It's that time of year again - "the flu season". This article is written in my best interest to allow you to become more informed about your health and treatment options before making any decisions about your health - specifically flu prevention and the flu vaccination.

The influenza (flu) virus affects millions each and every year. Most people will only develop mild symptoms from the virus. There is a two day period before the symptoms of fever, cough, chills, sore throat, body aches, fatigue or headache present. The flu virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, direct contact with contaminated surfaces and objects and unwashed hands. The symptoms will usually subside in two or three days with complete recovery in a week. Once an individual has had the flu, their body will develop a natural immunity to the virus and thus will protect their body for a long period of time.

Many people are taking the flu vaccine, or debating its pros and cons. I will give you a little bit of information that you may want to consider before making the decision to have the vaccination. The 'flu' vaccine is a vaccine against specific strains of influenza virus. There are over 500 different viruses that can cause flu like symptoms. The vaccine is formulated from the three most common strains seen in the previous year. The flu virus is constantly changing and the vaccination is only effective against the same strain of influenza virus used to develop the vaccine. According to Health Canada, the influenza vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk for developing serious complications if they were to contact the influenza virus. Those at high risk include all people aged 65 or older, people with serious long-term health problems, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, immunosuppressive disorders, children on long-terms treatment with ASA; as well as, healthcare workers, residents/workers/volunteers of nursing homes, chronic-care facilities and retirement homes and women who will be more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season.

If you already have had the flu virus this year, your body will have developed antibodies to the influenza virus. Antibodies, developed by the body, when one has actually had the flu are more robust than antibodies from the flu vaccination and will protect for a longer period of time. The only way to acquire natural and long term immunity to a strain of the influenza virus is to recover naturally from the flu.

Vaccinations prevent the body from naturally responding to external pathogens like viruses and bacteria. Individuals who regularly maintain a strong healthy immune system will protect themselves from any adverse effects of the flu, will build permanent immunity and will decrease the potential for developing unknown side effects from long terms exposure to vaccinations.

The best protection from infectious diseases is a robust immune system and daily healthy habits. If you feel you may be getting the flu or want to prevent the possibility, naturopathic medicine provides many safe and extremely effective options. Through addressing your health concerns, we can work together to ensure your body is prepared to fight off any unwanted viruses. This is the time to start. Prevention is the key! Possible treatment options may include botanical medicines and supplements, nutritional counselling, homeopathy and lifestyle modification.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss treatment options further, please do not hesitate to call Karie Gawenda, ND (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine).

…and remember, it's important to always 'wash your hands'!

Think before you start shoveling that snow. We all know to stretch before exercising, but we forget to stretch before doing household chores. Before you come to us with back pain from shoveling snow, remember the importance of prevention:

• start with a light warm-up

• some stretching

• bend your knees when you lift

• do not try to lift more than you can handle

An increasing number of women are taking a unique approach to dealing with the aches and stresses that come with being pregnant.

Massage therapy performed can be extremely beneficial in soothing pain, reducing swelling, decreasing anxiety, improving body image and helping to prepare for labour.

Massage Therapy can help a woman deal with the changes in her body. Pregnancy can be difficult because a woman has to deal with hormonal change, a shift in her centre of gravity and of course her size and shape constantly changing. Massage keeps muscles healthy and mobile and particularly in pregnant women, helps to reduce swelling in hands and feet, while promoting circulation and nutrition for tissues and skin.

The study, conducted in 1997, researched 26 pregnant women during labour - some received 20 minute massage therapy sessions every hour for five hours, others engaged in labour activities they had learned during prenatal classes. The women who had received massage therapy said they felt better and experienced less stress and labour pain than the other women did. The massage therapy group also experienced shorter labour and reported lower levels of postpartum depression.

Many women find postpartum massage effective in correcting muscle imbalance and in helping them become reacquainted with their bodies. Likewise, a number of women with neck and shoulder pain caused by breastfeeding are treated with massage therapy.

If you or anyone you know are pregnant call us for an appointment. Pregnancy and discomfort don't allway have to go together.
(416) 733-2539

Why do we accept and live with muscular pain in our lives? We have high stressed jobs and lifestyles, which sometimes cause physical discomfort and even illness. Many professions and careers in one way or another demand the use of a computer. Sitting for hours a day at a computer forces us into an improper sitting posture which can cause physical and mental stress.

A great way of managing and/or preventing these pain symptoms is to include massage therapy into your lifestyle. During a massage therapy treatment your therapist will not only massage the tension and knots out of your muscles but he or she will advise you on ways each client can help themselves through active homecare stretches, exercises, subtle changes to their work station, warm epsom salt baths, and many other activities designed to help you to reduce the stresses and symptoms of stress in your daily lives.