Brio Integrative Health

Naturopathic Medicine Week Event

Kyra — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:14:15 +0000

Thankyou to everyone who came out to support Naturopathic Medicine Week! This year, Brio Integrative Health Centre teamed with Richmond Alternative Health Clinic and the Richmond Food Bank. We rented the Richmond Cultural Centre to host a movie screening of "Forks over Knives". We had a panel discussion afterwards with the doctors from Brio Integrative Health Centre and Richmond Alternative Health Clinic.

We SOLD out the event with over 80 people in attendance. We are pleased to announce we raised $300 for the Richmond Food Bank.

Thankyou again to everyone who came out!

Plantar Fasciitis - Not A Gardener's Disease!

Kyra — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:47:04 +0000

Granted it is only the start of spring, the summer months are just around the corner. That means spending lots of time playing outdoors and odds are your feet will take most of the abuse from your exciting adventures. There are lots of fun things to do in the summer so it is important to take care of your body, particularly your feet!

The fall season brings about a busy time here at Brio. We see many patients with feet pain caused by a summer full of long hours spent playing sports, running, hiking, and walking. A very common injury among active individuals is plantar fasciitis. This injury is often very painful and could spell the end of your ability to be an active individual.

What is plantar fasciitis?

(source)

Plantar fasciitis is a condition where overuse of the plantar fascia (the connective tissue and arch tendon under the foot) results in pain under the sole of the foot. It often results from overuse of the plantar fascia during vigorous sporting activities. These long periods of weight bearing cause lots of undue stress in the connective tissue, resulting in pain as well as inflammation, in some cases.

Plantar fasciitis is often characterized by pain in the sole of the foot, near the calcaneus (heel) bone. This bone is the attachment point of the plantar fascia. Left untreated, the constant pulling stress in this area could lead to a bone growth where the fascia attaches to the calcaneus. Needless to say, it can be VERY painful.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

This injury can result from sports that involve lots of running and jumping, which is why we see many patients in the early fall season. The constant stress on the feet causes increased stretching of the plantar fascia. Furthermore, athletes who have poor arch support tend to overpronate (roll in) their feet, making them particularly susceptible to this type of injury.

Another common cause of plantar fasciitis is tight calf muscles. These muscles, comprising of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, insert at the calcaneus and can pull on the heel quite firmly. This is why plantar fasciitis is most painful first thing in the morning when the plantar fascia and calf muscles have tightened overnight and are subject to instant stretching with the first steps out of bed.

Individuals who are overweight are also more susceptible to plantar fasciitis due to the excess weight bearing down on the foot.

How to prevent and treat plantar fasciitis

A good way to prevent plantar fasciitis is to make sure to properly stretch the foot, thigh, and calf muscles before AND after activity. Proper athletic taping, ice therapy, and the use of custom-made orthotics are other ways to prevent this injury from occurring. However, if the injury is well developed, it is recommended that the person rest the injured foot as much as possible and explore more aggressive treatment options.

Low Level Laser Therapy for treatment of plantar fasciitis

We have experienced excellent results in treating plantar fasciitis with low level laser therapy. Laser light initiates the body’s natural healing process by exposing the injured cells to light energy that they are currently not receiving. In short, almost every living cell needs light to make energy and grow. Once the injured cells get the energy they need from the laser light, they can start to make their own energy (in the form of ATP), proliferate (multiply), and heal themselves. This results in pain relief and increased range of motion for the injured individual. The science behind this relatively new and little-known technology is simple, yet very effective in most cases. It is non-toxic, non-invasive, has no side effects, and is very safe. Please contact us about this form of alternative treatment and let us help you get back on your feet!

Are you buying new runners? Make sure you get custom orthotics for a proper fit.

Kyra — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:34:30 +0000

Did you notice all those recent ads promoting running shoes? March is the time of the year for running shoe company’s to promote their newest running shoe.

“Not all running shoes are created equal “ according to Dr. White, an orthopedics professor at Bastyr University. He explained that most shoe companies spend millions of dollars on the aesthetics and marketing, and relatively little dollar amount on the proper fit of the shoe.

Poorly designed shoes have terrible support and pressure points which can put you at risk for injuries including back and knee pain.

Custom fitted orthotics offer one of the best solutions to make sure your feet are well supported in your shoes. At Brio, we are trained to analyze your foot shape and walking motion to properly fit you with comfortable insoles. Orthotics are not only for running shoes. We fit patients with orthotics for their casual shoes, dance shoes, court shoes, golf shoes, and even hockey skates!

For the month of March 2012 we are offering a complimentary foot evaluation to see if custom orthotics are right for you. Call us today as these spots will fill up soon!

Brio Health Team
604-271-9355

HEALTHY HABIT: Invisible pollution: Being aware of electromagnetic radiation

Kyra — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:17:15 +0000

I have been on a slight hiatus from “Healthy Habit” as of last April.

I enrolled in a 10-month course, in addition to a running a clinic full-time. With the course being complete, I am excited again to resume monthly articles.

Invisible pollution is referring to Electromagnetic Radiation.

EMR is summarized as the electronic pollution, which we can’t see with the naked eye. EMR comes from, anything that is plugged in: TV’s, lamps, techie gadgets, microwaves, toaster, kettle; cell phones; wireless internet; lap tops etc.

As indicated in the book Zapped by Ann Louise Gittleman, our bodies are made up of billions if not trillions of frequencies. The frequencies are expressed in our cells, organs and tissues, which are constantly communicating with each other and with the outside world. The body is essentially run by an organic computer (our brain) by emitting our own electricity. Every time the body feels hunger; movement; pain; happiness; the heart beat and breath. Each and every function of the body is via our own electrical impulses.

What does this mean? We are wired to respond to electromagnetic forces, and when the body is overwhelmed by electromagnetic forces from our outer environment, these unnatural frequencies, for some people, can result in body stress and illness. Camilla Rees, founder of ElectromagneticHealth.org links EMR to illnesses such as: cancers, ADD, sleep disorders, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, hormone imbalance, cardiovascular irregularity, autoimmune diseases, anxiety, unexplained fatigue, stress, infertility, and many others.

In the book Zapped, a tally of electronics that were found in your parents or grandparents homes, was compared to a tally of the number found in our modern day homes. Adding up electronics found in each bedroom; bathroom; family/living room; kitchen - the grandparents home would typically have a tally of 15 items in all rooms combined. The modern day home, a tally of all the rooms combined would have a staggering jump in items to 192.

Take a bit of time to add up how many electronics are found in your home, each room, anything that is plugged into the wall. Think of how many of these items you personally use in one typical day. Alarming isn’t it. Consider how many items our children and toddlers use in our own homes and at school.

How does this increase in EMR affect how we feel, what is the connection? The author says, we are getting Zapped every second of every 24 hour day. Should the cells of our body get overwhelmed by messages from inside and outside the body, if the outside exposure is greater than the internal, it can lead to a disruption in how our cells communicate with each other.

This can set the stage for the above mentioned illnesses or diseases.

Absorption of EMR can result in an increase in: brain hyperactivity; free radicals in our cells – quickening the cellular aging process; they can decrease serotonin and melatonin production, resulting in an increase of depression and lack of sleep; and cellular DNA can be damaged. The body is comprised of 75 percent water; as we all know, whether it is our own electrical frequencies or external sources, water conducts electricity. If exposure proves to be toxic to a sensitive individual, EMR has an ample pool for conduction.

How can we protect ourselves in this modern world?

Probiotics: including a high quality probiotic into your daily routine will help support the gut. Enhancing the digestive system enhances the body’s barrier to EMR.

Detoxify: certain foods and supplements will help detoxify the cells. Beets, Dandelion teas or tinctures, lemon juice and water, kale, milk thistle herbal tincture, alpha lipoic acid and Vitamin D to name a few. Of course we can’t overlook the importance of water to flush out the kidneys.

Reduce EMR’s in the bedroom: Especially important in the bedroom. Do not use a plug in alarm clock, or a cell phone as an alarm clock. Look for the old wind up clocks. If two lamps sit on either of your night stands, unplug them both prior to bed. Remove TV’s and electronic games from the bedroom. Replace cordless phones with a corded land line. The recharger stand is always giving off EMR’s. Keep lap tops/computers and cell phones as far away from the body as possible while you sleep. Laptops should never rest on laps. Imagine the amount of EMR’s directly affecting the reproductive organs. The ability to properly regenerate and heal while you sleep is one of the best protectors against EMR’s.

Start with the smallest changes. Note symptom changes in the overall household. How does everyone feel one, two weeks after changes are made?

Dr. Neetu Dhiman, is a Naturopathic Physician at Brio Integrative Health Centre Inc. She can be reached at briohealth@yourbriohealth.com

Hot/Cold Shower Challenge UPDATE from Dr.Neetu:

Kyra — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:10:33 +0000

I did in fact complete 30 days of hot/cold showers. I must say even I was shocked at the results. I hated doing it up until about two and a half weeks. At that point it became easier and I had a noticeable surge in my day to day energy. Usually energy is pretty good, but this was unreal. If I touched caffeine after work, I wouldn't sleep until 3am, with my new surge of energy. I feel quite a bit warmer. Generally, I had a tendency to be cold. Temperature did a complete up-regulation. I found more movement, and felt less sluggish. Wasn't such a huge push to get moving. My body energetically already felt moving, and when i wanted to exercise or something of that nature, it wasn't a challenge.

After the 30 days do i still do it? Yes I do! I think the 30 days was necessary because, had I stopped, I wouldn't have notice the dramatic change that occurred at two and a half weeks. Do I miss some days? Yes, now I miss days here and there, but for the most part, I keep up with it. It is shocking to me, how good it makes me feel. And no cost! It's following the laws of the body.

A few patients mentioned that the shock of the cold spray resulted in feeling light headed. If that is the case, start with semi-cold and slowly work your way down to a completely cold spray. It may take your body time to adjust, but that means it would be even more of a bonus to include it into your daily routine.

Hmm...need a new 30 day challenge...thinking castor oil packs. I will get back to you on this one! Stay tuned...

Valentines Day is just around the corner...Lift your Libido Naturally!

Kyra — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:36:18 +0000

Diminished libido is quite a common concern brought up by many patients, from 20's to 60's+. It has so many factors contributing to why it is low, that the treatment options are different for every case.

Common reasons include:

-chronic health issue underlying. Libido will diminish as the body is simply trying to conserve energy to try and heal itself.

-Underlying hormone imbalances that could be long standing, or could have a sudden onset after major life transitions such as childbirth or menopause or retirement for men.

-Certain pharmaceuticals prescribed by your medical doctor can have a dampening affect on libido and erectile function. (Birth Control Pills; antidepressants; Blood Pressure meds, just to name a few)

-Poor diet, and underlying food sensitivities can play a major roll in diminished libido.

-One of the most common reasons I see, with a practice primarily made up of women, is suppressed anger and/or resentment. Issues may be long standing for example: job dissatisfaction; overloaded with work in the house; primary childcare and house manager; unsaid issues between the spouses. When patients feel it is easier to 'shove' the issues down, versus have open communication, the libido can be the first to be affected.

Three Libido Loving Health Tips:

1. Tribulus: It is a herb that works to increase testosterone production in the body. Tribulus will increase libido for men and women. The catch is the quality of the herb. Tribulus, when in its proper form, is by nature an expensive herb. If you purchase a lower quality Tribulus that appears to be more cost friendly. It likely will not work to increase testosterone levels. The one we carry in the clinic is a Bulgarian Tribulus, consisting of the roots, which has the active component. Many commonly found brands, come from China and contain mostly the stems and leaves. To increase libido the active component is found in the roots, not and a much smaller amount in the stems and leaves.

2. Maca Powder: We do not carry this at Brio, but many health food stores do. Including the health food aisle at Save-On-Foods. "MacaSure" is a great brand, and one that I recommend often. Maca is also used to increase libido and tread the adrenal glands. Maca root is known to balance estrogen and progesterone levels for women; it increase erectile function in men, due to the L-Arginine properties of Maca. It is apparently known as "natures own Viagra".

3. Cortisol Balancing: Cortisol is the the stress hormone. Being that we live in North America, with so much on our plates...imbalance of cortisol is what I see most often in my practice. If the cortisol is in excess in the body, it can throw off the sex hormones. If the cortisol is depleted and too low, it can deplete the sex hormones. We want it to be in a perfect balance. Balancing cortisol is key to a healthy libido. What causes high cortisol? Chronic pain; chronic inflammation; chronic stress, mental or emotional; underlying food sensitivities; just to name a few of the major reasons. Generally requires the support of a Naturopathic Doctor, as it can get complicated. Many overlapping reasons can occur all at once!

Decrease daily stress; allow for time for self care and self nurturing; be sure to include 70-80% cocoa dark chocolate in your libido routine. It helps boost the love hormones!

I'd like to buy a bowel, please (Pat Sajak)

Kyra — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:05:28 +0000

People love to talk about their bowel movements. This week in the Province, Dr. Oz and Dr.Roizen share their health tips on what the colour of your stool may mean. If you have any concerns we recommend contacting your doctor. Click HERE to read the article in the Province.

Brio Gives Back...only 3 days left to donate!

Kyra — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:51:24 +0000

We have had some AMAZING donations these past few days! Everyone has been so generous. We are sincerely touched by every ones encouragement. We are accepting non-perishable foods and money donations for the Richmond Food Bank. The last day we will be accepting donations is this Thursday December 22.

Every participant will be entered to win our awusum prize...a brand new Kindle!

5 days left to donate non-perishable foods for Brio Gives Back!

Kyra — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:38:05 +0000

Thankyou to everyone who has participated in Brio Gives Back this year! People have made some very generous donations. However, we would love to have more food to take to the Richmond Food Bank. We are closed Mondays but the building is open. If you are in the area, feel free to leave your donation at the door with your name written on it. Otherwise, we are in the office next week Tuesday 11 am-7pm, Wednesday 9 am-6 pm, Thursday 9 am-6 pm.

Come All participants will be entered to win a BRAND NEW KINDLE. Woohoo!

Did you know?

The Richmond Food Bank distributes more than $6 worth of groceries for every dollar they spend.

Did you know the #1 requested food for the food bank is canned meat and fish?

Kyra — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:20:50 +0000

We encourage all our current and past patients to donate non-perishable food to our clinic. All of our donations will be donated to the Richmond Food Bank. All participants will be entered to win a BRAND NEW KINDLE!!

Food Bank Facts:

continual weekly service to Richmond since 1983
serve over 515 households weekly — over 1200 people; 35% of them children
15% are long-term users with multiple barriers to employment

Lets support the Richmond Food Bank! If people pop by Monday when we are closed, feel free to leave them at the door of the clinic. If you can tag your name on the bag we will enter you into the draw.

Only 6 days left to donate!