Posts filed under ‘Therapies’
Beat-the-Bug Baltimore – Part 1
HEALING WITH HYDROTHERAPY
The first cases of the flu have already been reported in Maryland this season, and I have witnessed a number of patients overcome the first round of back-to-school colds. Now is the time when taking preventative steps to optimize your immune system and put your wellness practices into place is most crucial. Throughout the next several months I will be posting simple cold and flu wellness tips rooted in the naturopathic traditions of treating the person and the underlying causes of illness rather than just the disease itself.
This first preventive practice is one I learned in my Hydrotherapy class over 10 years ago and still practice almo
st daily – the Cold Shower Rinse. The instructions are simple: At the end of your shower, turn the temperature dial to cool or cold and rinse your entire body for 30 seconds in the cooler water before stepping out of the shower. Take care to especially let the cool water fall over your throat to stimulate your thyroid gland (responsible for metabolism) and over the center of your chest to stimulate your thymus gland (an important part of your immune system). Regularly practicing the cold shower rinse may not only awaken your vitality and heighten your resistance to infection, you may also notice that your tolerance to cold weather improves and that the normal temperature of your showers begins to go down, leading to savings on your energy bill!
Now Offering: Prenatal Massage
Receiving bodywork during pregnancy can support expectant mothers in connecting more deeply with their babies in a safe and empowering environment. Dr. Emily is certified in prenatal massage therapy and offers women a wealth of knowledge and therapeutic tools as a bodyworker and naturopathic doctor that can reduce stress, relieve musculoskeletal tension, and improve circulation.
Contact Dr. Emily at (443) 226-7665 to discuss when it is best to introduce massage therapy in pregnancy. 60 & 90 minute sessions available.
Adventures in Detoxing
I was first introduced to the practice of detoxification while in school for naturopathic medicine. As students we were encouraged to experience an “elimination diet” so we could better understand the challenges that would face our future patients. I remember scouring the internet for gluten-free, dairy-free recipes, the all-natural cookies I made that fell apart due to lack of a binder, and somehow developing a taste for foods that most normal humans would classify as “unpalatable.” Those days are all revisiting me now as I practice solidarity with the class of 8 willing participants who volunteered to take my Spring Detox Class. We have reached Day 11 of our 21 day detox program which consists of a progressive elimination diet and the incorporation of other naturopathic modalities such as exercise, hydrotherapy and mindful self-reflection.
When it comes down to it, detoxification is about coming back to what is simple and natural about living in this world. Unfortunately, it can take a lot of effort and planning to arrange for simplicity – waking early enough on a Saturday to make it to the farmers’ market, baking granola from scratch because all store-bought granola contains sugar, stopping to read labels at the grocery store and putting back on the shelf what you cannot pronounce. I am grateful for this time to remember the wonder of the human body and how it can rise to the challenge of the complex world we have created. It remains to be seen if my gluten-free baking skills have evolved as brilliantly as the liver’s detoxification system!
The Healing Power of Weeds
You may want to think twice as you find yourself wrestling with the weeds cropping up in your garden this spring. In an effort to maintain aesthetics, you may be tossing valuable natural remedies in to the compost bin. Mother Nature has a way of surrounding us with medicinal plants even in urban settings. Weeds are persistant by nature and can grow under conditions of immense stress which gives testiment to the highly protective nutrients and antioxidants that they often possess. Here are a few “medicinal weeds” you may find growing in your own backyard:
Dandelion: Save money on toxic weed killers which will cause harm to your liver and instead dine on dandelions which protect your liver cells from free radical damage! Dandelion leaves add a bitter quality to salads which stimulates healthy digestion. Dandelion greens also have historic use as a mild diuretic for lowering blood pressure and the roots are often found in liver tonic formulas.
Chickweed: Creeping along close to the ground, this plant is another great addition to your salad bowl as it was used as a nutritious food by populations in Southeast Spain. Chickweed is often used in anti-itch formulas for treating eczema and other skin eruptions. Create a chickweed poultice by soaking the weed in hot water briefly, then removing it to apply to the affected area of skin once partially cooled.
Plantain: Usually found in the cracks of sidewalks and in park lawns, plantain has a broad flat leaf with a thin spoke-like flower rising from the center. Plantain is a great first-aid remedy for insect bites and stings. Just chew up a piece of the leaf and then apply directly over the inflamed area or chop up several leaves, soak in hot water and then apply to the skin.
Meditation Resources in Baltimore
Beginning a meditation practice can seem overwhelming at first especially if you are already familiar with self-doubt, anxiety and racing thoughts. “How will I ever get my mind to slow down?” is a common question that patients raise, and “I’ve tried meditation but I just wasn’t good at it!” is a common barrier that our inner critics can use to block the healing process. Fortunately, meditation is the healing tool that can help unblock those places of resistance and eventually ease and slow the mind. All it takes is practice… In Baltimore we are blessed with wonderful resources for those looking to begin a meditation practice and implement the benefits of a still and peaceful mind in your everyday life. Meditation has been shown in numerous research studies to reduce symptoms of pain, decrease anxiety and lower high blood pressure.
- Vitkatadamshtri Buddhist Center has Baltimore area locations in Charles Village and Lutherville. General Introductory classes at Charles Village location on Thursdays from 7pm-8:30pm. Anyone is welcome to drop in – first class is free and $8 suggested donation after first class. Learn more at: www.meditationmd.org
- Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center is located in Charles Village in the first floor of the Marylander Building at the corner of St. Paul and University. Open House Nights on Thursdays from 7pm -7:45pm followed by Social Tea and Open House talks. This center draws a welcoming and diverse community from all over Baltimore. Learn more at: www.baltimoreshambhala.org
- The Baltimore Yoga Village in Hampden often offers Meditation Courses and gentle yoga classes that incorporate different elements of meditation into the practice. Visit: www.baltimoreyogavillage.com
- Evolve Well Healing Arts Studio in Roland Park is offering an Introduction to Meditation course on Tuesday evenings beginning February 17th. Learn more at: www.evolvewellstudio.com
Unwind with CranioSacral Therapy
Have you noticed your shoulders creeping a little closer towards your ears lately? Whether it’s huddling up to stay warm on a cold and blustery day or staying up late on the computer searching for a plane ticket to Florida, the season of winter can cause further tightening of already stressed muscles and connective tissue leading to headaches, jaw tension and shoulder pain.
Let Go with CranioSacral Therapy.
CranioSacral therapy is a gentle non-invasive form of bodywork which allows for unwinding and releasing of old injury patterns and chronic tension in the body. Even patients who have difficulty letting go during a massage session generally find that cranio-sacral therapy allows their minds to slow down and relax. Patients receiving cranio-sacral therapy tend to notice a decrease in headache frequency and severity, relief of jaw pain, increased range of motion in arthritic joints, improved sleep quality and calming of anxiety.
Children and adults can benefit from cranio-sacral therapy for specific health concerns or for general wellness support.
Learn more about cranio-sacral therapy for TMJ pain in Dr. Emily’s interview with Delicious Living Magazine (http://deliciouslivingmag.com/health/conditions/oral-health/dl_article_2361/).
