By Dr Kelly McGuire

Detoxification is a hot topic at this time of year. Fall and spring during the change of season are wonderful times to reflect on our habits and routines, and make goals to change bad ones and aspire to healthier ones. Although our organs of detoxification; (see below) are constantly working to try and balance our body, sometimes they get overwhelmed by toxic exposure or become sluggish due to nutritional deficiency.

Organs of Detoxification

I’d like to take this opportunity to address some common concerns and questions that come up regarding the topic of detoxification.

How do I know what type of detoxification product to buy?

The truth is, sometimes no products are needed. Since our body already knows how to detoxify, sometimes it is a matter of simply removing the things that generally build up in our systems and lead us to become more toxic. For example, avoiding a food allergy to milk would be a perfectly good detox for a person who reacts to this food. Working with a naturopathic doctor or nutritionist who can help you identify food allergens would be one way to detoxify without using products. Also using techniques like sauna, exercise or changing the diet to focus on increased intake of organic fruits and vegetables for a few days can also lead to a gentle detox without the use of products.

On the other hand, there are instances where well designed products with therapeutic doses of specific substances can be used to compliment or enhance a detox. This is when working with a professional becomes important to ensure you do not waste your money or time on the thousands of products marketed for detox. An example of this would be a tea that only addresses the purging of the bowel and neglects to support any other organs or systems. This can result in becoming dehydrated, or worse, dependant on the use of laxatives to have a normal bowel movement. Having a professional help you decide which products to use will ensure a comprehensive and individualized approach to detoxification.

My friend did a detox and felt great, why do I feel so crummy?

The concept of biochemical individuality is extremely important when considering what type of detox to do. While some people have excellent bowel function and go to the bathroom more than 2 times per day, others struggle with this elimination pathway and may in fact do more damage if they detoxify one system of their body without making sure that the others are in balance. This is just one example. What medications you are on and how long you have been on them can also affect specific organ systems like the kidneys or liver over others. This plays a role in what would be appropriate for you. Talking with your doctor about your health history is a key part of designing an individualized protocol that will ease your body through the process and avoid negative side effects as much as possible. Of course some negative effects are to be expected like the headache that comes along with caffeine withdrawal or the tummy rumbles that come along with sugar cravings while your body initially adjusts.

Are colonics safe and effective for detox?

Colonics are a form of hydrotherapy, like an enema, that flush out the bowels to aid in detoxification. While this practice can be safe and effective when performed by a trained practitioner with sterile equipment it doesn’t come without risk. There is always a risk of infection from improper equipment, perforation of the bowel, chemistry disturbances due to absorbing excess water, and caution needs to be used in those with gastrointestinal disorders, tumors, hemorrhoids or heart and kidney disease. Often times it is a matter of being properly prepared for the colonic to make it the most effective and safe. It is best to be supervised by a physician like your MD or ND if you have any concerns regarding this treatment approach.

I can’t do this alone; can my whole family do a detox?

Yes! It is important to have moral support and the whole family on board when making comprehensive changes, especially to the diet. Often asking a spouse to participate or making small changes to everyone’s diet is a great way to adopt healthier habits as a family. Making smoothies in the spring and experimenting with different combinations of fruits and vegetables is a great example. This not only goes for diet but teaching the family about how to decrease exposures to things like cleaning products, beauty products and environmental toxins can go a long way in cultivating a healthy family. Caution should be used with young children and for pregnant and lactating women as this is not the most appropriate stage in life to do a detox. This is a time of building (tonifying) or maintaining balance.

Try this recipe at your next family dinner as a rejuvenating vegetarian feast that will benefit everyone’s body. Add it to the weekly rotation of healthy meal choices.

Cleansing Kichadi

These are just some of the common questions I get from patients regarding detoxification. Bottom line is that you want to have a protocol designed specifically for your individual needs. It is also important to consider the safety and therapeutic value in products marketed for detox. If you have more questions seek the help of a professional.

by Jason Brandow, DOMP

You’re having a great visit with a co-worker, a family member, or a close friend, when they say “Oh, you should see an Osteopath.” Of course you reply by saying, “What’s an Osteopath?” If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked “What is Osteopathy” I would be a millionaire. I find that no matter how I try and describe how I treat my patients, the next question is ALWAYS

“What is the difference between Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and Chiropractic?”

There are many similarities between these therapeutic practices, but there are a few marked differences that really set each one apart. Here is a quick explanation of each.

Physiotherapy specializes in the rehabilitation of both acute and chronic joint injury, using a wide variety of stretches and strengthening exercises that the patient does in clinic and at home. Physios often use ultrasound or laser therapy machines to aid in tissue recovery. Some physios use hands on treatments for soft tissue injuries, but most rely exclusively on exercise prescription. Sessions are usually 30 minutes.

Chiropractic is one of the most well known forms of hands on therapy here in Ontario. The foundation of chiropractic lies in spinal manipulation to normalize vertebral position and free pressures on underlying nerve roots. Some Chiropractors prescribe home exercise and stretching programs, or work with a physio to complement the adjustments. Sessions are usually 15 minutes.

Osteopathy is the newest form of hands on therapy in Ontario, but it is actually the oldest of the three, beginning in the late 1800’s. Osteopathy uses a balanced mix of soft tissue techniques and gentle spinal realignments to treat the patient. Osteopathy is known for being the most holistic form of hands on therapy, meaning that we look over the whole body to find patterns and pulls away from the painful area. Osteopathy is used to treat infant issues such as colic, digestion issues, and cranial bone malformation. This specialization in cranial anatomy also allows us to treat all kinds of adult conditions related to the eyes, ears, sinuses, and jaw as well. An Osteopathic treatment is typically booked for 1 hour.

I hope this helps to clarify the difference between these three common therapies. For more information please feel free to contact us here at Core Link Wellness.

By Dr Kelly McGuire ND

Try this recipe at your next family dinner as a rejuvenating vegetarian feast that will benefit everyone’s body. Add it to the weekly rotation of healthy meal choices.

By Dr Kelly McGuire and Dr Payam Kiani

Overcoming breast cancer is a tremendous personal and medical endeavor. Naturopathic Medicine has a lot to offer those patient’s facing this daunting task.  Whether you are faced with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or recovery after your conventional care, our naturopathic doctors can help you stay healthy and have better outcomes.

Some of the most common tools used to help support your care and help you to navigate your journey towards remission include:

• Nutritional assessment – You are what you eat, digest and assimilate into your cells! Optimizing your diet pre- and post- surgery can improve healing and speed up recovery. A healthy diet is the root of a healthy life in the long term.
• Nutritional supplementation – undergoing chemotherapy or radiation is necessary for cancer survival but also very damaging to healthy cells. Using selected nutritional supplements before and after your conventional treatment can help lessen the fatigue and other unpleasant side effects of your entire healing process.
• Lifestyle suggestions – Exercise, meditation, prayer, and other lifestyle techniques can greatly influence a healthy recovery. Discussion about healthy habits is integral to a Naturopathic treatment plan.
• Acupuncture – This ancient Chinese practice is a large part of a Naturopathic Doctor’s training. We use acupuncture needles to relax muscles, balance physical symptoms and access subtle mental/emotional channels that exist in our bodies. The balance of yin, yang, qi and blood ban bring profound strength to a healing body.
• IV therapy – Giving nutrients to your cells is a complex process when we eat food. Delivering specific nutrients like Vitamin C directly to the blood stream is a safe and effective treatment option.

By Kathleen Simpson

Pectoral and Shoulder Stretches and Strengthening

Before and after surgery of any kind, it’s best to be our best. Our body is going to or has experienced a change, a procedure that has changed our structure, our skin, muscle, fascia, everything to the cellular level.

Before surgery or at least after surgery it is best to exercise to ensure our best Range of motion (ROM) for our muscles and joints that will be affected by the changes of surgery. Even a week without exercise can make us weaker, so we want to ensure we have our optimal strength prior to surgery. Having strength and flexibility will greatly assist in the healing process.

Surgery causes scar tissue to form underneath the skin, where we can’t see it, however, this scar tissue causes decrease in our ROM in the surrounding area, as well as restrictions to the tissue and muscle. By stretching and strengthening the area surrounding the surgery site we can bring our body back to optimal health and balance.

Surgery in and around the Breast area also effects the shoulder, the scapula, the neck (cervical) and the arms. So, we need to ensure we include all of these in our strength training regimen.

Here are some examples of important exercises and stretches, please take the time to look at your form, never push your tissues to the point of “sharp” pain, however, some discomfort (tightness) is to be expected after surgery.

ROM of Pectoral Muscles (upper chest)

1) Post surgery and after your physician has given  you the go ahead to start your gentle exercise, in the shower start massaging your chest muscles, tissues under your arm and while your doing this try to lift your arm up toward the ceiling, eventually trying get your arm as straight and as close to your ear as possible.

2) Before and after surgery ROM for Pectoral and Shoulder

Stand against a wall, preferably in front of a mirror, spread your arms straight out to the side (like a cross), try to run your arms up towards your head keeping your arms straight and against the wall. If you have to come off the wall at any spot to keep your arms straight, this is where you have some restriction in your ROM, range of motion, keep working with this daily for improvement. Feel the stretch in your chest, shoulder and sides.

You can also do this exercise (stretch) laying on the floor running your arms along the floor up towards your head, when this is comfortable you can add laying on a foam exercise roller. The roller exercise allows you to go further in your stretch as your arms are now behind your body with arms straight working towards your head.

3) Supine Rotation Stretch

Lay on your side knees at right angles to hip (like your sitting in a chair), your head on a pillow which is mostly behind your head. Keep your knees together and rotate your upper body by lifting your arm and directing it behind you, follow your arm with your eyes so your head rotates with your upper body. You will be trying to look behind yourself with your hips and knees in front of you. The rotation  comes from your spine, not just your shoulders. Really try to reach and stretch from your mid back. Stay for a few minutes to allow your muscles to stretch gently, make sure your shoulders are away from your ears as much as possible. You can gently massage your Pectoral muscles towards your shoulder to obtain more ROM.

Do this stretch at least twice to each side every day. You can even do it in bed before or after your sleep.

When you have achieved good range of motion you can begin strength training for your pectoral, arm and shoulder muscles. Here are two good strength training exercises, please pay attention to your form.

4) Fly

Laying on your foam roller with hand weights, place your arms out to your sides, (like a cross) bring your straight arms over your chest and return your arms to the floor.

5) Assisted push ups, from floor.

Knees on the floor, hands shoulder width apart, push yourself up so your arms are straight.

** Ensure your abdominals are pulled up and in, and that your shoulder blades stay apart don’t pinch your shoulder blades together or drop your head/neck. Head and neck should always be in line with your upper back working with the muscles between your shoulder blades, your shoulder blades are kept down away from your ears.**

* Push up against wall. Feet are away from the wall so when you place your hands on the wall at shoulder level and width you are at a 90 degree angle, your buttocks are not sticking out, you push your buttocks towards the wall, not out behind you. This opens up your hip towards the wall so you are really leaning into the wall. Head is in line with your upper back, shoulder blades are apart and stay wide, your abdominals are pulled up and in and  your gluteus (buttocks) are tight to support your pelvis. Now bend your elbow so your whole body, not just your head, leans towards the wall. Only go as far as your shoulders stay in place, now with a big exhale straighten your arms and push with your chest muscles.

By Erin Rothenburger

Massage Therapy can be very beneficial in the treatment of a variety of issues that may arise as a result of procedures and treatments (ie: biopsy, partial or full mastectomy) for breast cancer.  The shoulder, arm, chest, rib cage, neck, and even the breast can be treated directly using a variety of different hands on techniques.  Shoulder and neck mobility, muscle function, tissue mobility and health, lymphatic drainage, and circulation can all be addressed with the use of massage.

Mobility and Function: Mobility and ease of movement can become limited in the neck, shoulder girdle, rib cage and arm.  Scar tissue can cause pulling, puckering and adherence of underlying structures.  Massage therapy can work directly to prevent and reduced these restrictions in order to lessen pain and improve appearance and function.  Frozen Shoulder (an adherence of the capsular joint of the shoulder which can significantly limit range of motion in the shoulder and arm) can also be detected and treated with the use of massage therapy.

Stress and Relaxation: Massage therapy can be very beneficial in calming the nervous system, reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation, leading to an overall state of wellbeing.

Nerve Compression Syndromes: (commonly Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) As a result of tissue restriction, postural changes, or swelling/ congestion in the tissue, the plexus of nerves and blood vessels arising from the neck and shoulder may become compressed, resulting in symptoms that can extend all the way down the arm.  These symptoms may include pins and needles, numbness, burning pain, hot/cold changes, nagging pain or throbbing.  By reducing these restrictions and addressing postural or body alignment changes, the compression can be reduced or eliminated.

Lymphatics and Circulation: Lymphatic drainage and circulation can become blocked affecting especially the breast and arm.  These blockages can cause a loss in tissue health, swelling, discomfort and pain.  There are many lymph nodes located in area of the breast and axilla (armpit).  If lymph nodes have been removed, it makes it much more difficult for this draining and circulation to occur on its own.  Massage therapy can assist with this process.

Pain and Soreness: As a result of scar tissue and restrictions, muscle tension and functional compensation, as well as nerve and circulatory compression and drainage problems, pain and soreness can persist.  By addressing these issues, then the pain and soreness can be greatly reduced.

Massage Therapy is a regulated health profession.  Many extended health benefit plans cover massage therapy treatment.