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 Changing dietary habits can be a daunting task! It's also the number one way to feel more comfortable in your body, gain energy, say goodbye to chronic pain, resolve chronic disease, improve sleep, eliminate toxins, and so much more! Have you ever heard that "food is medicine"? It is! It can also be the most harmful poison we put in our bodies, depending on our choices. If you're tired of feeling lousy and ready to take some steps into a dramatic change, but don't know where to start, or need some extra motivation, I invite you to join me and the team at Momentum Health as we complete the Whole 30 challenge from September 8 - October 8. The Whole 30 challenge is a 30-day food plan consisting of:
It sounds simple and yet sticking with these changes can be difficult for people. The team at Momentum Health in Kelowna, BC, and I will be sharing recipes, tips, challenges, and moral support for anyone who would like to join us for this 30 day dietary "reset"! We've planned for the challenge to start right at the beginning of the school year and end before Thanksgiving! Wouldn't it be nice to head into fall feeling focused, mentally clear, and more energized? I think so too! We will be conducting FREE pre- and post-challenge measurements including weight, blood pressure and general health assessment for anyone who would like to join us. You do not need to be an existing patient to join! For more information about the Whole 30, check out their website. I also HIGHLY recommend the Whole 30 book, as it offers excellent guidance on recipe ideas, shopping lists, how to plan and prepare for the diet, what to expect when you start, and much more! For those who would like to join us in this challenge, come into Momentum Health at 1664 Richter Street on September 8 for your free health assessment. Be sure to follow me and Momentum Health on Instagram @dr.ericavolk and @momentumhealthkelowna for tips, recipe ideas, and moral support! You can also follow me on Facebook. For more information, please contact me at 778-760-3400.  Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care today, and seems to be one of the most difficult things for modern medicine to effectively treat. Despite treatments such as pain relievers, injections and even surgery, many people have difficulty finding relief from their pain and must deal with unwanted side effects.
If you regularly seek care from alternative medical providers, you will know that the brain, emotional landscape and lifestyle factors play a much bigger role in the presence of pain than was originally thought. This is because of something called nervous system sensitization. The concept of nervous system sensitization means that once the body experiences pain, the pain signals can get stronger over time even if there is no active injury in that area of the body. The longer the pain signals are present, the more ingrained the pain signaling pathway becomes. The pain pathways are also strongly affected by emotions, stress and lifestyle factors. High levels of stress, anxiety or depression can worsen symptoms of pain. That’s why mindfulness-based therapies, and treatments that improve a person’s overall sense of wellbeing can have such a positive impact on back pain. The good news is there are plenty of alternative therapies that can effectively treat back pain, and they're gaining traction in the conventional medical world. New guidelines from the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention along with the American College of Physicians have encouraged doctors to advise patients to try "non-drug therapies" such as:
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Every acute disease is the result of a purifying, healing effect of nature.  I remember in medical school one of my professors asking, "Why haven't we found a cure for the common cold? Think about this for a moment. What does this mean?
 “Depression is not due to a deficiency in These are wise words from a naturopathic doctor and former professor of mine in medical school. I couldn’t agree more! While antidepressant pharmaceuticals have their place in the treatment of depression, there are so many possible treatable causes that should be thoroughly evaluated, including (but not limited to):
If any of these factors are present, treatment addressing the cause could result in improved mood and quality of life. If you or someone you know suffers from depression, please schedule an appointment to find out how I can help you identify and treat the cause so you can experience the peace and joy that you were born to experience. |
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