There must be something to it since it has been around for 5,000 years!

Traditional Chinese medicine is main stream medicine.  It is both an art and a science.  Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese art of healing and one of the oldest medical studies in the world.  The science of acupuncture is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine.  For thousands of years the Chinese have appreciated it for its non-pharmaceutical treatment, simple application, wide range of use, low cost, and good curative effect.  It works on the energy of the body by inserting extremely fine needles into acupuncture points; this in turn disperses blockages, increases the function of specific organs and balances the overall energy of the body.  It reduces cholesterol, cleans blood vessels, delays the aging process, has no side effects and prolongs life.

Needling helps with Depression, Anxiety, Addictions, Insomnia, A.D.D., & Stress.  It is useful in pain relief, both for acute and chronic pain.  As well as a pain relieving effect, acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, an immune enhancing effect, a regulatory or balancing effect and a motor recovery effect (for an injury or stroke).

Acupuncture is not just for sore backs and addictions.  It is a natural therapy that treats a wide range of conditions from Fibromyalgia, Carpal Tunnel, Headaches and Fertility to Insomnia,  Bellys Palsy, Nose bleeds and strengthens internal organs (just to name a few).

People often ask if the needles hurt, but since they are very fine, they are practically painless
The needles do not have anything added to them. They are powerful by themselves.

There is also no set number of treatments required. The process and response to therapy depends a great deal on the condition being treated, the state of health of the individual and the duration of the illness.  It also depends on whether it is a chronic or actute illness  The average number of treatments is 7 to 10.  For example nose bleeds usually only require 1 treatment= whereas for seasonal allergies 7 to 10 would be needed.

Acupuncture therapy is also useful as an aid to quitting smoking. It helps release cravings, facilitates detoxification, relieves anxiety, and supports the immune system. Acupuncture is now available for cosmetic uses as well, as an alternative to face lifts and other more invasive treatments.

Children also respond really well to acupuncture. Less needles are used and they respond to treatment much quicker than adults.  Children can be treated for a fever, digestive disorders, insomnia, bowel problems, coughs, asthma, bedwetting, seasonal allergies, acute pain such as from an injury and some skin conditions.

As of April 1, 2013, acupuncture became regulated in the province of Ontario.  Other practitioners may do acupuncture under the scope of their profession, however, it may not be traditional Chinese medical acupuncture and they may only treat for pain.   A Registered Acupuncturist must provide a TCM diagnosis assessment.   Acupuncture by a Registered Acupuncturist is covered through extended health insurance.

The needles are pre-packaged for single use only.  Malpractice insurance is only available to acupuncturists who use disposable needles.  Once the needles are used, they are disposed of in a bio-hazard container.

Lynn Dowdall is a Registered Acupuncturist. She operates the Perth Acupuncture Clinic, which is located located on Highway 7 between Wemyss and Brooke. She can be reached by phone at 613-267-1119.

When the phone rings at the South Frontenac Township offices in Sydenham, chances are it could be John McEwen calling. And if it is, the staff or council member he is calling better be prepared to talk about the Canadian and Ontario Building Codes and the township’s responsibility to enforce provisions pertaining to damp proofing vs waterproofing walls that are below ground level.

McEwen runs a waterproofing business and, as he told the News again this week, “I have been trying to put myself out of business for years and years, but the township, the City of Kingston, no one will do what it takes to make my services redundant.”

McEwen’s name may be familiar to readers because he ran for Mayor of South Frontenac in the 2014 election and he used the campaign to advocate for enforcement of the Ontario Building code provisions regarding waterproofing when buildings are being constructed.

“It would add only a few thousand dollars to construction costs to insist that proper waterproof membranes are installed wherever the buildings are below grade, and then leaking basements and expensive retrofits, mold and mildew problems, would not be an issue two and five and fifteen years after buildings are built,” he said.

Recently McEwen’s focus has shifted to another substance that can seep in through unprotected basements; radon.

In June, McEwen appeared before Council. At that time he accused the township of failing to enforce the provisions of the Building Code Act and Building Code that is leading to 850 deaths annually due to radon gas infiltration into residential homes.

Radon and water leakage are by no means identical issues, but McEwen says that if foundations are properly constructed on clean stone and all below grade walls are protected by a seamless membrane, water will not be a problem, and in most cases will provide a diversionary path around the house for radon gas that might be present unless the levels are very high.

As well, he pointed out that some of the methods people use to remediate for water leakage into basements actually increase the potential for radon infiltration.

“Some systems involve digging trenches and drilling holes in the foundation to release water from the basement, and that is a bad idea for many reasons, but also can provide a conduit for more radon to be pulled into the house,” MaEwen said.

Township building departments have shied away from dealing with both waterproofing issues as identified by McEwen, or radon gas infiltration. McEwen has been pressing South Frontenac to adopt new practices for years and did so again last summer, when he appeared before a meeting of the Committee of the Whole in late June.

Last Friday (January 27), South Frontenac provided a written response to the concerns McEwen expressed last summer. The letter, which was signed by Mayor Vandewal and Councilors John McDougall and Alan Revill (himself a former Chief Building Official in the township), deals with both the water proofing and radon issues, which it says are distinct.

As far as the radon issue is concerned, the letter it asserts that the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) are not particularly susceptible to high radon levels. This is certainly the case when compared to areas such as Elliott Lake, Bancroft, or the Sudbury region, which the letter said are also places where there are higher levels of uranium in the rock.

The letter refers to a Health Canada report from 2012 that said that of 99 surveys done in KFL&A, 11 homes tested above the legal threshold of 200Bq/cubic metre.

“This would suggest that building officials in South Frontenac ought to gather some further information regarding levels of radon gas in single family dwellings to determine their appropriate level of enforcement. If there are no known readings above the threshold, no further action would be required, …”  the letter said.

Brooks Gee tests and mitigates for radon in homes throughout Frontenac County and Kingston. He works out of Verona with a company called Mr. Radon under the local name Safe Air Solutions.

In a telephone interview this week he said that a house cannot be tested for radon until it is occupied but that since there have been so many cases of radon poisoning in Ontario,  in the near future building departments may be called upon to do a final inspection for radon once a home is completed and occupied.

The cost of radon mitigation is about $2,600 although the price varies for homes that are larger or situations that are more complicated.

Tarion, the company which ensures most new construction in Ontario, will cover the cost of radon mitigation where necessary within 7 years of a new home being built.

Gee said that the assertion by the township that the local region, and South Frontenac in particular, has relatively low instances of radon in homes is simply not true.

“I see many homes with high levels of radon, up to 1,000, on the limestone in South Frontenac,” he said.

He added that in his experience there is less of a correlation between “uranium concentrations underground and radon in homes than one would expect.”

Many people think that only those homeowners who use their basements as living spaces need to worry about radon because it is exposure over time that causes problems and people who only go to the basement to check the furnace, put away a box or do laundry don’t spend enough time to be affected. But this is not always the case, according to Gee.

“While levels decrease the higher up in the house you go, when radon levels are very high in the basement they can be well above safe levels on the main floor,” Gee said. He tests for radon on the lowest level of the house that is occupied. Home radon metres, which are similar to carbon monoxide metres, are not yet available in stores in Canada (they can be ordered online) but that will change in the not too distant future.

Gee agrees with McEwen that townships will likely have to face up to their responsibilities under the building code where radon is concerned.

“The danger posed by radon is so great that it is not something anyone should ignore,” he said.

Mr. Radon runs a foundation which covers the cost of remediation for lung cancer patients and some low income families as well.

Gee will be making a presentation to local fire departments and other township officials in March.

Meanwhile the township is continuing to take a wait and see approach, as evidenced by the concluding paragraph of the letter from last week:

“While inspectors have the right to enforce any provisions of the code, it is impractical to be present for all areas of building construction. If it turns out that there are widespread areas in the Township where Radon gas exceeds the threshold, interior renovations that increase openings in the floor slab, could well contribute to higher radon infiltration but other components of radon control were likely dealt with in the original construction. Certainly the building department can support radon control through the preparation of a fact sheet and other general information sharing with homeowners and builders.”

Super Dave is doing it again! Long-time volunteer Dave Linton raised over $2,700 last year to support healthy school snacks provided by the Southern Frontenac Food Bank in Sydenham. And he’s asking you to help him do the same or better this year.

Dave will be skiing in the 51 km Gatineau Loppet cross country ski marathon on February 18, and is seeking donations in support of his efforts. “Super Dave,” as called by his close friends, feels strongly that feeding children healthy snacks helps them learn and perform better. The Food bank based in Sydenham serves about 50 families each month with fresh and non-perishable food, and during the school year, this includes items for children to ensure they get to school with a healthy snack.

The school snack program provides healthy and fun snacks to children in families with limited incomes to ensure kids receive the fuel they need for their bodies and brains to succeed. For five years, the food bank has been providing children with non-perishable snacks, such as pudding and apple sauce. In 2015, thanks to the one time grant, these snacks were enhanced with perishable items like yogurt, cheese, grape tomatoes, baby carrots, and celery, making them even healthier. The cost of purchased items is about $4.00 per snack, with an annual cost of over $2,400.

A 51 km international level ski race sounds daunting enough, but it can be especially challenging if you are 76 years old. “I’m an advocate of daily exercise and physical activity,” says Dave, “I’ve been able to compete at this level for a long time and still hold my own. I’m excited to race again this year, and dedicate it to this cause.”

Dave – a long-time volunteer with SFCSC – has a goal of raising $2,500 once again to support and enhance the kids’ healthy school snack program. “I want to dedicate it to helping kids in our community achieve greatness, and often that starts most simply, with active living and nutritious food.”

Dave is challenging his friends, family, local businesses and the community in general to support his fundraising efforts by pledging to donate an amount per kilometre, or make a flat rate donation.

Donations can be made to support Dave by dropping by the SFCSC office or Food Bank – now located at 4295 Stage Coach Road – or donate online at http://www.sfcsc.ca/super-dave-ski-fundraiser

A dedicated crowd of well-wishers braved the cold and snow last Thursday to help Registered Massage Therapist Annette Gray-Jackson and five other health and wellness practitioners mark the opening of a new centre at a converted house at 14253 Road 38.

Gray-Jackson will be seeing patients at  least 4 days a week, and the other practitioners have varying schedules.

The new building was purchased by her, and she will be joined by Chiropractor Sean Rogers, who has been seeing patients in Sharbot Lake at least one day a week for many years to go with his practice in Westport, and was co-located with Gray-Jackson most recently just down the road at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn. Dr. Jennifer Wheeler, who runs a Naturopathic Clinic in Perth, will see patients every second Wednesday at the centre. Megan Stewart, an Atheltic Therapist and Kinesiologist, Melanie Fyfe of Healing Feats Reflexology, and Personal Trainer, Natasha Anderson Emery, are also using the centre at different times.

“I had the idea of setting up a permanent space for all of the services that we offer here, so patience can make use of all of the services when they need them. We are always referring people to each other and having a friendly homelike atmosphere will be good for all of us and our clientele,” said Gray-Jackson.

Frontenac County Warden Frances Smith, in perhaps her final role before being just plain Mayor Frances on December 21st, had a huge pair of scissors on hand to cut the ribbon and mark the opening.

“It’s great to see this kind of initiative and to see another business opening on Road 38, just across from the new Senior’s residence across the street,” said Smith.

The centre also has a small fitness gym, which has as separate entrance and will be open 18 hours a day for members.

The breast cancer support group, which met monthly at St. Paul's United Church in Harrowsmith, will now meet at Riverside United Church in Yarker, across from the fire hall. Meetings will be on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 12 noon. The next meeting is Thursday October 20 and there will be a soup, sandwich and dessert luncheon; cost is $7. This is a group of fun, upbeat women who meet monthly to share food and conversation. If you plan to attend please call Ann Elvins at 372-1368, as the ladies at the church need to now how much food to prepare. This group has met for some 20 years, mainly at St. Paul's. When the church closed we searched for a new location and the good ladies at Riverside United Church in Yarker have agreed to host our group. This change of venue will be welcomed by the 20 plus women who met each month in Harrowsmith.

The Seniors’ Fitness and Lifestyle Program will be starting up on Monday September 26 at the Sharbot Lake Medical Centre in the Community Room. This free program consists of aerobic and strengthening exercises instructed by a Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging certified seniors’ fitness instructor, monthly healthy lifestyle education sessions, seasonal social activities, and more! There will two moderate-vigorous level classes held twice per week from 9am-10am and 10:15am-11:15am on Mondays and Thursdays. There will also be a gentle chair-based class held once per week from 11:30am-12:15pm on Thursdays. For more information or to register please call 613-279-2100.

New local service for kids with ADHD and Autism

Amanda Neadow, standing with her sons Jason and Dawson, opened the JDN Center for Children in Perth on September 10. The center will provide ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Therapy and parent coaching support to children diagnosed with ADHD, Autism and Cognitive Deficit Disorders. Neadow is originally from the Sharbot Lake area.

When her two sons were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD),

Neadow did extensive research “to understand what ADHD was, how to treat it and how to ensure that my boys would be successful”

She did a lot of it on her own. “We used the sources that the school offered, but the majority of sources and support we used was based on our own research,” she explains.

“There are many children who have ADHD, ASD and Cognitive Deficits who struggle every day and their parents and caregivers want their children to be happy and healthy,” Neadow says. “It is a real-life struggle and worry. So if the JDN Center can help parents start or continue their journey with more resources, information, and support than my family had; then our job is done.”

The JDN Center is located at the Elliot Street Medical Clinic, 12 Elliot St. in Perth. For more information visit www.jdncenter.com

Medical Community Welcomes New Local Service for Kids with ADHD and Autism

When Amanda Neadow discovered her two sons were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), she felt both relief as well as an immediate desire to fix the problem.

And she did a lot of it on her own.

“We used the sources that the school offered, but the majority of sources and support we used was based on our own research,” she explains. “I am a ‘fixer’ by nature and I was determined to understand what ADHD was, how to treat it and how to ensure that my boys would be successful. I spent many days and nights researching, reading, trying, failing and trying again.”

Her son’s EA then made a life-changing suggestion: try ABA Therapy.

ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) places emphasis on functional skills that are meaningful in day-to-day life, that will, over time, increase or decrease targeted behaviours. These principles can help to decrease maladaptive behaviors such as aggression, self-stimulatory behaviors, and self-injury. The therapy is useful for children diagnosed with ADHD, Autism or Cognitive Deficit Disorders.

“The results were amazing!” Neadow explains. “My son learned how to identify his feelings and he was stopping and thinking before physically reacting to a situation. He had gained self-control and confidence.”

But accessing these services meant two things for Neadow: driving into Ottawa three days a week for two months and missing work as a result. She’s adamant the reward outweighed the commitment, and Neadow wanted to bring these same solutions to other families while recognizing the need and convenience to have such services offered locally.

This September, she’ll open the doors to the JDN Center for Children at the Elliot Street Medical Clinic in Perth. The Center will offer one-on-one ABA therapy for children in JK to Grade 8 as well as parent coaching and social skills development. They’ll also host social skills group to help children engage in positive peer relationships while parents can also access guidance as their children undergo the ABA sessions.

Sub-head: Medical Community Welcomes ABA Therapy

When Neadow pitched her business idea to the local medical community, she got good feedback. Medical practitioners outlined their appreciation to offer parents another resource for their children diagnosed with ADHD, Autism or a Cognitive Deficit Disorder.

Dr. Beth Anne Van Noppen, a local physician, says she’s thrilled about the new service.

“I was really excited when Amanda came to me with the idea of an ADHD centre. I have seen Amanda work sacrificially to get the care she needed for her boys. I now see that determination and courage as she embarks on the starting of the JDN Center, Van Noppen says, adding that she, too has had this long-time dream to offer alternative services. “It’s easy to take medication.  It’s not easy to work through these difficulties. It takes a lot of effort and commitment. I think JDN will be a great asset in helping both parents and kids as they develop new responses to different situations.”

And that’s exactly what Neadow hopes to offer with the JDN Center.

“There are many children who have ADHD, ASD and Cognitive Deficits who struggle every day and their parents and caregivers want their children to be happy and healthy,” Neadow says. “It is a real-life struggle and worry. So if the JDN Center can help parents start or continue their journey with more resources, information, and support than my family had; then our job is done.”

Welcome BBQ Set for Sept. 10

To launch the JDN Center for Children, a Welcome BBQ will take place at the Elliot Street Clinic on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. JDN staff will be there and BBQers can get a tour of the Elliot Street Clinic located at 12 Elliot St. There will also be fidget toy giveaways and face painting. To learn more about the Welcome BBQ and the JDN Center for Children, visit www.jdncenter.com.

Are you sometimes confused about what healthy eating looks like when you have diabetes? Have you ever been told to avoid certain foods or entire food groups in order to control your blood sugar levels? Sharbot Lake Family Health Team Dietitians are here to help clear up all the confusion!

Starting Tuesday September 6 from 1:30-4:30pm the dietitians will be offering Diabetes Friendly Cooking Classes every Tuesday for 5 weeks. Topics covered will include: The importance of including healthy carbohydrates, high fibre choices, heart healthy eating, lower sugar eating, and how to read a nutrition label. Each session will also include cooking a healthy recipe and group discussion. Classes are open to anyone diagnosed with Prediabetes or Diabetes as well as anyone caring for someone with Diabetes. Call Megan at 613-279-2100 ext. 107 for more information or to register.  

The way Canadians consume health information has evolved over the years. Twenty years ago, when the Canadian Cancer Society launched its Cancer Information Service, inquires came via phone call, with their staff answering questions and mailing out brochures to patients and their families. Nowadays, the service also fields more emails and people access the society’s website, cancer.ca which is jam-packed with anything you ever wanted to know about cancer.

“Facing cancer is hard. People have many worries and questions during what may be the most stressful time in their lives or the lives of a loved one,” says Doug Kane, Manager, Canadian Cancer Society F.L.A. & The Waterways Community office. “It’s easy to become overwhelmed. Don’t face cancer alone. Instead, we urge people to contact our free Cancer Information Service.”

No matter where they live in the country, the Cancer Information Service can help people with their questions about more than 200 different types of cancer, treatment, diagnosis, care, services and much more. In addition, the service can connect patients and family caregivers to local community support programs and services if needed.

On June 18 folks in North & Central Frontenac and surrounding area are raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. When you make a donation to Relay For Life, you are helping people in your community living with cancer. Your donation also funds life-saving research and other important work so that fewer Canadians are touched by the disease. To contact the Cancer Information Service, call 1 888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca

Lanark Frontenac Kingston MP Scott Reid announced this week that he will place his vote on the upcoming third reading to the government-sponsored Bill C-14 in the hands of his constituents.

A ballot is being sent out through Canada Post's neighborhood mail to all post boxes in the riding, and can be returned postage free to his office.

The ballot includes references to arguments in favour and opposed to the legislation.

In the letter to constituents that accompanies the ballot, Reid says Bill C-14 would amend the Criminal Code to allow what the government characterizes as “medically assisted dying” - what is more commonly known as “physician-assisted suicide.” If the bill becomes law, it will be lawful for a physician or nurse practitioner to euthanize a patient, as long as a series of conditions are met. The conditions will be laid out in a provision which will become section 241.2 of the Criminal Code.

Four conditions must be met, according to Reid. They are that the patient is over 18 years old; the patient must have, in the words of the bill, a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” and natural death must be “reasonably foreseeable”; the patient must have made a voluntary and informed request for assisted suicide; and a second physician or nurse practitioner must agree that the first three conditions have been met.

In explaining his decision to pass his right as an elected official to vote on the bill to his constituents, Reid made the point that in matters such as this one, the conscience of each constituent “is no less worthy than mine. Therefore it is the people, not the politicians, who should be able to directly determine the direction the country takes.”

Reid said he will tabulate the results of the constituency referendum just before the final vote on Bill C-14 is called, which will be June 6 or sometime earlier. He encourages constituents to vote early to make sure he receives their response in time.

Within the body of his mailout, Reid includes comments in favour of the bill from Justice Minister Jody Wilson- Raybould; Anne Sutherland from the Canadian Nurses Association; and editorials from the Globe and Mail, Ottawa Citizen and Toronto Star.

Comments opposed to the bill include those from the Physicians' Alliance Against Euthanasia; Larry Worthen from the Christian Medical and Dental Society of Canada; Alex Schadenberg from the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition; Andrew Coyne, columnist with the National Post; and Dying with Dignity.

For his own part, Reid talks about his concern that “conscientious objections of medical practitioners of medical institutions to provide or facilitate assistance in dying” should be protected in the bill if it passes, and he says he will work to have those protections included.

He asks that only one vote per registered voter be sent back to him.