by | Jun 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
Part 1 written by By Dr. Michelle Hagel, ND
Family Fun in the Summer Sun
Summer is almost upon us. The days are longer, the grass is green, flowers are blooming and we want to be outside soaking up the sun’s rays having some fun! The following two articles will give you some recreation activity ideas and a better understanding of safe suncare for you and your children. First, Dr. Hagel will talk about how to stay safe and healthy in the sun by looking at sunscreens and vitamin D absorption for adults and children. Then Lisa will give you a number of ideas and considerations on how to stay active with your family outside this summer. How many of us have gone on a family picnic, wondered what to do with the kids, sat around on lawnchairs and got a sunburn? Too easy to get stuck in that rut! Time to break free from that mindset, so read on.
Vitamin D and Sunscreen
Calgarians appreciate beautiful spring and summer days, after 7 almost 8 long months of cold weather, everyone is finally outside! As most of us are aware the sun is vitally important to our health and wellbeing. Sunshine produces Vitamin D, serotonin, dopamine and regulates our circadian rhythm ensuring quality sleep/wake cycles. When our retina perceives the sun our brain releases happy and calming neurotransmitters creating an instant mood boost. Exposure to the sun’s rays produces Vitamin D. The UV rays required to absorb vitamin D cannot penetrate glass, clothing or sunscreen. Exposure to sunlight in the winter if you live north of Atlanta Georgia is not sufficient to produce vitamin D. It requires 10 minutes in the summer midday sun for a fair individual with shorts and a t-shirt to produce 10,000IU of vitamin D, 6-10x longer is required for dark skin pigment.
Vitamin D is an incredible vitamin that is actually not a vitamin at all, but a hormone. The molecular structure of vitamin D make it a hormone, allowing it to be a part of many processes in the body. Vitamin D protects against osteoporosis, heart disease, breast, prostate and colon cancer, depression, insomnia and autoimmune disease. Vitamin D is also an important immune system booster, it is one of my favourite supplements to prevent or provide a quick recovery from seasonal illnesses. Being that vitamin D is so important and sunscreen actually prevents us from absorbing vitamin D, it is important to exercise sun safety while still ensuring that you are exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight.
Healthy Tips NW Calgary
I am not suggesting that you burn yourself trying to soak in some vitamin D, being safe in the sun is very important. Sunscreen for most is necessary during the hot summer months. However, it should be considered a last resort, first try covering up with shirts and hats. Try to plan around the peak UV times, going out in the morning or late afternoon. Seek some shade under a tree or bring an umbrella. But if you have to use sunscreen what should you use and what should you avoid?
UVB rays are the rays responsible for burning the skin if exposed for too long. UVA rays are the dangerous rays that cause damage to skin cells, leading to aging and skin cancer. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are considered two agents that are stable in sunlight offer protection from both UV rays without harsh additives. Ingredients to avoid are oxybenzone which can disrupt hormones as they act like estrogen in the body. Another ingredient to avoid is retinyl palmitate, which is a vitamin A derivative that can actually increase risk of skin cancer to sun-exposed skin. Spray on sunscreens do not have the efficacy that lotion sunscreens can offer that provide a layer of coating on the skin. There is also an increased risk that you will inhale the spray products.
So find a good quality sunscreen, don’t forget your shirt and hat and go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Get started on your journey to optimal health with Docere Wellness Centre. Contact us today!
by | Jun 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
Part 2 written by By Lisa Lin, BA, RMT
Family Fun in the Summer Sun
Summer is almost upon us. The days are longer, the grass is green, flowers are blooming and we want to be outside soaking up the sun’s rays having some fun! The following two articles will give you some recreation activity ideas and a better understanding of safe suncare for you and your children. First, Dr. Hagel will talk about how to stay safe and healthy in the sun by looking at sunscreens and vitamin D absorption for adults and children. Then Lisa will give you a number of ideas and considerations on how to stay active with your family outside this summer. How many of us have gone on a family picnic, wondered what to do with the kids, sat around on lawnchairs and got a sunburn? Too easy to get stuck in that rut! Time to break free from that mindset, so read on.
Healthy Recreation Ideas
When I first became a parent ten years ago, I had no idea how my recreation lifestyle would change when having children. Each stage of a child’s growth brings on a new complexity and considerations for motor development, self-efficacy and interests in activities. As your family grows, your recreation needs and interests will change along the way. Sure there will be times and it is very healthy to regularly do so, for parents to participate in fitness and sport activities on their own, while the children are with a babysitter. Summer family time though does not have to be just sitting around in the house or in lawn chairs eating ice cream and potato chips for something to do. Here is how everyone can stay active and be together.
Exercise Activities Calgary
Family recreation pursuits are important as they:
Promote stress release, time together having fun, getting to know each other better, improved health and fitness, opportunity to try new activities and family members learn to appreciate each other more.
What to do outside with kids to stay active this summer:
Babies and toddlers – put a blanket down on the grass, baby can roll around and do tummy time, bring a few teething toys. Toddlers can do “mini” races and practice walking, kick or roll a ball. Adults – go for a walk with little ones in a carrier or stroller. Kids love to be outside and will often engage more when you play with them.
Preschoolers – they now have the coordination to perform more complex activities – set up a mini soccer game, teach them how to putt with a golf club and ball, set up bowling or croquet on the lawn, play tee ball, draw hopscotch on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. Mom and dad play too!
Elementary and teenage years – encourage them, set up an activity that is at their level and let them challenge you (they will love that part!). They can swing a racquet, kick a ball with aim, throw and catch a baseball, run, climb and will demonstrate strategy and competitiveness at these ages. Be ready mom and dad as I hope you have been maintaining your fitness level to keep up!
Other general family recreation ideas – visit different playgrounds in the city throughout the summer, go on nature walks through the city parks and by the river, go hiking in the mountains, go swimming, visit the Zoo, Science Centre and Heritage Park, ride bikes, build a fort outside, run through the sprinkler, hula hoops, badminton and volleyball. Could drive to a local town and walk, explore, have lunch. Rainy day? Check out one of the many fabulous recreation centres our city offers and head inside. (Sometimes my daughters and I can be found inside our house on a rainy day doing a dance party in our living room).
Remember – sun safe strategies, hydration and regular healthy meals and snacks will keep your activities enjoyable without the sluggish late afternoon feeling of indigestion and brain fog.
This summer let’s get active, stay active and have fun with our families!
If you have any questions and concerns about your health, contact us at 403.452.6262 today!
by | Jun 7, 2017 | Uncategorized
NAET
According to Barret NAET, an acronym for Nambudinpad’s Allergy Elimination Technique is a very weird system of check-up treatment that is based on the facts that the causes of allergies are energy blockage and the diagnosis can be carried out using muscle-testing and cured permanently using acupressure or treatments involving acupuncture. According to the founder Dr. Devis NAET are a non-invasive, drug free, natural solution that can be used to relieve patients suffering from allergies of different types and intensities using a combination of “selective energy balancing” testing and acupuncture/acupressure treatment procedures, allopathy, chiropractic, nutritional, and kinesiology and disciplines of medicine.
To read testimonials on NAET click here NAET Testimonials
Holistic Allergy Treatments Get 20% off by booking 6 sessions ahead!
NAET was invented 1983 by Dr Devi Nambudripad (MD, D.C, L.AC, PhD) who has suffered a lifelong allergy. She took the best side of several modes of healing medicine, chiropractic, kinesiology, acupuncture, acupressure and nutrition) and combined into one treatment as NAET. According to Dr Devi, “you treat one allergen at a time. If your immune system is not low, you may need just one treatment to cure your response to one allergen. A person with a moderate amount of allergies could be required to visit the office 15-20 times just to cure the sensitivity of 15-20 allergens caused by food and environment” she said.
During the first visit, basic important nutrients are treated during the few first visits. Treatment of chemicals, environmental allergens, vaccinations, immunisations etc is completed after about ten basic important nutrients. NAET can cure adverse reactions to egg, milk, peanuts, penicillin, aspirin, mushrooms, shellfish, latex, grass, ragweed, flowers, perfume, animal, dander, animal epithelial, make-up, chemicals, cigarette smoke, pathogens, heat, cold other environmental agents. To desensitise a severe allergen, it may take several visits.
Science based allergists gave the definition of allergies as a reaction of the immune system of the body that occurs after the body becomes sensitised to an allergen which is normally a protein. When the protein(allergens) react with antibodies they trigger the release of histamine which can cause various other symptoms and skin rashes, the result is an allergic reaction. An allergy is defined according to what a particular substance does to the flow of energy in the body. Allergies are caused by energy imbalances in the body, leading to a diminished state of health in one or more organ systems. There have been many medication available for treating allergies, although these medications come with side-effects. These medications include the use of antihistamines. Diphenhydramine which is antihistamine used to alleviate the symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold. Also can be used to prevent and cure nausea, vomiting and dizziness. The side effects of using antihistamines include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. Besides allergy medications are not all that effective as the symptoms in which they are treated may come back after treatment.
Although Nambudripad recommendations are taking a standard allergy history, the main diagnostic procedure is kinesiology (muscle testing) in which the practitioner tests whether the patient’s arm can resist being pulled by the practitioner by placing substances in patients hand. The substance is said to cause allergy when the arm is weak. For testing children or adults who are weak or incapacitated “surrogate testing” is used. This particular testing can be performed by using the surrogate to touch the skin of the patient. The muscle of the surrogate is tested by the practitioner. Although some practitioners may use an electromagnetic device which measures the resistance to a small current flow from the device. On completion of the testing, the practitioner then proceeds to treat specific acupuncture points in the back by the application of strong acupressure either with bare hands or a pressure device while the patient holds the allergen in their hands, touching the substance with the pads of their fingers. For all patients above the age of 10, they will receive the same acupressure or acupuncture needles on specific points on the front of the body. After the first treatment, the patient is said to remain in the office for fifteen to twenty minutes. After which the practitioner proceeds to the testing the muscular strength with the allergen in their hand. The treatment is said to be successful when the patient’s arm resists the practitioner’s pressure. The patient is instructed to wash his hands and rub them together for one minute. After which they are advised to stay away from the allergen in which they were treated for, for twenty-five hours. There are also advised to read the NAET guide book to find suitable food they can eat for the next twenty-five hours.
During the spinal NAET treatment method, only the practitioner and the patient are to be inside the room so as to prevent electromagnetic interference. This is because a third person can steal the treatment. When the patient visits again, the practitioner tests the first allergen that was treated, if the result is satisfactory, he proceeds to the next substance. The patient is advised to visit the office thirty to forty times (once or twice a week). NAET can also be used as a preventive measure in people who are not sick.
NAET NW Calgary
Allergies and Illness
Undiagnosed allergies may be the cause of an illness. If you have any of the following symptoms or conditions, you may be suffering from an allergy, which could benefit from treatment.
Acne
ADHD
Anxiety
Asthma
Backache
Cough
Eczema
Fibromyalgia
Frequent Infections
Hemorrhoids
IBS
Insomnia
Migraines
Mood swings
Overeating
PMS
Restless Leg Syndrome
Vertigo
To read testimonials on NAET click here NAET Testimonials
Holistic Allergy Treatments
NAET Packages Available for 6 or 10 treatments at $40 each instead of $50!
For more information on the above, to ask questions about NAET, or to book an initial consultation, please call us at 403.452.6262.
by | Jun 1, 2017 | Uncategorized
By Lisa Lin, BA, RMT
Massage therapy has the potential for being a beautiful practice, integrating healing of the body, mind and spirit. On a basic level it utilizes the manipulation of soft tissues to produce a healing effect in the body. When applied by a skilled and empathic practitioner, massage transcends simply “working out the sore spots” and enters the realm of true healing. True healing comes from within. The massage therapist doesn’t “fix” anything really, but rather supports the client to heal his or her own ailments. The body, mind and heart are a holistic, dynamic mix of information and experiences stored at a cellular level. When they receive the support they need through various practitioners and self-care, true healing and transformation will occur. Therefore, the key to the beauty of massage therapy is in who you go to see.
I chose to add massage therapy to my repertoire of healing practices about 10 years ago. Previously my work relied on knowledge and training in recreation and fitness programming, reflexology, acupressure, NLP and reiki energy work. It grew to feel like something was missing in my work and I knew it was time to get trained in massage. Massage when applied with care and compassion supports the body through touch. It is a tangible practice whereby a client and practitioner can physically sense and palpate what is going on in the muscle tissues. We can feel muscle knots, gritty, jagged fascial adhesions, tension patterns, as well as relaxed happy muscles and that is only the surface of the dialogue between the body and the practitioner.
Massage Therapist Calgary
A good massage therapist follows all of the technical trainings from school – safety concerns, knowledge about conditions, injury, trauma, anatomy and physiology of the body, effects of stress on the immune system and tissue recovery. He or she pays attention to how much pressure to use with the massage techniques and educates clients on self-care.
What makes a TRULY GREAT MASSAGE THERAPIST is all those technical skills, paired with THE DESIRE TO BE A CARING, EMPATHIC AND COMPASSIONATE practitioner for each and every client. That is the clincher. I have had a number of massages done for myself over the years, some good, some not and a few that have been truly great. In the truly great ones I have found some key qualities that these terrific massage therapists emulated:
1. Listen and pay attention to what you and your body are saying.
2. Respect your need for silence and also for speaking your own mind.
3. Sincere kindness. You feel safe, respected and not judged.
This is what inspires me to strive to be great at what I do – it is why I am always studying and learning something new, why I take really good care of myself so I can be healthy, present and focused on my clients. This is the best gift I feel that I can give the clients who come to me for support with their healing. When looking for a massage therapist to address your healing, think ahead a little about what you believe makes a truly great massage therapist, and set your intentions to find someone who meets those needs. I wish you well on your journey of health and self-care!
Want to reduce stress, pain and muscle tension? Enjoy a massage therapy with one of practitioners. Contact us today!
by | May 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
By Lisa Lin, RMT, HHPR
“Treat children as though they have already achieved their own greatness. Do it enough and they will actually be all that they dreamed of becoming.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer
At Docere Wellness Centre, I provide services in massage therapy, reflexology and reiki to clients of all ages. I have begun to see more children in my practice and am a parent to 2 girls, 9 and 5 years old; I treasure the lessons they are always delightfully giving me. Here are the ones that stand out the most:
- What do children teach us about ourselves?
- If they are acting out – I know this is a challenge, but something is amiss. They are struggling – do you know why?
- Get down to their height instead of towering above. They will feel respected and acknowledged.
- Be present – listen, pay attention and breathe. You don’t have to have all the answers. If you can’t listen at that moment, say so and set aside time afterwards to be present.
- Everything really will be ok.
- Children carry so much wisdom that they will share with the world as they come into their own.
- If you are raising children – you get to decide how to do it, you don’t have to follow an old map if you don’t agree with it. You can choose health and love above all else.
- Children love play, time with you and attention. Nothing makes them happier!
- There are numerous resources of support – you don’t have to go it alone. Health, school, behaviors, it can be a minefield to manage somedays and you don’t have to figure out how to do it all on your own.
- The answers are always found in love.
Massage Therapy Practice Calgary
Having my own children has taught me how important the footprints we land on this earth truly are. Children require presence, love, kindness and encouragement to grow into who they are meant to be and what role they are to play in this world. I have met many children since becoming a parent and see the amazing promise and beauty each little person has in them to share. I am very committed to being a voice on their behalf so that they are heard and pathways are cleared where they can shine their brilliance on the world as they grow. Children are very in tune with what they need, and will articulate that if they feel it is important. When I am working with a child at the office or am being a parent, I simply deem it my job to listen, be present and do the work that I do, recognizing the unique gifts each child brings forth.
In my massage therapy practice I do see children of a variety of ages and for many different reasons. Although young and generally heal quickly with the right support, they can have their struggles. Cognitive and developmental issues, sports training, stress from school and family situations, injuries and sometimes chronic health conditions can be experienced by children of all ages. Massage therapy calms the nervous system, soothes, releases tension and gives growing young people a sense of body awareness and safe care. If your children have a health insurance plan, often there is coverage for massage therapy, which helps make care accessible when needed. Docere Wellness Centre direct bills insurance companies. There are numerous families and children visit Docere’s practitioners, to receive care, education and support to live healthy, active lives.
Look after your health today and in the future. Improve your lifestyle and live healthily with your children. Start now!
