In the past five years, three members of my family were referred to medical institutions in the United States. One member required eye surgery at the Lahey Clinic in Peabody, MA. A five week stay at a nearby hotel ensured time for necessary follow-up visits. This individual was accompanied by myself for one week and another sibling for the entire period.

Consider the economic benefit this one medical visit provided the following:

• • Delta Airlines – three return tickets to Boston.
• • The shuttle service from the airport to our hotel in Peabody
• • The hotel – rented a room for five weeks.
• • The hotel restaurant and others in the area
• • Lahey Clinic and doctors
• • Shops at a mall and Walmart
• • An Uber driver
• • The hotel shuttle – a free service, but the driver received tips

Though the medical conditions were different, the experiences of the other two family members would have been very similar in nature. That is an example of medical tourism. Simply put, medical tourism occurs when someone travels to another country for medical treatment.

There are a number of reasons that people leave their own country to seek medical attention elsewhere: Lower cost, Lack of expertise or facilities in their own country, Better quality of care, and Specialized services in other country.

Though not necessarily cost effective, the majority of Bermudians are referred to institutions within the United States for specialized treatments. There are other options: among the top medical tourism destinations are Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, India, and Costa Rica.

According to the Strategic Investment Research Unit (SIRU), “India has gained a reputation in providing high quality medical service at low costs to medical tourists travelling from across the globe…India’s combination of medical and traditional medicine sets the country apart from others.”

Ever Healthcare Blogs reports that Costa Rica is the leading medical tourism centre in Latin America “with over 20,000 visiting medical tourists each year…Modern, clean, and somehow still up to 70% cheaper compared to the U.S., this highly cost-effective medical destination promises to offer stellar service and care.”

What about Bermuda? Is Medical Tourism feasible? Let’s consider some of the reasons people choose to travel to another country for medical treatment.

COST: Quality Health reports that a heart transplant in the US would cost approximately $50,000 USD while in India, the cost in a leading hospital would be the equivalent of $5,000 USD – just one-tenth of the cost. An individual could afford the cost of a return airline ticket, hotel stay, medical treatment and hospital stay and still save money. Consider the cost of your personal medical care in Bermuda- think eye care, dental care, doctor’s visits and hospital services. Add the price of a return airline ticket from any gateway city in the US or Canada, hotel stay for at least a week, transportation and food. What do you think? Would the cost of medical treatment in Bermuda facilitate the establishment of Medical Tourism?

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Keith Archibald Forbes, writing on “Welcome to Bermuda”, states that “Bermuda’s medical facilities are good for a 21-square mile island, but not equipped for very serious conditions, such as heart, stroke, and other conditions. If you require extensive and/ or intensive treatment you will likely be air-lifted elsewhere, usually to good hospitals in the USA.” I would venture to add that the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has proven even too small for Bermuda’s population. With only one main hospital on the island and a few private clinics, what choice does Bermuda have to offer? Considering the present economic condition in Bermuda, is there any possibility of providing bigger and better medical facilities?

SPECIALIZED SERVICES: According to Clinic Spots, “the healthcare tourism industry in India is doing exceptionally well in the following sectors: oncology treatments, organ transplants, dental procedures, and cosmetics and plastic surgery.” What specialized treatments can Bermuda boast of that would attract thousands from other countries to visit for medical care? One local doctor has suggested plastic surgery. For sure, there would need to be some collaboration among medical personnel to determine the local medical expertise that would put Bermuda on the map of medical tourism destinations.

Any country considering Medical Tourism should also give serious thought to the following:

INSURANCE: Keith Archibald Forbes writing on “Welcome to Bermuda” says, “The annual average spending on health coverage in Bermuda in 2019, by individuals, was more than $11,952, the highest in the world.” The Medical Tourism Magazine reports that in the USA. “UnitedHealth Group, WellPoint and Humana are looking to curb expenses by encouraging their members to receive medical tourism procedures abroad through cross-border plans.” If a medical tourist’s insurance doesn’t cover treatment in another country, will local insurers be prepared to offer insurance coverage to foreigners seeking medical attention in Bermuda? If so, will it be cost effective considering that it is presently the highest in the world?

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: Organizations necessary to promote success of Medical Tourism include medical tour companies and the Medical Tourism Association.

A medical tour company coordinates all the services required by the medical tourist. Medical Tours Costa Rica boasts that it “is a medical travel ‘one-stop-shop & concierge centre’…that will centralize the entire continuum of care in Costa Rica and our network of hospitals, hotels, tourism, transportation and more.” Patients rely heavily on such organizations. With Bermuda

being a tourist destination with several tour and planning organizations, adding a medical component to an existing company or establishing a new company devoted to medical tourism should not be too difficult.

Another crucial partner would be the Medical Tourism Association who markets itself as “a global non-profit association for the medical tourism and international patient industry.” The MTA works with healthcare providers, governments, insurance companies, employers, and other buyers of healthcare – in their medical tourism, international patient, and healthcare initiatives – with a focus on providing access to transparent, high-quality healthcare.

You be the judge. Is Medical Tourism feasible for Bermuda?

The post Medical Tourism in Bermuda appeared first on RG Magazines.

We all carry on some form of inner dialogue – whether it’s as simple as motivating ourselves to accomplish a task or more involved like analysing how we performed on an assignment at work. Self-talk is that internal voice that we are hearing, and what that voice has to say can have a greater influence than we may realize.

According to Dr Claudia Cobon, a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Solstice, the way we talk to ourselves “can impact our mental health, in that it impacts how we feel, our motivation, our ability to do activities and engage with others.”

Often times that inner critic can be judgemental. As humans we have a propensity to lean towards the negative in our thoughts. Whether that is “remembering negative information, talking to ourselves in a harsher way that we would talk to others, ruminating on our failures, and sometimes anticipating the worst,” says Dr Cobon.

“Being aware of this internal voice is really important,” she explains.

Not only is more positive self-talk just a nicer way to treat ourselves, it can also carry a myriad of benefits that can effect everything from our self-esteem to our relationships.

“Being able to talk to ourselves in a positive way has been shown to increase overall wellbeing, improve mood, make us feel more connected and more resilient,” cites Dr Cobon. “There is research to show creating a kinder, more compassionate internal voice can increase our general wellbeing, improve our satisfaction with relationships, improve mood and self-worth, manage anxiety symptoms and lower anxiety levels, improve our body image, increase motivation, performance and productivity. It can also help us learn better and be more resilient through adversity.”

When there’s so much negativity swirling around us, it can be hard to keep our thoughts optimistic, but there are ways to limit our negative talk.

“I like to encourage my clients to think about talking to themselves in a more compassionate, rather than just a necessarily positive way,” says Dr Cobon.

Think of how you would speak to another person in a similar situation, such as a loved one, she says.

“Write down these compassionate thoughts, so that they can become more accessible for you in times of need.”

Dr Cobon also suggests using strategies from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, where we “learn to identify thoughts that are making us feel sad or anxious and challenge those thoughts to get a more helpful, realistic perspective on the situation.”

One of the biggest advantages of engaging in more positive and compassionate self-talk is the way it can teach us to manage our emotions when times get tough and help us get through difficult situations.

“Being self-critical activates stress hormones, which in turn impairs our performance, makes us want to avoid situations or people, or escape into unhealthy behaviours,” warns Dr Cobon. “Self-criticism is particularly harmful when we fail, make mistakes, or are faced with challenges, because it then becomes a self-defeating cycle making us feel much worse about ourselves.”

While we may still find ourselves in difficult situations, having self-compassion and focusing on positive self-talk “activates our soothing system” and “makes us feel calmer and stronger in the face of a stressor,” she encourages.

When we are able to confidently approach a stressful situation we can better come up with solutions including better self-care, asking for help or support, or coming up with ideas to resolve the issues we are facing.

“We also become more resilient following failure, as we are able to recognise that making mistakes and failing is a normal part of the human experience, making it more likely we will learn and grow,” she says.

However, if over time negative thoughts continue to creep in and no amount of trying to be more compassionate with ourselves keeps them at bay, there are resources to help. It can be overwhelming when we are trying to cope with a build-up of stressors or when a serious event takes place.

“This overloading of stress can reduce our ability to be aware of our self-talk, and even if we are aware, it may be very hard to manage these thoughts,” cautions Dr Cobon. “In these situations we may start to have very negative thoughts about the situation we are in, ourselves, or find it hard to feel hopeful about the future.”

Things to look out for include losing pleasure in activities we once enjoyed, isolating ourselves from family and friends, any change in eating or sleeping habits, or a lack of motivation and increase in unhealthy behaviours (i.e. consuming more alcohol or drugs). Any thoughts about not wanting to be here or hurting ourselves are also an indicator that we should seek help from a mental health professional, Dr Cobon advises.

The post Something Nice to Say appeared first on RG Magazines.

How can we protect our eyes in this decidedly harsh visual ‘sightscape’? We asked an expert that very question! Tia Crockwell, MCOptom, graduated from Aston University in 2016 with a first-class honours degree in Optometry, and currently plies her trade at Spexx Eyecare. Ms Crockwell provided plenty of information to help us in our fight to protect our eyes from all the glowing lights.

Eye care is a fundamental part of human life, as the sense of sight can often be the difference between life and death for many of us. Ms Crockwell begins with the basics of modern eye care:

“Everyone should visit their Optometrist annually whether they wear glasses or not. We can detect eye diseases such as glaucoma, as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes during your routine eye examination.

“Try to avoid touching your eyes, to reduce the risk of infection from dirty hands and try to avoid rubbing your eyes which can damage the surface of your eyes.

“Make a habit of wearing the correct protective eye wear when needed, for example you should wear safety goggles anytime you are working with hazardous chemicals or around flying debris. This is as common as when you are working at home on a DIY project, or trimming your hedges – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“Also, sports goggles are so important to prevent eye injuries, for example when playing squash. Did you know that the squash ball is the perfect size to fit into your eye socket and cause serious eye damage?”

Of course, even Optometrists struggle to keep the perils of modern life at bay when it comes to protecting their own eyes. Ms Crockwell talks about her personal struggle with dry eyes, and testifies on the importance of giving your eyes time to relax during intense sessions in front of ominously illuminated screens.

“I suffer with dry eyes, which is a very common condition. It tends to make your eyes feel gritty and even more watery than normal. There are so many causes of dry eyes, but a big one is looking at computer screens for a long time without a break. On average, we blink about 22 times every minute when we are relaxed, but this reduces to only about 13 times per minute when looking at a screen.

“I try to practice the 20 – 20 – 20 rule, every 20 minutes look 20 feet into the distance for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eye muscles a much-needed break and gives you a good opportunity to blink, and lubricate the ocular surface.”

Growing up in Bermuda, we were all exposed to a spectacularly bright natural environment; the kind of bright that could wreak havoc on human eyes after so many years. There is, then, great urgency attached to developing habits and lifestyles that include engrained eye care. Ms Crockwell advises further:

“Living in Bermuda, we are blessed to have sunshine all year round, and, therefore, protecting your eyes from UV exposure is so important. Make sure that you wear sunglasses that have UV protection, and, if you wear glasses, you can try lenses that react to light and darken in the sun.”

As with all health concerns, diet and lifestyle choices play their part in keeping our eyes robust and our sight strong as well:

“A healthy diet will help you to keep your eyes healthy as well. For example, nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids (found in salmon and other oily fish), lutein (found in spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables) and vitamin C (found in citrus fruits) are known to help with age related vision issues such as macular degeneration.

“Lastly – you’ve heard this one from every health care provider – quit smoking, or never start.”

So much of the modern world is built by professionals looking resolutely into computer screens. These post-modern renaissance professionals put their eyes through the harshest trials in the name of technological progress, and creation. How can they diminish the deleterious effects of our neon-drenched reality on their ocular systems? Ms Crockwell expounds:

“I mentioned the 20 – 20 – 20 rule, as it relates to dry eyes, but it also relates to eyestrain. Eyestrain and headaches are linked to your muscles being exhausted from constant staring at digital devices. Imagine how much your arms would ache if you sat at your computer desk with your arms up for as long as you are staring. All muscles fatigue, so take regular breaks.”

Stop, look into the distance, relax, replenish. Then, when it’s time to close your eyes and sleep, take these precautions to ensure that the treacherous blue-light coming off your computer screen won’t interfere with your essential rest:

“Blue-light is emitted by digital screens and can have an impact on your sleep. The blue-light stops the production of the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for making you sleepy. In other words, you are less drowsy the more blue-light you receive, and it takes you longer to fall asleep at night.

“You can try to turn off your device well before bedtime, or you can try blue-light blocking glasses.”

In closing, Ms Crockwell sounds out a timely warning for our children:

“Yes, professionals are affected by computer screens and digital devices, but I’d like to also highlight how much our children are being affected. Spending so much time looking at something so close can impact their vision significantly and can result in the development of myopia (near-sightedness).

“I encourage children to take regular breaks, limit screen time to 1 – 2 hours a day, keep a forearm distance between their eyes and the device, and make sure that they play outdoors, as the natural light helps with normal eye development.”

Vision is a gift, and losing it, after having grown and lived with it for so long, is NOT a pleasant thing to think about. My eyes have grown progressively weaker over the last decade of my life, to where I simply cannot read, or see anything close to my face clearly without glasses; this is not an enjoyable development.

Even as I type this into my blue-light emitting laptop screen, I can feel the subtle, seething sting in both my eyes – I’m going to have to shut this device down soon. But then I’ll probably pick up the phone and check my messages – when will we learn?

I plan on developing a good relationship with the folks at Spexx Eyecare very soon, and if you have any of the afflictions, conditions, aches, or concerns discussed in this article, you really need to as well. Of course, Bermuda has a plethora of Optometrists, so you can choose whoever you trust with the maintenance and care of your eyes. The take away here is: get checked, get help, and start seeing more.

The post Seeing More in the Age of Lens Blur appeared first on RG Magazines.

The law in Bermuda is clear. Children under the age of 16 cannot consent to have sex. No exceptions, no grey areas. Yet, while predators seek to find ways of sexually exploiting young people without breaking that law, campaigners face a never-ending battle to keep them safe.

Two years ago, the Bermuda government introduced anti-grooming legislation, making it illegal for people in a position of trust to have sexual relations with teenagers aged 16 or 17, even though they are over the age of consent.

The question for campaigner Debi Ray-Rivers, the executive director of the child sexual abuse prevention organisation Saving Children and Revealing Secrets (Scars), is whether enough has been done to make young people aware of this protection.

“I’m not sure if teenagers have enough knowledge of this law,” she said. “It’s important that parents are aware so they can share this information with their children and teens. Adults should know what is considered criminal when it comes to sexual behaviour with a child under the age of 16 and what is criminal for those in positions of trust with a 16- and 17-year-old.

“Many perpetrators, I believe, were familiar with the law before the new legislation, so they began grooming, manipulating and deceiving a child at 14 and then had sex when the child reached 16. That way they didn’t break the law.”

For people over 16, Ms Ray-Rivers explained that consent is “an agreement or permission expressed through affirmative, voluntary words or actions that are mutually understandable to all parties involved, to engage in a specific sexual act at a specific time”. This consent can be withdrawn at any time.

None of that applies to children under 16.

“Even if a 14-year-old begs, agrees, or assents to engage in sexual activity with a 22-year-old male, the 22-year-old can be held liable for violating the law because the 14-year-old cannot consent because she is under the age of 16,” Ms Ray-Rivers said. “It’s against the law. Even if the 22-year-old believed that the 14-year-old consented.”

If two people under 16 have sex, the matter would be considered by the Department of Child and Family Services and the Department of Public Prosecutions, to ascertain if a prosecution should begin. The parents may also face prosecution, depending on the circumstances.

Ms Ray-Rivers said: “The responsibility and risk that comes with sexual activity is huge. What if the 15-year-old becomes pregnant? Is the 15-year-old financially capable of caring for a young child? Is the 15-year-old emotionally mature enough for the responsibility that comes with being a parent?

“If the 15-year-old was sexually molested by an older more powerful individual the life-long ramifications can be detrimental and devastating for the life of that 15-year-old and their family. This experience can lead to years of pain, shame, and trauma.”

Rakaya Simmons, a 23-year-old law student, has called publicly for better sex education in the school curriculum.

“The age of consent is not something that is general knowledge,” she said. “You would think it is, but I always get ‘17, 18’ and I have even heard as young as 14 or 15. I have also been in conversations where there was confusion about whether the age of consent was different for each gender. This sounds silly and unrealistic, but it is reality.

“I believe that we just leave too much room for speculation or uncertainty. These are not topics that should be ignored in the curriculum because most times there is a right or wrong answer, there is no in-between.”

Ms Simmons said sexual abuse and exploitation-prevention classes should play a prominent role in the curriculum: “Parents can also do their part by enforcing the education at home like every other subject. Just like how they would help them with their math or science homework,” she added.

Bermuda public schools teach sexual health from Primary 1 upwards, using the HealthSmart curriculum. The Department of Education says this helps children establish and maintain healthy relationships, be sexually abstinent, act in ways that prevent or reduce sexually risky behaviour, and treat others with courtesy and respect.

A spokeswoman added: “The Department of Education is engaged in education reform and curricula are being reviewed across grade levels. The curriculum will determine the amount of time that is spent on any subject, including sexual health.”

Regardless of age, of course, there is one basic principle when it comes to consent.

“No means no,” Ms Ray-Rivers said. “I’m not sure means no. I don’t want to means no. Please stop means no. Crying means no. Silence means no. Agreeing only after being pressured or coerced means no. Coercion is not consent.”

Ms Ray-Rivers said parents should help their children understand this principle: “We should help build a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Recognise inappropriate behaviours, and help them find their voice to feel confident in saying ‘no’,” she said.

“The key is to build foundation and knowledge about their bodies and privacy in a healthy way. Children need help with this, and it begins with educating, equipping and empowering them with body safety education at an early age.

“Teach them about respecting their body and other children’s bodies. Help both girls and boys understand boundaries and talk to them as they get in their teen years about the risks of engaging in sexual behaviours.”

Parents should also seek open communication with their teenagers to encourage healthy ways of managing sexual urges, identifying triggers, dealing with peer pressure and reinforcing that nobody should be forced or persuaded to engage in sexual activities.

Ms Ray-Rivers said: “As we build our children’s self-esteem and confidence, we should provide them with empowerment over their bodies, and find their voice when it comes to boundary violations, this allows them to self-advocate.”

For more sources, or to sign up for Scars training, which teaches adults how to prevent, recognise and react responsibly to child sexual abuse, visit the Scars website at scarsbermuda.com

The post Keeping Youngsters Safe Is Continual Battle appeared first on RG Magazines.

From office workers sitting at their desk for long periods, to construction workers lifting heavy loads, and gardeners bending over to pick up weeds, back pain will strike most of us at some point in our lives. The good news is that we don’t have to rely on painkillers to deal with it.

A chiropractor can not only ease your agony but, through rehabilitation and restructuring, aims to fix the problem at its source so that you can get on with life, pain free.

“People’s driving force to visit us is pain,” said Dr Craig Rowat, of Spine & Sport on Church Street, Hamilton. “We are going to help with the pain in the short term – but we get to the root cause, so they don’t have to keep coming back. Painkillers are just pain management. We see ourselves as taking that a whole step further.”

Recent studies have shown eight out of ten people suffer back pain at some point in their lives. Doctors at Spine & Sport examine, diagnose and treat patients with a range of injuries to muscles, joints, bones and nerves, including chronic long-term issues and short-term acute pain.

Their methods include:

• Mobilisation: pressure is applied through the joints to improve their movement;

• Adjustments: the chiropractor applies a controlled, sudden force to the spinal joint;

• Soft tissue work: pressure is applied to a sore muscle to create a temporary attachment point, so that the patient can stretch more easily;

• Acupuncture: needles are inserted into trigger points to correct imbalances within the body;

• Rehabilitation work at home: the patient does exercise such as stretching, to build strength.

Dr Ben Gibbs, a practitioner at Spine & Sport, said: “We use different methods from patient to patient.

We are always going to break down a full plan of action. We let them know what’s going to happen, how long it will take and keep the family doctor in the loop. Everybody is going to get some level of work to help themselves at home as well.

“Patients are going to see some form of improvement fairly quickly. Within a few sessions we will see some form of improvement, although it may take longer to get to 100 per cent.”

The first step is to assess how the injury has happened so that the problem can be cut off at the source, if possible. “People often don’t realise there’s other variables in their life causing it,” Dr Gibbs said.

Many patients at Spine & Sport are office workers whose back pain stems from their posture at their desk. Complaints increased during lockdown as many people resorted to using their laptops while sitting on the couch.

Others suffer because of manual jobs that require repetition or lifting heavy objects. Dr Kyle Steineman, another practitioner, said: “A lot of times, those people are quite strong. But doing the same movement, over and over again, eventually tissues can break down. You might feel it gets better on its own, but with repetition it doesn’t.”

Why do many people prefer to reach for the medicine cabinet instead of booking an appointment with a chiropractor?

“It’s easier to take painkillers. It’s all passive, with no active component,” Dr Steineman said. “When we do it, you need to do exercise at home too. But the right thing to do would be to fix the problem at the source.”

Dr Rowat said: “We don’t work with drugs or medicine, but we fully understand those have a place in healthcare. We have patients come here who wake up in the morning and take Advil or stronger medication, and that’s how they start their day. It doesn’t have to be like that.”

Chiropractic began as a profession in the 19th Century, but was generally viewed with suspicion by the medical field. Dr Rowat said: “Fifty-plus years ago, chiropractic was a fringe form of medicine. It was alternative. In the past 15 years, it’s become much more a science and evidence-based practice. It’s becoming more accepted.

“There’s still skepticism among patients and the medical community, but at this practice we pride ourselves that we have formed good relationships with medical doctors and specialists. We are not claiming to fix anybody’s cancer. We know our role in the medical community and we don’t do anything beyond that. We work very hard at maintaining very ethical practices.”

One such skeptic was Tony Kapsimalis, a 35-year-old sports fanatic who visited Spine & Sport after suffering a lower back injury while lifting a dumbbell at the gym in April. Mr Kapsimalis said: “It was a really debilitating pain in the lower right side of my back. It was painful every position I was in. I had never been to a chiropractor before. My initial perspective was that I had a little bit of fear in terms of the adjustment process – I was putting my body in their hands.

“I just thought, I drank the Kool- Aid, I’m going to a chiropractor.”

Mr Kapsimalis recalled lying on his side while Dr Rowat lifted his right leg in the air and applied pressure in certain spots: “It was wild. Instant pain relief. I got up and I was, ‘wow!’ I could stand straight. I went from a 9 pain to a 2.”

Within three days, Mr Kapsimalis felt completely better and a few months later is continuing to play hockey, golf and tennis with no pain.

If you suffer back pain, your first step should be to contact a chiropractor.

Dr Gibbs said: “The first signs are aches and pains. You might wake up with a stiff back and then it goes away. But when that happens, it’s usually going to come back.”

Dr Rowat said: “As soon as you start to get something, don’t put it off. Evaluate it, see if it needs to be addressed. Come straight to Spine & Sport. No referral required. All private medical insurers do have some form of chiropractic coverage as well. We work with everybody here. We don’t turn anybody away.”

The post Chiropractors tackle back pain at the source appeared first on RG Magazines.

You’ve seen it. That image of a fully relaxed human body lying face down with hundreds of metal needles penetrating the skin at strategically focused points. It’s an image that will evoke feelings of great anxiety, or memories of total relaxation, depending on your cultural heritage.

Western children are routinely traumatised by injections in early childhood, making the mere thought of acupuncture an anxiety-laden engagement. Yet Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds that acupuncture can loosen tight joints, relieve chronic pain and correct the flow of blood throughout the body. Acupuncture is also said to induce a feeling of deep relaxation that will last for hours after a session.

But… the needles!

As defined by the Mayo Clinic, “acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.

“Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

“In contrast, many western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation boosts your body’s natural painkillers.”

Local practitioners like Coha Health, where the highly regarded Sifu Dr Reginald Cann practices, and the Pearson Clinic offer targeted acupuncture to treat specific ailments and aid in overall health. Spine and Sport Bermuda, which is a chiropractic and physiotherapy office, uses acupuncture in a more ‘western’ manner.

Acupuncture, applied in a traditional Chinese medicine style, can be used to treat specific ailments such as dental pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, labour pain, lower back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, respiratory disorders such as allergic rhinitis, and tennis elbow. Acupuncture can also be good for emotional and even spiritual well-being, as these are components of the Chi.

Emma Pearson, licensed acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, calls acupuncture a natural approach to healing: “Acupuncture is one of the longest established forms of healthcare in the world, originating in ancient China over 2,000 years ago. It works by inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points on the body to release blockages and promote a natural healing response.”

Offering a wide array of acupuncture treatments at the Pearson Clinic in Hamilton, Ms Pearson is trained in acupuncture, cupping, guasha, moxibustion, electroacupuncture and massage. She starts with a consultation, after which she will expertly tailor a treatment plan to bring healing and balance to your body and mind.

Bermudians suffer from many chronic ailments, so Ms Pearson treats a wide array of medical conditions with acupuncture daily.

“I have special interest and training in acupuncture for female health and fertility, so I would say that I attract a large number of clients seeking help in that area. Acupuncture helps to treat and manage a range of health conditions though, so I really will see people requesting help with all sorts. Some of the more common complaints that I frequently see include musculoskeletal conditions, anxiety and depression, insomnia, allergies, autoimmune conditions, chronic headaches and digestive complaints.”

If you’re still a staunch supporter of western medical processes, you may question the effectiveness of regular acupuncture treatments. Many patients who have sought relief through acupuncture swear by it. Ms Pearson offers her expert opinion on the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments:

“Acupuncture is effective in treating most ailments, but the degree and time it takes can vary hugely, depending on the condition being treated, as well as the individual. Acupuncture initiates the body’s self-healing response, and works on treating the root cause, rather than solely alleviating various symptoms temporarily. This can take time and multiple treatments. Those with more acute conditions will often find symptoms resolve more quickly than chronic cases. I usually suggest clients adjust some aspect of their lifestyle to assist in their healing. Willingness to work with me in this area will also contribute to the level, and time-frame, of recovery.”

Mahatma Gandhi once chided the philosophies of western medicine due to the tendency of modern medicine to allow excess, and thereby encourage unhealthy lifestyles. The untenable flaw was that modern medicine paved the way for poor dietary habits, reckless life choices and irresponsible experimentation because it simply fixed ailments instead of promoting healthy habits that would prevent chronic conditions from ever developing. Traditional Chinese medicine shares a similar philosophy and acupuncture is very much a part of that.

Folks who aren’t accustomed to, or interested in, needles will still be skeptical though. Ms Pearson discloses a common thought path she’s noticed in her clients:

“First timers will sometimes be a little fearful of needles and wonder whether it’ll be painful. Acupuncture needles are incredibly fine and clients are pleasantly surprised to find that it is painless, and usually describe it as very enjoyable. The only other comment I hear frequently is that clients would prefer to be going home rather than returning to work after treatment, as they find that they get into a deeply relaxed state during sessions.”

Ms Pearson closes by reinforcing Gandhi’s age old avowal about the medical superiority of active prevention in relation to quick-fix cure:

“The immediate benefit of acupuncture treatment is that you will almost always feel a little more centered and relaxed, regardless of what we are treating. Pain can be quickly resolved or improved during, or shortly after, treatment. With a committed treatment plan, you can not only expect to see an improvement – or cure – of your main complaint, but also an improvement in overall health. This includes emotional wellbeing too. Acupuncture has traditionally been used as a preventative tool, to stave off ill-health through regular ‘tune-up’ sessions throughout the year, which means less trips to your doctor, and less need for medications.”

The post Healing Needles: Acupuncture can solve the root cause of an ailment appeared first on RG Magazines.

The vitamins and minerals section of most pharmacies is an overwhelming experience. How do we know what’s good for us? We spoke to two expert registered dieticians, Hanah Cannon, at Island Nutrition and Mellonie Furbert, Service Provider at the Department of Health, who answered our questions and explained how to find the right vitamin or supplement for you:

What age should you start supplementing your diet?

We would not recommend a specific age where we all need to start supplementing. It is more about what our health status is, or our goals. For example, being pregnant, having a recent medical diagnosis, or frequent alcohol consumption has various supplemental needs. It is more about the stage in life than specifically our age that indicates our need to supplement or not.

What are some signs of certain vitamin deficiencies?

Deficiencies can present in many ways. You may notice signs such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, cuts or wounds that are slow to heal, headaches or joint pains, changes in the health of our skin, hair or nails and even tooth or bone density problems. The best way to know for certain is to take a blood test with your GP.

How can you know which supplement is right for you?

Always be sure to ask your doctor or the pharmacist who can guide you based on your other supplements, medications and health conditions. They’ll be able to assist you with the various types of supplements you may need, along with the size of the dose that’s best for you.

Can we get everything we need by simply following a healthy diet?

Typically, a person who eats a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, wholegrain carbohydrates and lean proteins including oily fish and legumes, can get all the nutrients they need. Others may require additional supplements if they have increased needs due to a diagnosed medical condition, if they have had certain types of surgery, or if they have certain dietary preferences such as eating a plant-based diet.

How do we know what we should take?

If you suspect a deficiency, the best way to know what to take is through a blood test. Vitamin supplementation is only usually recommended to replace a deficiency and the best way to diagnose this is with a simple blood test from your doctor.

Can certain vitamins or supplements actually do more harm than good?

The main cause for concern day to day is going to be from interactions with medications. We do have to be careful when taking certain medications with vitamin supplements. It is very important for your doctor or pharmacist to be aware of any supplements you take.

People on chemotherapy or radiation therapy should not supplement on their own and should inform their oncologist of all dietary supplements and alternative therapies. This is because certain vitamins or antioxidants in high doses may interact with the treatment, lessening the effects.

Can we take too much?

Yes. We need to be aware of dosing and risk of vitamin build up in the body or toxicity. With water soluble vitamins, excess is urinated out so goes to waste and is not usually harmful in the long term. That said, if you are experiencing nausea, abdominal cramps, or diarrhoea it may be worth taking a look at whether you are exceeding your needs for Vitamin C, Zinc or Magnesium. Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K can build up in the body with time and become toxic in high doses. Check that you are not doubling up here.

Ms Furbert explained how to find the correct supplements, should you need them:

Vitamins and minerals are divided into three groups:

1. Broad Spectrum: Contain all or most vitamins and minerals and do not exceed Dietary Reference Intake for nutrients according to the children, men and women, pregnant persons, and seniors.

2. High Potency: Contains amounts of some vitamins and minerals substantially higher than Dietary Reference Intake and might include other nutrients and botanical ingredients.

3. Specialised vitamins and minerals: These combine several vitamins and minerals, botanical and specialty ingredients for specific conditions such as energy, athletic performance or weight control.

If you feel your diet is below par, you could take a general A-Z in the short term but may want to consider getting to the root cause and finding ways to meet your needs through your food choices.

In terms of the options, we can choose from gummies, chewables, capsules or liquid versions. Gummies may be more appealing but contain less vitamins and minerals than tablet form.

Chewables might be better than tablets for those prone to reflux as they are chewed up before they meet the stomach. Liquid versions are good for swallow problems or mixing into drinks but may need higher doses. There is no right answer as long as you consider the pros and cons of each and find one that suits your lifestyle.

The post Do you really need that supplement? appeared first on RG Magazines.

Herbal remedies have been used since the dawn of humanity. Every culture on earth has made use of the available flora and fauna to improve physical health, vitality, stamina and even emotional well-being.

The advent of highly regulated modern medicines however, which was a salient feature of the development of the ‘first world’, put something of a tinge on traditional herbal remedies. Organisations like the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States warn against the widespread use of herbal medications due, largely, to their own limitations in properly regulating certain medicinal plants.

Does this mean that herbal remedies are ineffective, antiquated or dangerous? Not necessarily. Herbal remedies are, in fact, still used throughout the world, in parts of the planet where modern medicines are not readily available as well as communities within the developed world.

“Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures. It involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and wellbeing,” say the experts at www.betterhealth.vic. gov.au. “Some herbs have potent ingredients and should be taken with the same level of caution as pharmaceutical medications. In fact, many pharmaceutical medications are based on man-made versions of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. For instance, the heart medicine digitalis was derived from the foxglove plant.”

Of course, consumption of traditional herbal medicines should always involve caution; especially since the modern medical community can often offer inconclusive opinions on herbal medicines. The debate around active ingredients in herbal medicines rages on, with one side insisting that the use of the entire plant is the most effective way to use herbal medicines, and the other pointing to the difficulty in controlling dosage when using the entire plant.

“Practitioners of herbal medicine believe that an active ingredient can lose its impact or become less safe if used in isolation from the rest of the plant. For instance, salicylic acid is found in the plant meadowsweet and is used to make aspirin. Aspirin can cause the lining of the stomach to bleed, but meadowsweet naturally contains other compounds that prevent irritation from salicylic acid.

“According to herbal medicine practitioners, the effect of the whole plant is greater than its parts. Critics argue that the nature of herbal medicine makes it difficult to give a measured dose of an active ingredient.”

Dr Kuni Frith is a local herbal medicine practitioner. She describes herself as a practicing classical traditional naturopath who studies the medicinal properties and uses of herbs and plants. She is a wellspring of knowledge on local medicinal plants, and a true scholar of traditional herbal remedies.

“When asked the question, ‘how effective are herbal medicines?’ I like to remind folks that, long before modern allopathic healthcare, the first medicines were formulated from herbs for thousands of years. Ancient cultures such as the Africans, Chinese and East Indian physicians used plants, animal extracts, elements taken from the earth and sea, to heal the human body.”

Dr Frith also acknowledges the many herbal contributions to modern medicines: “Chemical compounds taken from the white Willow tree are used to make aspirin. Extracts from the periwinkle plant are an important ingredient in leukemia drugs. The opium poppy contains chemical compounds in the production of morphine.”

Serving clients out of her Hamilton store, Herbgoddess Teas, Dr Frith sees, and treats, a wide variety of ailments in her practice:

“Some of the common ailments I see almost daily in my practice are sinusitis, allergies, acid reflux, high blood pressure, inflammation of the joints, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, type 2 diabetes and skin rashes.”

Of course, medicinal herbs like Echinacea (which stimulates the immune system and aids the body in fighting off infection), garlic (which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and contains antibiotic and antiviral properties), ginger (which is effective in treating nausea), Ginko Biloba (which improves blood circulation), Ginseng (which can treat fatigue and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels), and St. John’s Wort (which helps depression, anxiety and insomnia) are well-known and can be found in supplement form in most reputable pharmacies these days.

There are also local plants that can be used to enhance physical and mental health. Dr Frith explained: “Bermuda has a very diverse plant pharmacopeia. The first settlers to the island did not have doctors, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic testing facilities as we do today, so they relied heavily on herbs found growing on the island for food and medicine.”

Some examples of plants used for frequent health issues are:

Seaside Goldenrod, which fights infection, reduces frequent urination, relieves allergy and cold symptoms and provides relief from inflammation.

Nettle, which is a treatment for arthritis, gout, eczema, enlarged prostate and skin rashes. The herb is also known to increase the production of breast milk.

Rosemary, which enhances memory and cognitive function. It improves the texture of the hair and skin, relieves stress and aids the respiratory system.

Purslane, which acts as a natural diuretic and detoxifier for the bowls and liver. Science backs the consumption of purslane to lower blood sugar levels.

Mullen, which is an old Bermudian remedy for earache, respiratory ailments, mucus congestion, cough, and seasonal allergies.

Again, starting a herbal medicine regimen must involve caution and Dr Frith advised us why:

“The advice I would give to patients considering herbal medicines to resolve a health issue is to do the research and seek the guidance of a healthcare professional knowledgeable in dispensing herbal medicine. If you are on prescription medications you need to be very careful not to have a drug/herb reaction by using herbal formulas in conjunction with your medications. Herbs can be very effective in restoring health, but they can also cause tremendous damage to the body or mind if used incorrectly.”

Dr Frith has written two books: ‘Bermudian Folk Remedies,’ and ‘Medicinal Plants Growing in Bermuda.’ These comprehensive reference books provide a historical background on traditional Bermudian folk remedies and also cover scientific research, clinical trials and offer helpful recipes.

…long before modern allopathic healthcare, the first medicines were formulated from herbs for thousands of years.

The post Many Modern Day Medications Are Man-Made Versions of Plant-Based Compounds appeared first on RG Magazines.

In recent years energy therapy has undergone a major rebrand. No longer are words like energy and vibrations reserved for the more mystical amongst us. Even Kim Kardashian is swapping her diamonds for crystals. So, what exactly is energy therapy and does it really work?

“Everything is energy and everything holds energy” explained Deryn Higgins, an 11th generation Reiki master and owner of holistic healing centre My Sereni-Tea. “So that means everything we think about and everything we feel holds energy”.

Energy Therapy 101

The principles of energy therapy support the idea that every thought and feeling we have holds onto an accompanying frequency, which can positively or negatively impact our individual energy field. When that energy field is holding onto unresolved or repressed feelings, it can create blockages of energy within the body, which can eventually lead to adverse symptoms and illnesses.

“What we’re trying to do with energy work is to reinforce the body so that it can heal itself” explained Dr Karen Simons, energy medicine specialist who sees clients of her own through a private space at My Sereni-Tea. “We are simply vessels for that”.

During some energy therapy treatments such as Reiki or Jin Shin Jyutsu, the practitioner serves as a conduit of positive universal energy passing through them to help the energy within the client.

Some of these methods involve light touch, but others can be done without touch, with the practitioner’s hands placed just above the skin’s surface. Recently, with the pandemic disrupting our usual routines, treatments have even been held remotely because, as Ms Higgins reiterated, “everything is energy, it moves. There is no time or space”.

Alternative vs Conventional Medicine

Advocates of energy therapy feel a host of benefits from treatment, such as decreased stress, lowered anxiety and depression as well as a reduction in the physical pain that comes as a result of these afflictions. But as Ms Higgins explained, “energy medicine is not a one-shot deal” and most people will need multiple sessions to really benefit.

For those skeptical about the benefits, Dr Simons makes it clear that there doesn’t have to be a choice between conventional or alternative medicine. “We like to be viewed as complementary. Although some people do make choices to use this way exclusively, we would never tell anyone to come off their medication. That’s between them and their doctor.”

That seems to be a popular opinion these days. Across the US and Canada, hospitals at the leading edge of scientific research such as Johns Hopkins, as well as Yale, Duke and Colombia University Medical Centres, are all now promoting alternative therapies as a supplement to conventional treatment. This is a huge triumph for alternative medicine, which has previously faced objections due to the lack of scientific backing.

Changing Attitudes

It seems this embrace of alternative medicine has been developing for years and what was once thought of as a bit ‘woo-woo’, has now hit the mainstream.

Ms Higgins admited, “I can remember 25 years ago I’d learnt yoga and I didn’t tell anybody. [It was] the same when I learnt Reiki. I didn’t tell anybody because they thought it was hocus-pocus stuff. Now yoga is being taught in schools. Same with mindfulness and meditation too”.

What has brought about this shift in attitude?

“People’s consciousness is evolving and shifting, and becoming more aware,” she said.

You can’t argue with that. Whilst she reflected on customers avoiding crystals in her shop on Reid Street 12 years ago, we joke that we’re now able to pick them up along with a snack in a convenience store.

As the stigma around energy therapies is dissipating, it appears more people are open to experimenting with these treatments, often simply because “nothing else has worked”.

As Dr Simons summarised, “we do a whole range of [treatments] and they’ve got these names, but for the most part, people couldn’t care less what it’s called. They just want to know, ‘how’s it going to help me?’”

And really, isn’t that the point of any healing treatment?

Kickstart Your Own Wellness Journey

If you’re not sure where to start with energy therapy, don’t let that put you off.

“It’s not a cookie cutter thing. We have consultations,” explained Ms Higgins. “That way we’re better equipped to know what’s going on with [our client’s] body and their energy field”.

Should you decide to try energy therapy, forget the stigmas of days gone by and keep an open mind. Attitudes have shifted and alternative therapies are more popular than ever. So, when you tell a friend you’re going to see a holistic healer to cleanse your energy field, you might just find they already have the same healer on speed dial.

My Sereni-Tea, located on Queen Street, has the largest selection of energy therapy treatments on the island, as well as a host of workshops and classes that teach Reiki, meditation, personal development, and more.

Further information on the treatments offered by Ms Higgins and Dr Simons can be found on their personal websites: www.derynhiggins.com and www.drkaren4u.com. For more information on the full range of treatments offered at My Sereni-tea, visit www.myserenitea.com.

Happy healing.

The post Why Energy Theraphy Has Entered The Mainstream and Is More Popular Than Ever appeared first on RG Magazines.

Adults should help children stay connected with friends and family and encourage them to talk 

TIM SMITH 

On the face of it, our young people have shown remarkable resilience as the Covid-19 pandemic has hit their academic, family and social lives like a battering ram. That surface robustness however does not tell the full story about the hidden impact it could be having on their mental health. 

According to psychologists in Bermuda, a huge strain has been placed on the younger generation’s coping mechanisms through the disruption to their daily lives, uncertainty surrounding their future and sadness over the loss of social activities and celebratory milestones. 

There is great hope that with support from parents and other adults, we can eventually emerge into a place where everyone can reflect positively how we came through the other side. First, we must understand exactly what our children and teenagers are dealing with. 

Dr Claudia Cobon, a senior psychologist at the Solstice clinic, has worked with many clients aged 14 and upwards: “Young people do seem to be adjusted on the surface. But I don’t think we should be complacent,” she said. 

“We have seen an increase in anxiety and mood disorders among young people, which I believe to be a result of the interruption to normal day to day activities, but also the bigger milestones that young people look forward to. This has led to some maladaptive coping, such as an increase in eating disorders, self-harm and suicidal ideation.” 

In addition to reduced connections with classmates and friends, graduation ceremonies have been scaled down, internship programmes have gone online and even opportunities for summer jobs are more limited. This disconnection feeds feelings of isolation and demotivation. 

Dr Cobon explained: “It’s the disruption they are experiencing. They are in and out of quarantine or lockdown, there is disruption to schooling and they’re coming on and offline. Probably more of their focus is on not seeing friends. 

“Young people have gone off to university and straight into dormitories where they never meet people. They are not experiencing orientation week and they are having all their lectures and tutorials online.” 

There are also clear consequences for the sense of unpredictability. 

“We tend to see eating disorders as a way of trying to control,” she said. “There’s a lot of anxiety or uncertainty. The eating disorder might not be a rebellion, but it gives them a way of controlling.” 

Parents can help by encouraging their children to express their feelings. 

“Talking can mean they are able to validate their experience,” she continued. “Give them a space to talk, give them a space to think and talk about what’s happening. We need to help young people increase connections with people in the community. Check in with people. The light at the end of the tunnel is that if we are doing this in a meaningful way, young people will be able to recover and look back on this time having learnt something.” 

School life has not been easy for younger children either. 

Susan Richardson, the director of counselling services at Family Centre, pointed to an increase in referrals of primary school children: “I feel really bad for our young children who feel hopeless and helpless,” she said. “We are seeing a lot of anxiety and depression. They may be having sleep challenges, feeling irritable, getting clingy and feeling worried about whether they can get Covid, or whether their parents can get it. Some of them are restless. 

“Children are reporting feeling sad or hopeless, their appetite is changing, they are eating less or more than they used to. We have seen a lot of referrals from schools about how children are interacting with each other – how to play, how to connect.” 

The interruption to school life, compounded by face masks making communication more difficult, has weakened their ability to build healthy relationships with classmates. 

“Schools have been saying that some children are finding it difficult to slow themselves down, they’re unable to connect and play, feeling frustrated. The teachers let them out for recess and they go into full-blown running around, not knowing how to slow themselves down in ways that are safe for themselves and other children.” 

Some children face extra challenges at home because their parents may be stressed or overwhelmed. 

“The child might not be feeling the support or as connected to their parents as they need,” Ms Richardson said. “The first step is that the adult needs to be able to make sense of the child and what’s happening and what to do about it. They need to assess the child’s mental health, look out for anything that does not feel as though it’s healthy. 

“Ensure that the young person stays connected with friends and family. Ensure that they have physical activities that allow them to connect with others. Have fun when the sun shines. Get some fresh air. Make sure their sleep habits are healthy. Limit the time spent taking in negative information. 

“Children are very resilient. Most will manage to cope when they are feeling connected with their parents and peers. There’s still hope for the future. That’s big. The bottom line is people know that change can come.” 

Latisha Lister-Burgess, the executive director of the Employees Assistance Programme of Bermuda, has first-hand experience through her sons, who were aged 2 and 4 at the start of the pandemic. 

“My younger son started virtual preschool. It made no sense to him,” she said. “That’s still the play age. Their main job is to play and have fun. He generally struggled with that transition. My older son, when he started primary school, he struggled in terms of not being able to see people.” 

She said the lack of connection to peers and teachers had impacted the mental health of small children. 

“When you are more isolated, you don’t learn social skills such as how we play well together, how we share, how we interact with manners,” she said. “The conversation needs to focus on how we make up the possible social skills losses. We have to acknowledge what has happened and recognise we are in this situation.” 

Parents can look out for signs in their children’s behaviour, such as acting inappropriately for their age: “If they’re clingy when they’re not normally clingy – what’s that behaviour telling you?” 

You can also find ways of helping your children connect: “Realistically, maybe we don’t have 30 kids coming together for a birthday party, but we can still have small play groups,” she said. 

She insisted the future is not bleak. 

“Young people are much more willing than some older generations to seek out help,” she continued. “Those doing well are having those conversations with the family or peers. Almost everyone in their peer group is going through this as well. 

“I think we have to be gentle with kids right now. Ask them how they are today. The more you can talk to your kids, the more they get out of their head and not see it as a specific problem for them, but something that is happening for their generation.” 

The Government’s Emotional Wellbeing Hotline, manned by registered psychologists, runs from 5pm to 9pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, on 543-1111. The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute’s 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line is 239-1111. 

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