the pampering - get a body scrub with sea salts, essential oils and vigorously scrub your skin and scalp before a soak in the tub for 20 min. Enough time to listen to an album of your choice that'll put a smile on your face and make you tap your toes on the tub.
If the tub is not your thing, or yours is more like a basin...do the same thing and then a hot steamy shower to wash it all off. We eat delicious foods that go inside our body, so we can also put delicious things on the outside.

Notification of fee increase as of January 2021 - I've been charging GST in my rates since I became an RMT in 2002. And now, the CRA has said I have to charge GST as an osteopathic practitioner as well. These changes are reflected in the new rates below.

Initial Appointment

75 minutes

$145.00 (GST $7.25)

Follow up Osteopathic appointment

30 Minutes

$70.00  (GST $3.50)

45 Minutes

$90.00  (GST $4.50)

60 minutes

$120.00  (GST $6.00)

75 minutes

$145.00 (GST $7.25)

Registered Massage Therapy Follow up Appointment

(Craniosacral/Visceral Manipulation)

30 Minutes

$70.00  (GST $3.50)

45 Minutes

$90.00  (GST $4.50)

60 minutes

$120.00  (GST $6.00)

75 minutes

$145.00 (GST $7.25)

  • MSP - Hard Opt out practitioner (patient pays full amount at appointment)
  • Student discount available
  • Veterans and RCMP - must indicate at time of Booking
  • WCB not accepted
  • ICBC direct billing available

Cancellation Policy: the full amount will be charged when less than 24hrs notice is given.

 

 

Fall really fell here in Victoria, BC. Sunny and 25 degrees Celsius that turned into indoor lockdown from thick smelly smoke from the fires in Washington. That ruined the last weekend of summer fun for me. What about you? Seems that masks were worn because of the smoke! It was shocking to see some people running outdoors! But I get it...I was getting pretty punchy just staying inside again...so no SUP for weeks now!

Other good news comes from our local pools - and they have re-opened by appointment only!  I have to give them kudos for doing such a marvelous job of spacing groups out so that you're in and out without much fuss or bumping into too many in the change rooms. So nice to have a place to swim and feel the freedom of the water.

And lastly the not so great news - the CRA has come out with a new rule for manual osteopathic practitioners. From this update:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/news108/news108-excise-gst-hst-news-no-108-august-2020.html

Basically says that I am to charge GST on these appointments. I'm not thrilled, but I have to change my backend accounting to reflect this. You will not notice anything on your end, that is until my rates go up in the future.

So next up is Halloween - my favorite holiday and decorating-the-house-day! Sadly we will not hand out candy, I just don't think anyone will come by and I'm sure Dr. Bonnie Henry advises against it. Another holiday we will have to wait to celebrate next year! So I'll have to be satisfied with online searches of pets in costumes...here's one:

Darth Pug
Darth Pug

Happy Summer!

Feel that...it's actually "hot" in Victoria - have you been to the beaches yet? I'm so grateful to be on Vancouver Island - we have so many choices to be at the beach, or near a lake to cool off and jump in for a swim! Have you done that yet? I'd love to...eventually.

Many of you know that I've been on a hiatus (again) since July 18th. Reason was to get 2 of 3 hip screws removed. Check out the numbers game for this: Original Injury Monday July 15, 2013, 7 years later on Monday July 20, 2020 to get them removed. Check in time at the hospital: 11:20am, home by 6:20pm. Just some fun with numbers here..anyways the surgery was successful, the surgeon even woke me up to show them to me before they wheeled me out of the OR! Those came out all in one piece, and so did I. I'm kind of sad that they didnt let me keep them - they are mine and made of fancy surgical steel! Grrr...Oh well, rules are rules.
It was done at Royal Jubilee, the staff was great, the COVID screening seemed excessive (4 times that day!) but it was with a different aspect of the procedure and area of the hospital, so understandable. I felt very safe in the hospital at every pit stop. I was in before lunch, and home at dinnertime! Western medicine and surgery is pretty incredible.

I'm still healing, but its going rather quickly and I'm very happy about it. Once I get clearance from the surgeon about returning to work, I might have some openings at the end of August. But for sure I will be back full swing in September. The schedule is open for booking then.

Assessment of re-opening post shut down - after the first 2 weeks of getting used to the new protocols with a mask and extra cleaning all is well and seems routine to me now. Those of you who have come in for an appointment have learned some new tricks and habits, and others are well versed. I see this continuing for us for the next year or so. Especially as we brace/welcome the fall!
Adding 20 min in-between appointments has reduced the cross over, for pretty much all appointments.

If you have any questions or concerns contact me.

Looking forward to seeing you again!

Gorgeous weekend here in Victoria! My extended Spring Break/Vacation is coming to a close....The update from Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's Provincial Health Officer, OsteopathyBC, and the CMTBC (College of Massage Therapists, BC) have sent information to re-open our practices.

It's true - life will continue, but with a few differences. Change is normal. My planned re-opening will be Tuesday June 2nd at my Johnson street location. I will resume appointments there and at Morley street clinic. The number of patients I see per day will be reduced because of the increased time between appointments. This may change in the future.

I am still accepting new patients for my waitlist - but understand this could be several months to a year for an initial appointment.

PLEASE READ VIP: Clinic guidelines

  • There will be a new COVID-19 specific consent to go over in person.
  • Bring or wear your own mask if you feel that you would like to wear one. If you forget, I will have disposable masks available if you are more comfortable wearing one. It is not required.
  • I will be wearing a mask for now.
  • All linens will be clean and changed for every person, the table and face rests will be cleaned between every person.
  • All common surfaces that are touched will be cleaned between everyone, so I have a bigger buffer between patients. So please be mindful of time before and after your session.
  • Hand sanitizer will be provided, as well as the ability to wash your hands.
  • Please refrain from touching your face during your session. If you need to, tissue is provided.
  • If at any time before your appointment you are not feeling well, please call me right away to reschedule.

Guidelines for Morley street clinic

  • Please wait in your car or outside in the garden by the clinic door until I call you in or text you. This is to prevent a traffic jam in the hallway
  • Remove shoes in the hallway
  • Please wash your hands upon arrival - soap up and warm/hot water for 20 sec please.
  • Lets chat about whats new - I have a small list of questions and a new consent form to go over with you. I will have it online so you may fill it out before your appointment.
  • Payment - you can prepay for your appointment by e-transfer to info@figure8therapeutics.com, bring cash, write a cheque, or pay by VISA or MC.
  • When you leave you may wash your hands again.
  • Please note - I have done renovations and repainted the clinic, and the off gassing of the paint is still happening, if you are concerned about this let me know. Its been over 2 weeks now, and its still "painty" smelling. I'm airing it out daily, but it could still take a while.

Guidelines for Johnson street clinic

  • Upon arrival please use the hand sanitizer or take the washroom key and wash your hands there, and wait in the lobby. Best if you can arrive a little before your appointment and not have to wait in the lobby.
  • I will call you into the office when I'm ready and done cleaning
  • I've scheduled more time between appointments for the extra cleaning, please be mindful of this time.
  • Lets chat about whats new - I have a small list of questions and a new consent form to go over with you. I will have it online so you may fill it out before your appointment.
  • Payment - you can prepay for your appointment by e-transfer (preferred) to info@figure8therapeutics.com, bring cash, write a cheque, or pay by VISA or MC.
  • Once we are done you may wash your hands again or use the hand sanitizer
  • If you need the washroom key again, please return it to the door knob and I will clean it before the next person.

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

Before your appointment use the BC COVID-19 Self Assessment: https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en
Or review these Symptom guidelines: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/symptoms

If anything comes up before or after your appointment call 8-1-1, or your doctor, and let me know too.

I want to create a safe and calming environment for everyone.

 

Good day to you. I'm glad you're here to visit my site and get more information. The current status of the world is quite ... scary, interesting, different, and its only March!
I have stopped seeing patients as of March 17 - St. Patricks day! This will be memorable for years/decades to come!
All seriousness though - Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's Provincial Health Officer, the CMTBC (College of Massage Therapists, BC), and OsteopathyBC have sent orders to suspend practice indefinitely.  The orders for social distancing - staying 6 feet away conflict with the type of services I provide and make it impossible. So to be compliant with this and not become a vector with which to spread this virus, I will not be seeing patients until this changes. It is unknown when this will change as the numbers of infections continue to grow exponentially on a daily basis.

If anyone has had or has an appointment with me coming up in April, it will be suspended until further notice. I'm still accepting new patients for my waitlist - but understand this could be several months to a year for an initial appointment.

Please stay healthy, go for walks, spring is here and nature doesn't care if you're going for a hike at the beach or in the mountains, please practice distancing, wash your hands, have a coffee and call your family and loved ones. There are many in our community that are alone, check in on your neighbours - leave them a note to say hello, meet for a coffee across the street from each other. Thank the medical staff daily at 7pm by clapping and/or clanking pots/pans/lids...let them know we are supporting them by staying home by keeping the spread of this virus to a minimum. Just a few suggestions on keeping cabin fever at bay! See you on the other side....

Welcome to another new year! It’s time for a restart, fresh start, clean slate…however you refer to it, the whole world keeps turning, but with a turn of a calendar page, the ritual of starting over is a mental state of mind. 
All those things on your to-do list have suddenly risen to the top of your awareness and the rush to do it all comes back into focus – the workouts, the weekly meal planning (do you really do this? wouldn’t this be great to do? does it last for a few weeks then you loose steam and then weeks go by…), the list of house reno’s and upgrades, new furniture, old furniture and clothing to go through (do those jeans still fit? or are you waiting to loose weight to wear them again?)….etc! It’s so overwhelming! And you thought December was busy!?? 

So you want to try out something new instead of the same old exercise routine? Here are some suggestions: 

ELDOA – http://eldoavictoria.com/ – a mat class for spinal alignment and a stretch of the fascia/connective tissues from fingers to toes. 

Bungee fitness – https://studiofitnessvictoria.com/classes/bungee-fitness-am/ – a little support while you jump, and stretch? 

Aerial yoga and hoops? http://www.amethystdanceandfitness.com/classes.html – another way to “hang out” 

Bellyfit https://www.bellyfit.com/ – yoga and aerobics and movement with a DJ! Created in Victoria, BC, and it’s gone International! 

Kundalini yoga – At Oak Bay Recreation, Monterey Center. Breath work and movement and chanting all in one. https://www.oakbay.ca/parks-recreation/programs-registration

Rebounder – http://www.jumpingfitnessvictoria.com/ Fitness class on a mini trampoline…get bouncing! 

I could go on, but you get the idea. Mix it up during the week, try out a new workout once a month, you might find something new to play with. You will do exercise if its fun, it makes you feel good, and makes you smile all the way back home. 

As for my work schedule, its getting pretty full, thanks to all your referrals. I truly am grateful for this! I call it “job security”. I am currently booking new patients at the end of February through March. 
Current patients, book in early, get on the cancellation list, or contact me directly if there are certain days and times that you need but don’t see on my schedule. 
I’m also working on my schedule to take new courses for my continuing education, as I am never bored with learning something new or refreshing some of the old!

All Hallows Eve – another fun holiday that is prominent here in North America. But I’ve heard that its gaining popularity in the UK and Asia. The funniest trend to me is the costumes for dogs and other pets. I’ve gotten lost in the internet checking out the hilarious costumes created for our furry friends. My favorite is the taco! Did you know that Taco Cat is Taco Cat backwards?! 

Taco Cats

But seriously here. This 4 video playlist from Buteyko Clinic International with a presentation about the importance of nasal breathing, why nitric oxide is important to the lungs, what happens with obstructive sleep apnea, why we need breathing retraining, and lots of research to support his nasal exercises and why we need to learn to breath through our nose during the day and, very importantly, at night as well. There is an associated reduction with rhinitis, asthma, OSA, apneas, anxiety, and other breathing disorders. Please check them out. 

August ended with a lot of haze from the fires in BC. I hope your lungs did well despite the air quality! Did you know that air filters sold out in many places on the island? It’s kind of a bummer that some needed to resort to that, but the breath is so important to us all. We still live in a very lovely part of the world and sometimes we just need a little help with our health. There are many reasonably prices home air filtration systems for under $200 that help keep the air inside the home free of dust, mold, and other particulates. You might want to consider a HEPA (High efficiency particulate air) system as well, as its the level of filtration that hospitals use. Some people report sleeping better and breathing better while sleeping with it in their bedroom.

And now comes the “F word”….yep, I’m going to type it: FALL. It used to be my favorite time of year, especially Halloween! But I feel that we were denied a bit more warmth in August because of the smoke in the air. Schools have started so the 30kph is in full effect around schools, but we should be aware of all reduced speed zones in our neighborhood and especially as we commute. There are lots of cyclists around and keep an eye out for the random pedestrian! They come out of nowhere sometimes. Next will be the leaves falling and raking the yard. Gardening is never boring. I’ve found a few random bulbs thoughtfully replanted by our neighborhood squirrels and find a couple of nice surprises in the spring with tulips popping up in places I know we (my husband) didnt plant.

I like to say that our bodies and minds are high maintenance – there is always something to work on. I introduce to you !Logosynthesis https://www.logosynthesis.net/(Logosynthesis https://www.logosynthesis.net/)!. I’ve been working with a Life Coach over the past year and she introduced me to this very simple and easy to use system for getting rid of attachments, that is the simple explanation. 
Here is more: “Imagine saying a simple sentence and feeling how fear, anger or shame are being pulled out of your system. Imagine how the causes of pain and sorrow stop hurting you.

Logosynthesis is an amazing new system of healing and guided change. It uses the manifesting power of words and phrases to resolve negative beliefs, to let go of fear and trauma, and to lift the burden of grief or physical pain.

Dutch/Swiss psychologist Dr. Willem Lammers has transformed ancient knowledge and modern theory into an elegant model for guided change, for personal and spiritual development: Logosynthesis.”

Have you seen the bounty of berries? Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries…yumm! Great time to stash some away in the freezer for fall and winter breakfast oatmeal or pancakes. Berries are full of summer sunshine energy and antioxidants.

And speaking of berries…have you practiced your kegels lately. Do you do them the right way? Do you even need to do them? This youtube.com channel from Kim Vopni, the Vagina coach, has lots of great tips on keeping your pelvic floor in shape. As well as learning how to contract and relax the pelvic floor. All women need to learn how to do this the right way. Some of you are over contracting, some need to learn where to contract, and some need to learn how to incorporate it into your daily lives so that you dont leak when you sneeze, pick up your kids, or jump on the trampoline! She also talks about diastasis recti – when the linea alba is stretched from pregnancy and how to check yourself for it. Check out her channel here: Vagina Coach Channel .