Massage Special: 2 massages for $100

What a deal!! Valid for purchase through Mother’s Day. Coupon Code: Spring Special.

call Glow at 206 568 7545 to purchase or schedule

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A Mind Body Approach to Treating Depression

Some of you have asked me to explain further some of the methods that I use in psychotherapy. Using depression as an example, I will try to explain how I utilize an Integrative, Strengths-Based, Transpersonal approach to treating depression.

According to the World Health Organization, by the year 2030 depression will be the most prevalent health problem. More and more, normal changes in our mood are being diagnosed as depression, and even if the individual truly is depressed, the treatment is mostly limited to powerful, pharmaceutical medications.

Doctors often times lack the time or training to recommend alternative treatment options. An Integrative approach does not exclude the use of medications, but employs both conventional and evidence-based natural therapies for some mental health conditions.

Here at Glow, our Naturopathic doctors may explore some nutritional approaches to treating depression by ordering blood work to rule out vitamin deficiencies and exploring optimal diet. The World Health Organization acknowledges acupuncture as an effective means of treating mild to moderate depression, and massage therapy can provide relief of depressive symptoms.

My approach, when dealing with depression is to explore what may be contributing factors to depression. Is it situational, a life transition, or something physical? Taking the time to listen in order to gather the correct information to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment protocol is essential. Often times, individuals cannot recognize, or they have forgotten, the strengths that they possess to assist in their own healing. I help individuals rediscover their strengths so that they can effectively collaborate with me in their healing process.  Using Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, I can help patients change habitual thought patterns, which often get in the way of recovery. Mindfulness and Transpersonal therapies join the spiritual component to facilitate physical, mental and emotional healing.

Because making a good connection with one’s therapist is essential, I offer a free 30-minute consultation.

Warmly,

Tina Michalski, MSW, LSWAIC

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Pain Industry has Skyrocketed Opiate Prescriptions

By Candace McNaughton, ND

I am not an alarmist. But this is alarming. Through a subtle messaging campaign, the prescription of opiate medications has increased fourfold in the last ten years. Drug companies like the makers of OxyContin pay groups like the American Pain Foundation much of their annual income. The messaging came from the drug manufacturers through position statements, clinical guidelines, books, and seminars at conferences. Opiates are no longer just being used for severe post-surgical pain or pain associated with cancer or its treatment. They’re being prescribed for chronic pain issues like headaches, low back pain, and fibromyalgia. The gist of the message? Opiates aren’t addictive if used as prescribed, and there’s essentially no limit on dose. So prescribe away.

Except they are addictive. They cause tolerance (needing more to have the same effect) and addiction (going through withdrawal symptoms if you stop them suddenly). I see patients like this in my practice every day. Mothers who tearfully say they can’t take care of their kids while on Oxycodone. Construction workers who can’t work because they can’t drive, let alone operate machinery on the job while on these meds. I see kids who are still in school saying they were given no treatment options other than an opiate script and now they’re still in pain and falling asleep in school and scared of addiction.

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(you could) Break A Leg! (if you’re on an acid blocker and you smoke)

By Candace McNaughton, ND

Acid blockers are one of the most prescribed medicines in the world. An article in the British Medical Journal reports on the risk of hip fracture in women who take acid blockers and who smoke. The risk of hip fracture increased by a whopping 50%! This was a survey of almost 80,000 patients over 10 years (from the Nurses Health Study), so the numbers are very likely to reflect the general population. The authors say that the reason is likely because acid blockers and smoking both interfere with calcium absorption. They also showed that taking calcium didn’t seem to help.

If you add on the risk factor of being small-framed, I bet the risk of fracture would be even higher. Acid blockers interfere with the absorption of a number of nutrients such as iron, B12, magnesium, and calcium. This is because the food doesn’t break down completely and because some nutrients (like calcium) are better absorbed in an acidic environment. Yes, that means that milk is a very poor way to get calcium (not to mention it’s not a food group and, and, arrgh!). To protect bone density, you need to start with weight-bearing exercise and take a comprehensive mineral supplement plus vitamin D.

Now the FDA has warned that acid blockers might increase the risk of C difficile-associated diarrhea. C diff is a bug that is usually picked up when people take a lot of antibiotics or from staying in a hospital. Sometimes after treatment, the diarrhea just won’t go away. If you take acid blockers and get C diff (which is on the rise), you are more likely to have chronic recurrent diarrhea that is very difficult to treat.

We need our stomach acid! Acid blockers are most often prescribed for ulcers and acid reflux. Why not make your ulcer go away instead of blocking acid so you don’t notice it’s there? One very important thing that I use for these conditions is chewable licorice extract, or DGL. It not only soothes on contact and is anti-inflammatory, but it also helps the tissue to actually heal. No worries if you’ve heard that licorice can aggravate high blood pressure. The chewable has that component taken out. At Glow we have a really yummy chocolate licorice extract chew. Please let me know if you have any questions.

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