Many studies involving hundreds of patients have shown evidence that acupuncture can help treat anxiety and can have similar effects as talk therapy. Acupuncture can help the body relax in a variety of ways, including 1) prompting the parasympathetic nervous system to release signals for relaxation; 2) improving the heart rate variability, which helps the body cope with stress; 3) calming the hypothalamus, which releases neurochemicals when we are under stress; and 4) helping with the flow of endorphins, the body’s own “feel good” chemicals. Acupuncture can be considered as an effective alternative to traditional pharmacological and psychological treatments.
Community News
Spiritual Life Affecting Your Health?
Do you take care of your spirit like you take care of your body? A recent study found that belonging to a spiritual community makes for a healthier life – including living longer, alleviating mental health concerns such as depression, and reducing reliance on addictive substances. [https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220729/Can-spirituality-lead-to-better-health.aspx] And in my experience, connecting to a community that sees us and loves us for who we are just makes us happier! Add a soul boost to your health regimen. Find a spiritual community that welcomes you as you are. Be well – body, mind, and spirit!
What We Offer
The purpose for our Family Programs is to invite individuals to be part of a community who are affected by substance abuse. Family members require information, skills and strategies in order to deal with their loved one’s mental health and substance use. We offer a short wait time for intakes and entering individual counseling or programing. We believe there are many paths to recovery, and are compatible with twelve steps self-help groups. We also offer Individual and couples counseling with family members who are facing issues, and not amenable to group given their situation, as well as individual and couples who may be facing an emerging crises. Our Education Group provides psychoeducation to participants about substance use, relationship and family dynamics, tools, and strategies. Our Family Support Group is a space to share info/stories, tools and strategies in a safe therapeutic setting.
Dealing with Substance Abuse?
Did you know that for every person experiencing a substance abuse problem, on average, at least six others are affected – partners, spouses, children, parents, friends, employers, and co-workers. Although family members, friends, employers and co-workers are often in the best position to intervene, on average, significant others do not seek direct help for their loved ones substance abuse or addiction problem for at least nine years. Those affected by a significant other’s substance abuse, may themselves experience significant physical, emotional, social and spiritual stressors. Some commonly experience anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness when trying to deal with their loved one. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Family members are often highly motivated to not only understand, intervene and support their loved ones experiencing problems with mental health and substance use, but also able to participate in the change and recovery process in restoring their relationship. The sooner one receives the help they need to recover the better the prognosis for recovery. We are here to help!
Food Cravings & What They Mean
Did you know that certain food cravings are associated with a nutrient deficiency? Craving salt equals a lack of trace minerals, craving sweets indicates a chromium deficiency, chocolate cravings mean a lack of magnesium, craving dairy and cheese indicates an essential fatty acids deficiency, and a red meat craving means you need iron and/or B12. When your body is lacking essential nutrients, it can lead to chemical imbalances which alter the pH of your tissues. Ignoring the reasons behind your cravings won’t change them and will not improve your overall health. Nutritional testing and precisely formulated nutraceuticals are the best way to find out what nutrients you are lacking, give your body what it really needs, and handle those unwanted cravings for good.
Get a Medication Review
Taking your medication properly is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Up to 25% of Canadians are admitted to the hospital annually because they don’t take their medications as prescribed. Schedule a Medication Review with your Pharmacist to discuss how to take your medications and for how long, understand if your medications are working properly, manage potential side effects and help you stay on track. Get the most from your medications with a Medication Review.
Avoid Holiday Denture Issues
For many, the holiday season is an exciting time filled with wonder, great food, and plenty of chatting and laughing. Those people obviously don’t have denture problems. Worrying about your dentures falling out while talking to loved ones or waiting anxiously for the meal to end because your gums are too sore and you can’t chew another bite certainly takes the magic out of the holiday season! If you find yourself with ill-fitting dentures, contact your denturist today to get some relief before holiday parties and gatherings begin. Then you can focus on enjoying yourself and not on problem dentures!
Handling The Holidays
Whatever holiday you celebrate this season, even if you’re surrounded by family and friends, it can be stressful. Making sure that your body and mind can handle stress is the best gift that you can give yourself. One of the best ways to improve your overall health and stress-handling ability is through Bioenergetics. Bioenergetics uses computerized testing and treatment to effectively determine and treat any imbalance or weakness in the body that is preventing you from achieving both optimal stress management and improved health. This holiday season, make sure that stress isn’t an unwanted gift that you can’t give back.
Get Relief with Acupuncture
Did you know that acupuncture may help relieve symptoms related to various health conditions? Some examples are: 1) Nausea – acupuncture has been shown to help with nausea related to chemotherapy treatment, motion sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy, or postoperative nausea. 2) Headaches and migraines – acupuncture can help people with chronic headaches rely less on medication and make fewer trips to the doctor. 3) Allergies – acupuncture may help to improve allergy symptoms such as rhinitis. 4) Pregnancy, labour, and postpartum health – acupuncture can help with pain, morning sickness, and mood disorders during and after pregnancy.
Get Social to Ward off Holiday Loneliness
During the holidays, it can be easy to feel lonely if you don’t have a big family or group of friends. Loneliness is NOT about the number of connections but the quality. Here are some great ways to improve the quality of your connections: 1. Write letters of gratitude to your closest friends or colleagues. 2. Engage in a random act of kindness daily. Buy the next person in line at the coffee shop or drive through their order, randomly compliment strangers, or donate to a charity where you can drop off that gift and see the reaction. It will create a connection and make you and the other person feel great!
Calculating a Drink
One standard drink is 12 oz. of beer, (5% alcohol), 5 oz. of wine, (12% alcohol), 1.5 oz. of (40% alcohol). Research states, that it takes “one hour to metabolize one drink” of alcohol. So you would calculate # of drinks x 60 min. per drink. Only time can reduce your blood alcohol level. When your BAC registers .08 you will have trouble controlling the speed of your vehicle, difficulty processing information and reasoning, experience reduced coordination and ability to track objects, difficulty steering, 11 times more likely to cause a crash compared to a sober driver.
