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Dr. Jason Bachewich ND will be in Thompson next week, April 10-12. He will be practising out of Dr. Pritchards office at 118 Cree Road. There are a few spots left on both Thursday the 11th and Friday the 12th. Please call 204-943-6079 if you are interested in more information.

Click here to check out our awesome Detox session scheduled for April. This three week session could revolutionize your health! 

Hormones act as chemical messengers of change in the body.  They influence how we think, feel, breathe, look and age.  We’ve heard much of hormones, but what exactly are they?

Hormones are chemicals that are made in specialized organs, circulate by blood and lymph, and essentially affect every cell in our bodies.  They do this by adhering to either specific or generalized receptor sites on the cell itself.  With this contact, signals are sent.

There are many areas in the body that both create and are influenced by hormones, such as the thyroid, adrenal, and pineal glands; as well as the ovaries and testes, to name a few.  With that said, it’s essential to remember that all individualized hormones not only have a specific role, but they also interact with each other in a complicated structure.  This is why there is importance in investigating hormones on a comprehensive level.

When balance is achieved, we feel well – mental faculties are optimized: concentration, memory, mood, and sleep come easily.  Our physical selves also reflect this on many levels: optimized weight, periods are fluid and regular, muscles are strengthened, and we age gradually.

When hormones are out of sync, we may start to see many negative effects.  For example, in our teens, we may see mood swings, acne, and irregular or painful periods.  In our 20’s, imbalance may also include: infertility, postpartum depression, a decreased attention span and PMS.  By the time we’ve reached our 30’s, if imbalance remains, the cycle extends, including: bloating, migraines, breast tenderness, and weight gain.  And by the time we’ve reached our 40’s and 50’s or later, we may see all of these symptoms and more: bone loss, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, depression, anxiety, heart disease and heightened cholesterol.

Of course, all of these symptoms can overlap at many ages and many levels of imbalance.  The trick is to identify what hormones, glands and organs need better support, as symptoms don’t always point to the “correct hormonal imbalance”.

To best identify if your body needs hormonal balancing, as a Naturopathic Doctor, I look at the symptoms you present with, alongside your history, your family history, and your intentions for health.  I often then investigate hormonally-related blood testing and saliva testing to objectively determine where the imbalance may lie.  I may also inquire about previous pelvic ultrasounds, PAPs, bone density testing and mammography to evaluate the safest and effective means of achieving hormonal balance for your body.

The road to hormonal balance can be complicated, although need not be.  As a Naturopathic Doctor, my hope is to help guide you in identifying if there is a hormonal disturbance to address, which hormone(s) may be involved, and in helping suggest achievable ways to help correct and rebalance the body’s hormonal system(s).

If you require any further information about how Naturopathic Medicine may assist you in attaining your best hormonal balance, please do not hesitate to call the clinic’s front desk staff at: 204-943-6079.

Wishing you much health and inner balance,

Dr. Dara Morden, B.Sc., N.D.

A 2010 study released by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA found that patients receiving 45 minutes of Swedish massage experienced significant changes in lymphocyte numbers (white blood cells, key players in your body’s immune system), a large decrease in Arginine Vasopressin (a hormone suspected to trigger aggressive behavior and linked to increases in cortisol levels), and decreased levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) itself.   What does all of this mean?  You have one more tool in your cold and flu prevention regimen.  Massage not only improves your posture and aids in tissue repair but bolsters your natural ability to fight off infection, as well.  It also helps your body shift from that stressful “fight-or-flight” overdrive mode into a healthier, more balanced pace.  But of course, we already knew that!

To find out more about the study visit http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/About-Us/News/News-Releases-2010/Adults-Demonstrate-Modified-Immune-Response-After-Receiving-Massage-Cedars-Sinai-Researchers-Show.aspx

To book your next massage call us at 204-943-6079.  Our registered massage therapist, Zoe, is happy to help you experience the benefits of massage for yourself! 

Cupping  Massage

Looking for a new approach to old aches and pains?  Our massage therapist has an exciting technique to share with you:  cupping massage!

Cupping is a technique in which your Registered Massage Therapist uses small plastic cups to create vacuums over trouble-areas.  The vacuums cause the skin and underlying tissue to rise a centimeter or two into the cup, separating layers of matted-up tissue and allowing them to move freely - as they should!  The suction brings fresh blood flow to the area and effectively cleans the deep tissue below of any stagnation.  Feeling better already?   There’s more!

Freeing the layers of connective tissue allows for an increase in the range of motion of the treated joints, and is usually noticeable immediately after the cups are removed.  Releasing the connective tissue allows your muscles to relax, and they benefit from the increased circulation as well.  Cupping massage is also beneficial for most mature scars, many lung conditions, digestive troubles and sore joints, especially the spine.  The strong suction action of cupping massage allows us to reach deeper tissues than often possible with regular massage, without compressing those often sensitive joints.

 Book your next massage by calling us at 204-943-6079, or inquire at the front desk the next time you are in the office.  Our massage therapist, Zoe Genik, will be happy to discuss how cupping massage can help you on your path to better health!