Healthy Archives - Fascial Connections Myofascial Release & Wellness Centre

What is a Cancer Coach and how can one Help You?

February 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

I’m a Registered, Holistic Nutrition Health and Cancer Coach specializing in Nutritional Oncology.

What this means is that I work with individuals in all phases of their cancer journey from a new diagnosis, through treatment and finally post treatment.

I will help you to manage and reduce the damaging side-effects from treatments such as surgery, chemo and radiation by offering natural remedies.
I’ll help you reduce stress associated with this trauma in your life.
Help you to improve recovery outcomes after treatment.
And critically, I will educate you in natural ways to reduce your chances of recurrence or secondary cancers.

Newly diagnosed people face many difficult challenges. Nonetheless, surviving cancer can also be a very victorious life experience that has the potential for improving the quality of your life.

Working with a Certified Cancer Coach will help you move past your uncertainty and feelings of fear and devastation. Learn how to regain your self-confidence, strength and a sense of being back in control of your life.

As someone who’s been through the cancer process twice with a close loved one (my husband and son) I understand what you’re going through. I know the devastation of learning your diagnosis and the stress and anxiety that come after. The fear and the uncertainty of what’s best for you, how can you prepare and care for yourself during treatments.

What happens once your treatments are over? For many this phase is just as stressful; always wondering if every little twinge is a new cancer. Not knowing if or what you could be doing to prevent a recurrence and to help your Optimal Health. No one should want to go back to where they were before diagnosis because something in that lifestyle caused you to become ill in the first place.

As a cancer coach I am your personal support, advocate, mentor, sounding board, nutritionist, and educator.

“Certainly it is true that not everyone can be saved from the ravages of cancer. However, when using the services of a cancer coach, a patient is empowered with a huge amount of information he or she may not otherwise have received. And, in this cancer coach’s experience, empowered patients live longer and fare much better than those who simply follow their doctor’s orders.” ThetruthaboutCancer.com

Michelle Thibodeau Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health & Cancer Coach at Fascial Connections Myofascial Release and Wellness Centre. Learn more about Michelle. Call to book an appointment or go online to www.fascialconncections.ca

A New Way to Manage Stress and Depression Without Drugs

January 24, 2017 Leave a Comment

Stress causes damage to our brain and while we can feel anxious due to stress; these feelings are slight compared to the damage done to our brain cells. Continued (chronic) stress-induced brain changes often lead to anxiety, depression or worse.

Curcumin is a polyphenol obtained from the turmeric plant that has been shown to reverse harmful brain changes brought on by chronic stress. It can also trigger the creation of new brain cells and their connections. These two actions can prevent or moderate symptoms of depression.

Curcumin has been used for nearly 4,000 years to prevent and treat numerous illnesses. It has been used in India and Asia as a medicine and food for centuries and was introduced to Europe by traders in the 13^th century. New studies show that it can help protect mental health by fighting stress-induced anxiety and depression.

One in 10 Americans and 20% of Canadian adults suffer from depression and the standard practice is prescription medications that are not adequate and loaded with often serious side effects. In addition for many patients the effectiveness of these drugs can fade over time which forces the depressed individuals to learn to live with their mood disorder.

In a 2013 study, on humans, the effectiveness of curcumin was comparable to that of a typical antidepressant medication without any of the side effects connected with commonly used drug therapies and provided other health benefits as well. These findings tie into earlier research showing that curcumin increases levels of “feel good” neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

Individuals who are suffering from the effects of depression or anxiety should consider taking a high quality, Enhanced-absorption curcumin to help fight the damage of chronic stress. Curcumin can be taken alone or in combination with prescription medications and has been shown to improve the efficacy of the drugs.

Since standard Curcumin supplements are not well absorbed you must look for a brand that is enhanced-absorption and/or contains Piperine (an alkaloid from black pepper). Piperine/Bioperine has been shown to substantially increase the bioavailability of the nutrients in foods and supplements.

A couple brands I recommend are: Life Extension – Super Bio-Curcumin or Advanced Bio-Curcumin with Ginger & Turmerones; available in many Health food and quality Vitamin shops.

MegaFood – Turmeric Strength

Sources: Life Extension, June 2014 & December 2016

* first posted with Nu Healings

Four Easy Detox Idea’s For the New Year

January 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

The body has the ability to naturally detoxify and heal itself. Why not give your body a gentle hand to improve the incredible cleansing process and welcome your body into a fresh, heathy new year.

Here are just a few simple tips you can try to incorporate into your every-day life. Please use Organic ingredients as much as possible.

Drink a Green Juice or Smoothie daily

Green juices are an incredible way to add vital and detoxifying plant chlorophyll to your bloodstream. Juicing is the ultimate “fast food” getting into your cells within 15 minutes. Here are some simple green juice recipes:

– Celery, cucumber, kale, lemon (skin on) and pear (or green apple) – you can also try adding fresh parsley or cilantro

– Spinach, arugula, celery, lemon, chlorella or spirulina powder, unsweetened green tea or pure water, or pure coconut water.

– Kale, apple, lemon (peeled), one inch slice of ginger (peeled).

– Spinach, 1 beet cut into cubes, 1 apple seeds removed, 1 lemon, peeled and pure water.

Please note * add liquids only if making smoothies. You can also add a super greens powder such as Food Matters Superfood Greens, Barley Grass, Wheatgrass. Buy from a reliable source health food store to ensure quality and purity.

Of special note * – It is more important to juice if you are ill and in a weakened state as juicing removes most of the fibre from the plants which, makes it much easier for your body to process.

Drink More Water

Often we mistake thirst for hunger. When your body is thirsty (dehydrated) you may confuse this for hunger pains and eat instead of drinking. Reach for water first and ensure you’re well hydrated before eating any meal throughout the day.

Whenever possible drink your water at least 20 to 30 minutes before eating as this allows time for the water to properly penetrate the cells of your body and hydrate your stomach lining preparing it for proper digestion. I like to add fresh lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to my water.

Learn to Breathe Properly into Your Abdomen

Deep breathing, where you fill your belly and expand your diaphragm downwards, is one of the most powerful exercises you can do to activate your lymph system which helps detoxify your body. Your lymph system is your own personal garbage removal system (which we all need after the holidays). Practice taking 10 deep breaths counting to 4 in holding for 4 and out 4. This exercise can be done anytime, while watching TV, while doing yoga or even better while meditating.

According to the “Tao of Natural Breathing” up to 70% of our body’s waste products are eliminated through our lungs and the rest via the urine, skin and feces. When we breathe poorly the efficiency of our lungs is reduced and less oxygen is available to our cells. This slows the blood flow which carries waste from the kidneys and lungs. This in turn weakens our lymphatic system which fights off viruses and bacterial invaders.

Eli Bay is one of my favorite experts and instructors of stress reducing relaxation and deep breathing techniques. Try this free Empowered Breathing exercise called Let Go.

Use more Parsley and Cilantro in your Diet

These two plants are very powerful, natural detoxifiers for carrying heavy metals out of your body. Add these incredible herbs to juices, salads, soups and other meals.

Try this Heavy Metal Detox Pesto Recipe from Raw for Beauty.

Here’s to a healthy, happy, amazingly plentiful 2016!

Live in Wellness

Source: Food Matters TV

* first posted with Nu Healings