Guest blog by Kathryn Messenger, Naturopath at Whole Naturopathy. As a naturopath, I have studied both nutrition and herbal medicine for both treating and preventing disease. Naturopathic treatment varies depending on the how individual person experiences the disease, their health history and priorities. I love using herbal medicine as each formula of 4-6 herbs is different, depending on what each person needs. Food has a powerful effect on health, both positively and negatively, and I believe in a diet high in fruit and vegetables, together with protein and healthy fats; but low in highly refined foods (such as sugar and white flour products) and food additives (colours, flavours, and preservatives). The Mediterranean diet follow this basic outline and has been studied for its health benefits. If you find foods that you enjoy, a healthy diet is easily sustainable. Here are some conditions where a naturopathic treatment could work alongside myotherapy. Fibromyalgia Vitamin D is an important nutrient for those that suffer from fibromyalgia, and studies have shown a reduction in pain with supplementation, as well as an improvement to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. A blood test for Vitamin D gives a reference range of 50-250 nmol/L, with the lower end of this range set in order to prevent osteoporosis (spontaneous spinal fractures). I use the Functional Medicine Ranges for blood tests which are the levels which have been found in optimal health. The optimal range for vitamin D is between 100-150nmol/L. Supplementing is recommended if your levels are below 100nmol/L, especially is the winter. In the summer, try to expose arms or legs to the sun for around 15 minutes a day, depending on your skin type. Try to achieve maximum exposure with no burning or redness afterwards. Stress contributes to a wide range of health issues including fibromyalia, and I love using a group of herbal medicines called ‘adaptogens’. These herbs make you like the ‘energiser bunny’, able to just keep going. In clinical trials on athletes, they could swim or run further or for longer when taking adaptogens. They help you adapt to stress, and therefore cope better with life stressors. Lifestyle changes to reduce stress are really important, and but are even more effective when combined with these herbs. Osteoarthritis Inflammation is a big part of any arthritis, and chronic inflammation contributes to many diseases characterised by pain. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, the best source of these is oily fish such as salmon or mackerel, but they are also found in nuts and seeds. In order to meet the daily requirements of omega 3, it is the recommendation is to eat fish twice a week, otherwise a fish oil supplement may be of benefit. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory herb and is particularly useful in those with poor circulation. This is seen if you have cold hands or feet, as ginger will increase the blood flow not only to warm you, but to bring oxygen and nutrients to the site of the arthritis. Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory herb and has been well researched for joint pain. You could try to increase it in your diet, although a supplement may be required for adequate intake. As well as increasing anti-inflammatory foods, it’s important to reduce pro-inflammatory foods. Refined sugar is the main culprit here, which increases inflammation and should be avoided. Whilst fruit which contains natural sugars, it is also high in fibre and antioxidants which has a positive effect on health. Sugar is devoid of other nutrients required to sustain and repair. In osteoarthritis, often the collagen of the joint is deteriorated. Vitamin C is important in the formation of collagen, and bone broth or a collagen powder can help to support the joint. Protein is such an important nutrient. It is required for growth and repair of all tissues, particularly muscles. Every meal should include a source of protein: meat, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds, beans, or legumes. So much can be done to improve your health naturally. If you’re unsure if a naturopath can help with your condition, please contact me to discuss you unique health issues. 0493 294 159
Suite 1, 24/1880 Ferntree Gully Rd Mountain Gate Shopping Centre Ferntree Gully, Victoria (Inside Providence Foods) [email protected] www.wholenaturopathy.com.au You might love your myotherapy sessions – in fact, I hope you do! But I never pretend that myotherapy is the be-all and end-all of healthcare. I’m an advocate for a holistic approach to your health. So today, I wanted to share some reasons why combining myotherapy with other therapies can help you to be your healthiest self. Combining therapies helps identify problem areas
I’m trained to spot health conditions related to the muscles, joints and bones. But other therapists are trained to spot issues elsewhere. By seeing more than one practitioner, we can work together to make sure we oversee your health in a holistic way. Often, teamwork is a more effective way to spot potential problems and address them before they get worse. Combining therapies ensures you have the support you need Looking after your muscles is important, especially if you have a chronic condition. But if you do have a chronic condition, it’s more than just your muscles that need support. When you add in another therapy, you can look after more aspects of your wellbeing. Combining therapies has a complementary effect Different therapies can work together to bring around a better outcome. For example, I can work the knots out of your muscles every session. But if they are stress-related, you might want to work with a naturopath and/or counsellor to work on a stress management program. That way, the benefits of my treatments will last longer for you. Combining therapies offers better education about your health Therapists are experts within their field. I can explain your muscles to you until I’m blue in the face. But other practitioners can give you insights into other aspects of wellbeing. The more you learn about your body and your health, the easier it is for you to keep healthy and happy. Combining therapies is preventative care Prevention is always better than treating a problem. The best way to prevent ill health is to actively work on it with a team of health experts. Seeing more than one practitioner means that you’re covering more bases with prevention. Practitioners I love working with I’m happy to work with anyone who is on your healthcare team! You may have different practitioners, depending on what support you need. But I love seeing my clients working with:
If you have a quality healthcare team you work well with, you will get the best healthcare available – it’s that simple! You can book your appointment online, or call me on 0401212934 so I can help you find a time that suits you best. If there’s one resolution to make in the New Year, it’s to boost your self-care. To help you do just that, I’ve asked two of my fellow practitioners to share their tips, as well as a couple of my own. Self-care is an ongoing journey. But by taking small steps each day, you can feel better. Sam’s Top Tips For Self-Care
Emily’s Top Tips For Self-Care
Mel’s Top Tips For Self-Care
Is self-care on your priority list for 2018? Let us make it easier for you! Emily and I have teamed up to create a Balanced Life Package to get you off on the right foot for 2018. You can get a 60 minute naturopathy appointment and a 60 minute myotherapy session for just $150 – saving you $60! To learn more or book your appointment, send through a message today. |
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