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Ayurvedic Massage- Deep insights

Posted on: August 14th, 2023 by TouchStone Health

By Senthil Krishnasamy, Ayurvedic and Natural Medicine Practitioner

Massage therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on varying conditions including prenatal depression, preterm infants, full-term infants, autism, skin conditions, pain syndromes including arthritis and fibromyalgia, hypertension, autoimmune conditions including asthma and multiple sclerosis, immune conditions including HIV and breast cancer and aging problems including Parkinson’s and dementia.

In Ayurvedic massage, pressure is given in different ways to the pressure points which help to stimulate different energy centers. It helps in getting rid of deep-seated toxins and improves blood circulation of the body.

Oils are fundamental in Ayurveda:
They are used internally and externally to prevent, as well as treat, disease. Used on the skin, or in the body’s orifices like the mouth, nostrils and ears, oil protects our bodies from outside stimulus, impurities and antigens.

For maximum benefits when using base Ayurvedic oils, we often recommend certain oils, or oil combinations to help balance each dosha:

Vata dosha with dry skin—> Heavier oils are used including sesame and almond
Pita dosha with sensitive or overheated skin—->Cooling or neutral oils are used including olive, sunflower, coconut, or castor
Kabha dosha with oily skin—>light oils are used including flaxseed, corn or mustard oil

Foot massage intensively stimulates blood flow in the foot area to increase blood circulation throughout the body, while also providing physical and psychological relaxation, thereby improving sleep and sleep patterns.

Primary uses of massage are to promote relaxation, treat painful muscular conditions, and reduce anxiety.

Book an Appointment with Senthil

What You Should Know About H2O

Posted on: March 15th, 2021 by TouchStone Health

By Jill Jackson, Certified Nutritional Practitioner

Water is one of the most vital things for human life. Without water we would all be dead within 4 days to a week. As morbid as that may be, it shows how essential it is for human life. Collectively the human body is between 60-66% water, that’s a pretty large percentage! This percentage is even larger when the human fetus is developing in the womb (up to 80%). Our bones contain about 30% water, and it is a main component of all fluids in our body.

Water is involved in many important functions such as:

Circulation
Body temperature regulation
Elimination of waste
Elimination of toxins
Digestion and absorption
The carrying of electrolytes

That’s just to name a few. In a 24 hour day we lose 1.5 liters of water through urine only. Also an additional 400ml through the breath, 150ml through feces and 750ml through our skin. That equals 2.8 liters of water loss every single day. The simple answer would be to say that 2.8 liters is the amount of water we should be drinking each day. However, the body can make a small amount of water by metabolizing certain nutrients and we also receive water directly from food. This still leaves us with an average of 1-1.5 liters of water that we need to get from elsewhere.

Why 6-8 glasses?
Why does this magic number ‘6-8’ appear everywhere? It’s because 6-8 cups are an estimated daily intake that stems back to a 1945 US Food and Nutrition Board recommendation. A little outdated if you ask me! Water intake will vary depending on your size, activity level, climate, and your diet. It should be completely individualized to you!

The consequences of not drinking enough water:
With all the functions adequate water consumption supports, there is bound to be a host of negative things that can happen to our bodies when we lack proper hydration. Dehydration can affect both our physical and mental health. Water protects our organs and digestive system. Dehydration can cause gastric ulcers, asthma, allergies, high blood pressure, irritation, migraines, lupus, light headedness, and chronic fatigue. It can even cause things like joint pain since cartilage cushioning requires water to remain fluid and function properly. A lot of these symptoms can be missed or be mistaken to be caused from other ailments.

Is there a maximum amount of water you should intake?
Drinking above around 2 liters daily can be harmful to your body. Too much water can be hard on your kidneys, causing over hydration. In severe cases, you can die. A few cases have been seen in marathon runners or people who take certain drugs, disturbing their thirst reflex. Keep in mind there has been far more people who have died from dehydration than over hydration. It is rare, but it can happen.

How should we get water into our diet?
We should get water from water, and we should never try to obtain hydration simply from sugary pops and coffee. Water is the simplest form of hydration. There is a ton of debate about what water is best. However, a high elevation spring water seems to be the cleanest and purest source but realistically it is not attainable for all. Tap or city water can contain a horrible amount of toxins. It can be hard to know what dangers can be found in our tap water, for this reason, I recommend water that has had some type of filtration. Installing a reverse osmosis tap would be a great option. Cost wise this may not be an option for many, in that case I recommend the Santevia jug filters. Any filtration is better than none!

In summary, water is absolutely life sustaining. Sadly, I feel that much of the world’s Western population lives day to day unknowingly dehydrated. If you haven’t already, add proper hydration to the top of your health goals and you will soon see the difference it can make in your daily life!

Wonderful Iced Tea Recipe for Warm Weather

Posted on: July 6th, 2018 by TouchStone Health

I have found the most delicious iced tea recipe that is anti-inflammatory, easy to make and is great for anyone wanting to avoid caffeine.

Audrey from the Unconventional Baker created it and it’s delicious both warm and cold. It’s a wonderful addition to a hot summer day with the healing properties of the ginger, lemon, turmeric and cinnamon to decrease inflammatory load, support insulin and your digestive tract.

See what you think.

Anti-Inflammatory Lemon Ginger Iced Tea

Meal Plans to Help Make your Life Easier

Posted on: August 21st, 2017 by TouchStone Health

Do you find it intimidating or overwhelming to prepare healthy foods for yourself or your family? This is a common reasons why most people struggle with clean eating. We all know the basics of eating better – lots of vegetables, added fruits, healthy proteins and clean carbohydrates work for many but it’s hard to actually do this on a consistent basis.

Many people’s lives are full…full of many things and eating healthy foods generally falls off the priority list or is forgotten. By the end of a busy day/week, it’s hard to make good decisions that are in alignment with how we wish to be eating. Check out this article on Decision Fatigue by The Harvard Business Review. Do you ever find yourself eating well and clean for the first part of your day but by the end are eating foods you wish you hadn’t? We make dozens, some studies report hundreds of food-related decisions throughout our day and after deciding many things throughout the course of a day, we are tired and start making easier decisions which usually results in poorer choices for our health. I know for myself, I have ideals of eating healthy foods but sometimes the inspiration falls short and I’m eating the same thing over and over or eating rice crackers and hummus at the end of a long day which although is an ok food, not a match for my constitution which does better on vegetables and a light protein.

So, we have begun a new program to help you eat clean and take away the work of deciding what to eat and when. We are now developing Healthy Meal Plans to suit your specific dietary needs. Weekly or Monthly recipe plans are put together for your specific needs. Foods can be avoided specific to your needs and menus can be created specifically for your health goals (example: dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, FODMAP, Anti-inflammatory, PCOS, Thyroid, Autoimmune, etc).

What’s included:

-a detailed shopping list is given for your plan

-a to-do list for the week of prepping food

-all the recipes

-micro and macronutrient breakdown

-caloric breakdown

And…we can make it for whatever serving size you want. If you have a family of 5 we can ensure all recipes are specific for your 5 people or for one person. Prepping your week/month is incredibly easy as we do the work for you.

We started this program a month ago as many people were sharing their desire to eat well but that more support was needed to stay interested and consistent. We hope this is the solution to help. Pricing is located on our Meal Plan page and ask Dr. Cressman, N.D. if you have any other questions.

Attached is a sample 3-day eating plan to let you know what a plan would potentially look like. sample-diet

This helps make eating delicious, healthy foods easier.

A Delicious Green Smoothie

Posted on: April 29th, 2016 by TouchStone Health

I have been on the hunt for a delicious green smoothie. And, they are actually a bit hard to find. I have made some weird concoctions with all types of vegetables (cabbage included) that have promised to be delicious but weren’t. But I finally found one.

A patient introduced me to The Minimalist Baker. She has delicious recipes with 10 or less ingredients and this Creamy Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie was a great find.

So, why are green smoothies great?

They are nutritious with offering vegetables alongside their fruit counterparts. Most green smoothies have about a 60/40 ratio of fruit/vegetables but if you’re comfortable you can aim for 50/50. Some smoothies can rack up calories and sugar with only having fruit in them.
You have a more nutritionally dense smoothie that offers more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The alkalinizing benefit of the greens. The body is always striving for balance, including its pH. The Standard American/Canadian Diet is very acidic in nature (meat, animal products, processed foods, sugar). A green smoothie is very alkaline, offering a better balance to your pH.
They are easier to digest due to being pulverized and blended. Some people can’t digest raw greens well but in a smoothie, you can consume your raw greens, enjoying the benefit of their nutrition without compromising a bloated tummy with gas.
Great for your bowels. Liquid food is notorious for helping with constipation and adding greens accentuates this. The added fiber and water content of the greens helps keep you hydrated and ensures your bowel movements are easier to pass.
Who should avoid green smoothies? If you have a history of kidney stones, particularly oxalate stones, talk to your healthcare provider before consuming too many of these.

It’s not too difficult to add spinach or kale to a smoothie without altering the flavour. Try this recipe and see if green smoothies are something you’d want to incorporate into your diet. This one is so delicious, you’ll forget how healthy it is.

*This website is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Spring into Action: The Liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Posted on: April 1st, 2016 by TouchStone Health

Spring into Action: The Liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine By Anna Totzke, R.Ac.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the seasons have an important relationship to the body including the internal organs, emotions, and the spirit. For an individual to be in balance, it is believed that one needs to be attuned to the seasons.

Spring is related to the wood element, the liver and the colour green in TCM. During the spring plants (wood) starts pushing up through the earth and everything starts growing and moving outward including our own spirits. These upward/outward actions are also reflected in the function of the Liver in the body. The liver is in charge storing the blood and also controlling the smooth flow of qi (energy) and blood in the body. When in balance, there is flexibility in the muscles and tendons (like nourished wood), the mind and spirit are calm and relaxed, the eyes are clear and see clearly.

“When the Liver is healthy, judgement, and decision making are sound, vision is clear, and action is resolute. Strengthening the Liver develops drive and adaptability, enhancing our capacity to cope with the vicissitudes of life.” (Between Heaven & Earth by Beinfield & Korn )

Signs the Liver is out of balance:

If the wood element is out of balance in the body, qi and blood will not flow smoothly which often manifests as moodiness – anger, frustration, impatience, uncontrollable crying, depression, and also eye problems, PMS, hormonal imbalances, menstrual difficulties, indecisiveness, seasonal allergies, and stiff muscles… to name a few!

What Causes the Liver to go out of Balance?

– Stress

– Unhealthy food on a regular basis

– eliminate unhealthy fats, chemicals, alcohol, processed foods

– Holding onto unhealthy emotional patterns eg. repressing emotions

– Lack movement or exercise

– Irregular sleeping patterns

Bringing the Liver Back into Balance:

Cleansing on all levels As Spring approaches, there often is a sense of anticipation and expectation. To fully embrace the Spring season, it is important to resolve emotional issues which also show as disharmonies in the body, and eating food that is in season. The spring is a great time to do a cleanse, internally and externally; a time to get rid of things that we have been holding onto like fears, things that no longer serve us, and to try new things.

Ways to help re-balance liver energy:

-Do a longer gentle cleanse with simple foods including steamed greens and other vegetables, green soups, whole foods only

-Eat less- this cleanses the body of the fat and heavier foods of winter

-Drink enough water/herbal teas

-Meditate, do yoga, stretch, exercise

-Get enough sleep

-Mindfulness- be aware of old patterns of fear, anxiety. Practice patience.

-Let go of the old to allow room for the new! eg. 1. emotionally – let go of relationships and habits that are unhealthy 2. environment- clean your house 3. Beware of your environmental impact – make changes to make more environmentally aware decisions

-Get organized and plan trips – plant your seeds for the coming seasons!

-Make time for creative projects, adventures, outdoor time

-Get an acupuncture treatment, massage, herbal therapy. These all help bring the liver energy back into balance!

Have fun and be a child again! Embrace this beautiful season of birth and renewal.

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