Blog Archives - Page 39 of 48 - Kingston Integrated Healthcare Inc.

Insomnia is Such a Pain… In More Ways than One

Written by KIHC on December 1, 2012.

~ Dr. Christina Vlahopoulos, ND

Sleep disturbances can be one of the more prevalent complaints in people with chronic pain. Of course it is hard to relax and get to sleep when you cannot get into a comfortable position. However, what if it was your lack of sleep that was making your pain worse? Or maybe it was the lack of sleep that caused your chronic pain in the first place?

Recent research has shown a reciprocal relationship between chronic pain and sleep. Some studies showed that sleep deprivation indeed caused an increase in pain perception in previously healthy adults. The participants felt overall muscle and joint pain, tenderness and fatigue. Therefore, the less sleep a person got, the more pain they felt.

Can’t Sleep? Can Massage Therapy Help?

Written by KIHC on December 1, 2012.

~ Joel Ackerman, RMT

It is easy to associate massage therapy with relaxation, stress reduction, and ‘working out the knots’. However, one of the most underappreciated aspects of receiving a good massage is the wonderful night of sleep that so often follows a massage therapy treatment. In a society that seems to be moving towards an epidemic of sleep debt, where an estimated 50% of adults in North America are chronically underslept, it is vital that we understand the importance of sleep in our lives and find ways to improve how we sleep.

Sleep was once thought to be a passive activity, but as the science of sleep develops, we now understand how important sleep is! Sleep is actually a highly regulated process, in which the body performs several vital activities, some of which simply don’t occur at any other time.

Welcome, Dr. Gerann Murphy, ND

Written by KIHC on November 13, 2012.

Hippocrates once wrote ‘wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity’. I chose to be a naturopathic doctor because of my passion to help people achieve their full potential through wellness.

Many symptoms and medical conditions can be reversed or at the very least greatly improved through naturopathic medicine. You don’t have to be taking drugs indefinitely and/or feeling fatigued, achy, depressed, bloated, etc.

I offer treatment that is evidence-based, holistic, natural, safe and effective; and is specific to you and aimed at removing the cause of your symptoms or dis-ease. Beyond treatment, I teach you how to lead a healthy lifestyle so that you remain well into the future. In essence, my job is to put myself out of a job!

My medical practice is focused on family medicine, meaning that I’m comfortable treating health conditions for people of all ages. I treat digestive upset, reproductive concerns, heart disease, diabetes, stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, thyroid conditions, menopausal symptoms, menstrual irregularities, weight concerns, allergies, asthma, cancer, immune dysfunction, acute and chronic pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, prostate concerns, skin conditions, autism, ADHD and more.

I hold a Bachelor of Science from McGill University in Montreal and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver, where my training was received under the widest scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Canada. I am licensed, with high standards, to practice naturopathic medicine in both Ontario by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy (BDDT-N) and British Columbia by the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC).

I have a personal background in competitive sports and I’ve worked and volunteered abroad and across Canada for many years as a teacher and wildlife biologist. When I’m not seeing patients, I love to give talks on naturopathic medicine, practice yoga, run, enjoy the great outdoors and spend time with family and friends.

I’m very happy to be home in Kingston accepting patients at my medical practice. I think it’s important for you to be comfortable with your doctor, so I welcome you to a complimentary consultation where you can meet me and ask me any questions you may have. I very much look forward to seeing you!

Make My Pain Go Away…

Written by KIHC on November 7, 2012.

What causes your headaches? Your menstrual cramping? Your arthritis flare-ups? The underlying cause of each must be vastly different, but most of us are likely to treat it the same way – with medications that block inflammation (i.e. anti-inflammatories). But is this good for us? Can it cause complications in the long-run?

Qigong Classes (November/December)

Written by KIHC on October 11, 2012.

With Carol Belanger, BA, RM, BHS

10am to 11:15am, at KIHC
$50 for the 4 week series

4 Mondays: November 19th to December 10th
4 Fridays: November 16th to December 7th

The Lungs and Large Intestine program, as part of the 5 Element theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong teachings. Focus will be on movements that strengthen and tone the lungs and large intestine organs and related systems of the body, and work with the Metal element and its associations.

Cold and Flu Prevention

Written by KIHC on October 1, 2012.

“By creating an artificial environment, we’re not stimulating our immune system enough. Germs are immune-stimulants. They challenge you to be prepared.” ~ Deepak Chopra

This Integrated Roots October e-newsletter issue is about our immune health. We’ve created a series of educational brochures, including one with tips for keeping your immune system strong through the winter months, available on our website.

Did you know that Canadian researchers recently found more evidence that the flu shot might increase your risk of acquiring the H1N1 flu? We’ve posted the news article here on our facebook page. For more information about the flu vaccine, please read the article by Dr. Sonya in this issue of Integrated Roots.

Back to School

Written by KIHC on September 1, 2012.

Our Back to School September Integrated Roots e-newsletter issue.

Is your Smart Phone Smart for your Health?

Written by KIHC on August 6, 2012.

The World Health Organization, Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, and Trent University professionals are only some of the institutions and people concerned about electromagnetic radiation and human health. Click here to view our August email newsletter for a check-list of ways to reduce your exposure. Our newsletter is also available on our facebook page.

~ Dr. Christina Vlahopoulos, ND

Smart phones, tablets, laptops and computers – the world of wireless communication is escalating at an alarming rate. The growth in wireless technology, which is emanated through the air as micro, radio and extremely low frequency waves, has researchers wondering if human health can be affected by all this exposure. It can be agreed that certain forms of waves are hazardous with prolonged contact, such as x-rays or radioactive emissions. However, can your hairdryer, electric toothbrush, wireless router, computer or cell/smart/cordless phone pose a problem for your health? Research is showing that it can.

The World Health Organization describes electromagnetic hypersensitivity (or EHS) as a variety of non-specific symptoms due to electromagnetic radiation (or EMR) exposure. Symptoms most commonly experienced include

Healthy Human Electromagnetic Frequency (Energy) vs. Electromagnetic Frequency Pollution

Written by KIHC on August 6, 2012.

~ Carol Belanger, BA, RM, BHS

Humans are composed of and influenced by energy. We usually express energy as having too much (hyper) or too little (fatigued) and not as electromagnetic frequency. All of the systems of our body use energy to function. A fluctuating energy level is normal, we naturally move between having greater and lesser amounts of energy in our daily life. Energy is measured electromagnetically. Some of the equipment used to measure our energy includes the EEG and EKG for nerve, brain, and heart function, and various other electrodiagnostic equipment.

Qigong classes

Written by KIHC on July 17, 2012.

September Qigong will be a short 4-week program focusing on the heart, which is the organ of the 5-element teachings for our September focus. Classes include theoretical 5-element teachings as well as energy work and functional biology, breath work and
meditation in addition to the series movements.

Monday classes include Sept 10th, 17th, 24th and Oct 1st. Friday classes include Sept 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. Classes at KIHC run from 10:00am to 11:15am. You can sign up for Mondays, Fridays or both. The cost of the program is $50. Class size is restricted to 6 participants per class. Registration is required by Friday August 31st.

Benefits of Qigong – A Poetic Form of Healing
~ Carol Belanger, BA, RM, BHS

You don’t need to be particularly fit or flexible to begin Qigong, though you may find yourself benefiting in both of these ways and others if you enroll in the next series of Qigong.