Return to Work

Merry Christmas!

Letting you all know that I will be returning to work in the New Year.

My hours will be as follows:

Tuesdays 1 - 7

Thursdays 4 - 7

Fridays 9:30 - 3:30

Please call the office to book your appointment for the New Year!

Good Tidings!

He's Here!

Arjen James Mosselman (Arie for short) was born at Grand River Hospital and into MUCH love on Wednesday November 14th 2012 at 6:48 pm.  

Weighing 7 lbs, 9.8 oz and measuring 21 3/4" he is surely going to be a big boy...he already has big hands and feet!

Arjen is a Dutch name that we have loved since Scott and I started dreaming of a family years ago and James is the first name of my grandfather on my fathers side of the family. 

He is cute as a button and we love him VERY much.

Thanks for all your thoughts and well wishes!

Truly, Stephanie

Maternity Leave

Please be advised that my last day at the office is Friday October 12th.

The baby is due November 2nd.

Thank you so much for all your kindness and well wishes as I start this new phase in my life.

While I am away from the office please feel free to book your massage therapy 

treatments with Kirstie Stach - our second massage therapist at the Chiropractic Health Centre. 

Kirstie is more than happy to take on any of my clients who will need care while I am away.

While I am not yet promising dates and times I WILL be back to work 

on a part-time basis as of January/February 2012.

Feel free to call or visit the office for details regarding the baby's arrival, 

or check back here for updated information.

Take care!

Summer Holidays

Please be advised of my summer holidays.

I will be out of the office the week of, 

August 13-17

Killbear Provincial Park

Things are Changing...

In case you haven't heard (or observed) I am expecting my first child!

Yes, it's an exciting time.

Wait, wait...before you panic...

I am, and have been, feeling great and will continue to be working my regular hours.

Please note the following changes:

As of Tuesday August 14th I will no longer be working TUESDAYS.

I have decided that by this time in my pregnancy I will be needed a day off my feet.

My due date is November 2nd, 2012 and I plan on working until Friday October 12th.

If there are any changes to this plan that will be publicly communicated here.

Also to note, I will NOT be taking a 12 month maternity leave.

Again the "plan" at this point is to return to work in January 2013 on a part-time basis.

I am hoping to work 3 days a week.

Of course at this point I cannot say what days or hours I will be scheduling appointments in the new year BUT...rest assured the office will keep all my regular patients advised of my plans.

So, what to do during my absence?

At this point I have not hired someone to fill in for me BUT we do have another wonderful RMT at the Chiropractic Health Centre, Kirstie, who would be happy to take over any of my clientele during my absence.

Thermal Palms Massage Therapy

The longest and coldest winter months are ahead of us...

Don't let the cold get you down.

Warm up this winter with a Thermal Palms Heated Massage!

Thermal Palms are a SOFT alternative to a hot stone massage.

Soft hand held heated packs mould to the contours of your body while 

delivering deep therapeutic heat to your aching muscles and joints during your massage. 

The heated palms quickly warm and soften tense muscle tissue 

making it more pliable and responsive to deeper massage techniques.

The focus of this treatment is full body relaxation and chronic tension relief.

Sound good?

The video below shows you exactly what I am talking about.

I offer two different Thermal Palms treatments:

30 minutes...$65

60 minutes...$100

And yes, this treatment is covered under your extended health 

benefits as long as it is provided by a registered massage therapist - like me!

Give it a try...you will not be disappointed.

Please call the office to make your next massage a heated Thermal Palms treatment.

Introducing Dr. Jessica Gurske & Vitamin B12

You may have noticed a new face around the office.

We have a new naturopathic doctor at the Chiropractic Health Centre.

Dr Jessica completed her BSc at the University of Waterloo 

and then went on to complete her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. 

She is currently practicing at the Chiropractic Health Centre. 

Jessica has an eclectic practice and has a focus on nutrition and disease prevention. You can find out more about Naturopathic Medicine and Dr Jessica at www.drjessica.ca 

Just the other week, I was in to see Jessica for an acupuncture treatment when I mentioned that I was feeling a bit run down and that my thoughts were a bit "clouded"

...she suggested a vitamin B12 shot.

Never having had a B12 shot before I was not sure what to expect.

I decided to go for it, and I am glad I did.

What a "pick me up"!

By that evening, and over the next number of days, I noticed 

an increase in energy & focus AND I slept like a baby.

For this month's newsletter I asked Jessica to share about 

the "whats" and "whys" of getting a vitamin B12 shot.

Enjoy!

The Benefits of Vitamin B12

by Jessica Gurske

B12 shots have become a popular way of increasing one’s levels of this essential vitamin. As a practicing Naturopathic Doctor, I have seen 

many people benefit from a boost in this vitamin. 

But why do we need it, what does it do and how do we get it? 

Let’s start with the basics.

B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that our bodies use to maintain healthy nerve cells, produce RNA, DNA and red blood cells and helps iron function properly. 

It is only found in significant amounts in animal foods (meats, fish and dairy). 

Fermented foods, such as tempeh, may contain some B12 as well, but because the B12 content depends on how these fermented foods are made, there is large variation on the actual amounts and some evidence suggests that the form of B12 in these fermented foods is not exactly the form that meets our body’s requirements. B12 is absorbed in the intestines and requires a substance called Intrinsic Factor (produced in the stomach) to allow the body to absorb it.

Deficiencies of B12 can occur even if one consumes a diet containing meats and dairy. If someone can’t produce intrinsic factor or their production is reduced in the stomach, the body won’t be able to absorb the B12 from the diet in the intestines. Certain medications (such as proton pump inhibitors and Metformin) can interfere with absorption. Also, if there is any inflammation in the intestines or other conditions that reduce nutrient absorption, B12 may be affected. Conditions that lower absorption can range from Colitis or Crohn’s to food sensitivities! Others may just have a higher need for B12.

B12 shots, however, bypass this method of absorption and allow the B12 to enter the blood stream directly to be delivered to the organs that need it. Methylcobalamin (the form of B12 used in my practice) is the active form of B12 and can be used by the body immediately without any need for conversion.

B12 has been shown to improve fatigue and weakness and many people get an energy “boost” from these injections! Deficiencies can also cause numbness, “pins and needles” sensations, burning feeling in the feet, impaired mental function and is often common in the elderly and strict vegetarians or vegans. B12 has also shown benefit in Alzheimer’s, depression and mental confusion. There is no known toxicity level and new research is showing benefit from high dose supplementation (up to 25 000 microgram doses) in ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and autism.

Happy New Year

January is here, and so is the time for resolutions.

Losing weight.

Getting fit.

Eating better.

While these resolutions are great, and important, don't forget to add a strategy.

HOW exactly will you accomplish these goals?

Maybe limit the sugar in your diet, 

start a regular exercise routine, eat more fresh whole foods.

It's easy to say what you would like to accomplish...

Achieving it is another thing.

Make a plan.

Create the space in your time table.

Sign a contract with yourself.

Get a "buddy" with a similar goal and be accountable to each other.

YOU CAN DO IT!

If you haven't already made a resolution for 2012...

here are some of my own suggestions:

READ MORE - or start reading a genre of book you don't normally read...

expand your horizons!

PRIORITIZE SLEEP - Cheating yourself from a full nights rest is linked to memory loss, chronic obesity, stress, decreased alertness, and stroke. 

USE YOUR VACATION DAYS - life is short, take a break and treat yourself

and your family to undisturbed quality time. 

PRACTISE YOGA - Good for your body, mind, and soul...head to toe...inside & out. 

Just give it a try!

HAVE A MASSAGE - Regular massage therapy will decrease your stress/anxiety, 

decrease your tension, help with body awareness, allow you to easier cope 

with the stresses of work & life, along with a LOT of other great benefits.

BOOK IT NOW!

Having a monthly massage therapy appointment will keep your body well tuned.

Don't wait till you "need" it - book it now and prevent injury.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.

Here's to a healthy 2012 for all of us!