Tag Archives: restore

When Night Sweats Aren’t Just From Summer Heat

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by Nikki Vanacek, Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioner at TCM Wellness Clinic

When my mother went through menopause I thought she went crazy (sorry mom). She slept all the time because she didn’t feel well. She had fits of anger, sorrow, and withdrew herself from the rest of the world.  She cried all the time – she just wasn’t herself. Her actions scared me – I was mad AND sad. She’d be doing the dishes and be drenched in sweat. I’d ask her what was wrong. She’d reply with, “Oh nothing. Our bodies just change as we get older.” I thought, dear God, please don’t let me go through this.

Fast forward to 7th grade health class. I learned a little bit about menopause and realized this was exactly what my mom was going through. That day, I promised myself that I would do whatever I could to keep myself and every other women from struggling through menopause. This experience also led me to choose Traditional Chinese Medicine as my career. With diet, emotional support, guidance, acupuncture and herbal medicine you can get through this transition of life and come out stronger, happier, and inner balance.

Menopause is something that all women will go through. Whether you go through it naturally or medically induced, most women suffer from symptoms of menopause in their 40s and 50s. Symptoms that occur are as minor as irregular periods, hot flashes, some headaches, and fatigue to major symptoms like insomnia, emotional changes and digestive issues. You can feel like you have been put into a different body and mind sometimes. Logically, your family understands the change,  but their patience eventually wear’s thin. That is where Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you find relief. I can help you calm your mind, sleep, decrease hot flashes, restore joy, and help increase energy. Acupuncture is a safe, non-painful way to restore balance to your body. While herbal medicine will help to sustain your balance and strengthen deficiency in the body.

A few tips to help you begin to feel better right away:

  •  Enjoy relaxing yoga before bed
  •  No television after 8 pm
  •  Increase – Calcium and magnesium before bed
  •  Drink cool water with fresh cucumber (cucumbers have a cooling property!)
  •  Increase in your diet – Alfalfa, lettuces, watermelon, bananas, walnuts, salmon, honey, eggs (the whole egg), lemon, mint, grapes, pears, dark chocolate, kidney beans, soy, and white rice
  •  Decrease in your diet- Red wine, dairy, shrimp, ginger, trout, carbs after noon, sugars

Enjoy these cooling dishes to help you in the heat:

  • Salmon with a lemon soy sauce glaze, a side of asparagus, sweet potatoes, and a Gin Mojito with mint
  • White rice, eggs, edamame beans, carrots, with cranberries mixed together, and a glass of lemon water
  •  Grilled chicken in a romaine lettuce wrap with pears and Gouda cheese, alongside a glass of cucumber water
  •  Grilled pork chop with apple, pears, grapefruit chutney. Add a side salad and a cool crisp white wine.

Don’t let menopause stop you from enjoying the rest of this summer! For a limited time, take advantage of TCM Wellness’ 2 Hour Wellness Package including Acupuncture, Tui Na Massage and Cupping for $40 off. Learn more here!

 

Nikki Vanacek is a Board Certified Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioner and Certified Massage Therapist at TCM Wellness Clinic, located in Wayzata. She holds a Bachelors in Health Sciences and a Masters in Oriental Medicine from Northwestern Health Science University. Nikki also has two years of advanced practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at The Courage Center in Golden Valley treating stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. She has also trained at a top ranked medical college in Tain Jin China.

At TCM Wellness Clinic, Nikki helps people achieve a healthier lifestyle by using Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Massage and Bodywork, and Health & Life Coaching. Her specialties include stroke management, emotional health issues, women’s menstrual health issues, such as menstrual discomfort and pain, hot flashes, night sweats, and digestive conditions in addition to treatment of many other temporary and chronic health conditions. Connect with TCM Wellness Clinic on Facebook.

“Your child is very bright, but…”: How Developmental Movement Therapy Can Help

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by Stephanie Johnson MA, R-DMT, LPC

There are an increasing number of very bright children unable to perform their best at school. A bright child who does not perform at grade level or has a hard time focusing is often thought of as needing to try harder. Many parents struggle with how to support a smart child who is perceived as not “working up to their ability.”

There are a series of underlying body mechanics that need to be in place before a child can absorb curriculum and demonstrate grade level proficiency. For example, the ability to keep the legs stable in a chair so that the upper body can work, write and express should be automatic. When a child’s body does not do this automatically, precious brain space is used for the physicality of sitting and working thus, robbing resources needed for academic pursuits. When the higher order thinking part of the brain has two jobs to perform it cannot produce high quality work, causing smart children appear as though they are not working hard.

For some children this type of over-working the thinking brain can lead to cognitive fatigue causing a surplus of adrenaline to be released just so the body can keep up with the tasks at hand. Adrenaline is a very powerful chemical needed to run from a big bear, it is not optimal for children to be using it daily just to get through the school day. Think about how you feel after drinking too much coffee, how about after a few days of drinking too much, or a few months! The extra adrenaline in a child’s system can easily cause symptoms of attention challenges. These are just two examples of what can occur to a learner whose body is not supporting the learning process, but rather getting in the way.

What would cause a child’s upper and lower body to not work harmoniously while doing desk work? The body mechanics needed for lifelong cognition, emotional intelligence and perception are developed during the first 15 months of life as an infant is learning to lift the head, roll over, sit, crawl and creep. For many of our children there is not ample time to fully complete all these movements because, as a culture, we are moving away from having babies on the floor where these body mechanics are developed.

Developmental Movement Therapy (DMT) offers children the opportunity to revisit early motor patterns that were not completed as an infant in a fun and supportive environment. DMT has helped many students find ease and comfort in learning without engaging in endless hours of remedial work and/or tutoring. Parents feel so relieved to learn that there is an effective, non-invasive course to supporting their bright child.

Find out how Developmental Movement Therapy can work for your child. For a limited time, save $60 on a two-visit intake and assessment at Sage Education Center. Click here to learn more!

Stephanie Johnson MA, DTR, LPC is a licensed teacher, Registered Dance Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor and mother who brings a unique perspective to education and child development. Recognizing the body’s role in optimal learning, Ms. Johnson has integrated her experience in the classroom with training in a variety of developmental movement therapies to offer effective treatment plans for children who struggle to perform their best at school. Stephanie offers a deep understanding of how a child’s early physical development influences achievement at school both socially and academically. Ms. Johnson is committed to assessing the origin of symptoms rather than employing a series of coping strategies that overlook the root of the problem. In addition to her therapeutic work with children, Stephanie offers workshops and trainings for parents and educators and is the author of Bring Your Body to Class: A School Wide Model for Celebrating the Body’s Role in Learning. Stephanie is the director of Sage Education and Therapy in SW Minneapolis. Connect with Sage Education and Therapy on Facebook.

Massage Therapy for the Cancer Patient

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by Melanie Bowen, Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance 

Anyone who has personally been through or witnessed the rigors of cancer treatment firsthand knows that the patient can experience agonizing mental and physical symptoms ranging from stress, anxiety, depression, and intense pain, among others. However, hope is beginning to emerge regarding the potential benefits of massage therapy for cancer patients. Even though massage does not provide a cure for cancer, it can still serve as an irreplaceable means for the patient to improve their mental state and also to manage pain, even if only temporarily.

Massage has been a key component of healing the sick for thousands of years, and new clinical research is now beginning to directly measure the benefits of massage for those inflicted with cancer. One recent study done by the Mayo Clinic revealed that every patient surveyed answered positively to massage therapy helping to lower their stress and anxiety levels, thus increasing their ability to relax. Another study conducted at the University of Colorado measured the moods of patients before and after massage treatments, and it was found that their frame of mind increased by an average score of 23.6%. These two studies may just be the tip of the iceberg as well.

 

In addition to the improved mental state of mind, many physical benefits may be seen with massage as a vital component of a patient’s cancer treatment. Much of the intense pain that is experienced may be reduced in the short term, and a study published by the Oncology Nursing Society even showed that patients undergoing chemotherapy were able to ease the associated nausea. Massage therapy may also be an essential part of a cancer patient’s ability to get a better night’s sleep, and can work toward boosting overall immunity as well.

Despite the aforementioned trials (and numerous others) demonstrating the effectiveness of massage therapy, worry still persists among many that massage is potentially harmful to the cancer patient, or that it can actually lead to the spread of cancer. These concerns are unfounded; assuming the patient is working with their doctor and a skilled therapist who is trained in the massaging of cancer patients and who has a clear understanding of the patient’s individual situation, there should be no risk whatsoever.

As long as the appropriate precautions are taken, an effective massage therapy experience will work around the negative side-effects and complications of the patient’s cancer treatment, and may provide all of the benefits mentioned above, if not more.

So regardless of whether the patient is inflicted with lung cancer, leukemia, mesothelioma, or any other type of cancer, massage therapy can and should be considered as an integral part of treatment. Not only will patients experience an increased sense of well-being, but they will also feel better physically, and that is always a good thing.

Find a Twin Cities’ massage therapist to assist in your treatment at Restore.

Melanie Bowen joined the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance in 2011 as an awareness advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. You will often find her highlighting the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness. Melanie also assists in social media outreach in her efforts to spread awareness. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter or at mbowen@mesothelioma.com

 

Teaching Yoga in Public Schools

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by Debbie Cohen, owner, Core Yoga

The other day, Malika, a young woman at Brighton High School in Boston, told me that when she has yoga class first thing in the morning, she always has a great day afterwards.

Other Boston public school students have shared:

“Yoga calms my mind and helps me control my behavior during the rest of the day… If I can breathe on the mat, then I can breathe during homework to help me through the process.”

“I’ve noticed when I take yoga classes, I have gotten better sleep because many things come off my mind when I practice the ‘slow deep full breaths’ in my belly.”

“I had respect for the relaxation before, but now I appreciate it more. It slows down my mind to the pace where I block out everything else.”

 

It can be rewarding to teach yoga in schools. That said, teaching yoga in schools requires different preparation than teaching yoga to willing adults who have signed up for relaxation and are happy to be led towards that experience.

My experience shows that students are not receptive to serious, heavy-handed instruction in how to relax. First, they do not find this approach relaxing. Second, they already know how to relax. They relax by reading, shopping, playing sports, listening to music etc. No matter how beneficial or sacred I might find the practice, the students respond well when yoga is fun, lighthearted and approached in the spirit of inquiry.

I have found that flowing in and out of the poses in rhythm to the music maintains attention effectively. The less I speak and the more I let the music and movement speak, the happier we all are. This way it is much easier to manage the class. It is fun rather than dogmatic.  During the closing relaxation, I often turn on an inspirational song, either with lyrics the students can appreciate or a yoga chant. I allow that listening to facilitate relaxation and breathing lower down in the belly.

Another technique I have found helpful is breaking down poses through preparatory movements which themselves teach the way into the full poses. This approach enables the students to discover how to embody them skillfully without my saying too much. They feel it from experiencing the movements and, again, it is fun.

It is true that I hold yoga with a certain reverence. I get up early to practice. I also respect my students’ revered practices- spending early morning hours doing their hair and make-up or practicing basketball with intensity and commitment. Rather than feeling I have influenced these students, I feel I myself have been profoundly influenced. My willingness to do whatever it takes to make teaching yoga in schools work has been fascinating to observe in myself- sweeping floors and cleaning out closets, buying food several times a week, soliciting donations, incorporating music into my teaching style. The experience has led me to shift my focus from teaching yoga to getting to know the students by sharing yoga with them… and this has made all the difference.

Deborah Cohen holds a bachelor’s degree in literature and a master’s in education from Harvard University. She also has a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Deborah teaches Positive Psychology with Tal Ben-Shahar, previously at Harvard University and now at Kripalu Yoga Center in Massachusetts. Through the Boston Public Schools Fitness and Wellness Department, she has trained teachers to incorporate yoga into their classrooms and she is contracted to collaborate on a research project with Harvard University/Children’s Hospital researcher Katie McLaughlin, PhD in the summer of 2012. Deborah is also the author of Journey to Inner Space: A Children’s Yoga Book which you can find on Amazon.

Craniosacral Therapy: Brain surgery, Massage, or Both?

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by Nichi Hirsche Kuechle, My Healthy Beginning

You wouldn’t believe the questions I get asked, but I’m here to tell you: I totally get it.

Over a decade ago when I looked into craniosacral therapy, I avoided it like the plague because it sounded like brain surgery! That is, until one day when an acquaintance asked if she could practice her new modality on me.

I knew within 30 seconds I had to learn craniosacral therapy. I had been searching for something that fit my hands and method of practice, and I had finally found it.

 

Craniosacral therapy works to release and stimulate the membranes and fluid that surround the spinal cord. This soft body balancing does wonders to guide the nervous system into balance so it can focus on healing and ease in movement.

 

When I first started implementing this practice with my clients, I saw longer, lasting benefits from this work than with the deeper and more painful massage techniques I was using. When I applied this soft and gentle modality, clients moved more quickly into relaxation and experienced the longer lasting benefit of relief from their pain.

Utilizing craniosacral therapy in my practice with soon-to-be mamas and their growing bodies is fascinating. It helps reduce sciatica, low back pain, neck tension, and the tiredness that comes from pregnancy. Because we can do this work standing, sitting or lying, we are able to find a position that works best for mom throughout all her pregnancy stages.

Kids get tired as well, and I see this often in my practice. They get tired because of working through behavior issues and not sleeping restfully through the night. For these cases, I also use Nutrition Response Testing so we can remove inflammatory foods in partnership with a weekly craniosacral visit. Typically, within the first visit there is a shift in behavior, and it is awesome. It is noticeable not only by mom and dad, but by teachers and even the child! Children feel lighter, have more energy, can focus and concentrate with more ease, and fall into work easily.

I’ve never seen such a non-invasive therapy that leaves everyone feeling rested, released, and refocused as much as I have with craniosacral therapy.

This week, Nichi is offering 50% off one craniosacral therapy session! Get your deal and learn more here.

Nichi Hirsch Kuechle supports moms from pregnancy to parenthood as a Bradley Natural Childbirth Instructor, Parent Coach, Craniosacral Therapist, and Doula in Minneapolis. She publishes a weekly e-zine called Raising Healthy Babies, which offers tips and ideas to bring ease, clarity and understanding to your parenting. She also teaches a variety of live and virtual workshops. You can get Nichi’s New Parent Tool Kit, for free ($30 value!), by going to MyHealthyBeginning.com.

Say Yes to You

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Jen Vertanen, founder, The Wholehearted Life

Working Mom

 

If you are a woman and you have children, you are a working mother – end of story with a great big exclamation point.

You may be CEO of an international company, budding entrepreneur, part-time student, or a stay at home mom; regardless of your title, the role of motherhood and all the lovely bits that come with are yours and yours alone and balancing life’s demands can be daunting at best.

 

Giving in to Life’s Demands
So many of us easily succumb to those demands (from children, spouse, family, friends, work, volunteering, you name it) because we want to be in service to everyone and everything but here’s the thing: when we give in to life’s demands, we stop being of service to ourselves.

We stop finding time to read a book or go for a walk or take that stained glass workshop we’ve been dying to try. We stop going away for long weekends with our girlfriends to relax and rejuvenate.

We can’t possibly find time to exercise or prepare a deliciously nutritious homemade meal because there isn’t enough time. Instead, we drive through McDonalds … again.

How often do you find yourself saying, “I can’t do that, I don’t have the time.” And how often is that “thing” you’re saying no to something that you would actually love to do because it would fill your cup, making you feel reenergized and refreshed?

I get it, I really do. I’m a mother of three and a budding entrepreneur. But here’s my question for you: Are you able to be as effective serving others if you’re not serving your needs?

Instead of feeling exhausted, tense, sluggish and, let’s be honest, sometimes resentful imagine feeling rested, relaxed, balanced, patient and energized.

  • How much more effectively could you tackle the demands in your life?
  • How could your relationships improve?
  • How might your relationship with yourself be different?
  • How could your entire life change?

24 Hours – The Great Equalizer
Each of us has the same 24 hours in a day. Regardless of our titles and demands, all of us are given the same 24 hours and here’s the really cool part ~ you get to define how you spend those 24 hours!

You get to say “yes” or “no,” you get to decide whether you return a phone call or take a bath, you get to set boundaries and limits – even with your spouse and children. And you decide if you show up in the world each day rested, relaxed and energized or tense, impatient and exhausted.

What’s Your Decision?
How can you find ways in your day to say no to something (or someone) and say yes to you? Let us know in the comments below. Then take a deep, cleansing breath and smile. You are amazing, you are a working mother and you are beautiful. Having trouble making time for yourself or making you a priority? Let us know that too, we’re a community filled with great ideas.

 

Jen Vertanen is the founder of The Wholehearted Life where she coaches and guides women to fall in love with themselves and their imperfectly beautiful and oftentimes messy lives.  Jen can be found coaching, inspiring, dreaming up the perfect party for her clients, and sharing just a bit too much at http://www.jenvertanen.com, Facebook, and the Twitter.

 

Access the Best for Less, Locally

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Restore was created to help you make informed health and lifestyle decisions. That’s why I’m so excited to announce Restore’s Weekly Deals, launching on May 20! I know it sounds like we’re joining the online deal frenzy, but Restore Weekly Deals are different.

 

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Our Weekly Deals coincide with Restore’s topic of the week. For example, you’ll learn about and discover local options for infertility treatment, children’s healthcare, energy healing, detoxing, healthy beauty products and much more!
  • Whatever the topic, we’ve done the research to find credible practitioners and businesses in the Twin Cities to support the weekly focus. Not only will you have access to great deals to try out fantastic local opportunities, you’ll learn what they’re really about so you can continue to build on your relationship, if you choose, after you’ve “tried them on for size.”
  • Restore’s Weekly Deals were created with conscious living in mind. We all deserve to play an active role and have a voice in what we do or have done to our bodies. It’s not black or white, what works for me may not work for you. That’s for you to decide. Being able to try local products and services at a discounted price is a great way to find what works for you.
  • Our Weekly Deals are highly limited. If you’re interested, you’ll need to act fast because there really are only a limited number of deals available for purchase. Why? Because we’re connecting you with the best and the entire Restore community strives to ensure you receive the best service possible. This is an opportunity to explore your options and feel good about the decisions you make, whatever they may be.

Sign up at restorehealing.com and, beginning May 20, you’ll have an all-access pass to products and services from high-integrity local businesses so you can truly discover what’s right for you and your family. When you sign up we’ll even give you a $5 credit on your first deal! Be sure to share the wealth (and health) and tell all your friends about Restore Weekly Deals as well.

We look forward to connecting with you in this new and unique way!

Sincerely,