Squamish Wellness Directory

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month!

Endometriosis is a disease that affects women of all ages, from all ethnic and social backgrounds. Little is known about endometriosis; its cause is undetermined and there is no known cure. It can cause great pain, infertility, and can result with drastic life altering surgeries and drug therapy.  It has been estimated that 10% of women have endometriosis, and many of these women are undiagnosed.

 

Awareness and education of the disease are the first steps to allowing more women to be diagnosed and therefore make informed choices to help cope with the experienced symptoms.

 

Endometriosis is caused by endrometrial tissue that usually exists in the uterus-  outside of the uterus, and usually in various locations of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. The misplaced endometrial tissue reacts to monthly hormone changes in the body and breaks down and bleeds. The blood and tissue have no way of leaving the body, so inflammation occurs, cysts and lesions form. These are called endometrial implants and  grow upon organ tissue and abdominal wall lining. These implants can continue to grow and eventually connect with each other; organs become compromised and become 'frozen' or glued together. A great deal of pain can be caused due to these adhesions and implants.

 

Endometrial implants are most commonly found on the external side of the uterus, intestines, ovaries, bowels and bladder. More rare, implants and lesions are found on the spleen, liver, kidney, lungs, as well as in the lungs, spine and brain. Strangely enough, endometrial implants have also been found on the bladders and in the joints of elderly men.  

Symptoms

Pain is the main symptom of endometriosis. A woman with endometriosis may have:

• Painful, irregular or heavy periods
• Pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation
• Cramps for a week or two before menstruation and during menstruation; cramps may be steady and range from dull to severe
• Pain during or following sexual intercourse
• Pain with bowel movements
• Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle
• A poor immune system, low energy, multiple sensitivities and allergies
• Chronic Fatigue

            Sometimes there may be no symptoms. Some women with a large number of tissue implants in their pelvis have no pain at all. However, reproductive health is impacted by endometriosis, and difficulty conceiving could be a sign of the disease.
 

             Endometriosis is most commonly diagnosed using laparoscopy. It is difficult to determine by symptoms alone, which is one of the reasons so many women never have a proper diagnosis.

There is no known cure, but lifestyle choices can make a huge difference. Natural therapies such as acupuncture can help regulate periods, significantly reduce painful symptoms, and treat infertility. Massage therapy can break up adhesions and help the natural movement of organs and tissue. A proper anti-inflammation diet, supplements and physical activity are also very important to control pain.

            This condition is a personal one, as I was diagnosed with endometriosis after years of living with extremely unpleasant symptoms. Like many other women, I assumed the heavy and painful periods I experienced were “normal”. It took much too long for me to discover that it was far from normal, and after that, even longer to be diagnosed.  On average, women see five different doctors before they are diagnosed.

I want to make sure women know about endometriosis and symptoms, so they don't  suffer for as long as I did. I wish I had known about endometriosis years ago, as I would have been able to start making lifestyle changes as well as seeking out professional help for the pain and the related symptoms that affected me.

 

Endometriosis can be extremely unpleasant, but it can be managed. If you think that you, or anyone else you know may have it, please persistently bring it up with your health care practitioner. Together we can share and grow from our experiences.

        Jennifer Ramos, Registered Acupuncturist.

 

604-567-2666 or 604 567 6777

Jenramos.Rac@gmail.com

#4-38003 Second Avenue, Downtown Squamish

www.squamishtherapeutics.com

Introduction to bodywork for Reiki Practitioners.

This is a hands on course where you will learn:

• gentle joint mobilization techniques to release old holding patterns and create more openings in the body

• how to tune in to your clients unique rhythm to create the right pace of movements for the treatment

• how to communicate with and be present with your clients body/mind/spirit

• how to use breath work in combination with bodywork

This class is a playful exploratory approach to bodywork. The movements are gentle but work DEEP in the body/mind/spirit to assist the client in letting go of old tension, emotions and/or memories that may be causing restrictions in the energy body. The rhythmic client centered approach will leave your client with a feeling of lightness and bliss.

The class size is small, so sign up early!
I recommend you sign up with a friend so you have someone to practice the techniques with after the class.

Class date:
TBA in Squamish
10am-6pm
(there will be a break. please bring a light meal with you!)

cost: $150
Please email Mary - marysbodywork@gmail.com - for more info

Why choose Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Terri Lukyn R.ac. Registered Acupuncturist

That is best answered with my story of why I am so passionate about my job and how it came to be. When I was 18 years old, my Dad took me to the Acupuncturist (John Asher, who still is a friend and works in New Westminster BC) and asked him to fix me. I had recurring bronchitis, auto immune problems with juvenile arthritis and eczema.

Within four treatments I felt much better without drugs or herbs, just the fine filiform needles which left me feeling amazing after treatments.  All of my disorders disappeared in those first sessions.  Previously my mother was constantly dragging me to the doctors and I had spent 10 years on steroidal cream.  In 4 sessions, at 18 years old, I could not believe the difference in treatment approaches. I knew I wanted to study acupuncture.

Life happens, however, and I never got a chance to study until my boys were safely in grade school when I was aged 35.

By this time, I had spent most of my adult life on Vancouver Island and had many, many health problems.  I was constantly at the doctors.  I never forgot the wellness I experienced from acupuncture, but was extremely wary of anyone else treating me as I had been traumatized by a doctor (MD) in Ontario who advertised “Acupuncture” in the yellow pages.  My back had been sore, so he put me in a cold room and used large needles randomly on my back and then plugged me literally into a wall supplying electricity.  I could barely crawl out of the clinic.  I can not believe I was so young that I actually paid the guy.  Needless to say, after that I would only see John Asher for acupuncture. I could not get to him however and my health continued to deteriorate.

What is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong is an ancient healing practice that predates the other martial arts, It is, in fact, called “the Mother of T’ai Ch’i”. Originating in Asia, this form of exercise varies in style & execution. The style that Sarah teaches & practices is Shao Lin Qi Gong, which came out of the Shao Lin temple in northern China. For more information on Qi Gong see Sarah Orlowski

The course offered is a form of “soft” or “medical” Qi Gong, because it helps to heal and strengthen the person practicing it. Simple exercises allow students to achieve increased strength, endurance and energy. Qi Gong Classes start Feb.6th in Brackendale, more info...

Although the exercises are relatively simple to perform, their effect should not be underestimated. Competitive athletes benefit from practicing Qi Gong for the increased grounding and energetic awareness that it creates. In fact, numerous international martial art champions include Qi Gong as part of their daily protocol to keep them competing at their best. This practice will benefit any sport activity.

Your On-line Directory to Wellness!

Welcome to the Squamish Wellness Directory, your online resource for practitioners, education and information about all things healthy. You can find practitioners and learn more about what they do and what events they are hosting. Read articles about how you can make your life healthier in body, mind and spirit.

Learn about wellness and how the diverse, gifted and inspiring practitioners of Squamish and the Sea to Sky corridor can help you on your path to greater health and happiness.

Get started by discovering who the practitioners are and what they do with the Find Practitioners and Articles column. Each category lists people and has a link to informative articles.

Click on the Events category to find out what exciting, informative and fun wellness workshops and practitioner trainings are happening.

Enjoy and please post your feedback and questions after you read. You can also email info@squamishwellness.ca

If you are a practitioner and would like to be listed please email info@ahealthierme.ca or call 604-892-5452 for more information.

Enjoy good health,

The Squamish Wellness Practitioners