tm1visit us at www.todaymagazine.ca November 2011 www.today-magazine.com

CHCH’sRISING STAR

tm’s GIFT GUIDE

THE END OF A CHAPTER?

ART THERAPY

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ART THERAPY

Written and Photographed by Sandra Ozkur

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It has been her constant companion throughout her life journey. Her earliest recollections are of the tranquility and inner joy she felt as she whiled away the hours with the art supplies her mother provided. Since that time art has brought her a sense of peace and completeness. Moreover, it has been her life-line throughout her own personal challenges--- a hand she could grab onto, stabilizing and grounding her when life seemed to be an ocean of turbulence. Believing so strongly in art’s ability to heal, she has dedicated herself to teaching restorative art; art that mends the mind and the soul. She is thoroughly convinced, by her experiences as a pastor and an art-based counselor, that certain artistic activities can tap into the subconscious and bring about an awakening of one’s spirit. Lenore is taking her interest in art-based counseling one step further and is now studying to become a Certified Art Therapist in order to bring this service to the Niagara Region.

Historically, people were much closer to the creative process. They made things by hand, giving themselves the opportunity for creative expression, and were able to reap the restorative benefits of art in a natural way. Just by sitting and concentrating on the task at hand, people were able to quiet the mind and thus connect to their soul. Today, in our increasingly fast-paced world, many of us have lost

this opportunity. Whether or not we can describe what in fact “soul” is, the making of art can reveal much about our inner consciousness. Lenore, a former Christian pastor and educator by profession, believes strongly that therapeutic art can help her students uncover

their inner realities. “It gives the clients a means of communication without using words. Verbalizing one’s feelings can often intimidate or embarrass people. They may not know how to put their feelings into words---especially children. However, by giving them a medium of communication such as pencils, paint, chalk, or photo-clippings, they often compose images that are very symbolic of the emotional issues they are struggling with,” she said. “I have seen many people have a transcendent moment while they are creating. Even in my regular art classes, I often witness students hit that therapeutic moment, a critical crossroad. It can be very emotional, and I have to draw on my pastoral training to help them process what they are experiencing. Touching that lifeline to the soul can be a profound emotional encounter.” These encounters can help students make sense of their inner turmoil because it is now visible in a physical form.

Lenore has been making art her whole life. But, it was only during a time of huge upheaval in her life that

‘Touching that lifeline to the soul can be a profound emotional encounter.’

Lenore Walker is no stranger to the benefits of art therapy.

ART THERAPY

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Sandra has a passion for photography, writing, travel and wine. She spent 12 years as a professional photographer, two years of her life travelling abroad and 7 years in the wine industry. She has come full circle and returned to writing and photography in order to share her love of wine and travel with local residents and visitors to Niagara.

she realized how much her own artwork reflected the emotional journey she was on. During a dark time of personal as well as health issues, she painted a piece called She Has Fallen. This stunning painting depicts a woman being swept down and away into the flames; everything is totally out of her control, however the woman’s expression is one of surrender. Upon studying the piece, the message reflected back to Lenore was that she was heading for a dark time. However, she should just let go and let life carry her to her destiny. A year later, Lenore came back to the painting and had the urge to turn it upside down. The painting now had a completely different meaning: the woman was on her way ‘up’ and the golden light was carrying her toward the top of the canvas. “The symbolism was very personal and significant. I felt it mirrored my life, a therapeutic moment of understanding that I was on my way back up,” she said.

Part of the turmoil of this time was caused by her disillusion with organized religion. Lenore left her ministry and pursued an entirely new direction. She became a faux finish decorator, providing custom wall and furniture finishes for residential homes. Observing clients in their private worlds made her aware of people’s very strong psychological connection to their personal space: a person’s home

needs to be a refuge, a retreat from the external world, and a place to nurture and nourish one’s inner self. Without that quiet space, humans may become unbalanced, depressed, diseased, or disturbed. Lenore understood that the use of colour and form could have a profound affect on a person’s mood and behavior. This discovery led her to research art and its therapeutic uses.

There are a wide variety of art therapy techniques that are used to help patients improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. The shapes and symbols that appear on the paper during an art therapy exercise are often metaphors for issues that the person is trying to come to terms with. By seeing these issues visually, patients, with the help of their therapist, can more easily identify their problems and concerns. People are able to effect changes in how they interact with the world once they can identify the source of their issues. Anyone can use art therapy as a stress reliever. The physical act of engaging in the creative process stills the mind, letting the higher self speak. Lenore calls this a “soulful” experience and believes that all humans have their own inner wisdom that leads them on their life journey. It’s just a matter of listening to the advice that reveals itself in the art.

Lenore realized that art therapy was the profession for which she had been training all her life. A combination of her pastoral

training and her artistic talent could now be combined to help people heal spiritually. Lenore has found her involvement with art therapy techniques to be a never-ending discovery of insights into human behavior. She regularly volunteers and works with local agencies in the Niagara area as an art based facilitator and art instructor. Lenore is looking forward to opening her own private practice here in Niagara once she completes her certification. With her passion and dedication, Lenore is sure to be very successful. If you would like to find a Certified Art Therapist in your area, contact CATA – Canadian Art Therapy Association or OATA-Ontario Art Therapy Association.

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hether you are a frequenter of chiropractic services or you are still afraid to walk through the door of a clinic, there is no denying that chiropractic treatment is on the leading edge of integrated health care. Innovations in technology are giving chiropractors a new set of tools to treat musculoskeletal ailments. Computers have taken the guesswork out of the diagnosing and treatment of chiropractic candidates. New equipment has enabled Chiropractors to offer alternative ways of realigning the spine without the crack and crunch of manual adjustments.

Two veteran chiropractors from St. Catharines are using new and innovative modalities of treatment to broaden their practice. The use of laser therapy, ultrasound, spinal decompression and a machine called the ProAdjuster TM have allowed Dr. Albert Scales and Dr. John Gleddie to offer treatment to a wider range of people across all age groups. They are both very excited about the amazing results patients are reporting from combining this new technology with traditional methods. Both chiropractors have been practicing for over 30 years and are thrilled with the advancement seen in this field over the past 10 years.

NEW TECHNOLOGY TAKES THE ‘FEAR FACTOR’ OUT OF CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT.

Written and photographed by Sandra Ozkur

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Dr. Albert Scales is well known in the community for his contributions as a consultant for the Workplace Safety Insurance Board, training of the skilled trade workers at General Motors and as a regular guest on CHRE and CKTB radio where he gives tips on back health. “We are now a very integral part of the health care system. Medical doctors, physiotherapists and massage therapists regularly refer patients to us for treatment. We can offer healing and cessation of pain without the use of pharmaceuticals,” he said. “The patient is able to take ownership of the treatment program by understanding how the misalignment of the spinal column affects function of other parts of their body. We now use computer programs to educate the patient with pictures and read-outs of their spine. We can show them exactly what a herniated disc and pinched nerve looks like. Educating the patients on spinal health allows them to remain conscious of their spine on a daily basis.”

Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that focuses on aligning the spinal column to allow optimum function of the central nervous system. Removing nerve interference by realigning the vertebrae lets the body heal itself, thus eliminating back pain. When a patient arrives at the clinic they are thoroughly assessed by an orthopedic and biomechanical examination as well as a case history analysis. At this time the doctor will decide which therapy will be the most effective for the problem. Generally, the ProAdjuster TM will be used to assess each individual vertebra. The software interprets the results and gives a read-out of the joints that need adjusting. This machine has a hammer-like apparatus that taps on each vertebra, gently moving it back into proper alignment. There is no pain or discomfort and the change is immediately registered on the computer display. Traditional palpation and manual adjustments may still be used in addition to the ProAdjuster TM for quicker response times.

Chronic or acute back pain in the neck and lower back area can now be specifically targeted with the Spinal Decompression Table. This computerized bed has three sections that move independently. The computer is set to manipulate only the area that has the problem. A series of traction and relaxation movements allows the disc to move back into its original place, taking pressure off the nerve and relieving pain. This treatment has been very successful as an alternative to surgery. Very few chiropractors offer these services because of the significant investment it takes to own this high-tech equipment. Patients come from afar to access Dr. Gleddie’s and Dr. Scale’s services. As an alternative to disc surgery, Connie Chaplin traveled all the way from Regina to try decompression therapy with Dr. Gleddie. After only 8 treatments she had remarkable improvement and has been able to resume most of her activities, including horseback riding!

Automobile and sports injuries to soft tissue can now be treated with ultrasound and advanced laser treatment. These two treatments penetrate into the deep tissue and ligaments, stimulating healing and cell regeneration. Keeping joints healthy and mobile is the key to preventing degeneration of knee and hip joints. Dr. Scales has several patients over the age of 95 receiving regular treatments to maximize mobility of their joints and reduce arthritic pain. Regular chiropractic care can be likened to regular maintenance of an automobile. If you keep all parts moving and well lubricated, you will prolong the life of the vehicle and the performance of the machine.

Dr. John Gleddie has long been an athlete and coach; therefore it is only natural that his interests lie in sport-related chiropractic. He has witnessed the beneficial effects of chiropractic treatment in the preparation phase of professional sports. Spending over 10 years as a professional baseball consultant, and now 10 years as a professional race car team doctor, he has seen firsthand how athletes benefit from pre-performance preparation. Dr. Gleddie is the official doctor/chiropractor of the Brumos Porsche team in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. One week prior to a race is spent preparing the drivers’ bodies for competition by engaging him in a regime of nutrition, hydration, chiropractic and massage therapies. The results speak for themselves: in September, his team won the 2011 Grand American Rolex GT championship!

Chiropractic care is regulated by the Ministry of Health and is recognized as the most evidenced based healthcare. It is a wonderful adjunct to the other modalities of integrated healthcare such as massage, physiotherapy, podiatry, and alternative medicine. Recognizing the body as an interdependent organism, the Chiropractic Association of Ontario is continually educating and advocating for a holistic approach to overall health. Ongoing maintenance and preventative care is the key to optimal health and a pain free life. Modern technology and equipment used by chiropractic and alternative therapists is giving people more treatment options and empowering them to take control of their own well-being.

Related web sites:•Tips for general back care www. chiropractic.on.ca •Decompression therapy www. youtube.com/pivotalhealth•Laser treatment www. theralase.comChiropractic clinic:•Dr. Scales phone: 905-935-3355•Dr. Gleddie: 905-935-2110