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What a relief "The need for alternative healing as opposed to medication has really taken off," said Andrea Bedford, coâ€"owner of the Bailey Bedford Clinic on Erb Street in Waterloo. "With the fast pace of today, and especially the increased use of computers in the workplace and at home, people need a feeling of wellâ€" being. "I bet L had about 10 clients when 1 first started," she said. "Now [ have at least 300." And, she said, since her clients have specific ailments, each is treated individually with sepâ€" arate healing methods. â€" "Everyone is here for different reasons," she said. "It‘s my job to find the cause and cure the cause. "It is so rewarding to see someone who has dealt with pain for, in some cases, 20 years walk up straight without a problem." More and more people are turning to massage therapy to treat pain and stress I('s been called the magic touch, the healing hand, and even the miracle worker. Whatever it is, this modern technique in chronic pain and stress relief has people from all walks of life flocking to experience it for themselves. Though it‘s been around for decades, the popularity of massage therapy has only caught on strong in the last five to 10 years. But according to one local massage theraâ€" pist, the increase in demand stems from people doing something to make themselves feel good. "After all, your body is a house. If you don‘t take care of it, it will fall apart." Massage therapy is effective for conditions such as headaches, sciatica, backaches, arthriâ€" tis, whiplash, chronic stress and tension, musâ€" cle spasms, strains and sprains, sports injuries, discomforts of pregnancy, limited joint mobiliâ€" ty, and neuritis/neuralgia. The overall benefits include the improveâ€" ment of a person‘s overall circulation, the pasâ€" sive stretching of muscles, increased joint mobility, relief from pain, preventative health care and the relief of mental and physical fatigue. Many factors have contributed to the rise, from workplace teqmion to physical injury. Bedford, who has been practising since 1997, said since she entered the profession, business has grown by leaps and bounds Bedford said her personal methods include a strong focus on breathing and pure relaxation. "PEi)ple need to get away from their every day lives," she said. "What is your wealth with out your health?" Bedford confirmed, however, that treatment does have one drawback. "It is expensive." she said. "Not many can afford it these days." Bedford‘s prices are comparative with other clinics in the region. Her starting rate is $15 for 15 minutes. with the cost increasing by $15 with each additional 15â€" minute set Large seection m Flyâ€"tying & Instructiona tishing supplies coutses Your Itshin meadquarters Accessones â€" 40 Wyman Rd., Unit 4. Waterloo _ 746â€"2650 ‘,‘,\\NBQ‘ y SPORTY By Anorea Bamey Chronicle Staff Bedford also applauded companies, such as Manulife Financial in Waterloo, which, at cerâ€" tain times, bring in massage therapists to help employees manage their stress levels and workâ€" loads. "They are guaranteed to see increased proâ€" ductivity, increased efficiencies, fewer sick days among their employees, and better spirits at work," she said. Patty Lewis, assistant viceâ€"president of corâ€" porate communications at Manutife, said it‘s up to the discretion of the company‘s different While she doesn‘t blame others for thinking twice about such an expense, Bedford said she cannot understand why her livelihood is not covered under OHIP. __ "We are little doctors here. We have to know about every part of the body. We should be covâ€" ered just like other medical professions." _ But until that day comes, if it comes, Bedford said she will continue to urge companies, espeâ€" cially large corporations, to offer such coverage in their employees‘ benefits packages "If doctors, nurses dentists and even chiroâ€" practors are covered, why aren‘t we?" she asked Waterloo massage therapist Andrea Bedford works her magic on client, and husband, Chris East. ANDREA BALEY PNOTO: LIFESTYLE opmfmvvamenmnneng mstnncel "Selfâ€"massage is great," she said. "If you can reach it, massage it. And it‘s not difficult. What did Mommy do when it hurt? She rubbed it. That‘s all it takes." She also said the corporation has chosen to offer massage therapy as part of its employees‘ extended healthâ€"care benefits. "Manulife is recognizing the benefits of mas sage therapy in dealing with increased work loads and stress," she said. But for those who don‘t have the option of therapy coverage, and cannot afford to pay for it out of pocket, Bedford said there are a number of relief tactics which can be done at home Bedford also said bathing in Epsom saits can do wonders, as well as drinking a lot of water and maintaining a proper diet. Hydrotherapy, turning the water from hot to cold in the midst of a shower, also strengthens a person‘s immune system, she said "My goal is to help people so they don‘t have to come here." Bedford said. "But until that day, ] want to educate my clients as much as I can." departments if they want to treat their employ ees during peak periods of overtime. WATERLOO NORTH 1)â€"y4» 0% On Aug. 20, the farmers and | villagers at Doon Heritage Crossroads will be reaping the bounty of the garden. The flower gardens are in full bloom and the vegetable gardens are heaviâ€" ly laden with fruit and vegâ€" etables. It is time to start putting away preserves for the snowy months ahead. Visitors are invited to taste the preserves before they are put down for the year, pick up some recipes and enjoy a little bit of coun try in the city Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Beans, tomatoes, pepâ€" pers, early apples and other garden produce are bending the vines at Doon. At the turn of the century it was an important chore for the farm family to capture the bounty of the garden at its peak abnd to fill their cellars for the long winter ahead The Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada will hold its first annual Michael Longo Memorial Classic Charity Golf Tournament Aug. 17 at the Conestogo Golf and Country Club. Born of a mother‘s tragic loss in 1995, the Foundation was founded in 1998 by Waterloo resident Kathryn Blain as a tribute to the memory of her only son, Michael Longo, a 19â€"yearâ€" old St. David high school student who contracted and died from the illness. "It‘s time we joined together in a proactive manâ€" ner to act now before anothâ€" er outbreak occurs and one more family is devastated by this insidious killer," said Mike Redfearn, spokesman for the Foundation. "Our greatest wish is that the seeds of hope represented in our national foundation and annual tournament will one day bloom into the realâ€" ization that meningitis will no longer terrorize or vicâ€" timize anyone." Tournament to aid meningitis research Doon gardens in full bloom FINANCING Morthfield at the Parkway in Waterioo 746â€"1666 Ask for details ware walericomazda com