When the topic of acupuncture comes up, I often hear the same misconceptions. The idea of using needles to feel better seems out there to a lot of people. Because it’s such a strange concept, it’s easy to get the wrong idea. Let’s discuss some common acupuncture myths and set the record straight, once and…
Whether you want to lose weight, bring your androgen levels back to a healthy level, or support your liver, alcoholic beverages can slow your progress down. But that doesn’t mean that you need to miss out on the social aspects of your life. If your friends are headed out to the bar, there are things…
We need to talk about something serious. And I’m not asking you to converse with me about your humourless uncle. No, I’m referring specifically to the underdiagnosis of menstrual issues like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and endometriosis. According to the Endometriosis Network Canada, it is estimated that 1 in 10 women has endometriosis. The prevalence…
As an acupuncturist working mainly with menstrual issues, it’s important that I address Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. Many people with menstrual issues eventually discover that their problems stem from PCOS. Common symptoms include irregular periods, acne, mood swings, unwanted weight gain, and increased facial hair growth. For many of my acupuncture patients coming in…
I’m sure you’ve heard the tampon horror stories by now. Toxic shock syndrome, carcinogenic bleach, and the list goes on. With more and more people turning to menstrual cups (such as the Diva Cup), is it the right move for you? The pros of menstrual cups From an environmental perspective, menstrual cups are great, since…
Almost everyone would benefit from adding more healthy fats to their diet. This is especially true for those with conditions where blood sugar levels fluctuate a lot, such as PCOS and diabetes. Fats from healthy sources help slow down your body’s absorption of sugars in your food. They also help your cells better listen to…
Flipping to sugar free nutrition for health issues like PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, and digestive problems, among other issues, can seem impossible. This is especially true for those who have a sweet tooth. While many sugar-free sweeteners are just as bad or worse for you as sugar, stevia can actually be a good alternative. To pick out…
Adults often need more vegetables than they tend to consume. Many people feel that as long as they include some with dinner, they have eaten their vegetable portions for the day. In reality, for most people, they should be included with each meal. Yes, that means even eating vegetables with breakfast! Vegetables and fruits are…
There was a time when fats were demonized. Food companies tried to come up with as many fat free products as possible. It was an unhealthy trend because extra sugar was added in foods to compensate. But on top of that, it became unhealthy because healthy fats were avoided for a long period of time….
Most of the posts I publish on this website are related to problems I keep seeing in my acupuncture practice, or questions I often receive. Since one of the focuses of my practice is digestive health, I see many patients who come in with complaints of IBS, short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. What is IBS?…
For many, life can move at a very fast pace. It’s easy to get caught up in everything that’s constantly going on. Before you become overwhelmed, try one of these easy strategies to destress. 1. Do a breathing exercise Breathing exercises are convenient because you can do them pretty much anywhere. When you feel…
Menstrual problems are far too common these days. There is a widespread misconception that PMS is normal and just sort of happens if you have unlucky genes. In reality, issues like PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis are your body’s way of telling you that there is an imbalance somewhere. Often, digestion is involved. Your gut flora…