Do you struggle with any of the following? 

• Stress - overwhelmed, anxious, "wired and tired", inability to relax 
• Burnout - complete and utter exhaustion throughout the day 
• Fatigue - generalized lack of energy 
• "Brain fog"
• Headaches 
• Allergies
• Anxiety - nervous system on edge, constant worry of the future
• Panic attacks
• Depression - "the blues", fatigue/exhaustion, lethargy, loss of motivation and desire to get out of bed
• Mood fluctuations - "short fuse", uncontrollable crying
• PMS - irritability, anxiety, overwhelm, tearfulness, cramping, food cravings, bloating, water retention, headaches, breast tenderness 
• Weight issues- can't lose weight, continual "yo-yo" dieting, feeling uncomfortable in your own body
• Insomnia - can't fall asleep or stay asleep at night
• Stomach and intestinal irritability - gas, bloating, stomach pain, heartburn, constipation and/or diarrhea
• Chronic pain 
• Frequent colds and flus 
• Loss of direction and purpose in life 
• Feeling lost in this world 

These are common symptoms and uncomfortable sensations we experience as  the body informs us it wants to change.  Listen to these cues and nurture the need for growth and change - don't be ashamed to reach out for support.

Health Concerns

I have a general family medicine practice and welcome all walks of life - naturopathic medicine is medicine for the people as it looks to treat the INDIVIDUAL, not the diagnosis.  This being said, symptoms and conditions can help guide treatment as it provides tangible, baseline information to work with.  Common areas of health concerns I see in practice include: 

Women's Health:

The female anatomy and physiology is intricate, with various hormonal factors influencing our day-to-day living.  Have you ever woken up one morning feeling on top of the world, only to find the following day you are struggling to get out of bed 5 snooze buttons later?  We often blame ourselves for these inconsistencies in our mood and energy, contributing it to that small piece of cake we indulged in last night or the missed run scheduled on our fitness app.  Rarely do we step back to consider that maybe we have adapted to a state of imbalance, where our energy is sub-optimal and we don't feel vital in our own skin because we have been too busy taking care of everyone else.  Just as we support others, we must also take time to nourish ourselves.

Common conditions addressed: 

• Sex hormone imbalances - estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA
• Fertility support
• PMS 
• Endometriosis, fibroids
• Thyroid dysregulation 
• Autoimmune conditions - hashimoto's, graves', multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease etc. 
• Adrenal dysregulation 

Gastrointestinal Health:

When it comes to holistic healthcare, it is imperative to address the gut, as this is our interface with the outside world.  The gastrointestinal tract is essentially a long tube extending from the mouth to the anus, with direct connection to our environment.  With the body being comprised of approximately 39 trillion bacterial cells, a large proportion inhabits our gut.  The micro biome in turn interacts with our internal and external environments, having an effect on our mood, immunity and energy to name a few.  The age old saying "you are what you eat" really isn't fictitious, as studies show that we can see a shift in our micro biome within 3 days of dietary changes.

Common conditions addressed: 

• "Irritable bowel syndrome" 
• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
• Crohn's disease
• Colitis
• Celiac disease
• Food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances
•  Peptic ulcer disease
• GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease)

Mental Health

The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stressors of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.  Our western society often uses the words “mental health issue” as an umbrella term to include any sort of imbalance affecting our psyche.  This may include general feelings of anxiety and overwhelm to overt panic attacks - all sensations which are signalling distress within your body.  Voicing mental health concerns are often attached to bodily sensations of shame and fear, as revealing these deep emotions leaves us feeling raw, exposed and extremely vulnerable.  How often have you felt out of control, spiralling into a pit of worry, anxiety or depression - yet you are too ashamed to speak these concerns out loud for fear of being labeled “emotionally unstable”, “weird”, or a “basket case” to name a few?  In our current day and age we have set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and others and painted a picture as to what “normal” is.  To keep mental health concerns standardized, diagnosable and “treatable” we have created a series of check lists to label an individual with a particular condition.  However, mental health actually occurs on a continuum and must be viewed from a biopsychosocial lens, looking to address all aspects of the person.  This may also include addressing ancestral patterns to uncover the roots of these concerns.  

We are all gifted in our own unique way; our quirks and “out-of-the-norm” behaviour are what makes us special.  Rather than putting labels on mental health issues, I believe in working with you as a unique individual to support you on your journey. 

Common conditions addressed:

• Stress & overwhelm
• "Burnout"
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Dysthymic disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 
• Loss of direction and purpose
• Low self-worth

Other conditions & health concerns addressed:

• Neurological health
• Allergies 
• Detoxification & weight loss
• Chronic infections & low immunity 
• Sports medicine 
  • injury recovery & rehabilitation, sports optimization