Authored by Julie Schmit, MA, Energy Healer and Relationship Guide

I just attended my first funeral during the current pandemic; not as a result of COVID-19, but the timing of the death made it truly challenging, nonetheless. It was my father’s funeral and it was conducted virtually, on Zoom. He was an elderly man and had lived a full life, but that, of course, does not necessarily reduce the grief of his loved ones. Although we tried as best we could to preserve and enact the customary funeral rituals of my tradition on-line, the experience, in several ways fell short, and caused me to reflect on the meaning of these rituals.  

Some of the most profound elements of a funeral for me, such as the procession to the graveside and the act of family members taking turns shoveling dirt onto the grave, we had to do without. I also sorely missed the hugs and tactile reassurances one craves from extended family members during a time such as this.  

There were tears, prayers, songs and stories, of course. There were also elderly people struggling with connecting online who were assisted by younger, tech-savvy relatives. That brought laughter and some comic relief. People who wouldn’t have been able to attend the funeral due to work obligations, or who lived too far away to travel, were able to take part through their Zoomed-in phones and laptops.  That was an unexpected blessing.  

But the omission of key features of this all-important ritual at the end of a loved one’s life caused me to contemplate the importance of rituals, especially during this time of social distancing and inability to physically be together. 

According to scholars, a ritual is a ceremony that is a time-honored act whose purpose it is to transform those who take part in them. They occur in every culture on earth suggesting their purpose is tied into our humanity. Rituals move participants from one position in life to another, from pre-birth to birth, from being single to marriage, from being among the living to being among the dead. As such, rituals have a beginning, a middle and an end, much like a journey. The end result is having traveled and landed in a place that could not have been achieved without the ritual.  


Ingredients for a Ritual 
In order to perform a ritual, people need to slow down. This is a time for reflection and re-centering oneself. The essential ritual connection with oneself and other people can only be achieved when one has slowed down the mind and body. Oftentimes this is aided by a collective silence.

Entering into a sacred space, a place that feels safe and supported is also a feature. There may be special music, incense burning and ritualized gestures of support from friends and family.

Ritual themes and intentions include formalized greetings and farewells, the giving of blessings, the invocation of healing, the answering of questions, or the honoring of a cycle, such as welcoming a new moon or acknowledging another year of sacrifice for collective goals. Enacting the ritual might include a slow procession, lighting a candle, sharing a poem or an inspirational reading, sprinkling water, or offering flowers. The closing of a ritual often involves a celebratory honoring, often done by sharing food, fond memories, toasts and gratitude to those who assisted in enacting the ritual.

The final step is a re-orientation to ordinary reality, as those who took part in the ritual,  transition back into their normal lives, all the while reflecting on their experience.   

I believe that paying attention to the essential features of rituals will help us carry forward into our brave new, pandemically-inflicted world, the power of ritual to transform our lives. If you’re looking for more help and information in creating your own ritual, I have listed a couple of my favorite books on this subject, below. Best wishes creating something meaningful and purposeful during these unprecedented times we’re in.

​
Resources for Ritual

• Ritual: Power, Healing and Community by Malidoma Patrice Somé
• The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou
• Sacred Circles: A Guide to Creating Your Own Women’s Spirituality Group by Robin Deen Carnes and Sally Craig
• Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path From Loss to Hope by Elizabeth Berrien

Authored by Vanashree Belgamwar, BAMS

According to Ayurveda, learning how to live in harmony with the nature is very crucial in maintaining a great level of health and preventing diseases. Ayurveda has great tools to cope with the seasonal changes. Here is some helpful information about spring.

How Spring Manifests in the Doshas
Ayurveda says every dosha or functional principle in our body goes through a series of changes during every season. The doshas go through a cycle of accumulation, aggravation and coming back to balance, naturally as the seasons change. For example, Kapha dosha is accumulated in late winter, aggravated in the spring and comes back to its natural balance during summer. Hence, Spring is a high Kapha season where - no matter what unique constitution or Prakruti you have - Kapha dosha will naturally be aggravated in every constitution. This natural aggravation can be more bothersome to a Kapha prakuti person as they already have higher levels of Kapha dosha (i.e water and earth elements).

If you are in tune with your body and mind, you will observe that your system naturally asks for cleansing during spring. That is the reason why people feel like cleaning everything around them as soon as spring hits. This season is quite challenging as our doshas are utterly confused on where to settle down in our body due to the erratic temperatures. Spring is a transitional period from cold to hot weather which leads to a certain level of chaos in our body that can affect most of our systems. Kapha dosha’s place of work is the upper body - chest, lungs, head, sinuses...hence everyone is more susceptible to respiratory disorders during this period. Also, Kapha being a slow, dull and a heavy dosha can affect our digestion and metabolism in turn affecting our immunity and vitality. Our bodies naturally start holding onto water and fat a lot more during spring. Fluctuation in body weight is quite common in this season.

It behooves everyone to keep the Kapha in check using certain Ayurvedic principles. Ayurveda, works on the principle "like increases like and opposites balance." To balance the Kapha dosha we need to follow the diet and lifestyle that is opposite to the qualities of Kapha.


Balancing Kapha
Here are some helpful Ayurvedic tips to balance Kapha prakuti in the spring. Following these recommendations will also strengthen your respiratory system and support your digestive fire during this transition season:

1. Eat a warm, cooked diet. Raw and cold meals can put extra pressure on the digestive fire creating a lot of digestive toxins in the gut that can decrease immunity.
2. Resist the urge to eat heavy, oily, deep fried food, sweets, bakery goods and heavier carbs.
3. Avoid watery and heavy fruits like watermelon, grapes and cucumber.
4. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day to counteract the dull, lethargic quality of Kapha. Avoid exercising outside in the cold, which can aggravate Kapha and make your respiratory system more prone to infections and allergies.
5. Use warming (thermogenic) spices in your cooking. Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cumin, coriander and turmeric support your digestive fire and help your immune system. Spices also keep your metabolism active that helps to maintain a healthy weight during spring.
6. Drink only warm water or teas. Cold drinks can aggravate the Water and Earth elements in your body, clogging the subtle channels that can then lead to sinus infections, runny nose, congestion and other respiratory issues.
7. Keep your nasal passages well oiled and moist to avoid allergies. Use Nasya oil (available at Wellness Minneapolis), 2-3 drops of ghee or plain sesame oil to do Nasya. Administering oil drops in each nostril help coat the nasal passages to avoid allergens sticking to the nasal cavity. 
8. Spring is the most ideal season to do an Ayurvedic mono-diet kitchari cleanse to reset and rejuvenate. Always do a cleanse under the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner.
   

If you can keep your Kapha dosha in check during spring then it is the most enjoyable and a pleasant season that brings a lot of growth, nourishment, stability and utmost relaxation. Transition is inevitable but supporting your body through this change is completely doable, this is where Ayurveda can be very beneficial. 

Authored by Dr. Jillian Skluzacek

During May, we celebrate Mother’s Day! Motherhood is a beautiful gift. Moms also endure a plethora of stresses beginning right at the start of pregnancy. Today, I would like to discuss a healthcare option that is available for these amazing women we call mothers...chiropractic care. 

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. One of the most common and well-known therapeutic procedures performed by doctors of chiropractic is spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustment. Manipulation, or adjustment of restricted joints and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, allowing tissues to heal. 

Why would this treatment option be beneficial for mamas during pregnancy, postpartum and beyond? 

Prenatal Care
Let’s start with prenatal care. Pregnancy is a time of many physical, mental and hormonal changes. The mother’s body is constantly adapting and providing for the fetus. Baby inhabits the uterus, which is physically attached to the pelvis and sacrum via the utero-sacral ligaments, round ligaments and broad ligaments. As baby grows, so does the space they live in! This continual growth leads to increased physical loads on the skeleton and the connecting ligaments. Postural changes and an altered walking pattern occur which the spine must accommodate balance for(1). The mother’s body also begins to produce a hormone named relaxin that promotes ligament laxity (i.e. loosening) to prepare for childbirth. The combination of increased strain on the body and relaxin production can make the sacrum and pelvic bones become easily misaligned, which can stress the surrounding ligaments and muscles. 

These stresses lead to more than 75% of women experiencing pregnancy-related low back pain, pelvic pain or a combination of these(1). Unfortunately, pregnancy and postpartum women have fewer options regarding pain-relief. Many are searching for relief options that don’t or can’t include medications; chiropractic care is one of those options.
 
Chiropractic adjustments are an effective and safe treatment option to restore alignment and provide pregnant women pain relief and support. The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique that is used for specific analysis and adjustment to optimize pelvic and sacral positioning throughout pregnancy(2). The goal of treatment is to place the body in its optimal position to promote healing and restore normal function. This then has been found to reduce tension and discomfort, improve mobility, decrease stress, and more. 

Many women seek prenatal chiropractic care not only for pain relief, but also for wellness care to prepare for birth. Sacral restriction may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (i.e. dystocia), caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction and baby mal-presentation. Correction of the sacral restriction with regular chiropractic care throughout pregnancy may have a positive effect of all of these causes of dystocia(3,4). 

Your chiropractor will determine how often visits are necessary based on a variety of factors such as severity of your current condition, the duration the adjustment is lasting, and what stage you are at in the pregnancy. Chiropractic care is generally safe throughout the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. I have personally treated women who have begun labor and are on the way to their birthing location! 

Common conditions associated with pregnancy that can benefit from chiropractic care includes, but is not limited to:

• Muscle and joint pain: low back, hip, neck, or upper back
• Sciatica
• Pubic symphysis and round ligament pain
• Restless Legs
• Insomnia
• Digestive Issues: nausea, heartburn or constipation
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

After Baby
After baby is born, the mother enters the postpartum stage. At this time, the mother’s body experiences a drastic shift in their body biomechanics. Her body that spent 9 months growing and changing, is now quickly adjusting to return to her pre-pregnancy state. She continues to be adapting with hormonal changes as well; the hormone relaxin we discussed earlier remains in mother’s system for 5-6 months following birth. She now has additional stresses and movements such as carrying baby and baby items, increased weight and breast size, feeding positioning, diaper changes and more. Remember, all of this is happening after she has just endured the fatiguing marathon of labor and birth. Moms are amazing!

Chiropractors commonly treat new moms with neck, pubic symphysis, upper, lower and mid-back pain. Adjustments to improve alignment will help her body recover more comfortably and combat these stresses. Addition of at-home exercises will help long-term stabilization of muscles. 

To keep it going - the stresses of motherhood then persist and continue to change throughout their child’s development. Chiropractors wish to support moms through all stages to function at their best so they can provide their best care to those they love. 


References

1. 5 Conditions Chiropractic Care Can Improve During Pregnancy by American Chiropractic Association
2. The Webster Technique: Definition, Application and Implications by Jeanne Ohm, D.C. & Joel Alcantara, D.C.
3. About the Webster Technique by ICPA
4. Optimal Positioning: Balancing the Pelvis for a Safer, Easier Birth by Jeanne Ohm, D.C.

Authored by Dr. Jones

​Many people are often curious about what it is like to work with a naturopathic doctor for mental health conditions such as stress, insomnia, anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD or PTSD. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I thought that now is the perfect time to address some of the most common questions I have been getting asked when it comes to addressing mental health concerns from a naturopathic standpoint.

I have depression and anxiety that I have been struggling with for a long time. What is your approach like?

First, I gather a lot of information about you and your health concerns. This is done by you filling out my intake form (it’s long...but very helpful in us getting the most out of our first appointment together!), and by me taking an in-depth history during our first appointment. Holistic and preventative healthcare is enhanced dramatically when the practitioner has a complete picture of the patient physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, so I try my best to be thorough.

Next, my initial treatment plans often focus on “laying the foundations” of good health. This involves making sure that your “pillars of health” (nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and sleep) are all optimized so that your body has everything it needs to heal and function properly.

Finally, I will add in more “potent” treatments that are tailored to your needs - these are often things like herbal medicines, pharmaceutical-grade supplements, therapeutic diets or lifestyle interventions that address your most problematic symptoms specifically. For those with mental health concerns, treatments often focus around making sure that your body has the biochemicals (building blocks) that it needs to make the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that regulate your mood. I also always recommend that if you are not already seeing a therapist, that you start seeing one.

I work with patients collaboratively so that their treatment plans are as effective as possible, while still being “do-able” for their lifestyles and budgets. We are always looking for the root cause of your concerns so that treatments can address your specific healthcare needs.


I’m on a mental health medication. What do you think about that? Can I still work with you?

I frequently see people having a lot of shame around being on mental health medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, etc.). I think especially because I work in natural healthcare, people are nervous that I’m going to scold them for not doing things “naturally” or for needing to take “chemicals,” however this is not the case!

First of all, somewhere around 1 in 6 Americans take psych meds, so if you are on one, you’re definitely not alone. Second, much like fingerprints, everyone’s brain chemistry is a little different. Some people need the support of medication to live happy and fruitful lives. Third, for some, mental health meds can literally save lives.

​My personal goal for working with people with mental health concerns is to get them into remission. Sometimes that involves taking a medication, and sometimes it does not. I’m satisfied so long as we are able to come up with a treatment plan that lets you enjoy your life to the fullest and also be healthy and safe.

It is also important to know that naturopathic doctors are trained extensively in drug-herb and drug-nutrient interactions to avoid any potential negative side effects. It is helpful to always keep your doctor fully informed of all medications, supplements and herbs that you are taking, and to not start a new medication or supplement without contacting your doctor.

This COVID-19 pandemic has been really difficult on my mental health. Any tips?
I love the CDC’s recommendations for Being Kind to Your Mind. There is a ton of info on their website, but here are the top 5 tips in a nutshell:

1. PAUSE. Breathe. Notice how you feel
2. TAKE BREAKS from COVID-19 content
3. MAKE TIME to sleep and exercise
4. REACH OUT and stay connected
5. SEEK HELP if overwhelmed or unsafe

I especially want to highlight #2 - it’s important to stay up to date on news so that you can continue to act safely and do the right thing from a public health perspective, BUT is spending an hour everyday on the Department of Health’s website, scrolling through Facebook posts about COVID-19, listening to daily podcasts about COVID-19  and the like really going to change your day-to-day behaviors? I’d hope that you are already doing good things like washing your hands frequently and properly, abiding by stay-at-home orders and respecting social distancing. Do yourself a favor and limit your news intake to 5 minutes per day or to what you need to read for your work and then LOG OFF.

I have a newly diagnosed mental health condition. Do you have any good resources for where I can learn more? WebMD isn’t cutting it...

​NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is an awesome organization that has chapters in every state. Their website has a ton of free education and resources for people with mental illness, and they do a lot to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.


If you are struggling with a mental health concern big or small, please reach out. I am here to support you as are all the other practitioners at Wellness Minneapolis!

Q: Why did you pursue a career in natural medicine? 
A: I chose to pursue naturopathic and Chinese medicine because I felt something was missing in the conventional healthcare model. I wanted to practice a form of medicine capable of nourishing the vitality of each individual being, not just managing disease. I wanted the experience of seeking and receiving healthcare to feel as human and significant as it is. The combination of naturopathic and Chinese medicine provides me with a broad and deep array of tools to help people with their wellbeing in a very personal way; I love that.

Q: What keeps you engaged in your work? 
A: I think that learning about ourselves and our health is one of the most beautiful ways we can enrich our experience of living life here together. Whether it’s learning about how our bodies are structured, a pain process, the reason for a symptom, or the way a health process interrelates with other parts of life, I love helping people discover more about themselves and along the way, grasp a more accurate picture of their own wellbeing and brilliance.

Q: What kinds of patients do you like working with most?
A: I like to work with people who are curious to find out more about themselves or their symptoms.  I look forward to listening to patients and hearing their stories from their own points of view. I enjoy seeing the light bulbs go off as I explain my combined Eastern-Western approach to their health. It’s wonderful to empower people and see the connections being made as insights resonate with their lived experience.  

Q: What conditions/health patterns do you like to work with most?
A:  My approach allows me to address a wide variety of conditions. In particular, I love being able to bring a fresh, effective approach to a pattern or a symptom that has been recurrent or has felt intractable. I’m skilled in working with physical pain patterns, digestive symptoms, insomnia, osteoporosis, nervous system and mental/emotional patterns like anxiety or depression, and respiratory conditions and allergies.  

I also enjoy explaining labs and imaging results or the long-term effects of certain medications to patients in ways they’ve maybe never had the chance to hear about before. Under normal circumstances, I incorporate hands-on medicine (bodywork and acupuncture) into my practice. Due to social distancing, I’ve transitioned my entire practice online for now, but have found creative ways to support the body through virtual consults.

Q: How do you spend your free time? 
A: When I’m not working, I love yoga, reading and poetry. I appreciate music and have been learning the ukulele. I enjoy being near water and love laughing, cooking, and eating with friends and family. I love languages and speak Spanish and Portuguese.

Q: How do you celebrate living in your body? 
A: I love this question! I find that dominant mainstream culture conditions us to relate to our bodies from a more cerebral or top-down orientation, so it’s a radically different thing to live into this question. I’m always curious about how we might be in a more reciprocal relationship with our bodies as sources of wisdom and perception.

Personally, I am constantly in awe of my body and how much awareness, strength and intelligence it has. I have a longstanding yoga practice that has evolved with me through various chapters in life. Recently, I have been exploring a couple of different styles of embodied meditation.  

I love surfing as way of celebrating living in my body: the experience of being in the water looking back at the shore or out to the horizon and feeling the vastness and smallness within that. Surfing is an amazing way for me to get out of my head, appreciate what my body is capable of and to work with healthy fear. In general, I love being with friends and immersing myself in nature.  

Authored by Dr. Jillian Skluzacek

These last few weeks have abruptly changed our work dynamic, and many of us are now forced to work at home in a totally new environment. Even though this change is temporary, the benefits of a comfortable workspace are long-lasting.
 
While it may seem convenient to stay in bed or on the couch with a laptop to work, this is not an ideal space for your body positioning and can contribute to poor posture habits. Poor posture places excessive strain on postural muscles which, over time, become more prone to injury and pain.
 
Conditions linked to poor posture include, but are not limited to:

• headaches
• joint pain
• rounded shoulders
• degenerative arthritis
• fatigue
• muscular imbalance and tension
• carpal tunnel 
• and digestive issues such as slowed digestion and heartburn (1).

To reduce the risk of these conditions, effort must be placed into our workspace ergonomics to promote a healthy posture. And while you’re at it, why not create a well-rounded comfortable environment to work in to promote motivation, relaxation, and improved mental energy!
 
First, find a room that you feel comfortable working in, with a desk and chair for your workspace. Choose a space that will allow complete focus, with minimal distractions. Below are a few key aspects to keep in mind while assembling an at-home workstation.
 
Choose a desk space that is a level, sturdy surface providing adequate room for all work materials. Your computer should be placed at eye level to keep your head in neutral position and avoid forward head leaning. If phone use is a large requirement of your job, use a headset to avoid neck strain that can occur while holding a physical phone. 
 
Ideally, a desk to transition between sitting and standing is the best of both worlds to encourage movement but also allow times of rest. When standing, remember to add props to support your computer positioned to eye level. You can purchase a computer stand made for this purpose, or DIY with items such as sturdy books - no judgment here! For proper body alignment while standing, visualize a straight downward line connecting your ears to shoulders to hips to knees and ankles.
 
Next, determine which chair is best suited for your desk. We recommend your chair to have adequate low back support, soft armrests that allow shoulders to relax, and adjustable height to allow feet to rest flat on the floor or on a footrest.
 
If sitting, place both feet flat on the floor. Arms and thighs should be near parallel to the floor. Keep forearms straight in line with wrists and hands; prolonged bending of wrists is a stressful position that can aggravate wrist discomfort. If using a laptop, the keyboard can’t be altered so addition of a Bluetooth connected separate keyboard gives flexibility with positioning and support. Your visual alignment guide for sitting creates a straight downward line connecting your ear to your shoulder to your hips. This positioning should allow you to relax your shoulders while working to reduce muscle tension.
 
An extra bonus of proper posture allows improved ability to practice breathing into your abdomen. Breathing through your abdomen fully expands your diaphragm resulting in increased oxygen exchange. Breathing through your chest - or shallow breathing - results in less oxygen exchange and requires utilization of front neck muscles and intercostal muscles (between your ribs), which can lead to muscle fatigue and discomfort.
 
For a further detailed look at proper ergonomics in the workplace and visualization, check out OSHA’s guidelines found here (2).
 
Even in the best posture, it is not recommended to sit in a stationary position for prolonged periods. Did you know the discs in-between each of the spinal vertebrae do not have blood vessels? They rely on hydration and health through..MOVEMENT! Change positions every 30-60 minutes, this includes transition between sitting and standing at the desk, stretches and yoga, or walking.
 
Lastly, put extra effort into making your workspace unique and tranquil so that your time there is more enjoyable. A few ideas to spruce up your workspace include:

• Addition of plants for a connection to nature
• Access to natural light (Note: Try not to position bright light source directly behind computer screen as the contrast can make screen visualization difficult and lead to eye fatigue.)
• Candles (used in a safe, monitored manner) for a relaxing, warm ambiance
• Family/vacation photos for positive visualizations and an extra motivation for your work
• Light therapy box (also known as SAD lamp) to increase mental energy and positive mood
• Write motivational post-its or hang your favorite quote to remind yourself of how great you are doing and for daily motivation
• Adequate water intake and snacks to maintain mental and physical energy
  • Additional bonus: staying hydrated gives us a natural reminder to take breaks
  • Note: Working from home can easily increase caffeine intake due to convenience. Limit caffeine to morning use and try an herbal, caffeine-free tea in the afternoon

 
Remember that mental health is just as important as physical health. If you are feeling stressed, take an extra moment to refocus your mindset. Check out this previous blog for a list of resources that was compiled by the Wellness Minneapolis Team to keep grounded and calm.
 
​
Please contact us if you are experiencing persistent postural-related pains so that we can provide further recommendations for at-home relief.  
 
 
 
References
1. 3 Surprising Risks of Poor Posture by Harvard Health Publishing.
2. Computer Workstations eTool by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

​Authored by Dr. Barrett
​
No, this is not an article about hand-washing (I hope we are all up to speed on that subject by now). It’s been a difficult few weeks to say the least. Do you have the urge to lay on the couch and eat chips all day? I hear you. I have been there too. But now more than ever it’s important to put your health first. 

The majority of Americans will be infected with SARS-COV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) by the end of the year. I think a lot of Americans are asking themselves "what can I do to help and how do I stay healthy?" Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the CDC, said we should “increase personal health resilience.”

This is music to my ears. 

As a naturopathic doctor I work to help my patients increase their health resilience: how quickly and easily your body can adapt to health stressors. A majority of Americans have at least once chronic health condition, showing low health resilience.
​

​People with chronic illnesses are most at risk of having complications from COVID-19. Dr. Frieden said “There has never been a better time to quit smoking, get your blood pressure under control, make sure that if you have diabetes it’s well controlled.” I couldn't agree more. I also have a few more items to add to his list.  

Adequate sleep
Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep per night. I also encourage patients to have a consistent sleep wake cycle with limited use of blue light emitting devices an hour before bed to optimize melatonin production. 

Maintain physical activity
Regular physical activity may be the best thing we can all do to stay healthy and increase our health resilience. Physical activity is a pillar of healthy living. What kind of exercise and how much will depend on many factors. Daily walking is an excellent idea for almost everyone. 

Proper hydration
Hydration keeps our skin and mucous membranes in tip top shape to do their jobs keeping viruses and bacteria at bay. If you do become ill hydration becomes even more important because viral symptoms such as fever and cough are dehydrating. 

Increase fruit and vegetable intake 
Ideally consume 5-7 servings of vegetables per day along with 2-3 servings of fruit. This takes work! Frozen vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh. Even canned vegetables are better than no vegetables! 

Spend time outside
​I really can’t say enough good things about spending time in nature. Spending just 15 minutes outside can help raise your vitamin D levels. Nature also has an uncanny way of soothing us when we are stressed. I often encourage patients to get outside even if it’s just walking around the block. Please maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others even when you are outside. 

Our bodies are resilient and you have the power to improve your health. 

You are not in this alone. I am so happy to help you create a personalized plan to increase your health resilience.

Learn more about the Wellness Minneapolis team and how they can support you as well. 

To read the full article from Dr. Tom Frieden, follow this link.

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter

In the Northern hemisphere, the start of spring is marked by the spring equinox. March 21st is approximately the date the equinox takes place and signifies when our days and nights are equal in length.

While winter is a time to conserve energy, reduce our activity and look within, spring fosters awakening and blossoming. Our sleepy bodies are roused from dormant states of introspection from the winter with new and expectant visions of growth and rebirth in the spring. 

With the promise of renewal, warmth and longer days on the horizon, spring offers an opportunity to dust ourselves off and freshen up. It is a perfect time to cleanse our body and environment, support our souls and revisit our intentions. If we come into these activities of rejuvenation with wisdom and mindful compassion, they can serve as a nourishing practice.

PUTTING RENEWAL INTO PRACTICE

We can refresh our bodies in the spring by engaging in gentle detoxifying practices like: exercise, sweating on a regular basis, drinking plenty of filtered water and eating lots and lots of veggies!!

Decluttering the spaces we inhabit can assist us in clearing out our homes as well as our hearts and minds. I am a huge fan of incremental steps of tidying, so I won’t get too overwhelmed. If you don’t know where to begin, please read ‘Decluttering Tips: 3 Teeny-Tiny Steps to Help You Get Started’ by Courtney Carver here.

We can also renew our passion and purpose in life by ‘coming home’ to our heart and our soul. I believe the greatest work in our life is to develop our soul and listen to our heart. I have found everything—work, relationships, and finance—fall into line, if I stay true to my authentic self. One of our greatest accomplishments can be to develop our hearts and use this ‘knowing’ to elevate our life as well as the world. 

SPRING ENERGY—FOR BETTER OR WORSE

As wonderful and beautiful as spring is, there is often an energy of agitation and angst that surfaces in the earliest portions of this season. Spring is full of joy and promise, but also holds potential and pressures of renewed energy. Like the buds and blossoms pushing out into the world, we hold feelings of vitality, fresh hope and new beginnings.

This possibility and anticipation may create a visceral sense of pent-up energy, anger and agitation that is waiting to be released. It is normal to feel irritated, impatient or even angry as we usher in the new and enlivened energy of spring. We can rest assured, the angst and irritability we may experience, can find its resolution as the world comes into full bloom and settles into summer. 

While we wait for the world to renew, we do not need to sit back and suffer. We can call in calm for our bodies, seek out solace for our spirits and settle into the present beauty and awe of the unfurling all around.

REIKI CAN HELP REBALANCE

The gentle approach of Reiki is a perfect support during this time of change and renewal. As a hands-on energy healing technique, Reiki nurtures and restores us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Working on a nonverbal, subconscious and energetic level, Reiki allows us to let go of unwanted energies and negative ways that keep us stuck and confused in our lives. 

Fostering deep relaxation, Reiki promotes a sense of calm and balance for our body, mind and spirit. When our bodies deeply relax—they naturally heal and come back into harmony. A Reiki session can effectively assist us in resolving tension and imbalance created during this unsettled time of year. 



REFERENCES
Spring Equinox—Vernal Equinox
Spring Equinox 
Spring Cleanse With Reiki
Why Reiki Is The Perfect Holistic Treatment To Kick Start Your Positive Changes This Spring
Spring: The Season of Renewal: The Elements of Wood
The Spirit of Renewal: Spring and Traditional Chinese Medicine
What’s The Deal With “Detox”?

Compiled by #TeamWellness

In a time of so much uncertainty, we're all needing anchors to keep us grounded and calm. Here is a list of resources to help you relieve stress and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LIVE MEDITATION OPPORTUNITIES

• Team Wellness is hosting a daily Community Meditation Break Monday through Friday via Zoom. Learn more here.

MUSIC/SOUND:

• Luther from Lazerbeak
• Brain Waves app
• Relaxing music
• NPR's Isle of Calm playlist on Spotify
• Anything from Brian Eno
• For a burst of joy: Stevie Wonder! 

PODCASTS

• Tara Brach
• Thich Nhat Hanh Dharma Talks
• Bliss & Grit

YOGA

• Yoga with Adrienne
• Do Yoga with Me
• Glo
• Yoga Anytime Online

HOME WORKOUTS

• Dumbbells
• Barre
• Alchemy365 Anywhere

MOVEMENT

• Embodied Resilience with Jane Clapp
• Movement and Creativity: Feldenkrais
• Shaking Qigong

MEDITATION

• ​10-Minute Guided Imagery
• Calm Breathe Bubble
• Headspace app
• Progressive Muscle Release

BREATHING EXERCISES

• Triangular Breathing
• 4x4x4 Breathing

HOME SELF-CARE

• Eating on a regular schedule
• Walking outside
• Epsom Salt baths
• Using essential oils: 
  • Calming: lavender, clary sage, jasmine
  • Uplifting: orange, grapefruit, bergamot
  • Energizing: peppermint, lime, eucalyptus, basil
• Worry Coping Cards - good for the whole family!
• Herbal tea: chamomile, lavender and lemon balm are especially nourishing for the nervous system

Please share other resources that are serving you in the comments below. Sending you love from our respective social distances! 

Authored by Dr. Barrett

Magic Socks acts to reflexively increase circulation and decrease congestion in the upper respiratory passages, head, and throat. It has a sedating action and many patients report that they sleep better during the treatment. This treatment is also effective for pain relief and increases the healing response during acute infections. The wet sock treatment is best if repeated for three nights in a row, or as instructed by your provider.
 
Indications:

• Sore throat or any inflammation or infection of the throat
• Nasal congestion or sinus infections
• Upper respiratory infections, coughs or bronchitis
• Ear infections
• Neck pain
• Headaches or migraines

 
Supplies:

• 1 pair white cotton socks
• 1 pair thick wool socks
• Towel
• Warm bath or warm foot bath

 
Directions: This therapy should be timed for when you are about to go to bed or take a nap.

1. Warm your feet first. This is very important as the treatment will not be as effective and could be harmful if your feet are not warmed first. Warming can be accomplished by soaking your feet in warm water for at least 5-10 minutes or taking a warm bath.
2. Dry off feet (and body) with a dry towel.
3. Take a pair of cotton socks and soak them completely with cold water. Be sure to wring the socks out thoroughly so they do not drip.
4. Place cold wet socks on feet. Cover with thick wool socks. Go directly to bed and cover yourself warmly with blankets - avoid getting chilled.
5. Keep the socks on while you rest, for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you use the socks overnight you will find that the wet cotton socks will be dry in the morning.

Repeat this process for 3 treatments on consecutive days upon first signs of illness. Magic socks can also be worked into a regular self-care routine. 

This process may sound bizarre and uncomfortable upon reading these instructions. Don't knock (your socks off) before you try it! Share you experience in the comments below. 

Authored by Amy Daws, CMT, CSt

Springtime brings with it the energy for a fresh start, which means there is often a desire to clean out the clutter in our external and internal environments. This may include a deep clean of the basement, a desire to revamp your exercise routine, or refresh your eating habits with a diet cleanse. In the spirit of “spring cleaning” I would like to discuss how abdominal massage is a gentle and effective way to “clear the clutter” in and around your organs. This allows them to function more smoothly. Abdominal massage is like a tune-up for your organs and it feels good too!
 
How does it work? Abdominal massage can:
 
Increase circulation and move lymph
Bodywork in general increases circulation and lymph in the body, but abdominal massage focuses all that goodness in the abdomen. Lymph is the fluid responsible for moving metabolic waste. It can accumulate in the body for various reasons. Moving it specifically in the abdomen can be a great way to start the detoxification process in the body. Increasing circulation in the abdomen helps to  pump fresh, oxygen-rich blood to the area and can help with organ function and tissue health/repair.
 
Break up physical tension and restrictions
Abdominal massage addresses the connective tissue that surrounds and holds the organs in place. It works to break up adhesions and/or scar tissue that can result from surgeries in the abdomen, organ dysfunction, postural patterns, and much more. These restrictions over time can pull on the organ and restrict function as well as cause compensation patterns that reverberate out into the body creating pain and tension. In this way, loosening the tissue around the organs can affect tension and pain patterns in other areas of the body, as well as give the organs more freedom of movement to function efficiently.
 
Help get things moving (or not moving)
This is one of my favs. Abdominal massage is great for chronic constipation, as well as diarrhea and/or alternating diarrhea and constipation lovingly called constorea. This kind of treatment would focus on the small and large intestine to regulate peristalsis, the involuntary muscle contractions that moves food through the digestive process. Chronic constipation or diarrhea is often a result of peristalsis that is happening too quickly or not quickly enough. Abdominal massage stimulates this function and can help to retrain the body to do it on it’s own at a balanced rhythm.
Chronic constipation or diarrhea is also often linked to stress. Stress puts the body in “fight or flight” mode, which slows down normal body functions, allowing you  to react quickly to the stress. It’s possible to get stuck in a continuous state of “fight or flight” response when there is chronic stress, which in turn creates a continuous state of slowed digestion (along with other body functions). Abdominal massage (and bodywork in general) helps to shift us out of the “fight or flight” response and into “rest and digest” mode which allows us to digest our food more effectively.
 
Move stuck emotions
The abdomen can be a place where we hold deep emotional tension. All of the abdominal massage modalities that I practice understand that specific emotions are linked to each individual organ. An organ can be affected by an emotion and an emotion can be a symptom of an organ’s dysfunction. Working on the abdomen can be a great way to release any stress and emotional tension that is being held there. Breath also comes into play here. When under stress many people breathe more shallowly. I like to include breathwork into my sessions as a way to help client’s release and grow awareness for that area of the body.
 
Tonify sluggish organs
This is a little more woo, but basically what I’m trying to say is that spending time on a specific organ and holding the intention of healing for that space can do a lot to help promote healing, balance, and optimum function. The abdomen is an area of the body that for most of us is mysterious, overlooked and/or gets a bad wrap because it rarely is the shape that we want it to be. Sending some extra special attention to this area can be huge and have profound healing.
 
In addition to focusing on the organs and the connective tissue around them, there is also musculature in the abdomen that can affect organ function and is connected to hip and low back pain. So many reasons to include abdominal massage in your next bodywork session! 

Abdominal massage can be booked as a session on its own, or included in a full-body massage or shiatsu session. Just let me know what your goals are and we'll tailor our time together to your needs!

Authored by Dr. Brittany Stamer

Healing occurs on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. This healing is achieved through many modalities including nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine, counseling, and many more. One of my favorite ways to aid in healing is through energy medicine. This energy medicine can include reiki, qi gong, flower essences, and one of my all-time favorites: homeopathy.
 
Homeopathy is a practice that has been used for hundreds of years, and practiced across the world. There are even hospitals that solely focus on homeopathy, including some in Britain and India.
 
Many different types of practitioners prescribe homeopathy, but it can also be used by patients in their daily lives. This is one of my favorite things about homeopathy. That it is accessible to everyone. There are thousands of remedies though, so often it is advantageous to have a healthcare provider skilled in prescribing homeopathic remedies on your team.
 
Homeopathic remedies are made in a very specific and methodical way, eventually diluting a substance so much that it is beyond what can be physically measured. Most often they are made from plants, minerals, or animal substances. These substances are made into a tincture and one drop of that tincture is mixed with 99 drops of water creating 100 total drops. This new mixture is then succussed, meaning that it is tapped on the hand of the person preparing the remedy. This creates an energetic imprint of the substance onto the water, and some would even say an energetic imprint of the preparer onto the new mixture! Then 1 drop of that new mixture is mixed with 99 drops of water, and so on and so on. This preparation gives us different dilutions and therefore different strengths of the remedies. The more dilute a substance, the stronger the remedy. Usually lower dose remedies, such as 6C, 12C, or 30c you may see in the grocery store, are used more for physical issues. Stronger remedies such as 200C, 1M, or greater are used more often for mental, emotional, or spiritual healing.
 
The way homeopathy works is not quite known. There is only theory - as is the case with a lot in medicine! What we do know is that every substance in our world is made of atoms. These atoms are always moving, vibrating, creating a frequency. Each substance has a different frequency that can be measured. Our bodies also emit different frequencies depending on our state of being and health. Homeopathy’s goal is to cause an energetic shift in the body by gently altering the frequency, and with the hope of bringing you back to a state of health.
 
Personally, I have had a relationship with homeopathy ever since I learned about it. I use it for acute issues that come up in my life, including the common cold or stage fright, and also have used it for chronic conditions. I self-prescribed a remedy to aid in diminishing my monthly menstrual migraines and have never had one come up again! Of course, this was in conjunction with many other nutrition and lifestyle changes, but the remedy is what seemed to finally change that energetic pattern for me.
 
It does sound like magic, and maybe it is, but it is also a wonderful way to promote healing as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. It is holistic medicine at its finest, focusing on the entirety of a person in order to heal, and harnessing the body’s energy in order to set itself back onto a course of healing.

Q: ​How long have you been a naturopathic doctor?
A: I graduated from naturopathic medical school in 2016, and completed a year long residency in primary care and community health in Portland, Oregon. Following the completion of my residency, I moved to Southern California and worked as an IV doctor for 6 months. I then opened a private practice in Costa Mesa, CA in 2018 with a colleague. My husband and I moved back to the midwest (I am originally from Wisconsin) in November of 2019 :)

Q: What made you choose to pursue naturopathic medicine?
A: The main influence on my career decision was my undergraduate independent study with the University of Wisconsin Industrial Engineering department. At the time I was a pre-med biology major, and was ready to go to “conventional” medical school. The Industrial Engineering department recruited people who were pre-med, and we were given the task of watching hours of primary care visits and coding doctor-patient-computer interactions. While the research was tedious at times, it ended up being a valuable experience because I essentially had the opportunity to virtually shadow numerous area physicians for hours every week. One patient that stood out to me was a woman in her 50’s who was using a walker. I was already surprised by how restricted her mobility was for someone of her age, but what was even more shocking to me was that the number of prescription medications she was on was in the double digits. These were all powerful medications with serious side effects. Many of these medications were prescribed to combat the side effects of her other medications. She, like many other people in this country, was on a chain of one medication being used to mask the symptoms of another. After seeing this visit I quickly became disillusioned with conventional medicine. I realized that although it is really good at preventing people from dying, it is not good at making people well.

Some months after my independent study, my mother showed me an article in one of her nursing magazines that gave basic information on naturopathic medicine and NDs. With my previous experiences prominent in my thoughts, the article sparked my interest. After several months of reflection and research, I decided that pursuing this kind of work would be extremely valuable. I believe in a more holistic approach to medicine: treating patients instead of treating just diseases, and treating the root cause of an illness instead of only giving people Band-Aids.

Q: What kind of patients do you like working with most?
A: I love helping people who struggle with mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression. While I was in medical school and during my residency, I completed rotations in naturopathic mental health in conjunction with Pacific University of Oregon’s Psychology and Comprehensive Health Clinic. I love that naturopathic medicine gives people options beyond pharmaceutical intervention for achieving their health goals. Even if patients are already on mental health medications (which are often necessary), naturopathic medicine gives me the tools to help people’s symptoms improve. Whether it is making sure that someone has the proper nutrients to form their neurotransmitters and make the most of their medications, or giving people herbal supplements to augment or even replace their existing medications, I have seen naturopathic medicine help get people’s mental health conditions into remission.

Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I love spending time with my husband, friends and cat. I like hiking, backpacking, doing yoga, swimming, playing board games, working out at the gym, listening to podcasts and cooking/baking.

Q: What do you look for in a health care practitioner?
A: I like someone who is thorough and straightforward. I really like it when practitioners explain what they are doing as they perform tests and procedures, the reasoning behind why they are doing those tests, and the results and their interpretation of those results. A great health care practitioner, in my opinion, values and demonstrates transparency, expertise, and empathy.

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

Taking an Epsom salt bath is an ancient practice that can be carried into contemporary times. Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral that was discovered in the 17th century bubbling up from an underground spring. The mineral received its name from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England where it was first discovered. Although this mineral is called Epsom salt, it is not actually salt at all, but rather a pure mineral compound of magnesium, sulfate and oxygen. Studies have shown magnesium and sulfate are both easily absorbed through our skin—making the associated health benefits of Epsom salt accessible to all.

Epsom salt has numerous health benefits:

• Eases stress and relaxes the body
• Calms the nervous system
• Relieves pain and muscle tension
• Helps muscles and nerves function properly
• Eliminates toxins from the body

Magnesium plays a number of positive roles in the body such as reducing inflammation, helping to produce serotonin (a mood-elevating chemical) which creates a sense of relaxation and calm, reduces irritability by lowering the effects of adrenaline, improves sleep and concentration and helps muscles and nerves to function properly. 

Sulfates help to improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, ease muscle pain and eliminate harmful substances from the body. 

When you add Epsom salt to your bathwater, your skin being a highly porous membrane, absorbs the minerals and starts a process in your body called reverse osmosis. This process in turn pulls salt from your body along with harmful toxins. 

Why take an Epsom salt bath?

As a highly sensitive person (HSP) I often absorb other people’s energy. This means I absorb the good and bad energy alike. I used to be a total dabbler when it came to Epsom salt baths. I had heard all about the benefits these baths hold, but I was not able to make them a regular part of my routine. It was not until I stepped into my role as a Reiki master practitioner that I committed whole-heartedly to an Epsom salt bath ritual with regularity.

I have found the combination of Epsom salt + baking soda (added to my bath) proves to be a powerful concoction which clears my life of unwanted and negative energies. Baking soda is the ‘secret ingredient’ that cleans out lingering and negative energies from our aura and softens and smoothes our skin to boot. 

My weekly Epsom salt bath ritual is simple and continues to demonstrate I am able to bring balance, harmony and clarity back into my life on a regular basis. I am now a firm believer in Epsom salt baths and I continue to recommend weekly baths to each and every client that comes through my Reiki room.

Recommendations for an Epsom salt bath:

1. First things first. Clean your tub! Nothing ruins a relaxing bath like floating lint or hair (yuck!!).
2. Fill the tub with water. The temperature of the water can range from warm to hot depending on what you desire
3. Add 2-3 cups of Epsom salt + 1 cup baking soda to the bathwater 
4. Give the water a swirl to mix in the Epsom salt and baking soda
5. Soak for a minimum of 20 minutes. Stay longer if desired.    

It is best to refrain from using soaps or shampoos while soaking in an Epsom salt bath. These products may inhibit the effectiveness of the Epsom salt and baking soda. I usually soak for 20-30 minutes and then wash my hair and body right before I drain the tub.

Uh-oh, I don’t have a bathtub!

If you don’t have a bathtub in your home, no worries. You can always create an Epsom salt foot bath and experience similar results. It would be ideal to soak your entire body in a bath, but a foot bath can be a great solution when a bathtub is not available.

Recommendations for an Epsom salt foot bath:

1. Obtain a small basin
2. Fill basin half full with warm or hot water depending on your desires
3. Add 1/2-1 cup Epsom salt + 1/4 cup baking soda to the water
4. Soak for a minimum of 15 minutes or longer if desired

Wellness for ALL

Epsom salt and baking soda are affordable and easily obtained at your local drugstore, grocery store or local health food store. When purchasing Epsom salt, be careful to read the package. Many brands have added fragrance which can irritate the skin or contaminate your bathwater with harmful chemicals.


References:
How to Take Epic Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom Salt Baths: An Old-School Way to Feel Better Fast?
Epsom Salt Uses & Benefits

Authored by Dr. Jillian

Authored by ​Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

Is your energy and motivation lacking lately? With the winter solstice right around the corner some of us may be feeling a bit lackluster. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year bringing us the least amount of daylight and the longest night in the calendar year. December 21st or 22nd usually marks the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere.
 
With shortened days and the decrease in sunlight in fall and winter, we can begin to feel a downward spiral in our moods. You may find yourself feeling apathetic, lethargic or you may feel more down and less social overall. Although feeling more gloomy during the colder and darker days of winter is quite common—and is often referred to as the ‘winter blues’—usually these feelings do not inhibit us from enjoying our everyday life.
 
Winter Blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder?
 
If your winter blues begin affecting the day-to-day aspects of your life such as work, relationships or your overall enjoyment—you may be facing a more serious form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to Mayo Clinic, SAD is a type of depression that relates to the change in seasons and is reoccurring each year for those affected. 
 
Typical signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  
  

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. Depression is a mental disorder that affects more than 300 million people globally. Statistics show more women than men are generally affected by depression.
 
Whether you are contending with a mild case of the winter blues or the more intense seasonal affective disorder, symptoms often start out subtle at the beginning of the fall and become progressively more severe through the winter months with relief arriving along with the sunnier days of spring or summer.
 
Please know it is completely normal to have some days when you feel down or unmotivated, but if you begin to have loss of appetite, you are not able to get motivated to do activities that usually bring you joy and you are experiencing trouble with sleeping or oversleeping—it is advised you seek professional help. It is especially important to see a professional when your sleep and appetite patterns have shifted, you turn to alcohol for comfort and relaxation or you feel hopeless.
 
How can Reiki help bring relief to those suffering from the winter blues or depression?
 
For those of us feeling more gloomy than normal at this time of year, self-care and self-focus may help to bring our mental, physical and emotional selves back into alignment. A Reiki session can put us back in touch with ourselves and lead us back to relaxation and joy.
 
Here are several benefits of receiving a Reiki treatment:

• Helps to clear blocked energy in our body so our energy can flow freely again
• Replenishes and restores our vital life energy
• Rebalances and resets our nervous system
• Reduces anxiety and tension
• Assists in releasing old energy patterns and/or beliefs
• Helps us to feel lighter, more grounded and calmer
• Reconnects us with our heart and our true self or life purpose
• Promotes deep relaxation and healing

 
Although it is common that the winter blues and SAD usually melt away with the arrival of spring or summer, there is no need to suffer through the darkest days while waiting for the sunlight to reappear. Reiki is always right here, ever-present and willing to assist with relief, renewal and rejuvenation.
 
Learn more about what to expect from a Reiki session here. 
​
References:
How Reiki Can Help Reduce Stress & Anxiety
How Reiki Help You Beat The Winter Blues
Reiki For Depression
How Reiki Helps Depression
More Than Just the Winter Blues

Authored by Dr. Brittany Stamer

Hydrotherapy is the use of water as a healing modality. Water has been used for centuries and across many different cultures and continents - from Europe to China to Turkey - to enhance health and vitality.  In one way or another, it is still used today in almost every culture.
 
The ways water is and has been used is numerous. This is because water can provide a wide variety of health benefits. This can depend on if the water is being used internally or externally. The health benefits can also differ depending on the quality of the water, the pressure, the length of the treatment, the temperature, and the patterns in which it is applied.
 
Hydrotherapy can be a specific treatment performed by a healthcare practitioner or it can be used in our daily lives. It can be as simple as home remedies like hot and cold showers, ice packs for a sprained ankle, herbal compresses, Epsom salt baths, nasal irrigation, enemas, or Magic Socks while ill (see @wellnessmpls on Instagram for a demo of how to use this form of hydro at home). It can also be a treat like mineral baths or hot springs where the water contains certain minerals. It can be meditative like float tanks. Hydrotherapy can even range to include saunas, mud baths, and spa treatments. A more specific version of water therapy is one of my personal favorite treatments called Constitutional Hydrotherapy.
 
Constitutional hydrotherapy was developed by Dr. Otis G. Carroll in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1900s. This treatment combines water therapy with mild electrical stimulation to promote the overall health of patients. Even more specifically it is the practice of alternating hot and cold towels with the use of a sine wave.
 
Specifically, the hot and cold contrast works by dilating and constricting blood vessels, increasing blood flow and lymph flow throughout the body, especially to organs of elimination such as our skin, liver, kidneys, intestines and lungs. While the sine wave gently stimulates nerve input to these organs, as well as to nerves throughout the entire body, which helps to tonify and support appropriate input to and from the nervous system.
 
Although this treatment is gentle, it is can have profound effects. Constitutional hydrotherapy can be performed in-office by a health practitioner or can be done at home with simple modifications. The treatment in-office is often a more powerful treatment due to the addition of the sine wave and the ability to be treated by someone else other than yourself.  
 
Hydrotherapy can be used in acute health conditions for a few days in a row until the illness resolves. It can also be used to support people through their chronic health conditions. It can aid in digestive support, supporting healthy mood, improving immune function, relaxing muscles, and can aid in detoxification. The treatment works by stimulating the body’s own innate ability to heal.
 
The treatment is ideally performed in a relaxing environment allowing the patient to be in a parasympathetic state. This is our rest and relax state. In our busy culture, finding time to be in this restful state is very important for our health. This state of relaxation is promoted by the treatment itself, but can also be enhanced with diffused essential oils, calming music, and dim lights. The entire treatment takes around one hour. Vitals, including blood pressure, respiration rate, pulse rate, temperature, and blood oxygenation are taken before and after treatment to measure the body’s response to treatment.
 
Constitutional hydrotherapy is best used as a part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.
 
Hydrotherapy, as a whole, is a great way to promote self-care while also incorporating one of the most important parts of nature into our daily lives!
 
 
References:
Boyle, Wade, and Andŕe Saine. Lectures in Naturopathic Hydrotherapy. Buckeye Naturopathic Press, 1988.
Thrash, Agatha M., and Calvin L. Thrash. Home Remedies: Hydrotherapy, Massage, Charcoal, and Other Simple Treatments. NewLifestyle Books.

Authored by Dr. Montgomery

Flu-season stressing you out? Make sure to include this key tool in your immune boosting arsenal!
 
The flu is here. If you haven’t already succumbed to it, you likely know someone who has. If you’re like me, you’re doing any and everything to prevent it.
 
Even when the flu vaccine is at optimal effectiveness, most healthcare providers agree that it’s the simple things that can keep your immune system strong - adequate sleep, eating a good diet that’s low in sugar, and washing hands.
 
In addition to these practices, I also recommend my patients get regular acupuncture during the flu season. Why? It’s simple.

• Acupuncture helps us adapt to stress. Why is this important? Studies show that chronic stress can lower immune function. While we can’t always avoid all stress, we can support our body’s ability to adapt to it. Acupuncture helps this by forcing us to take a time-out and get out of our heads, and into our bodies. Studies show acupuncture helps decreased cortisol levels in stressed humans. Most people find sessions relaxing and rejuvenating, which helps with point #2:
  
  
• Acupuncture boosts immune function. A growing amount of research is demonstrating how acupuncture can benefit the immune system, including raising Secretory IgA levels. This, in turn, offers us more protection against microbes that have an affinity for respiratory and digestive mucosa.
  
  
• Acupuncture helps us sleep. This is vital to healthy immune function and stress management. Better sleep means more robust immune function to prevent the flu, and quicker recovery if and when the flu strikes.

 
If you’ve already suffered through the flu this season, keep in mind the best way to support our health is to support it during the off-season. With this in mind, consider acupuncture as an ongoing tool for your health all year long!

Authored by Amy Daws, CMT, ShT

There have been so many new and expecting parents in my life lately! Many of my friends are becoming parents and I have seen an influx of bodywork clients who are pregnant or new parents in the last couple months. All this parentness has inspired me to write a post about how awesome bodywork can be during pregnancy and as a person enters the realm of parenthood. Medical professionals are increasingly recommending bodywork during pregnancy for pain, stress and anxiety relief. Although one massage during pregnancy is great, regular bodywork during pregnancy and throughout the time of parenthood can be a wonderful addition to any expecting or new parent's self-care routine.

For clients that are pregnant, massage can be a great way to relieve discomfort from the musculoskeletal changes that are inevitable during pregnancy. It is also a wonderful way to soothe anxiety or stress that comes with the current and expected changes to life. Bodywork is generally safe for pregnant individuals through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. High risk pregnancies can still benefit from bodywork, but be sure to let your practitioner know so that they can additionally modify the session. If you are not sure if bodywork is right for you it's always a good idea to check with your doctor first. 

Specific Symptoms that bodywork can address during pregnancy:

• Sciatic nerve pain
• Muscle and joint pain
• Stress and anxiety
• Swelling or edema in extremities
• Improve circulation

How is bodywork during pregnancy different than regular bodywork?

1) Focus of the session:
​In general, bodywork for pregnant clients is focused on relaxation and increasing comfort. A session can focus on addressing any of the common symptoms that arise during pregnancy: sciatica, muscle/joint pain, stress and anxiety, edema, and decreased circulation. Specific work can be done to relief muscle and joint pain, but there are certain areas of the body where deep digging is avoided because of the vulnerability of these areas. During pregnancy, the body releases relaxin, a hormone that allows for the bones and joints to shift to make room for the baby. Work in the hips and low back is more gentle. Greater care is taken when stretching to take into consideration that the joints and bones are more loose and easily manipulated. In Shiatsu, certain acupressure points are avoided as to not move the energy too forcefully downward. 

2) Positioning:
Special cushions are used to support the body during pregnancy. The cushions can be used to a certain point in the pregnancy (usually through the 1st trimester) to allow you to lay face down without pressure on the abdomen. The cushions can also be used to support you in laying on your side or in a semi-reclined position on the back. Getting a massage while laying on your side feels different than a regular massage, but still covers all the bases and allows for areas like the back, neck and shoulders to be worked on.

3) How often to come:
While one bodywork session during pregnancy is awesome, regular bodywork can have additional benefits and increase comfort for the parent and child.  According to an article in Parent's magazine:

"Studies from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami suggest that moms-to-be who get a weekly massage have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and higher levels of the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. Researchers have linked these hormonal changes to fewer childbirth complications, including a 75 percent reduction in premature births among depressed women. Though you don't need to be depressed to reap the benefits of massage, another Touch Research Institute study found that pregnant women suffering from depression had significant improvement in mood, as well as decreased anxiety, after receiving a 20-minute massage twice a week."

Bodywork for all new parents
​
Continuing to get regular bodywork after pregnancy is a great way to establish much needed self-care into the new routine of raising a child. Postnatal massage can help the body adjust back to it's pre-pregnancy shape more comfortably. It can also be helpful to all parents as they get used to new movements that come with raising children: feeding, carrying the baby and juggling carriers and bags. I have found that many of these sessions are focused on neck, shoulders, back and hips as you get used to these new movements. Stress and anxiety relief are also incorporated to sooth the mind and enhance the mood as parents move through this transitional time.


References:
1. The Benefits of Prenatal Massage by Belle: University Chancelor.

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

Recently, I have taken a deep dive into learning about being a highly sensitive person (HSP). I am realizing more and more how rituals and routines stabilize and bring a sense of calm and peace to my life. Are you wondering if you might be a highly sensitive person? You can learn more here about being an HSP and see if this temperament resonates with you. The more familiar I become with the HSP temperament, the better I am able to identify my triggers and challenges during each season and time of the year. I believe it is important for us to be in touch with our triggers so we can appropriately plan self-care to counterbalance the challenges presented to our system.
 
We are quickly moving into autumn. For me, autumn is a time to regroup, find my routine and begin to commit more regularly to an internal and spiritual practice. Summer is a chaotic season for me, I relish in the regularity and routine autumn brings. I realized for the first time in my life how loud of a season summer is: construction, motorcycles, radios and air conditioners. I am relieved to be moving into the cooler and more contemplative feeling of autumn. The loud noise of summer in conjunction with the high heat temperatures overstimulate my system and make me realize why summer has not been a favorite season for me. I hope summer fills you up! If not, this is great information for you so you can begin to add in those increments of self-care to offset the challenges the season may present for you.

Lets take a minute to reflect on what may be working for you or what may be challenging:

• Which season revitalizes you and gives you the most energy?
• What time of year is the most challenging for you and why?
• When during your day or week do you feel the most challenged and stressed out?

As we begin to layer our rituals and routines into our life they create a healthy tapestry of habits and patterns. As we begin to live out of these daily patterns and routines we are stabilized by what is coming next rather than living out of our fear or the stress of not knowing. About five years ago my daughter started asking if we could get a family dog. At the time we owned an aged cat. Initially, I was not keen on the thought of getting a dog. We had been devoted cat owners up until that point. Each and every year, my daughter continued to inquire about getting a dog and I got more curious and willing to consider the request. I am an individual that craves routine, but I am not very good at implementing structure and routine in my life. I have always thrived and been most happy when external circumstances have created ritual and routine for me. Ultimately, my daughter’s wishes were granted and in April of 2017 we adopted a 6-year-old female greyhound and named her Harriet. This pup has been an equalizer for me and has helped me to rebalance my mental wellness. Each and every day since we have adopted Harriet, I more happily get out of bed, get dressed and walk her first thing in the morning. The ritual and routine of dog walks has been an amazing help for my mental state and attitude. I have struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life. Exercise and being out in nature help me to regulate my challenged mental states. The regularity of walking my dog 3-4 times a day has its challenges in a busy modern life, but I have found the routine and the payoff to far outweigh the challenges.
 
So, what if you don’t own a dog or you do not want to become a dog owner. Don’t worry. You do not need to adopt a dog to turn your life around. Begin building in your 3-5 minute rituals one at at time and then begin stacking and layering these rituals into a routine that feels restful and restorative for you. If something is not resonating or working, change it. Stay curious to help combat overwhelm and come back to basics.
 
As you traverse the upcoming months, please keep the basics in mind and draw upon balance by settling into some nourishing and supportive routines. This will help you to incrementally stabilize and reset your nervous system and moods.

Here are some suggestions of balance and equilibrium I have found to work well for myself and my family:

• Take time to decompress
• Allow time to adjust to change
• Focus on meaningful relationships
• Find healthy ways to resolve conflict
• Leave enough time to accomplish your tasks (or take tasks off your list)
• Arrive to your destinations early
• Get plenty of sleep
• Stay hydrated
• Eat healthy meals made with real food
• Go caffeine free
• Create a nurturing space for yourself in your home
• Use low lighting to soothe
• Venture out into nature and surround yourself with beauty of all kinds 

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References
The Psychology of Daily Routine by Brianna West