August is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to recognize the connection between autoimmune diseases and menopause. Women with conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus may notice worsening fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, sleep problems, or mood changes as estrogen declines. Because menopause and autoimmune diseases share many symptoms, it can be difficult to know what’s causing them. Understanding the overlap can help you make informed decisions about your health. Nancy Thorp, RN, MPH, with The Mama Coach, provides evidence-based menopause education and personalized support to help women navigate this transition with confidence.
Community News
Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You
Many people dismiss symptoms such as fatigue, digestive discomfort, headaches, or poor sleep as a normal part of a busy life. However, these can be important signals that the body needs attention and support. Naturopathic medicine focuses on uncovering the root causes of health concerns rather than simply managing symptoms. Through personalized nutrition, lifestyle guidance, and evidence-informed natural therapies, it is possible to support the body’s ability to heal and function optimally. As summer winds down, take time to check in with your health. Addressing concerns early can help prevent larger issues down the road.
Helping Children and Teens Manage Emotions
Children and teens experience a wide range of emotions, yet they may not always have the skills to express them effectively. Frustration, disappointment, worry, and anger can sometimes appear as withdrawal, defiance, or emotional outbursts. Parents play an important role in helping young people identify and manage their feelings in healthy ways. Listening without judgment, validating emotions, and teaching coping strategies can build emotional intelligence and resilience. Cynthia Brummelhuis, author of Raising Happy Successful Kids and an ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), helps children, teens, and families develop the tools needed to navigate challenges with greater confidence and stronger connections. Visit cabpsychology.ca to learn more.
Don’t Ignore Persistent Foot Pain
Many people assume sore feet are simply part of aging or an active lifestyle, but persistent foot pain is often a sign that something needs attention. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, or biomechanical imbalances can place extra stress on the body and affect overall mobility. Custom orthotics are designed to address your unique foot structure and walking pattern, helping to improve alignment and reduce discomfort. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming chronic problems. Investing in proper foot support today can help you stay comfortable, active, and independent for years to come.
Living With Autoinflammatory Diseases
Autoinflammatory diseases are rare disorders caused by overactivity of the innate immune system, leading to recurring inflammation without infection. Symptoms may include recurrent fevers, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Medical management is essential to control inflammation and prevent complications. While chiropractic care, physiotherapy, acupuncture, or massage therapy does not treat the underlying immune disorder, it may help manage secondary musculoskeletal symptoms such as joint stiffness, reduced mobility, and mechanical pain. As part of a coordinated healthcare team, individualized multidisciplinary care can support mobility, improve function, and enhance quality of life for people living with autoinflammatory diseases.
Nourishing the Body Naturally
For those living with autoinflammatory conditions, nutrition can help support overall health. While no single food can treat these conditions, choosing whole, nutrient-rich ingredients may promote wellness and help reduce inflammation as part of a balanced lifestyle. Organic wild rice is naturally gluten free, high in fibre, and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support immune and digestive health. Enjoy it in soups, salads, or as a side dish for a simple, nourishing addition to your everyday meals.
Helping You Move with Less Pain
Hip and knee osteoarthritis can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair increasingly difficult. The good news is that exercise is one of the most effective first-line treatments for managing arthritis pain and improving mobility. Physiotherapy helps by strengthening the muscles that support your joints, improving flexibility, and teaching strategies to reduce pain and prevent further decline. The GLA:D® (Good Living with Osteoarthritis, Denmark) Program is a research-based, 6-week education and exercise program designed specifically for hip and knee osteoarthritis. With ongoing enrollment and flexible start dates, there’s never been a better time to take the first step toward stronger, healthier joints.
August Brain Teasers
1. I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter but can’t go outside.
2. What has many teeth but can’t bite?
3. Laughter can help lower levels of which stress-related hormone?
Brain Teaser Answers
1. A keyboard. 2. A Comb. 3. Cortisol
Celebrate With VitaJuwel
International Self Care Day is the perfect reminder to put yourself first. VitaJuwel’s FOR ME Collection invites you to celebrate YOU with gemstone infused carafes designed to support your personal journey. Choose the energy you need most: Kindness, Confidence, or Willpower. KINDNESS blends Thulite and Jade to promote calm, warmth, and inner peace. WILLPOWER features Apatite and Milk Opal to inspire determination, resilience, and goal achievement. CONFIDENCE combines Baltic Amber and Obsidian to encourage self belief while helping protect against negativity. Take a moment to nurture yourself and embrace the power within.
July Book Club
Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect With the Present, and Expand the Future. An empathetic and wise book that will guide you on a journey toward a deeper understanding of self. In Lighter, Yung Pueblo demonstrates how we can all move forward in our healing, from learning self-compassion to letting go to becoming emotionally mature.
