Q & A

Questions & Answers

HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY HEALTH NATURALLY?

Natural therapies and techniques are far less toxic than conventional medicines, and can be individualized for each person's needs. Natural therapies help me kick start my own healing process by stimulating and supporting my body's ability to heal itself.

Natural therapies address the underlying cause of illness, rather than treat only the symptoms. Techniques a Naturopath Doctor uses to diagnose a health issue include most of those commonly used by conventional doctors, with the addition of Chinese tongue and pulse diagnoses, a very detailed clinical history, physical exam and other observational techniques. Treatment may include one or many of the following:

Nutritional Medicine. Food, vitamin and mineral supplements are utilized to correct nutrional deficiencies and to support optimal health.

Botanical Medicine. The use of plants as medicine. Traditional herbal knowledge is continually strengthened with the latest of pharmacological research. Homeopathic medicine

Homeopathic Medicine. This is a system of medicine developed 200 years ago, which makes remedies from very small doses of plant, mineral and animal substances to stimulate the body to heal itself. It goes by the central principal of "like cures like". Homeopathy effectively treats acute symptoms as well as chronic physical, emotional, and mental imbalances.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese herbal and diet remedies are used in combination with acupuncture, and acupressure. It aims at bringing the body (and mind) into balance through its own system of disease patterns, and unique interpretations of body functioning through connections between natural forces and their affects on health. The origins are ancient and the techniques powerful.

Lifestyle and Psychological Counseling. Identifying and modifying unhealthy living habits, and environmental influences on a person. Exercise and stress management are two important tools used. Mental and emotional issues are treated with respect and support.

WHAT DOES A REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST DO?

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are trained to evaluate individual health needs and provide active and passive techniques for complete patient care.
RMTs provide an accurate assessment, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of specific soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions.
RMTs act upon the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems to improve health.

RMTs and RESEARCH

Increasingly, scientific research supports the use of massage therapy as an effective approach in pain and injury management, rehabilitation and prevention.
Research shows that massage therapy is effective in reducing pain, anxiety and stress. Massage therapy will also improve muscle strength, joint movement, a patient's sleep and quality of life.

IRIDOLOGY - LOOKING AT YOUR PHYSICAL CONDITION THROUGH YOUR OWN EYES

Imagine a world where technology exists that could warn of heart attack two to five years in advance of conventional methods. Imagine the suffering that could be avoided with an advanced warning of three to five years for breast cancer. Imagine once more a world where, in children, the functional weakness of pancreas, gall bladder, and the risk of broncho-spastic reactions are well verified in advance.

Iridology eye chart Studies at Aju University Hospital in Seoul have confirmed that this world exists through a process called Iris Imaging Analysis. This new method combines age-old Iridology with modern technology to give diagnostic accuracy of 90%!

The emergence of 'preventive and predictive imaging' is in response to consumer and clinician demand for non-invasive, radiation free, early detection tests that help maintain health and not just identify disease states. A high definition video camera made specifically to take pictures of the eye, combined with advanced irido-diagnostic software, gives us an incredibly powerful tool. This system offers a highly accurate, safe, economical, quick and comfortable way to see what's going on in the body.

WHAT IS HOLISTIC NUTRITION?

Holistic Nutrition is the use of everyday nutrition and eating habits to improve one's health. Mainstream medicine rarely considers that poor nutrition can be one of the major contributors to a wide range of health issues. Most of us are aware that sound nutrition has many benefits for our health and well-being, however the volume and range of conflicting information in the media is often overwhelming and confusing. A Registered Holistic Nutritionist works with the client to identify the reasons for various health issues, and to help correct these issues through nutrition.

HOW ARE MY FEET A KEY TO BETTER HEALTH?

Your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. Like the foundation of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. When a small problem develops in your feet, a subtle change in the way you walk will cause a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and walking mechanics. These changes can put stress on joints higher up in your body, and lead to more serious problems. Custom orthotics help rebalance your feet, reducing pain and discomfort by enhancing your body's natural movements.

BODY IMAGINE - A WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN

Through a combination of group discussions, fun and enlightening exercises, and individual exploration, participants will identify key beliefs and actions to support them in living a healthy, creative life and in reinforcing positive body image. This powerful weekend workshop coaches women to:

Balance and integrate the physical, mental, emotional and creative elements of body image,
Acknowledge and release limiting beliefs and behaviours,
Create a structure for self care and support.

The program begins with a week-end workshop of sharing, healing, camaraderie and fun. Ongoing weekly coaching calls reinforce learning and maintain momentum and commitment. This workshop is hosted by the Okanagan Wellness Centre, led by workshop facilitator and media relations consultant, Robyn Lee Unwin. As a founding director of the BC Eating Disorders Association and former care-worker for clients with acute eating disorders, Robyn has a deep understanding of the issues surrounding body image. For a detailed Body Imagine workshop schedule, contact the Okanagan Wellness Centre.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MONAVIE?

Mona·Vie MonaVie brand products feature a delicious blend of the Brazilian Açaí Berry and other body-beneficial fruits from around the world. For countless centuries, the people of the Amazon have revered this unique fruit for its health-promoting properties and prized it as a source of health and vitality. The remarkable health benefits of Açaí are continually being validated by modern science. And because of its unparalleled antioxidant levels and extraordinary nutrient content, Açaí is now widely regarded as one of the world's top superfoods.

MonaVie is a great source of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, enzymes, fiber, and other natural substances to help you look and feel your best. Initial research* suggests that drinking four ounces of MonaVie Active on a daily basis can enhance your body's antioxidant activity to help fight free radicals. In fact, four ounces of MonaVie feature an antioxidant capacity (ORAC value) equivalent to 13 servings of common fruit and vegetables.

MONAVIE AVAILABLE NOW AT THE OKANANGAN WELLNESS CENTRE.

* For more information about this study, please visit www.monavie.com/science.

WHAT IS THE BOWEN TECHNIQUE?

The Bowen Technique is a gentle, deeply relaxing, non-invasive physical therapy that frees the body to attain its natural balance and healing. Effective as a structural treatment for specific pain, the Bowen Therapy addresses the body as a whole. Its embrace often extends beyond the presenting symptom to the healing of underlying physical, chemical, emotional and mental causes of chronic illnesses. Bowen is unique in the field of bodywork. Its' relatively few, gentle "moves" over muscle and other soft tissue address the whole body, stimulating it to reset and heal itself. Bowen is completely safe and appropriate for everyone from newborns to the very elderly and frail.

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