The Greek philosopher, Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine.” Today, the holistic medical world still follows this doctrine of healing the whole body when it comes to healing sickness. And, if you consider that we will eat more than 85,000 meals in an average lifetime, it’s no surprise that Hippocrates and today’s holistic practitioners still believe that what we eat matters to our health. So, how can we take steps to incorporate these natural living health-care regimes into our lives?

A well-rounded and natural approach to health care focuses on optimal wellness of an individual with a variety of techniques aimed at restoring a healthy balance to the body. In the past, most people would automatically seek out medical care, but holistic care is now one of the fastest growing areas of modern health care.

Maryellen Tedeschi is a naturopathic graduate and soon to be doctor at NEX Wellness in Burlington. NEX Wellness is one of the many holistic clinics throughout the country that offer holistic medicine, personalized nutrition, and lifestyle medicine plans such as regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management.

Maryellen explains that patients should expect their first visit to the clinic to take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. The time is needed to discuss the patient’s health history, any illnesses diagnosed by their medical doctor, any physical, mental, emotional or digestive issues, lifestyle habits, sleep patterns, and levels of energy. Once all the information has been collected, the doctor will then ask more specific questions into areas of concern. Following a general physical exam, the patient and doctor determine the patient’s personalized health goals and design a plan to achieve them.

Holistic medicine treatments can help manage many health challenges such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes management, multiple sclerosis, migraines, back pain, chronic pain, hypertension, hormone imbalances, anxiety and depression, thyroid issues, autoimmune diseases and digestive issues such as heartburn, bloating, food allergies and sensitivities, and irritable bowel diseases.

Like traditional medicine, holistic care can use a variety of diagnostic tools which includes blood work. However, they may also use additional measures such as acupuncture treatment, herbal medicines and preparations, personalized nutrition and  lifestyle counseling, IV therapies, nutrient infusions and hair analysis to develop a deeper understanding of their patients’ needs. All of the techniques are designed to evaluate various states of the body. Some of these diagnostic tools as well as the costs of the naturopathic doctor are covered by most extended health insurance packages. It is best to contact your individual provider for details.

It is becoming more common for traditional medical doctors, naturopathic doctors and other health experts to work together on patient care. “Being healthy is a team sport and involving outside practitioners onto a patient’s health team is always a decision for the patients”, says Maryellen who sees only better care when all of the experts collaborate.

NEX Wellness is but one of the many holistic care clinics in a growing industry and no two offer the same services. Some holistic clinics focus on nutritional management and offer cooking classes, food education, grocery store tours, pantry audits, and therapeutic meal planning with recipes. Others include services such as traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, massage treatment, weight and lifestyle management, women’s health, pain management, stress reduction and body movement. What they all have in common is their approach to the whole body rather than managing symptoms.

A decade ago there were two distinctly different camps of health care; traditional medicine and holistic care. Today these two industries are crossing over for comprehensive patient care that respects each unique individual, the combination of symptoms they present and the best treatment for the individual. Being healthy is definitely a team sport.

by Lynn Ogryzlo

Lynn Ogryzlo is a food writer and holistic nutritionist. She has founded FOOD 101, offering food education and healthy eating classes in Niagara and Toronto. www.FOOD101.ca

Local Links

NEX Wellness
Nexwellness.com

Oakville Naturopathic Clinic
Oakvillenaturopathicclinic.com

Healing Arts Acupunture
Healingartsacupuncture.ca

Abaton Integrative Medicine
Abatonim.com

Balance Point Health Centre
Balancepointhc.com

Burlington Natural Health Centre
Burlingtonnaturalhealth.ca

This time of year can be busy for everyone involved in education: for the kids, the parents, acedemic staff, and everyone in between. It’s time to get into a new groove after the summer season and jump into that new semester on the right foot. Battling stress at this time of year is a fight you may have to wage on many fronts, and experts and physicians agree that it is always important to focus on physical activity and maintaining satisfactory physical health in the pursuit of positive mental health.

We asked some of our local wellness and fitness experts to suggest a few ways to beat the stress of the season through a wellness routine.

Scott Emmerson, owner of Sandbox Fitness in Oakville, says “People need to metaphorically have the finger on the pulse of their stress and exercise within their boundaries. A harsh, aggressive workout may not necessarily resolve that stress inside us, but when we exercise to rise to the standards we have of ourselves, that’s when we truly see the stress reduction.” Emmerson believes that the back-to-school season is an ideal time to begin an exercise regime and include fitness within your routine. It feels like it is the beginning of a new season, and – once you get into that flow – you can ensure your wellness routine continues all the way into July. In other words, if you get into the groove now it will help alleviate your stress throughout the school year. 

Dr. Jacqueline Colello, naturopathic doctor at Nex Wellness in Burlington, says “The body is constantly trying to balance itself, and while acute stress can encourage resilience, chronic stress can be incapacitating.” This is where naturopathic medicine comes into the picture, approaching the effects of stress on the body from a holistic standpoint. In a meeting with a naturopathic doctor, the impacts of stress on health will be discussed – whether it’s more on the physical side or you are experiencing mental and emotional symptoms. A naturopathic doctor will assist you with a variety of patient-centered treatment options to meet individual needs. These can include a combination of clinical nutrition recommendations, nutrient and herbal support, and lifestyle changes. The goal will always be to encourage your body to combat stress, allowing you to feel your best!

Melinda Walker, owner and instructor at 7th Wave Yoga in Burlington, specializes in yoga for those suffering from trauma, grief, and PTSD. She also teaches yoga to teens and children, so dealing with stress is something she encounters often. Walker believes that this time of year can be hectic for both parents and children/teens, due to a number of factors including a change in routine, new schools, new schedules, less sunlight and the change of season. Those that are leaving home and heading to university or college for the first time may be especially at risk. Conforming to a new busy schedule can leave people forgetting to stretch, to get a breath of fresh air, or to take a break and have something nutritious to eat. This can result in the brain suppressing and ignoring the body’s signals, contributing to anxiety and stress.

Luckily, yoga can be used as a tool to help ease the transition. Learning specific breathing exercises can assist with calming when stress rears its head, and it can also help keep you energized when a bout of tiredness hits. Certain yoga poses can help release anxiety, fear and uncertainty from the body so that the feelings don’t keep repeating themselves. “Through specific poses, yoga teaches grounding and centering to help you feel safe and centered in any situation, in any place,” Walker states. “Through the asanas (poses), breathing, and mindfulness exercises, yoga helps you stay connected to your body and its signals, so that you can stay calm and focused, confident and secure.”

Do you have an action plan to alleviate your stress during this hectic season? By incorporating some of these ideas, everyone in your household can head into the new school year with focus, feeling good and with more confidence.

by Heather Peter

Local Links

7th Wave Yoga, Burlington
7thwaveyoga.com

Nex Wellness, Burlington
nexwellness.com

Sandbox Fitness, Oakville
sandbox-fitness.com

Amy Di Nino still remembers the quiet and withdrawn 12-year-old girl who came to her for music therapy several years ago. She had a dual diagnosis of autism and vision impairment and struggled with sensory overload to the point where she would shut out the world. Di Nino used music therapy to help calm her and created a safe environment in which she could reconnect with the world.

Di Nino watched the girl blossom and said it was an “unbelievable” experience. “Music was this powerful medicine that I was able to provide for her in the way she needed it most,” notes Di Nino, who is a Neurological Music Therapist as well as conductor, educator and composer. Di Nino’s company ADD Music Wellness offers music therapy programming for babies, toddlers and children and specializes in the treatment of children with a wide range of diagnoses and/or special needs. They see around 30 children a week, in both individual  and group music therapy sessions. She says music therapy is especially helpful for teaching children who have communication difficulties, because it provides them with a non-verbal way to communicate. It also helps children develop social skills, such as eye contact, and promotes emotional expression.

Music has long been recognized for its healing qualities but it can also help with brain development in infants and young children and even lead to moderate increases in IQ. Research by Laurel Trainor, professor of psychology and director of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind, showed that children age four or five who studied music for one year had more advanced EEG brain responses related to sound processing, memory and attention, in comparison to children engaged in other activities.

The power of music and the reason it is such an effective form of therapy lies in its ability to stimulate both sides of the brain. In doing so, it can improve sensorimotor functioning and overall growth in such areas as behaviour and social skills. Music therapy programs have proven effective with children who have autism, speech delays and developmental delays. But Di Nino says all children can benefit from it, not only those with special needs. “It’s not only an educational opportunity, but an enjoyable activity that provides structure and purpose in a child’s life,” says Di Nino, who offers classes in Burlington. Sessions include instrument play and/or instruction in piano, guitar, drums, hand percussion, educational concepts through music (colours, shapes, counting), singing/voice instruction, movement to music and music education.

Klaudia Music Studio in Oakville has been in the business of providing music therapy for 15 years and sees about 300 children a year. They offer lessons with 14 different teachers on various instruments, mostly piano. Owner Klaudia Thibault says while their program is not specifically for children with communication difficulties, they do see children with issues and most are able to overcome them with regular lessons. They offer individual lessons so students get undivided attention and can progress at their own speed.   

The reason music is such an effective tool to help children, states Thibault, is because most students can learn to express themselves through music. “It’s a skill for life and not only for children.  Adult students gain confidence and vent their anxieties through music,” says Thibault.

Di Nino says the response she’s seen from children who have come to her with challenges, like the 12-year-old girl she worked with, are what inspire her and keep her going. “It’s those kind of moments that make me incredibly grateful that this is how I give back to the world. I felt like I was making a small difference in the world, and particularly in her world.”

by Denise Davy

Local Links

ADD Music Wellness, Burlington
addmusicwellness.com

Klaudia Music Studio, Oakville
klaudiasmusicstudio.com

Music Therapy Ontario
musictherapyontario.com