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WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES For Your First-Aid Kit
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WELL-BEING FOR WOMEN
Top Health Concerns and What to Do About Them
Functional Foods to Balance Hormones Body-Mindfulness for Self-Care
May 2021 | Greater Boston / Rhode Island Edition | NA-GBRI.com
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DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 10 health briefs 12 global briefs 14 business profile 20 wise words 22 conscious eating 26 healthy kids 28 healing ways 30 inspiration 31 resource guide 36 crossword
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Natural Awakenings | Greater Boston/Rhode Island | May 2021 issue
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22 FUNCTIONAL FOODS TO BALANCE HORMONES
14 BUSINESS PROFILE Dinno Health
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16 INTEGRATIVE WOMEN’S WELLNESS Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do
20 DEVAKI LINDSEY BERKSON
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TURNING BACK THE CLOCK with Regenerative Medicine
25 BODY-MINDFULNESS FOR SELF-CARE
How to Be Self-Centered Without Being Selfish
on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health
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26 NATURAL MAMA Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy
28 HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE Create a Family First-Aid Kit
30 THREE STEPS FOR FACING DIFFICULT EMOTIONS May 2021
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letter from publisher At Natural Awakenings, May is Women’s Wellness Month, which is why I’m giving a shout out to three kick-ass women who inspire me every day—my sisters, Jean and Marion, and niece, Debbie. Each one in her own way has been a great inspiration to me over the last eight months as we embarked on a new eating plan together at the end of last summer. You may recall some references to this in one of my fall letters. Collectively, we have so far lost 184 pounds, primarily by cutting out flour of all kinds, as well as sugar and all sugar substitutes. While I can’t say that some of us haven’t fallen off the wagon to turn around and jump back on and off here and there, the important thing is that we have recognized these particular foods as being similar to (if not blatantly) an addiction. It’s not always easy to stay clean, but the rewards have been life changing and life-affirming. When we began seeing results, we were most excited about the visible changes including seeing the scale moving down gradually, clothes fitting better or even receiving the occasional compliment when someone finally noticed. Ultimately, it’s been the changes we don’t necessarily see easily that have had the greatest impact. One sibling, for example, had been experiencing quite painful and disfiguring rheumatoid arthritis in her hands for years and though she does still use some medication to control its progression, the transformation since changing her diet has been tremendous. She reports experiencing a dramatic reduction in both pain and inflammation that has brought significant improvement to her quality of life. When I saw her recently, I was astounded at how “normal” looking her hands appeared. This was a wonderful thing to witness. Additional benefits among our group have included improved sleep (depth, length and quality) and resting heartbeat; reduced A1C1 and blood pressure levels; increased energy and desire to exercise; being off the pre-diabetic chart; and many more. An interesting side effect that a few of us have in common is an allergic reaction of sneezing and a pronounced stuffiness after consuming sugar or bread. I hadn’t ever considered either a trigger for an allergic reaction before. After doing some research, it makes perfect sense considering each of those foods contain inflammatory compounds. I’m a strong believer that there may be a time when we, or anyone, requires surgery, drugs or some other more invasive approach to finding and achieving optimal health or relief from the multitude of maladies known and yet unknown. I am an equally strong believer that this Earth has provided us much in the way of natural healing techniques and natural medicines in our plants and foods to give us the opportunity to tune into natures best for ourselves. As always, our hope is that you find at least one nugget that resonates with you within these pages that helps improve your quality of life, wherever you happen to be on your wellness journey. Peace,
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CORRECTION: In a news brief last month, we incorrectly identified Cecile Raynor as a yoga therapist. She is a coach for yoga teachers and practitioners based on an Alexander Technique foundation. 6
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news briefs
Adult Cannabis Now Open in Haverhill
Full Harvest Moonz, owned and operated by two women, Janet Kupris and Michaela Ristuccia, is now open at 95-101 Plaistow Road in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The dispensary, open seven days per week and for individuals 21 years old and older, provides individuals with the highest quality recreational cannabis products, service and education. Walk-ins at the convenient location are welcome, and ample parking is available. Kupris and Ristuccia both have backgrounds in wellness and the energy healing arts and believe in the healing components of cannabis. Kupris, who serves as the CEO, has a background in holistic health, while Ristuccia has been a licensed healthcare practitioner in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for more than 18 years. She holds a degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science and has extensive experience working with a variety of patients. Together, they have combined their experience to create a positive, educational healing environment to help customers find the right products to bring balance and wellness to their mind, body and spirit.
Coming Next Month JUNE
Treating Depression Naturally Plus: Integrative Approaches to Men’s Health Travel for the Planet Tips for Eating Vegan on Vacation
For more information, call 978-702-4160 or visit FullHarvestMoonz.com. See ad on page 14 and Resource Guide on page 31.
Mountain Bike Fun Ride
The Rhode Island chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (RI NEMBA) is sponsoring a virtual mountain bike fun ride from May 1 to June 27. The outdoor and online event boasts a fun photo contest and raffle for all ages and abilities with the goal of increasing awareness of Rhode Island’s many wonderful mountain bike trails, raising funds for the local food bank and boosting NEMBA membership. Riders can choose from several routes, ranging from easy family-friendly routes to challenging technical routes. The event also seeks to highlight areas off the beaten paths. “Our goal is to help get people into areas they may never have gone or have been unsure of the trail network,” says co-organizer Christopher Flanagan. The ride has an open participation window beginning May 1 and ending June 27. Prizes will be awarded via a closing ceremony broadcast on Facebook Live on June 30. Rhode Island NEMBA’s mission is to create a positive and inclusive mountain biking culture in Rhode Island. It is dedicated to developing and maintaining access to sustainable, environmentally friendly mountain bike trails, supporting its members, linking communities, supporting local businesses and promoting the general health of the local population and the protection of open spaces. Cost: Free with the cost of a new membership, $15 for existing members and $25 to nonmembers. For more information, visit rinemba.org. Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in
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news briefs NEW Zoom Lectures Check our website for upcoming lectures
Visit Our New Pharmacy: Theatre Pharmacy 1784 Massachusetts Ave. Lexington, MA • 781.862.4480
New Reflexology Sessions Support Runners and Athletes
Warmer weather inspires a return to our favorite outdoor activities, but it also brings the potential for sports-related injuries and stressors. In response, Wendy Lewis, an ARCB (American Reflexology Certification Board) certified reflexologist and owner of Prana Reflexology, in Warwick, Rhode Island, has developed special sessions for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Lewis, herself a longtime martial artist, runner, cyclist and aspiring triathlete, knows the importance of healthy feet. Her new sessions combine traditional reflexology techniques, which support whole-body function, with myofascial release massage techniques that help promote healthy muscles, tendons and ligaments in the feet and lower legs. Lewis says, “Reflexology is often regarded as a ‘woo-woo’ modality, but the truth is, it helps prevent injuries and keeps athletic people performing at their best.” Lewis’ clients include runners, martial artists and others that are managing conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tight calves and arches, and general foot pain. She says, “It is so rewarding to see a client walk out of their first session feeling relief, and then to see them steadily improve their athletic training and performance over time.” Location: 3649 Post Rd., Warwick, RI. For more information, call 401-426-3139 or visit PranaReflexology.com.
Let Us HeLp YoU Make a HeaLtHY CHoiCe Vitamins … HomeopatHic Remedies peRsonal caRe pRoducts . . . local Honey and We caRRy Bulk HeRBs, teas & spices Massage Therapy (including pregnancy massage) • Reflexology • Reiki • Polarity • Iris Analysis • Health Consultations • Ear Coning • Readings • Yoga • Spiritual Book Studies • Energy Classes and more…
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news briefs
Active Stretching Class for All Ages Active Stretching 4 EveryBODY, a co-ed active stretching class, meets weekly via Zoom from 10 to 11 a.m., each Friday morning. The instructor is Barry Bailey, a licensed massage therapist and active stretching instructor/coach. Active stretching is natural stretching and is appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness. It accelerates muscle growth for those looking to build or maintain muscles, and it effectively and quickly relieves stiff joints, tight muscles and body aches. It can also reverse some of the effects of aging when done consistently. Active stretching is an excellent complement to yoga, aerobics, a gym workout, a run or any activity that uses muscles. Cost: $8 paid via PayPal or personal check. Contact the instructor directly at BarryBailey201@gmail.com to make arrangements for payment and to get the link to each class. For more information, visit StarTechHealing.com/classes.htm.
Yuko Family Medicine Accepting New Patients
Offering a unique blend of Western and Eastern medicine practices, Dr. Yuko McColgan is currently accepting new patients at her Brookline, Massachusetts practice. Her services range from pediatric and geriatric care, women’s health and gynecology to mental health and acupuncture. The approach to care at Yuko Family Medicine is comprehensive and balanced, focusing on the person’s physical and mental well-being as a whole. In the United States, it can be difficult to find medical Dr. Yuko McColgan doctors and providers that cater to more than one organ, system, disease or demographic of people. At Yuko Family Medicine, they have experience working in a range of clinical environments providing them insights into comprehensive care that traditional Western practitioners may not have. McColgan understands that care for people is not one size fits all and values intuition when it comes to utilizing Eastern and Western medical practices together. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and overall societal climate, many people are struggling to maintain their physical and mental health. Yuko Family Medicine is an optimal place to begin a treatment plan that will help patients adapt and prepare for new normalcy in their communities. McColgan and Alex DiNoto, PA-C, welcome and cherish people of all cultures and LGBTQIA+ communities. Location: 1180 Beacon St., #3B, Brookline, MA. For more information, call 617566-9856 or visit YukoFamilyMedicine.com. The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. ~Michael Altshuler Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in
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health briefs
People in the “poorest of the poor” communities in which money is not a high value can feel as happy as people in high-income Scandinavian countries, concludes new research from Canada’s McGill University. For the study published in PLOS One, interviewers studied 678 people living in Bangladesh and the Solomon Islands, both extremely low-income countries. People in remote fishing villages with subsistence-level incomes reported very high levels of “subjective well-being”, which they attributed to spending lots of time with family and being in nature. Villagers that had migrated to urban areas for work were more likely to gauge their well-being by economic and social factors, and reported lower feelings of well-being, leading researchers to speculate that monetization, especially in its early stages, may be detrimental to happiness. “When people are comfortable, safe and free to enjoy life within a strong community, they are happy—regardless of whether or not they are making any money,” says Chris Barrington-Leigh, a professor at McGill’s Bieler School of the Environment.
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Don’t Rely on Money for Happiness
As convenient as store-bought baby food is, it can pose hidden dangers for infant brains, say U.S. congressional investigators. A report issued by the House of Representatives on February 4 found “dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals,” including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, in baby foods made by major companies Hain Foods, Gerber, Beech-Nut and Happy Family Organics. Walmart, Campbell Soup Company and Sprout Organic Foods refused to cooperate with the investigation. On March 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pledged to enact new standards, increase inspections and testing, and support research to lower baby food contaminants. Low levels of exposure to heavy metals can cause serious, irreversible damage to children’s brain development, studies show. Naturally present in the environment, they enter baby foods through soil, water and air; companies attempt to minimize this impact through processing. In one example, Hain Celestial, which makes Earth’s Best Organic, says it no longer uses brown rice, which can harbor arsenic.
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Nix Baby Foods that Harbor Toxic Metals
A natural, non-pharmaceutical remedy for anxiety disorders that affect 40 million Americans is as close as our beds, say University of California at Berkeley researchers. In Nature Human Behaviour, they reported that a sleepless night can trigger up to a 30 percent rise in anxiety levels, but a full night of slumber stabilizes emotions. The type most apt to calm and reset the anxious brain is deep sleep, also known as non-rapid eye movement, slow-wave sleep during which neural oscillations become highly synchronized and heart rate and blood pressure drop. The researchers used brain scans to identify anxiety levels in 48 volunteers after nights of deep or restless sleep. “Without sleep, it’s almost as if the brain is too heavy on the emotional accelerator pedal without enough brake,” says the study’s senior author Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology. A second survey of 280 people online found that the amount and quality of sleep people experienced from one night to the next predicted how anxious they would feel the next day. Even subtle nightly changes in sleep affected anxiety levels. 10
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Sleep Deeply to Reduce Anxiety
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global briefs
Great Minds
Artificial Intelligence Joins Fight Against Marine Litter
MARLIT, an open-access web app based on a deep-learning artificial intelligence algorithm, will promote the detection and measurement of floating plastics in the sea with a reliability of over 80 percent, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Pollution conducted by experts at the Biodiversity Research Institute of the University of Barcelona. Floating macro-litter is a threat to the conservation of marine ecosystems worldwide. The largest density of floating litter is in the great ocean gyres (systems of circular currents that spin and catch litter), but polluting waste is also abundant in coastal waters and semi-closed seas such as the Mediterranean. The analysis, using artificial intelligence techniques and more than 3,800 aerial images of the Mediterranean coast along Catalonia, will permit researchers to detect the presence, density and distribution of plastic pollutants in seas and oceans worldwide. Historically, direct observation by boats and planes formed the basis for assessing the impact of floating marine macro-litter, but the massive area of the oceans and the amount of data required have made it hard in the past for researchers to progress with new monitoring studies.
Ark Park
The new Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge connects people with nature in the heart of San Antonio across a six-lane highway at Phil Hardberger Park. Private donations and a five-year bond program approved by voters helped fund the $23 million bridge, the largest wildlife crossing of its kind in the U.S. Wildlife and vehicle collisions are a big problem across the country, increasing by 50 percent in 15 years, with an estimated 1 to 2 million large animals killed by motorists every year, according to National Geographic sources. In the U.S., 21 threatened and endangered species face extinction partly because of traffic accidents. Wildlife crossings are seen as an effective solution to the problem, with fatality reductions of up to 95 percent, depending on the location. The San Antonio bridge is notable for its size—150 feet wide and 150 feet long—and that it accommodates people, too. Animals in the 330-acre park that benefit from the bridge include ringtails, squirrels, coyotes, lizards, raccoons and deer. They are using it as intended, and it also serves as a habitat for native plants.
Fitting End
Composting Human Remains is a Reality
Frustrated with the limited options for environmentally friendly burial services and the rampant use of embalming in most funeral homes, which turns these sites into major groundwater polluters, environmental activist Katrina Spade founded Recompose (Recompose.life), the country’s first human composting funeral home, in Seattle. Formaldehyde, one of the most common embalming chemicals, is a carcinogen. Inspired by Spade’s idea, Governor Jay Inslee passed a bill legalizing composting as a form of human burial in 2019. Before then, the only legal and eco-friendly burial options were natural burial sites, of which there are only one or two hundred in the country. Both cremations and traditional burials cause environmental damage. Recompose offers an innovative funeral service that turns human remains into healthy soil. It gives Washington state and surrounding residents a chance to make a positive environmental change through their death, as well as their life. The process is said to save a metric ton of CO2 in the burial process, and the facility is accepting clients throughout the Northwest. 12
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photo courtesy of phil hardberger park conservancy
World’s Largest Wildlife Highway Crossing Opens in San Antonio
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business profile
Dinno Health
Special thanks to Dole & Bailey
for supporting us with home delivery in their customer orders. We appreciate you very much! Visit:
DoleAndBailey.com for more information about their products and services. 14
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Founded in 1985 as a single pharmacy, today, Dinno Health comprises four trusted pharmacies and wellness centers—Keyes Drug, Acton Pharmacy, West Concord Pharmacy, Theatre Pharmacy—that work with people to assist in illness prevention through nutrition, diet and exercise, the use of diagnostic techniques, lifestyle education, supplementation, nutrient deficiencies and stress management. Acton and Keyes Drug are also compounding pharmacies. The pharmacies feature more than 275 brands of professional supplements, nutraceuticals, vitamins, natural products, orthopedic braces, durable medical equipment and compression garments. Each location offers one-on-one consultations, measures for compression garments, provides Medicine-On-Time (blister packs) and delivers and/or mails medications and other patients’ needs. Curbside services are also available. “I wake up every morning thinking about how I can help people with their health and wellness to make every day their best day,” says Director of Health & Wellness Beth Gardner. Locations: Acton Pharmacy, 563 Massachusetts Ave., Acton, MA; Keyes Drug, 2090 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA; Theatre Pharmacy, 1784 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA; West Concord Pharmacy, 1212 Main St., Concord, MA. For more information, call Acton 978-2633901, West Concord 978-369-3100, Theatre 781-862-4480 and Keyes 617-2442794 or visit DinnoHealth.com. See ad on page 8 and Resource Guide on page 32.
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. ~Joseph Addison
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Integrative Women’s Wellness Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do by Ronica O’Hara
Anyone walking into a U.S. hospital today will notice something that was inconceivable 50 years ago—one in three practicing physicians is a woman, and among physicians under age 35, it’s three in five. That compares to one in 14 in 1970. For women needing health care, that fact can change everything. “Research says that female physicians provide better care to female patients than male physicians do,” says Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Alice Domar, Ph.D., a pioneer in women’s mind-body medicine. “They are more likely to listen carefully and take complaints seriously.” That’s just one factor in how health care is improving for women. Only three decades ago, women were simply considered “small men” in medical research and rarely included as subjects in clinical studies. Today, after a 1993 federal mandate ensured their inclusion, it’s been well established that women metabolize drugs differently than men, respond to health threats with a more robust immune system and are more likely to experience side effects. These findings have helped spur major changes for women in standards, dosages, medications and procedures—resulting in fewer cancer deaths, better treatment of autoimmune disorders and more nuanced cardiac care strategies. Although much has improved about women’s health, much more remains to be done.
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CANCER
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About one in three women is diagnosed with cancer in the course of a lifetime, and they have better survival rates than men, of which one in two receives that diagnosis. Between 2001 and 2017, the overall cancer death rate for women declined by 1.4 percent each year as diagnoses and treatments became more refined and targeted. The number one cancer killer for women is lung cancer, although 19 percent diagnosed have never smoked. The next most deadly are cancers of the breast, colon/rectum, pancreas and ovaries. Breast cancer deaths have dropped by 40 percent since 1989, thanks to greater awareness, early detection and better treatments. “Women learned from the AIDS crisis that making
noise gets results,” says Domar. “Look at how far breast cancer research and treatment has come in the past 10 to 20 years, how powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, and that everyone recognizes that pink ribbon.” Common symptoms: Bowel changes, lingering sores, fatigue, lumps, unusual discharge, difficulty digesting or swallowing, nagging cough or hoarseness, belly or back pain. New research: An international research team has identified a direct molecular link between meat and dairy diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that increases the chances of developing cancer. Medical advances: Painful, invasive biopsies may become a thing of the past. Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a simple blood test that detects more than 50 types of cancer, as well as their location within the body, with a high degree of accuracy, and the City of Hope Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, has developed a urine test that analyzes cell-free fragments of DNA to detect cancer.
HEART DISEASE One in three American women die from heart disease, more than all cancers combined. “Unfortunately, awareness that heart disease can and does happen to women remains low, and this results in delay of care,” says cardiologist Nicole Harkin of Whole Heart Cardiology, in San Francisco. “Women tend to seek medical care later in the course of their heart attack and with more risk factors, resulting in poorer outcomes, and they are more likely than men to die of their first heart attack.” Women have different symptoms of heart disease than men, are often misdiagnosed and have a 20 percent greater risk of dying within five years of a heart attack. Pregnant women that develop hypertension are two to five times more likely to later develop cardiovascular disease. Common symptoms: Heart pressure, fatigue, breathlessness and pain between the shoulder blades. New research: Eating more than seven servings per day of refined grains like croissants and white bread increased the risk of heart disease by 33 percent and stroke by 47 percent, concluded a study in The British Medical Journal. In a Stanford study, participants that ate plant-based meat for eight weeks had improved markers of heart health, lower LDL levels and lost two pounds compared to those eating meat. Medical advance: To successfully fix a floppy mitral valve that’s hampering blood flow in the heart, doctors can guide a catheter up a patient’s leg vein and staple the troubled parts of the valve with a tiny clip, a safer and less invasive procedure than openheart surgery. Preventive strategies: Eating nuts several times a week lowers by 30 to 50 percent the risk of heart attacks, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease, four large cohort studies have shown. Older women with high fitness levels have one quarter the risk of dying from heart disease as women that are out of shape, report Spanish researchers.
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Preventive strategies: Vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of mortality across all cancers, German researchers found, estimating that if all Germans older than 50 took such supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year might be avoided. A 10-year study found that people between 55 and 74 that took a low-dose aspirin at least three times each week lowered their risk of all types of cancer by 15 percent and overall mortality by 19 percent.
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has grown by one half in two decades, even as medications and targeted therapies have kept more patients active and out of wheelchairs. “Where it used to be the norm for many physicians to consider women with some autoimmune illnesses to be neurotic, that approach is now being recognized as being abusive and unacceptable. This is a critical step towards recovery,” says chronic fatigue expert Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic! About 80 percent of the 23 million Americans that suffer from debilitating autoimmune diseases are women, and those conditions tend to develop during childbearing years. The eighth-leading cause of death among women, these illnesses shorten lifespan by an average of eight years. The 80-plus diseases, including fibromyalgia, lupus, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to genetics, environmental triggers, some medications, obesity, injuries and stress. Common symptoms: These vary widely, but may include achy muscles, fatigue, recurring low-grade fever, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain and swelling, hair loss, swollen glands and tingling in hands and feet. New research: Eating significantly fewer foods containing the amino acid methionine, found at high levels in meat, fish, dairy and eggs, could slow the onset and progression of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis in high-risk individuals, reports a study in Cell Metabolism. Medical advance: Evidence is mounting that low doses of naltrexone, a substance-abuse treatment drug, can treat conditions like lupus, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis by normalizing the immune system and relieving pain with few side effects. “It costs only about 70 cents a day, is made by compounding pharmacists and is remarkably beneficial for a host of autoimmune conditions,” says Teitelbaum. Preventive strategy: To fight inflammation, take a daily turmeric
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or curcumin supplement that includes piperine (black pepper) for better absorption. A University of Houston meta-study in Nutrients found that curcumin supplements improved symptoms in 14 osteoarthritis, two ulcerative colitis and eight Type 2 diabetes studies.
HORMONAL IMBALANCES The past 20 years has seen significant improvements in the studies and treatments of female hormonal issues. “There are now treatment options that allow women to transition into menopause, options for prevention of osteoporosis and momentous changes in fertility,” says Stephanie Seitz, a naturopathic family physician in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the same time, she adds, “I have seen environmental toxins rising in my female population. I see young girls coming in with polycystic ovary syndrome, early menarche and painful menstrual cramping; women having trouble getting pregnant for unknown reasons; the rise of fibroids, premature ovarian insufficiency and endometriosis.” Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, regulating processes ranging from hunger to blood pressure to mood and playing a key role in reproduction. They have come under assault from endocrine
disrupters, thousands of largely unregulated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are found in everything from plastics to cushions to canned foods, and are in the blood of 98 percent of Americans. Studies have linked them to girls experiencing puberty one year earlier than 40 years ago; to rising cases of infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight; to menopause occurring two to four years earlier; and to obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and breast cancer. Common symptoms: Because hormones regulate all of the body’s processes, symptoms of imbalance run the gamut and may include fatigue, weakness, erratic menstrual cycles and weight gain or loss. New research: Early menstruation increases the likelihood of hot flashes and night sweats decades later at menopause, according to a University of Queensland study. Eating five teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily reduced women’s moderate to severe menstrual cramps by 83 percent in two months, Iranian researchers found. Medical advance: A major study of 9,000 postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer showed 94 percent that received hormonal therapy,
but not chemotherapy, did not have recurrences. Preventive strategies: To avoid toxic chemicals, buy organics; replace plastic kitchen containers with glass; replace Teflon pans with ceramic or cast-iron; use chemical-free cosmetics and shampoos; nix air fresheners and chemical cleaners; and check out food and care products at the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). To help detox the body, consider working with a naturopathic doctor to develop a program that may include cleansing foods, herbs, saunas, elimination diets and chelators such as activated charcoal and algae.
DEPRESSION Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, with one in four having a major episode at some point in life, yet fewer than half seek treatment. “Many women are too busy caring for others and feel guilty about their depression, fearing it could get in the way of their caregiving goals,” says New York psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz. “Many have the fantasy that if they open that door and allow themselves to focus on their feelings, they won’t be able to keep going.” Depression occurs most frequently in
Understanding Bone Health and Osteoporosis by Peggy Normandin Bone is a living tissue which continuously regenerates itself in a process known as remodeling. Bone formation is greater than bone resolution (breakdown) during youth and adolescence allowing us to build maximum bone density. Estrogen is one of the major preservers of bone tissue, keeping our bone breakdown in check through the middle years. Menopausal and post-menopausal women experience the loss of bone tissue partially due to the loss of estrogen. This puts them at a greater risk for osteoporosis. Specific activities like Pilates can improve bone density. Building strong bones is possible, and fortunately, osteoporosis is preventable if measures are taken early. These measures include diet, lifestyle and exercise. Exercise is often recommended, but not in a specific manner. Pilates is great for building bones if done correctly and the following components are incorporated: impact, changes in direction and tempo, and force. Understanding what movements are not 18
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good for people with osteoporosis is also imperative. Skeletal alignment is important for bone strength, as it improves force transmission through the bones. It also reduces the chance of falling and of spinal fractures. Bones are regenerated and strengthened through forces acting upon them during weight-bearing and impact activities, or while doing resistance exercises. According to Karena Thek Lineback, author of OsteoPilates, “Fifty percent of women and 12 percent of men will suffer an osteoporosis-related break after reaching the age of 50.” Peggy Normandin is owner of Body Dynamics Pilates Studio, located at 1099 Mendon Rd., Cumberland, RI, where she teaches Pilates for Strong Core & Strong Bones classes. For more information, visit BodyDynamicsRI.com. See ad on page 27 and Resource Guide on page 34.
women ages 25 to 44, and one in five teenage girls reports having had a major depressive episode, a number that has exploded due to social media use. Psychotherapy is effective for 62 percent of adults with depression, antidepressants work for 54 percent and combining the two is helpful for 72 percent. Common symptoms: Sadness, anxiety, flat feeling, loss of motivation or feelings of pleasure, change of eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, difficulty concentrating or headaches. New research: Sleeping irregular hours, doing night shifts and working for more than nine hours a day have been shown to put women at higher risk of depression, while eating more dietary fiber in produce, grains and legumes significantly lowers this risk. Medical advances: For the estimated one in four people with depression that doesn’t respond to medication or therapy, emerging approaches offer fresh hope. Low doses of the anesthetic drug ketamine lifted the depression of 70 percent of hardto-treat subjects by targeting specific serotonin receptors, Swedish researchers report. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the prefrontal cortex, lifts symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of subjects, studies show. Preventive strategies: Eating at least two servings a week of wild-caught, oily fish or a daily 1,000-to-2,000-milligram fish oil supplement with a 60-to-40 EPA to DHA ratio has been shown to be effective for symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and postpartum depression. Taking a brisk daily walk in nature with a friend or dog lowers four factors linked to depression: a “nature deficit”, physical inactivity, low vitamin-D levels and isolation. Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
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wise words
Devaki Lindsey Berkson on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health by Linda Sechrist
Hormone scholar Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson, a nutrition and gut expert as well as a continuing education professor for medical doctors and pharmacists, frequently lectures at conferences to clarify misinformation about hormones, such as the difference between synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and plant-based bio-identical hormone therapy (BHT). This peer-reviewed, published researcher is the bestselling author of Safe Hormones Smart Women and Sexy Brain: How Sizzling Intimacy & Balanced Hormones Prevent Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Depression & Divorce and a breast cancer survivor of 26 years.
Why do you refer to hormones as nature’s physiologic internet system? Hormones send invaluable “email” signals to cells throughout the entire body and brain.
What is the difference between HRT and BHT? Synthetic hormones are altered by pharmaceutical companies to make them profitable. Bioidentical hormones are like those made by 20
the body and designed by Mother Nature. I advise tracking hormone levels every decade throughout life to determine which levels help an individual feel their best. Unfortunately, doctors are still being taught that hormones are mainly important for reproductive or sexy things, addressing issues like peri- or post-menopause, andropause, erectile dysfunction or disease.
How did the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) affect the use of hormones? Up until 2002, when WHI prematurely stopped one of its hormone study groups which was prescribed a combination of Premarin plus synthetic progesterone, estrogen therapies were the recommended standard of care for menopausal women and the biggest-selling pharmaceuticals in history. Medical journals, research institutions and expert cancer doctors accepted that estrogen was safe and did not increase the risk of breast cancer. Carried out by the U.S. National Institutes of Health from 2002 to 2008, WHI conducted a series of 40 group studies following the health of 161,809 postmenopausal women. Studies covered various aspects of
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aging women’s health from diet, bone health and nutrients to heart health and the risk of hormone-driven cancers, as well as two randomized trials on hormone therapies. The resulting claims that the HRT combo of Premarin plus synthetic progestin significantly increased the risks of breast cancer, cardiac events, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke alarmed the public and huge numbers of U.S. doctors stopped prescribing hormones.
What has changed? By 2004, re-analysis of the combo study demonstrated opposite findings, and a 19-year follow-up WHI analysis revealed that estrogen protects against breast cancer while on it and even 10 years after, while progestins do the opposite. Dr. Leon Speroff, professor at the University of Oregon and the physician who authored Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, twice concluded after reviewing every statistical nuance of the WHI, “There continues to be good reason to believe that there are benefits associated with treatment, including improvement of quality of life beyond the relief of hot flushes, maximal protection against osteoporotic fractures, a reduction in colorectal cancers, maintenance of skin elasticity and the possibility of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s.” Although new science clearly showed that hormones rule body and brain health and are critical for staying healthy, fighting illness longterm rather than short-term and
lowering mortality timing by preventing heart attacks and strokes, CEOs of Big Pharma companies that provided the synthetic hormones used in the WHI trials continued to fight hard against BHT formulated by compounding pharmacists. Now these very same CEOs have released a BHT combination of estradiol and progesterone and are writing in peer review studies about how much better and safer it is. Big Pharma intends be the sole source of supply. They plan to do that by eliminating their competition: compounding pharmacies.
What is your experience with compounding pharmacists? The FDA purports that compounding pharmacies are dangerous, unregulated and use items that are too complicated to compound. Not true. Compounding pharmacists are skilled professionals at mixing bioidentical hormones to a doctor’s prescription. I’ve successfully been using compounding pharmacies for more than 30 years. A compounding pharmacist should be part of the health team when natural, bioidentical hormones are prescribed. Their knowledge can provide a wealth of experience for doctor and the patient. Furthermore, they provide an invaluable service at manufacturing a safe product that is unique for a particular patient. Hormones are so critical that even if you’re prescribed HRT, it’s better than losing out for decades on the hormone signals that keep your body younger and less inflamed. To be without healthy hormone signals is an aging and pro-inflammatory process to the body. In other words, get hormones any way you can. While synthetic is better than nothing, bioidentical trumps synthetic. DrLindseyBerkson.com offers a podcast archive, blog, newsletter and membership opportunities that include live, monthly, Zoom conversations.
You do not find the happy life. You make it. ~Camilla Eyring Kimball
Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in
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conscious eating
Functional Foods to Balance Hormones by Tamara Luck Women’s hormones are a complex, yet interconnected web of signaling molecules that impact almost every aspect of our well-being. The food on our forks modulates estrogen and progesterone, and is responsible for maintaining our sexual health, bone density, metabolism, energy and more. Estrogen, one of two primary women’s sex hormones, is mainly responsible for the development of the reproductive system. While estrogen plays many important roles in the body, too much estrogen, relative to progesterone, can worsen PMS, cause bloating, breast tenderness and swelling, decrease sex drive, cause fibroids and even increase breast cancer risk over time. Additionally, imbalanced, fluctuating estrogen levels are often at play in hot flashes. Having optimal estrogen is reflected by having levels balanced with progesterone and other hormones, and by being easily detoxified from the body after performing its responsibilities throughout the body. Many women have some degree of estrogen dominance, often exacerbated by chronic stress, sluggish detoxification in the liver, slow toxin excretion in the gut (constipation), and endocrinedisrupting chemicals, like the BPA found in the plastic of food containers or on receipt papers. 22
These effects can be combatted by supporting estrogen levels through the consumption of cruciferous vegetables, which naturally promote estrogen detoxification and balance. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach and cabbage, contain a compound called 3,3-Diindolylmethane, or DIM. This compound has been shown to reduce high estrogen levels and support estrogen detox in the liver, which helps balance estrogen levels overall. DIM has also been shown to be chemoprotective, leading to lower risk of breast cancer over time. Another important compound in cruciferous vegetables is sulforaphane which also reduces excess estrogen and helps boost antioxidant activity in the body. Women struggling with severe PMS symptoms, should try to incorporate one to two additional servings of cruciferous vegetables per day for the two weeks before her period. This can help reduce excess estrogen and lighten the severity of PMS symptoms. Lastly, these vegetables contain magnesium, which can help to reduce muscle cramping that may occur before or during a women’s period. Another food group that promotes hormone balance is seeds. Seeds such as
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flax, hemp and chia provide minerals and essential omega-3 fatty acids that support estrogen and progesterone production. Omega-3s are also anti-inflammatory, helping to decrease menstrual pain. Flax seeds contain a phytoestrogen known as lignans. Lignans have a balancing effect on estrogen and have been shown in research articles to help menstruating women and postmenopausal women balance their hormones at doses as low as one tablespoon per day. Each meal is an opportunity to support hormonal balance by adding in hormone supporting nutrients, like DIM or omega3s. Focusing on nourishing foods will also help to crowd out foods that may interfere with hormonal balance. For example, highly processed foods that contain large amounts of sugar can promote inflammation and increase androgens, like testosterone, in women. Instead of packaged sugary sweets, opt for a homemade flax banana bread or fruit, like blueberries for antioxidants. Tamara Luck, RDN, LDN, is an integrative and functional dietitian in Waltham, MA. She is currently accepting new patients at Johnson Compounding and Wellness for virtual nutrition appointments. Schedule a free, 15-minute introductory call at NaturalCompounder.com/Tamara. See ad on page 19 and Resource Guide on page 32.
½ sweet potato, roasted 1 pickle, sliced into thin strips ½ large carrot, sliced into thin strips 1 Tbsp broccoli sprouts
Happy Hormone Smoothie Packed with cruciferous vegetables, antioxidants, magnesium, omega-3s and lignans, this smoothie is a perfect breakfast or snack for preor post-menopausal women.
Preheat oven to 425° F. Cut sweet potato into thin French fry-like strips, drizzle in avocado or coconut oil and roast for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
1 cup milk 1 large handful spinach ½ avocado 2 Tbsp flax seed 1 cup blueberries 1-2 scoops protein powder of your choice 2 tsp cacao powder
Lay collard leaf flat and carefully slice off some of the stem thickness without cutting it out completely. Bring a small pot of water to a boil and blanch the collard leaf (dip in boiling water for about 15-20 seconds or until color becomes vibrant, but leaf doesn’t become too limp). Pat leaf dry and lay flat with the stem on a horizontal plane.
Veggie Skillet
While the sweet potatoes are roasting start assembling the collard wrap:
1 spaghetti squash 2 Tbsp ghee or avocado oil 1 yellow onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, diced 2 cups of greens, spinach, chopped kale, etc. 2 zucchini, chopped 8 oz mushrooms, chopped 1lb chicken sausages, casing taken off 2 Tbsp sage, chopped 1 ½ tsp sea salt 2 Tbsp rosemary, chopped 1 Tbsp oregano
until translucent. Add in garlic and spices and cook about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add in all the Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, greens and chicken sausage to saucepan and cook until meat is thoroughly cooked through. If using spinach, add spinach at the end to avoid spinach getting too soggy.
Cut spaghetti squash in half and cook in oven on 400° F for about 40 minutes, or until fork tender. Use a fork to shred inside of spaghetti squash into a large bowl. While spaghetti squash is cooking, prepare the rest of the ingredients. In a large sauce pan, heat up the ghee or oil. Add in onion and cook
Once meat and vegetables are thoroughly cooked through, combine cooked vegetables and meat with the cooked spaghetti squash. Mix thoroughly and serve.
In a small bowl, mash the avocado with a fork and add in a dollop of hummus; mix well. Spread avocado/hummus blend onto one half of the collard leaf. Add the carrot strips, pickle strips and broccoli sprouts on top of avocado/hummus spread. Once the sweet potatoes are finished place them onto the pile. Carefully roll up the collard wrap and enjoy.
Cruciferous Collard Wrap 1-2 large collard green leaves 1 dollop of your favorite hummus ½ avocado
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where healthy is an option...
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Historically reserved for professional athletes and wealthy elite, regenerative medical treatments are now being embraced by the public. Backed by ongoing clinical trials and significant anecdotal real-world results, these regenerative treatments are helping folks around the world get back to a normal, youthful, pain-free life. The regenerative treatments help improve conditions from both sports or lifestyle related musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative conditions. The most common regenerative treatment protocols are exosome, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and prolozone therapies. Here is a brief description of the different treatments: Exosomes or extracellular vehicles are derived from donor amniotic fluid, placental or umbilical cord tissue that are then processed in an FDA-regulated laboratory. Science has discovered that exosomes are cellular messengers full of growth factors that communicate with other cells in the body delivering messages such as repair this tendon or regrow this cartilage. When injected into damaged or diseased areas of the body, it has been shown that exosomes go to work and help the body repair itself. PRP therapy has been used successfully for more than a decade now. The activated platelets are injected directly into the injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulates and increases the number of new healthy cells the body produces. PRP injections are commonly used with great success
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for shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff tears, for torn or strained knee ligaments, for Achilles tendon ruptures and for other soft-tissue injuries. PRP has also been demonstrated to improve function and reduce pain in people that have tendonitis or chronic tendinosis conditions such as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. Some of the key advantages of PRP injections are that they can reduce the need for antiinflammatory medications. Prolozone therapy uses ozone to cause the proliferation, regeneration and rebuilding of new ligament and cartilage tissue in an area where they have become weak. Prolozone injections promote repair and tightening of the lax structures, partially torn connective tissue and ligaments. Prolozone halts the pain and inflammation cycle, allowing for better circulation, increased blood flow carrying nutrition and hydration of the damaged tissues. This creates a healing environment within the joint and results in increased range of motion and decreased swelling and pain. Prolozone therapy is a safe, natural and often permanent treatment. All these therapies help patients eliminate chronic pain, regain mobility and stop the need for pain medications. Irina Serebryakova is a functional medicine nurse practitioner at You Holistic, in Exeter, NH. For more information, call 603-309-2030 or visit YouHolistic.com. See ad on page 11 and Resource Guide on page 33.
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Body-Mindfulness for Self-Care How to Be Self-Centered Without Being Selfish by Alison Shaw It wouldn’t be going out on a limb to say that women are not always great at taking care of themselves. By their nature, women are care givers, a beautiful and noble quality. Women are culturally assigned caregiving roles, also a noble thing. So, the issue is that too often women lose a healthy balance between caring for others and caring for self, particularly when surrounded by those with great needs, like children, aging parents, an ill spouse or friend, a demanding job and/or a pandemic. Women often find themselves centered around others’ needs and can lose awareness of their own feelings, needs and even bodies. For some, the mandate to prioritize others begins in childhood. Subtle or overt rules create beliefs that being loved, valued, sometimes even safe, requires focusing on others’ expectations. Caring for self is often judged as selfish and disrespected as shameful and weak. This insidious cultural message has created an either/or dichotomy between selfish-ness and self-less-ness.
mind, spirit and body. On the mental level, the tree trunk is the awareness of feelings, thoughts and needs. For many women, speaking their truth, setting limits, saying no, or asking for help is difficult. When aware of our feelings and needs, it is easier to stand by them and address them for ourselves. For many, a spiritual faith, belief or contemplative practice acts as a tree trunk that steadies and strengthens even when there isn’t time to meditate or pray. Finally, the body, the most easily forgotten part of our center of self, is actually the quickest way back to balance. When focused on others under stress, senses get flooded with outside signals and our body becomes that thing below our heads that moves us around. Here are three quick body-mindfulness steps that will foster healthy self-centeredness. As often during your day as you remember to: • Pause: don’t stop whatever you are doing, take one or two breaths (they don’t have to be deep). Simply feel the sensations of the breath in nostrils, chest, belly. • Notice your body: focus on the sensations in your face, shoulders, arms, torso, legs, feet.
FINDING BALANCE Imagine living in a tree. Connecting with others and the world requires standing out on the tree’s branches. But when too far out helping others, the thinning branch tips cannot hold the weight, and falling is inevitable. This is the place of self-lessness. There is no way to maintain balance or health for giver or receiver. Conversely, staying in close, hugging the trunk focusing only on self (self-ish-ness) means no relationships or life. So how does one live a balanced life in a tree? Balance is found by reaching out toward others with one hand while the other holds firmly to the trunk at all times. That way we can only reach out as far as our personal limits allow. Personal limits are not failings; self-care is not weakness. It is possible to have relationships and self. Since most humans do not live in trees, the translation to real life is in finding and holding on to a sense of center on all levels—
• Feel your body’s weight wherever you sense it: bottoms of your feet or seat, perhaps head or limbs. Become aware of gravity’s pull. See if there are any muscles you can release into gravity’s steady support. Deceptively simple, these three embodiment techniques bring us back to our tree trunk. Once back and connected to our own self, body, mind and spirit, giving becomes more effortless, productive and healing for all. Alison Shaw RN, LMT, CEH, is a body-centered therapist in private practice in Lexington, MA. She has developed, practices and teaches programs in Bodymind Repatterning, working with the body and mind together for deeper healing of physical and emotional struggles. For more information, call 781-646-0686 or visit BodymindRepatterning.com. See ad on page 23 and Resource Guide on page 33.
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healthy kids
Natural Mama Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy by Julie Peterson
During her first pregnancy, Sarah Wallace, a former registered nurse in Atlanta, was chronically anemic. “I was so tired I would fall asleep while I was eating dinner,” she says. That pregnancy resulted in a baby with a low birth weight. Fortunately, Wallace learned more about nutrition and wellness. Her now 4-year-old has caught up to the growth charts and is thriving, and her next pregnancy went smoothly. No matter how pregnancy is counted—280 days, 40 weeks or three trimesters—mama and baby share blood, nutrition and air for the duration. “Taking a holistic path before and during pregnancy is about embracing the nature of our bodies and committing to maintaining all aspects of wellness during this journey,” says Nancy Peplinsky, founder of the Holistic Moms Network, based in Caldwell, New Jersey.
Nutrition for Two The right foods nourish the growing baby, the placenta and the mother’s increasing blood volume, maintaining the mother’s body during the complex mission. Whole foods rather than processed are best. The Whole 9 Months: A Week-By-Week Pregnancy Nutrition Guide with Recipes for a Healthy Start, by integrative obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) Jennifer Lang and dietitian Dana Angelo White, makes it easier to select the proper nutrients along the way and provides ways to deal with nausea and cravings. Choose organic foods when possible to reduce exposures to pesticides. If organic isn’t an option for every food, The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, from the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org), can be downloaded and taken to the market. Either avoid foods on the “Dirty Dozen” list or go organic for those items. A high-quality prenatal vitamin fills nutrition gaps. Wallace saw a difference between her first and second pregnancy by switching brands. “The first time, I took generic prenatal vitamins. With the second pregnancy, I found whole-food supplements. I never got that exhaustion, and my second baby was a healthy weight,” she says. “Research has shown that healthy nutrition during pregnancy improves outcomes for mom and baby, while unhealthy food choices can lead to premature childbirth, high-risk pregnancies and poor developmental outcomes in children,” says Peplinsky. In addition to clean food, it’s important to reevaluate body care products and household cleaners for toxici26
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ty. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has linked personal care and cleaning product ingredients to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive disorders, neurotoxicity and cancer.
Body Love Kristen Burgess, in Fife Lake, Michigan, creator of the website NaturalBirthAnd BabyCare.com, teaches classes for moms-to-be. “[Exercise] helps your blood volume increase, brings plenty of oxygen to your baby, increases your stamina and endurance for labor (which is an athletic event), and perhaps best of all, keeps you feeling great,” she writes in her blog. Options such as stretching, walking and prenatal yoga can be soothing for mom and baby. Burgess also advocates prenatal belly dancing to raise the heart rate “while bonding with your baby and relishing your beautiful pregnant form.” Peplinsky notes, “A holistic approach to pregnancy also embraces integrative therapies such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic, which may assist in reducing stress, minimizing physical discomfort and joint pain, while improving overall life quality for mom and baby.”
Another option is engaging a doula that focuses on emotional support for mom, her partner and the family during pregnancy and birth. During labor, she may offer massage, encouragement and breathing coaching. While doulas only provide non-medical care, they can offer evidence-based resources to inform decision-making. There is a database to find one at DoulaMatch.net. There are also books and apps to provide weekto-week details on pregnancy. Genevieve Howland, a childbirth educator in Destin, Florida, and author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, offers a weekly article at MamaNatural.com about what’s going on with the developing baby and mother. “Being a holistic mom is about connecting the mind, body and spirit, and approaching wellness with all three in mind,” adds Peplinsky. “The more we listen to our instincts and our needs, the more our health improves during childbearing and afterwards.” Julie Peterson writes about health and wellness. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
Support Along the Way A healthy pregnancy includes assistance. In the U.S., most women choose an OB-GYN, with just over 9 percent of 2017 births incorporating a midwife to support the mother before, during and sometimes after birth. A midwife is medically trained and, depending on state law, may offer gynecological examinations, birth control counseling and prescriptions. On her own or as an assistant to a doctor, she coaches the mother during labor and assists with the delivery, which may be in a home, birthing center or hospital. The American College of Nurse-Midwives, in Silver Spring, Maryland, offers a midwife locator.
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Aconitum The 200-year-old health system napellus of homeopathy is based on natural sources and is unique in its “like cures like” philosophy that uses extremely diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural defenses. “The word homeopathy is derived from two words: homeo—meaning similar, and pathos—meaning suffering. Basically, it means that a substance has the power to cure the same symptoms it can create,” says Kate Birch, a certified classical homeopath at the HippHealth Center for Holistic Healing, in Minneapolis. “Moreover, the more a substance is diluted through homeopathic preparation, the more potent it can be for healing when given upon homeopathic indications.” For most health conditions, including chronic complaints, homeopaths recommend tailoring remedies to an individual’s constitution, but first-aid applications are relatively universal and simple. Homeopathic first-aid can be administered for muscle strains, splinters, minor burns and even the common cold. Available in health food stores and pharmacies, homeopathic remedies come in various potencies in the form of pellets, tinctures and topical agents.
Gentle, but beneficial Arnica montana is perhaps the best-known application, used for acute injury and post-surgery. In a 2016 review of studies in the American Journal of Therapeutics, a team of international researchers found Arnica to be more effective than a placebo for swelling, bruising and post-surgery pain, and suggested it could be an alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Calendula is a heavy hitter for wound care, skin ailments, minor burns including sunburn, diaper rash and post-tooth extraction. It offers antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is available for topical and internal use.
Soft Tissue Trauma, Burns and Bites
Nissen highlights Ruta graveolens and Rhus toxicdendron for soft tissue injury and tendonitis and suggests Symphytum for serious damage to cartilage and ligaments. Gentle Go-To Medicine For puncture wounds or injuries Whether treating a child’s skinned knee or an athlete with a mild to modinvolving nerves, Hypericum pererate injury, regular potencies offer benefits foratum is helpful. She emphasizes without a high risk of unpleasant or the importance of using remedies dangerous contraindications. “In immediately and properly to maxigeneral, homeopathic remedies mize the potential for rapid healing are safe for people of all ages and pain reduction. because if taken as directed, Birch says that bee stings and there are no side effects or drug allergic responses respond well to interactions. This is due to the Apis mellifica and fevers and headLedum palustre fact that remedies have been made aches to Belladonna. Using through a process that renders Cantharis or Urtica urens the substances harmless,” says certified classical homeopath Myra for first- and secNissen, in Davis and Walnut Creek, California. ond-degree Classical homeopathic treatment is based on a person’s unique burns can help physical, emotional and mental nature, and requires deeper study to to prevent find the most appropriate remedies, but first-aid applications are most blisters and often universally straightforward. “A homeopathic first-aid kit at home minimize pain, is useful for cuts, burns, bumps and bruises, insect bites, poison oak/ivy while Silicea is and minor illnesses,” says Nissen. a good choice Rhus toxicdendron 28
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by Marlaina Donato
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Create a Family First-Aid Kit
Arnica montana
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Homeopathy to the Rescue
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healing ways
for splinters. In general, for all acute cases and injuries, remedies are often taken every hour and tapered down to every four hours upon signs of improvement or lessening of intensity. If results are not seen within two days, it is best to discontinue the remedy.
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Fighting the Flu When taken at the first sign of a cold or flu, specially combined homeopathic Hypericum perforatum formulas or single remedies can help to lessen severity and duration of certain viruses. Bryonia alba is useful for moderate fever, Gelsemium for general flu-like symptoms, Nux vomica for severe chills and nausea, and Arsenicum album for respiratory and stomach flus. Homeopathic remedies, like all medications, should be properly stored and kept away from children and pets. Also, not all products labeled as homeopathic may be pure. Some products add homeopathic remedies to other ingredients that are not safe; for example, Arnica gel may have alcohol, preservatives and stabilizers, and be harmful if swallowed. While homeopathy offers many benefits, Birch clarifies that it is not designed to be a quick fix and is best approached from a broader view or “a philosophy that shapes your dayto-day life. When you understand these things, once you have the right remedy, it produces instantaneous results.”
Homeopathy for Women’s Health by Vandana Pitke From puberty to menopause, a woman goes through multiple changes and transformations, both physically and emotionally. Homeopathy, with its thousands of remedies, has been proven to be effective for treating many chronic and acute hormonal, functional, pathological or structural health conditions throughout a woman’s life. From anxiety and depression during puberty and postpartum, or even pre/peri menopausal depression, PMS, hormonal imbalance, various uterine, ovarian and breast diseases, even cancers, homeopathy can be used to treat these diseases. Homeopathy considers disease as a misattunement of a vital force/life energy. Life starts with a single cell and it multiplies into trillions of cells. Energy flows rhythmically in harmony and balance from one cell to another. When this rhythm is disrupted by emotional traumas, wrong lifestyle choices, or a toxic environment and/or wrong foods, energy can get stuck, allowing diseases on physical or emotional levels to form. This shift in balance happens first on a subtle level, until at last, physical and pathological symptoms are manifested. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat acute as well as chronic conditions, but to address the underlying cause and an individuals’ susceptibility to imbalance. Traumas, abuse or stress are common and an inseparable part of the modern woman’s life. How that individual took the past trauma/abuse/stress and how they reacted in that situation matters the most. The evolution of the pattern of the disease and the symptoms related to that pathology, along with the core feeling associated with the whole person, are considered while choosing a remedy. Most of the time all this resonates with two or three remedies, and one which is the most similar one is chosen to match with that individual person. This is a classical way of prescribing homeopathy. As far as therapeutic medications are concerned, several remedies are available to treat any condition. But the individualized approach makes the whole difference and promotes healing from within. Vandana Pitke is a board-certified homeopath at Om Homeopathy. For more information, visit OmHomeopathy.com. See Resource Guide on page 33.
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Marlaina Donato is a body-mindspirit author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Bryonia alba
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inspiration
Three Steps for Facing Difficult Emotions by Shauna Shapiro
All of us can feel the impact of these uncertain and challenging times on our hearts and in our nervous systems. While there are parts of the situation that we cannot control, that does not mean we are powerless. When we’re up against change, uncertainty and stress, resilience is the key to navigate life and emerge with more happiness and satisfaction. We can cultivate resilience through the practices of mindfulness and compassion. Here are three key steps to finding greater clarity, calm and well-being. Naming our emotions. The first step is to bring mindfulness to whatever we are feeling and simply name it. Research shows that acknowledging and naming our emotions allows the body to physiologically calm down. It is helpful to remember that our emotions are here for a reason, metaphorically serving as a smoke alarm to let us know about an impending fire. Ignoring or repressing our emotions can lead to bigger problems, but mindfulness teaches us a different way to manage difficult emotions—acknowledge them and name what we feel—“name it to tame it.” When we name an emotion, it puts the brakes on our reactivity, down-regulates the nervous system and allows us to see clearly. Welcoming our emotions. The second step is to learn to welcome difficult emotions. Emotions have a limited time span, typically lasting for only 30 to 90 seconds. They arise, do their dance and pass away, like waves in the ocean. When we remember 30
Greater Boston/Rhode Island Edition | NA-GBRI.com
that this painful feeling will not last forever, it becomes more manageable. Through practice, we can learn to welcome all our emotions with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. This involves becoming interested in the emotion and the felt experience in the body. For example, we may feel sadness as a tightening in the throat or fear as a contraction in the belly. All emotions have their signature in the body. Compassion for ourselves and others. The final step to managing difficult emotions is to cultivate compassion. Self-compassion involves treating ourselves as we would a dear friend that is suffering. The willingness to face the pain in ourselves and in life takes great courage. As we practice self-compassion, we learn not only to grow from our own struggles and sorrows, but to connect with the sufferings and sorrows of others. We realize that we are not alone in our fear and overwhelm, and become aware of the many others right now that are also afraid. As we recognize our common humanity, our isolation begins to lessen and we understand that we are all in this together. Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and compassion whose most recent book is Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire the Brain for Calm Clarity and Joy. For more information, visit DrShaunaShapiro.com.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Sales@NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com to request our media kit.
Applied Kinesiology
Brain Training
CENTRAL SQUARE HEALTH AND WELLNESS
ADVANCED NEUROTHERAPY, PC
Kristine Jelstrup, CMFT, CBK, LMT 126 Prospect St, Ste 5, Cambridge, 02139 617-833-3407 Kristine@CentralSquareHealthAnd Wellness.com CentralSquareHealthAndWellness.com Through Muscle Response Testing Kristine is able to communicate with the nervous system and get to the root cause of your physical, emotional or chemical issues. Your body will indicate, through a binary feedback mechanism in the nervous system, which body systems are not functioning optimally and why. Is there an immune challenge, toxicity or does your body just need nutritional support? When you ask the body what it needs you can get clear answers and achieve optimal health..
Ayurveda Health Counselor Online Certification Course
Jolene Ross, PhD 781-444-9115 RetrainYourBrain.com
Specializing in Neurotherapy, an effective, drug-free treatment for: attention, behavior, emotional, and executive function problems, autistic spectrum, anxiety, depression, post-concussion, peak performance and more. See ad, page 21.
Cannibis Dispensary FULL HARVEST MOONZ
101 Plaistow Rd, Haverhill, MA 01830 978-702-4160 FullHarvestMoonz.com A woman-owned, adult-use Cannabis Dispensary in Haverhill, MA. At FHM, we use cannabis to clear and raise the vibration of the energy body to bridge wellness from within mentally, emotionally and spiritually. See ad on page 14.
SACRED STONE SCHOOL ONLINE 401-680-3934 Karyn@KarynChabot.com SacredStoneHealing.com
Chiropractic
Ayurveda is the time-proven, holistic science of longevity, self-healing from the East. We offer this ancient wisdom for modern times as a comprehensive form of life coaching certification including massage, nutrition, medical astrology, mantra, yoga and energy medicine. Discover your dosha and become a Certified Ayurveda Health Counselor. 7-mo and 12-mo programs. Financing available. Start anytime online. Self-paced. Put your health in your hands and become the healer you were meant to be. “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” –Thomas Edison. See ad on page 15.
NETWORK SPINAL ANALYSIS Patricia Hogan-Casey, DC Wholistic Chiropractic Center 215 Cottage St, Pawtucket, RI 401-725-4380 DrPatOnTheBack.com
Dr. Patricia Hogan-Casey, using Network Spinal Analysis, has witnessed profound effects on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels of her patients. The gentle precise touches to the spine initiate the removal of interference to the nervous system’s tension and function—essential cueing the brain to develop new strategies to experience greater well-being. See ad on page 9.
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MCARDLE CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER Catherine McArdle, DC Robert Sedlor, DC
2220 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI 02921 401-383-3400 McArdleChiropractic.com Family chiropractic practice offering holistic care to patients of all ages. Based on the initial evaluation, patients will be given a treatment plan which addresses ergonomics, exercise, stretching and nutrition in addition to their spinal alignment. See ad on page 24.
Coaching A CREATIVE HEALING PLACE Benjamin B. Blackett 401-855-2008 BBB3pips@gmail.com Facebook.com/BenjaminBBlackett
Benjamin Blackett is a multi-certified, International Life Mastery Consultant and motivational speaker. He helps people pull their dreams into their lives. His clients experience better health, deeper and more meaningful relationships, more satisfying careers, and expanded time and money freedom. You are invited to get to know him through his livestream “mindset book studies” on his Facebook page, A Creative Healing Place, Mon-Fri, 9:05-9:25am EST. See ad on page 24.
JAMISON JACOBS COACHING Jamison@JamisonJacobs.com Linkedin.com/in/jamisonjacobs
I am a graduate of Accomplishment Coaching and I am currently a Program Coach, coaching other coaches, in New York City. I work with executives, leaders and those in career transition. See ad, page 15.
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LIFE COACH DAVID
David Scott Bartky, Law of Attraction Life Coach 973-444-7301 LifeCoachDavid.com Find out how to attract what you want, feel happier, and become the best version of yourself with Law of Attraction coaching. You have the ability; you just have to know how to use it.
TAKE THE LEAP COACHING
Kim Childs 1025 Mass Ave, Arlington, MA 02476 617-640-3813 Kim@KimChilds.com KimChilds.com Need help clarifying and realizing your desires? Asking “What’s next?” or “How do I get started?” Kim is a certified life and career coach specializing in Positive Psychology, creativity, and midlife transitions, to help clients create more personally fulfilling, meaningful and empowered lives. Initial consultations are free.
Colon Hydrotherapy INTERNAL WELLNESS CENTER Liz Marcano-Pucillo 150 Wood Rd, Ste 403 Braintree, MA 02184 781-228-6915 Liz@InternalWellnessCtr.com InternalWellnessCtr.com
Receive professional colon hydrotherapy by a national board-certified therapist using the Angel of Water system. The most comfortable and private system in the industry. See ad, page 15.
Compounding & Wellness Pharmacy BIRD’S HILL COMPOUNDING PHARMACY
401 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA 02492 781-449-0550 Pharmacist@BirdsHillPharmacy.com BirdsHillPharmacy.com Familyowned and -operated since 1960, we have evolved from a traditional pharmacy to a worldwide compounding and nutritional resource. Our unique one-on-one patient consultations produce a full understanding of your health needs. You, your physician, and one of our compounding pharmacists work as partners to ensure that you will receive the best care possible.
DINNO HEALTH
Acton Pharmacy 563 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, MA 01721 978-263-3901 Keyes Drug 2090 Commonwealth Ave Newton, MA 02466 617-244-2794 Theatre Pharmacy 1784 Massachusetts Ave Lexington, MA 781.862.4480 West Concord Pharmacy 1212 Main St, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-3100 DinnoHealth.com For more than a quarter of a century, Dinno Health has been a trusted provider of pharmacy services and is committed to providing the highest quality of individualized care for each customer. At our four independent pharmacies, we offer prescriptions, compounded medications, medical supplies, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and vaccines. See ad, page 8.
JOHNSON COMPOUNDING AND WELLNESS
John Walczyk 577 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452 781-893-3870 • Fax: 781-899-1172 John@NaturalCompounder.com NaturalCompounder.com JCW is the only sterile and non-sterile PCABaccredited pharmacy in Massachusetts. In addition to our compounding service, we offer a full range of nutritional supplements, natural products, homeopathic remedies and home health care equipment. See ad on page 19.
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Dentist DENTISTRY BY DR. DAVID Amparo M. David, DMD 563 Main St, Bolton, MA 978-779-2888 BoltonDental.com
We look beyond our patients’ teeth in order to improve both their smiles and their quality of life. Our practice offers full preventive services: biological, holistic, functional dentistry, ozone therapy, reconstructive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, dental sleep medicine, implant dentistry, in addition to TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) therapy. See ad, page 21.
Frenectomy (Tongue/Lip Tie Release) DENTISTRY BY DR. DAVID Martin Kaplan, DDS 563 Main St, Bolton, MA 978-779-2888 BoltonDental.com
Specializing in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Kaplan uses the latest technology available to diagnose and treat infants as well as children and adults. In 2015, he was instrumental in developing the first-in-the-country “Infant Laser Frenectomy” training class through the continuing education department at Tufts Dental School and is an international leader in the field of dental laser surgery. See ad, page 21.
Functional Dietitian ALORA FREDERICK, RDN
Johnson Compounding & Wellness 781-893-3870 x 149 Alora@NaturalCompounder.com NaturalCompounder.com Integrative and Functional Registered Dietitian who strives to motivate individuals on their health journey. Alora loves to help people feel their best and has a special interest in GI health and mental health (depression & anxiety). See ad on page 19.
TAMARA LUCK, RDN, LDN
Johnson Compounding & Wellness 781-893-3870 x 104 Tamara@NaturalCompounder.com Tamara Luck, RDN, LDN, is excited to help you along your wellness journey. She uses a whole body and functional nutrition approach to help you reach your goals related to gut health, anti-inflammatory lifestyles, weight loss and optimizing your overall wellness. See ad on page 19.
Health Food Store
Mind-Body Medicine
NATURE’S GOODNESS
BODYMIND REPATTERNING
510 East Main Rd, Middletown, RI 401-847-7480 Facebook.com/NaturesGoodness NaturesGoodnessRI.com
Alison Shaw APRN, LMT, CEH 109 Massachusetts Ave Lexington, MA 02420 781-646-0686 Alison@BodymindRepatterning.com BodymindRepatterning.com
Functional & Regenerative Medicine
Since 1984 we have been providing the finest quality Natural & Organic Whole Foods including many gluten-free products, natural body care, athletic supplements & protein powders, incense, smudging supplies and candles made with essential oils. Natural pet care food & supplements. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Visit website for more information.
YOU HOLISTIC
Homeopathy
Naturopathic Medicine
VANDANA PITKE
CHRYSANTHI KAZANTZIS, ND, MS
Irina Serebryakova, NP 149 Epping Rd, Exeter, NH 03833 603-309-2030 Irina@YouHolistic.com YouHolistic.com At You Holistic, we provide the most effective, safe, advanced Regenerative Therapies available on the market. Stem cells trigger body’s natural ability to regenerate itself. They stimulate tissue repair by decreasing inflammation, restoring joint structure and alleviating pain.See ad on page 11.
Handmade Soaps & Skin Care
Om Homeopathy, It’s My Health Cumberland, RI 401-573-3757 OmHomeopathy.com With 16+ yrs experience in classical homeopathy, Vandana Pitke has helped many clients restore and achieve health. A certified classical homeopath, she looks at the clients from a holistic perspective focusing on mind, body and spirit. She also incorporates many other holistic modalities in her practice, which makes healing faster, better and from within when combined with homeopathy.
Integrative Veterinary Medical Care
NEW BEDFORD SOAP COMPANY NewBedfordSoapCompany.com
We have been making soap for over 10 yrs and have over 60 blends. We have scrubs, face, hand and foot creams, fragrance stones, along with perfume sticks, lip and cuticle balms. We also have dog shampoo and balms. Open M-F, 11am-4pm and Saturdays, 10am-2pm.
MASH MAIN ST ANIMAL SERVICES OF HOPKINTON Margo Roman, DVM 72 W Main St, Hopkinton, MA 01748 508-435-4077 MASHVet.com
A full-service integrative veterinary clinic offering caring and healthful options and modalities like acupuncture, functional nutrition, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbs, ozone therapy, surgery and dentistry. See ad, page 27.
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An innovative blend of bodycentered counseling, integrative bodywork and energy medicine to uncover and release bodymind patterns that limit your life and health. See ad, page 23.
Anasa Personalized Medicine 245 Waterman St., Suite 308 Providence, RI 02906 401-484-1882 AnasaMedicine.com
Owner and founder of Anasa Personalized Medicine, Licensed Naturopathic Physician, Clinical Nutritionist and Reiki Master. Specializing in digestive disorders, thyroid disorders, diabetes, Lyme disease and chronic pain. Addressing these conditions by treating the underlying cause through herbal medicine, supplements, homeopathy, clinical nutrition and lifestyle counseling. Book an appointment to start your journey to optimal health. See ad on page 8.
GARY KRACOFF, RPH & NMD
Johnson Compounding and Wellness 781-893-3870 Gary@NaturalCompounder.com Dr. Gary Kracoff provides guidance and in-depth consultative services to find the “why” to what is happening physically and mentally, working with individuals to restore balance in the body. Specializes in customizing medications to meet individualized needs of patients, and he suggests nutritional supplements, natural products and homeopathic remedies to aid in faster healing and recovery. See ad on page 19.
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Pilates
Reiki
BODY DYNAMICS RI
BOSTON REIKI MASTER
Peggy Normandin 1099 Mendon Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864 401-333-8550 BodyDynamicsRI@icloud.com BodyDynamicsRI.com We are a small boutique studio specializing in Pilates-based classes for women and men. Our highly trained instructors offer personal attention to our students to help them meet their fitness goals and improve their ability to enjoy activities. Free 30-min consultation or lesson for new students. See ad, page 27.
34 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands 617-633-3654 BostonReikiMaster.com Are you stressed from the pressure of your job, home life, kids or an illness? Do you want to feel calm and relaxed? Experience reiki. Certified Reiki Master/Teacher with over 20 years’ experience in energy medicine providing pure Usui Reiki healing/relaxation sessions.
Shamanic Practitioner ENERGY-N-ELEMENTS
Organic Hair Care FLIPP SALON APOTHECARY 38 Transit St Providence, RI 02903 401-274-1981 FlippSalon.com
A small boutique salon promoting a holistic approach to beauty, herbalism, art and music. Offering a full range of hair services using organic, plantbased products, full apothecary of loose herbs, blends and organic self-care items and accessories. Herbalist on staff. Gallery walls featuring local artisans; all mediums welcome. Live music in semi-acoustic for Music Nights. We believe that all these mediums are symbiotic in promoting joy and wellness in the individual and the community.
ELAYNE HEWITT
Master Colorist/Stylist Riverside, RI 401-273-7005 ElayneOrganic@gmail.com A full-service green salon that’s Certified Organic for hair color, straightening/relaxing and permanent wave. No ammonia, parabens, plastics or thioglycolates. Call today for an appointment. 50% off all new clients only.
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Paul A. DiSegna 401-736-6500 Energy-N-Elements.com
Are you feeling stuck, stressed or disconnected? I will assist you in releasing energy blocks and guide you to experience the comfort and peace that comes with power and soul retrieval. “My intention is to improve my client’s health and well-being.” Call for your appointment today.
Spiritual Guidance SOUL WISDOM HEALING 401-662-6642 SoulWisdomTarot.com
Virtual support for your holistic healing and wellness. Christine McCullough, MA, a holistic counselor certified in many forms of holistic techniques. Personalize your healing journey. Offering customized support for mind, body and spirit through EFT, expressive arts, body talk and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. Call to set up your appointment by Zoom or Google Duo.
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Spiritual HealingTeaching BE THE MEDICINE
Janet StraightArrow, Master Healer-Teacher 973-647-2500 Janet@BeTheMedicine.com BeTheMedicine.com Spiritual Life-Health Coach Guide, Master Healer. Training; Soul Shamanism, reiki all levels to Master, medical intuition. Get unstuck, discover true selfpurpose, home, business, land clearings, past-this life healing, astrology, Zoom and phone.
Tantra/Sacred Sexuality SACRED TEMPLE ARTS
Sacha L. Fossa, Masters Health Arts & Sciences, Certified Sex & Tantric Educator, Licensed Erotic Blueprint Coach, Healing Arts Practitioner 978-309-9399 SacredTempleArts.com Ready to have better sex and love your life more, partnered or not? Holistic, cutting-edge sex, intimacy and relationship coaching, energy and bodywork, for your sexual healing and empowerment. In-person and/or virtual sessions and programs. See ad, page 29
Wellness Resources BETH GARDNER
Acton Pharmacy Keyes Drug West Concord Pharmacy BGardner@DinnoHealth.com 508-259-7851 Certified lifestyle educator and the director of health and wellness at Acton Pharmacy, Keyes Drug and West Concord Pharmacy. Beth Gardner works one-on-one with patients to help create ways to improve diet and overall health as a means for disease and illness prevention. See ad, page 8.
BOSTON COMMUNITY
IT’S MY HEALTH
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Marie Bouvier-Newman 1099 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI 401-305-3585 Its-My-Health.com We provide much more than products, services and education. We provide the tools you need to optimize your health in a comfortable environment. We care. See ad on page 8.
All Calendar events for the June issue must be received by May 10 and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NA-GBRI.com for guidelines and to submit entries. For extended event descriptions and additional listings, visit NA-GBRI.com/calendar.
Due to the fluidity of the coronavirus situation and massive amounts of event cancellations, please visit our website for calendar listings. Please also be sure to confirm events prior to the date of the event.
We’re hoping to bring the calendar back in print by the end of spring. Please submit events at:
Yoga CECILE RAYNOR
Certified Alexander Technique Teacher; Certified Thai Yoga Therapist 33A Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445 617-359-7841 CecileRaynor.com Your yoga can release or create tension depending on the quality of your daily movements. Learn to let your postural mechanism work for you and notice excess body tension ease away on-and-off the mat.
TIME FOR YOU YOGA
Maria Sichel, RYT, CSYT 2155 Diamond Hill Rd Cumberland, RI 02864 401-305-5319 Maria@TimeForYouYoga.com TimeForYouYoga.com
NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com/ events/new Thank you, Natural Awakenings.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
Private Svaroopa® yoga therapy sessions are tailored to meet your needs. Specially trained in treating pain, including back pain and neck and shoulder issues. Yoga therapy is more powerful than weekly yoga classes and moves you more quickly toward health and well-being. Experience pain relief, greater mobility, improved sleep, easier breathing, deep relaxation, increased flexibility and a deep sense of peace.
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Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in
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(Answers: page 35)
