Some of the health conditions
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What is autoimmunity versus Immunity?

Normally, the immune system responds to infections and certain diseases by identifying, attacking, and destroying invading germs and other foreign substances. But when a person has an autoimmune disorder, the immune system receives the incorrect signals and mistakenly triggers an attack on its own body’s tissues and organs.

A common autoimmune disease is Type 1 diabetes where the immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, thus preventing the production of adequate amounts of this hormone.

What causes autoimmunity?

The causes of autoimmunity are layered and can be complex and are frequently poorly understood. Genetics play a role, as do environmental factors. Naturopathic medicine also views hormonal balance as a possible factor as well as gut health, infection history, toxic burden and overall stress load on the system.

Common autoimmune diseases include:

• Addisons disease

• Celiac disease

• Crohn’s disease

• Ulcerative colitis

• Grave’s disease

• Hashimotos thyroiditis

• Multiple sclerosis

• Myasthenia gravis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sjogren syndrome

• Lupus

• Type 1 diabetes

What are the symptoms of autoimmunity?

Symptoms of autoimmunity can vary dramatically between individuals depending on the type and location of the mistaken immune response. However, common initial symptoms can include:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Rashes

• Digestive Concerns

• And a general feeling of not being well!

How Autoimmune inflammatory disease differs from a healthy inflammatory response.

In a healthy response, when you get a cut on your finger the body’s immune system kicks in and results in:

a. Localized redness and swelling caused by dilation of the local blood vessels

b. Localized swelling and pain due to the body sends immune cells to the damaged site to remove bacterial and foreign material

In the case of an autoimmune disorder, the body’s immune system attacks its own cells creating inflammation. This is why so many autoimmune disorders also have an inflammatory component. Unfortunately, the inflammation is frequently painful, systemic (in multiple areas of the body) and chronic causing some, if not all, of the symptoms of the autoimmune disorder.

VitaCare doctors create successful, sustainable individual programs to control your inflammation and get you doing the things you love to do.

Naturopathic solutions to autoimmune disorders and disease.

When working with patients dealing with autoimmune disorders, our naturopathic physicians focus on the overall health of the patient and determining the root cause of the disorder. As autoimmune disease can be multifaceted, individualized programs are created to ensure maximum benefits.

At your initial appointment with a VitaCare Naturopathic Phyisician you will be asked to bring any previous test results as naturopathic interpretation may differ from that of allopathic or conventional medicine. A complete history will be taken so your doctor will fully understand your health goals, lifestyle, and potential causative factors to your autoimmune disorder. Based on this extended appointment, the doctor will determine if additional testing is needed and what you envision for your future. From there, the doctor will fully explain the protocol developed for you and what the course of treatment will look like.

Our commitment is to provide the best program and treatment options because our focus is on patient centred care!

What are Allergies and Sensitivities?

Allergies, whether they are food or seasonal, are your body’s response to a being exposed to a substance that the immune system has created antibodies against. Most often these are tings in our environment that are not normally harmful such as foods, animal dander, pollens and so on. Responses or reactions can range from mild (for example with runny nose and cough), to fatigue and malaise, to life threatening (for example difficulty breathing).

Allergies affect approximately 25 percent of adults. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, over the past 50 years there has been a rise in the prevalence of allergic disease.

A Naturopathic Treatment Plan includes:

• Determining what allergies and sensitivities are contributing to your symptoms

• Providing solutions for symptomatic relief

• Finding the root cause of your heightened sensitivity and providing individualized programs that fit your lifestyle and needs

• Providing sustainable healing protocols that work

Functional medicine to ensure nutrient levels are maximized for optimum performance and health

Treatment options

Once a complete case history has been taken of the patient, the doctor is better able to build an individualized program that fit your needs. These programs look at your health from a functional medicine perspective, treating the gut, strengthening the adrenal glands, balancing the immune system, removing as many toxins and stressors as possible, and maximizing health.

Lab Testing options

VitaCare doctors have access to both conventional lab testing through Life Labs and functional medicine tests that can help determine……

Food Sensitivities can be determined through:

1. Blood Testing for IgE and/or IgG mediated food reactions where a small vial of blood is drawn at Life Labs, or a small drop of blood from a prick on your finger. The blood sample is then sent to a lab specializes in this form of testing. This test can determine from 120 up to 220 sensitive foods and the level of their reactiveness. Once this test has been done, the doctor will interpret which foods should be eliminated for a period of time before reintroduction. Results come back in 4 weeks after the blood is drawn.

2. Elimination Diet - conducted under the supervision of your doctor, this diet has the patient eliminating the most common food sensitivities and inflammatory foods for a specified length of time and then challenging the body by reintroducing them one at a time. If there is a reaction then the food that was reintroduced is suspect and taken out of the diet again. The top six most common foods to be eliminated include:

a. Corn

b. Wheat/gluten

c. Dairy

d. Soy

e. Egg

f. Peanut

For those who want to know more about allergies and sensitivities! Keep scrolling!

Food Sensitivities or Delayed reactions: IgG-mediated

Sensitivities are delayed reactions to a food or substance with symptoms occurring from hours, up to several days after the initial exposure. Symptoms can include all the above as well as:

• Eczema

• Asthma

• Constipation

• Loose Stool

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Joint pain

• Indigestion

• Immune suppression

• Mood swings

• Anxiety

• Frequent infections like bladder and ear infections

Food sensitivities are hard to pinpoint without testing but once eliminated and the body has been given a chance to recover and heal, these foods may be reintroduced under supervision and with monitoring.

When allergies or sensitivities are not controlled, this can lead to conditions that are quite severe. They include:

• Chronic inflammation

• Worsening symptoms

• Mood or behavioural issues like anxiety, depression, or obsessive/compulsive disorder

• Hormone imbalance

• Weakened immunity

• Chronic disease like inflammatory bowel diseases

• Autoimmunity like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

Symptoms of an IgE-mediated Food Allergy

A reaction from a food allergy, known as an IgE-mediated reaction, usually develops within a few seconds or minutes after consuming the offending food. Symptoms can include:

• itchy mouth

• red lips

• shortness of breath

• tongue swelling

• hives or other unusual skin rash

• dizziness

• disorientation, or weakness.

• hay fever like symptoms

When an individual has anaphylaxis, the symptoms above may worsen very quickly and lead to:

• wheezing and a cough

• anxiety or fear

• rapid heartrate

• drop in blood pressure

• unconsciousness

Gastrointestinal reactions can occur up to several hours after consumption and may include:

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• pain and cramping or bloating

Non IgE-mediated food allergies may or may not look like what you know as an allergic reaction. Symptoms are less obvious and can sometimes take up to several days to manifest. This makes it difficult to diagnose and pinpoint exactly what food is causing the reaction.

Symptoms of non-IgE-mediated food allergies include:

• heartburn and/or indigestion

• more frequent and looser bowel movements

• blood and/or mucus in stool

In children they can also include:

• pallor or pale skin

• failure to grow as expected for their age

• redness around the rectum, anus, and genitals

Some causes on non-Allergy food reactions may include:

• reactions to food additives

• intolerances to food components (ie lactose, fructose, histamine)

• non-celiac gluten intolerance

Symptoms of seasonal allergies

Surprisingly, seasonal allergy symptoms can be varied and not always straightforward. They can include:

• Congestion

• Coughing

• Fatigue

• Itchy, watery, and red eyes

• Itchy nose and throat

• Runny nose and eyes

• Postnasal drip

• Headaches

• Sneezing

Extra Resources you might find useful!

Best air purifier for allergies

Seasonal allergies may have an airborne component, so our doctors suggest an air purifier put in your bedroom. The best air purifier for allergies is one with a HEPA filter. If you are concerned about mold sensitivity or allergies as well, make sure it also has a carbon filter.

Resources here are very valuable! If you are a parent who has recently experienced a child’s anaphylaxis reaction, check out both resources as they are invaluable.

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We are collecting the latest and most relevant information in preparation for the 2024 Brain Health Challenge. Keep checking back !

We wanted to put together the best info for you and are busy collecting the most recent info. Keep checking back!

Issues with your gut? We have solutions! Dealing with pain after eating? You are not alone!

Looking for a digestive health clinic? We’ve got you!

What is so Important about Good Digestive Health?

Whether you are dealing with the discomfort of constipation, the pain of heartburn, the frustration of eating food that goes right through you, or the ravages of a digestive disorder, we have the clinical experience and unique tools to get to the root cause of your digestive issues. With a special focus on gastrointestinal health Dr. John Yim has treatment programs that work for you, for your lifestyle and for your health goals.

“Digestive issues are not uncommon, in fact, a large percentage of my patients initially see me because they are having gastrointestinal challenges. I’m glad they do; proper diagnosis and treatment is very important for getting the gut functioning well because your health depends on it.”

Why?

A healthy gut optimizes digestion and the absorption of nutrients, it helps our moods stay balanced, our hormones well regulated, our bowels running smoothly and comfortably! Every system of the body requires nutrients that are absorbed by the gut from foods we consume in order to function efficiently. Good gut health is essential to all facets of your health.

When we Eat What Happens?

The first step to digestion starts before you even take a bite of food. That’s right, your nose and eyes can stimulate a salivary response! Once you start chewing that food, salivary amylase is released to start the process of breaking down starches right in your mouth.

Once that macerated food gets into the stomach, hydrochloric acid and pepsin turns proteins into amino acids. The food is churned down into a liquid the consistency of pea soup.

From the stomach, chyme is propelled into the small intestine. The first third is known as the duodenum, the rest of digestion takes place here. The pancreas produces pancreatic enzymes that break down starches, proteins, and fats. Once digestion is complete the chyme is moved into the jejunum and ileum where all the nutrients are absorbed. Whatever is left moves into the large intestine or colon and water is reabsorbed so stool is formed and not liquid.

Main Function of the Liver-Yes, it’s part of your Digestive System!

1. One of the liver’s primary roles is in the production of bile, which plays a major part in carrying waste away and breaking down fats in the small intestine during digestion.

2. The liver also produces cholesterol and other special proteins that help carry fats throughout the body.

3. Most importantly, the liver detoxifies, breaking down poisonous substances, like alcohol, drugs and other toxins created by the metabolism of your food.

If your liver is not functioning at optimal levels or you are dealing with a fatty liver, then the whole process of digestion can be interrupted and not work as efficiently as it could or should. This could dramatically impact your health and your recovery. Our doctors use a variety of gentle detox modalities to stimulate the liver to function better, these can include diet, nutraceuticals, homeopathics, herbal medicines, and/or gentle flushes.

Naturopathic Solutions to Digestive Health Issues

Whether you are looking for ways to stop heartburn, learn what foods are good for constipation, decrease the health risks of a fatty liver, heal your gut, improve moods, and brain health, lose weight, gain weight, decrease inflammation, or just to improve overall health, the first step is ensuring you are absorbing and utilizing the food you eat!

Naturopathic medicine can and does work with patients helping with symptomatic relief, but their main focus is in discovering the root cause of your ill health. Once that has been determined the road to wellness can be better mapped out.

Our Naturopathic Physicians use the 5R protocol of:

• Remove

• Replace

• Repair

• Repopulate

• Rebalance

By following a systematic protocol, they have successfully helped their patients recover their health, and improve their quality of life. They then continue to provide ongoing primary care to ensure continued improvement and wellbeing!

A Naturopathic Digestive Health Treatment Plan

Digestive health issues don’t usually happen overnight. They may be easy to deal with initially or simply you may have gotten into the habit of ignoring them.

If you are researching digestive health issues, more than likely your symptoms have reached a point where you want answers and you want to feel better.

Our doctors first draw on an array of diagnostic tools to determine what is going on with your gut and what kind of long term affects it has had on your health. This may include specific lab options.

Lab Testing Options

Diagnostic tools help pinpoint what the digestive issue is and can help determine the right path for your treatment protocol. Testing is an efficient and effective method for creating the perfect protocol for your condition and goals. We use a wide array of diagnostics that test blood, urine, and stool. Ones we draw from are:

• Food sensitivity test

• SIBO breath test

• Genetic testing for functional medicine protocols

• Hair mineral analysis

• Urine toxic metal challenge

• Gut function and gut pathogen testing

• Stool analysis

What is Infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive (become pregnant) after 1 year of actively trying to do so. There can be many reasons for infertility, on the part of the woman or man including age, hormone balance/health, inflammation, environmental factors (exposures, toxins), diet, stress levels, etc.

What Causes Infertility?

The prevalence of infertility in Canada is increasing significantly. Roughly 1 in 6 couples in Canada experience infertility. It affects both men and women with the cause being 30% men and 40% women. Twenty percent of the time the cause is a mix of both male and female and 10% there is no explanation. The causes of infertility in women or in men and the dramatic increase can be complex with statistics driving more couples and individuals to looking at ways not only for a positive pregnancy outcome but one that is as healthy as possible. No matter what the reason, when couples can’t get pregnant there are naturopathic solutions that can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and birth.

Over the past decade VitaCare doctors have been helping patients with successful and healthy pregnancies. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of what our naturopathic doctors do, especially when babies are brought in for their Seed to Tree primary care visits.

Dr. Katarine Holewa has a special interest in working with couples creating the healthiest pregnancy and birth outcome as possible. As a PostPartum, as well as, a Pediatric Nurse she worked in the Maternity and then NeoNatal Units, seeing firsthand the consequences of a healthy and unhealthy outcome.

“I love working with couple’s fertility. It is so rewarding and an area that I believe isn’t addressed adequately in most settings. Seeing couples from the stages of frustration and worry through hope and then joy and excitement is an amazing process and I’m so happy to have the skills and ability to help people in this area of health!”

Facts about Infertility

Infertility has many potential causes, but in general, it is approximately 50:50 Male to Female. It had for many years been assumed that women were the only cause of infertility, but this has been proven to be false.

For both parties, causes can include hormone imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, stress, inflammation, blockages, infection/immune system history and sometimes genetics.

Other causes that are not specifically related to the couple might include environmental stressors/exposures (lead, pesticides, gliadin), certain medications, and unfortunately, there is a smaller portion of infertility that remains unexplained.

There are some signs and symptoms that can suggest infertility might be a concern, but they are certainly not conclusive. Number one would obviously be not getting pregnant despite unprotected intercourse. Irregular periods (oligomenorrhea) or no periods (amenorrhea) are also suggestive, as can painful periods with a heavy flow. These all may imply an imbalance in hormones.

Endometriosis and PCOS and uterine fibroids can also contribute to infertility. They are all typically related to/caused by hormone imbalances which thus can lead to the inability to conceive. All frequently have genetic history as well.

In PCOS, hormone imbalances can cause a lack of ovulation (release of an egg) and if there is no egg present at ovulation time, fertility is not possible.

In endometriosis, there can be scarring of fallopian tubes, inflammation in the uterus or pelvic areas affecting/preventing implantation and sometimes altered egg quality.

In cases of uterine fibroids, there is frequently imbalance in the levels of estrogen and progesterone which not only triggers growth of fibroids but also causes a less than ideal environment for pregnancy to proceed.

Naturopathic Solutions to Infertility

As Dr. Holewa has focused on fertility and hormone health in her practice, she has developed a Seed to Tree protocol that takes a family from preconception through to a healthy birth and baby and beyond.

Her protocols include an in-depth health history to determine familial links and potential

Dr. Holewa’s Tips to Getting Pregnant

• At least six months before you would like to get pregnant, begin a health program to maximize nutrition and nutrient profile

• Ensure hormone health is where it should be and the building blocks for hormones are excellent shape

• Reduce consumption of harmful substances like alcohol, drugs, vaping and cigarettes, pesticides, and herbicides on food and in your environment

• Build a team of healthcare practitioners you feel comfortable with

• Minimize stressors as much as possible

Lab Testing

Lab testing is key for determining the cause of infertility (sex and/or thyroid hormones, inflammation, blood sugar imbalance, stress, oxidative damage, genetic imbalances). Only if we identify the cause can focus our treatments so that they have the best and strongest impact in the right area, to allow us to bring about overall health and of course a desired outcome – a healthy pregnancy!

What tests are used in determining the cause of infertility depends on the couple and their health status. Typically, Dr. Holewa runs tests for:

• Hormone balances (estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, testosterone, etc) to look at deficiencies, excesses, imbalances

• Thyroid panel to rule in/out hypothyroidism

• Blood sugars to identify hyper or hypoglycemia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome

• Inflammatory markers

• Cholesterol panel to identify levels (many hormones are MADE from cholesterol!)

• Genetic alterations

• Nutritional deficiencies, including Iron, B vitamins, Vitamin D

• Environmental toxins for exposures to iron, lead, mercury, etc

• Food sensitivities, which helps identify causes of inflammation

Hormones are molecules/messengers made by specialized cells usually in an endocrine gland. Once hormones have been created, they are released into the bloodstream to send a message or messages to target cells. These chemical messengers play a role in communication between cells throughout the body.

How do Hormones Work?

There are two ways hormones work:

1. Endocrine releases a hormone that stimulates another target gland to change hormone levels. A good example is the pituitary gland releasing thyroid stimulating hormone, which targets the thyroid in order to increase thyroid hormones.

2. Between an endocrine gland and a target organ. For example, glucagon is secreted by pancreas cells. When glucagon is delivered to liver and muscle cells, glucose is released in order to raise the blood sugar.

Hormones affect many parts of your body coordinating its internal metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and environmental factors. Hormones need specific building blocks for their production and when these blocks are insufficient, hormones can get out of balance. They can also get out of balance through overuse, for example the adrenal glands can become fatigued from continuously over producing cortisol due to chronic stress.

What do Hormones Do?

The list of things hormones do is impressive! From regulating salt and blood pressure to maintaining blood sugar levels and sex hormones.

The major glands producing hormones and the action of the hormones they produce are:

1. Adrenal glands-regulate salt, water balance, blood pressure, acts as anti-inflammatory, secrete steroid hormones (like cortisol) as well as epinephirine, maintains blood sugar levels, muscle strength, oxygen intake, blood flow

2. Pituitary gland-triggers the release of multiple other hormones (including sex hormones, thyroid hormone, etc) from their respective glands/organs, affects water retention, controls blood pressure, affects growth and development , stimulates protein production, affects fat distribution, stimulates contraction of uterus and milk ducts, maintains milk production as well

3. Parathyroid gland-regulates blood calcium levels

4. Thyroid gland-controls metabolism, growth and development, nervous system, energy levels

5. Pineal gland-regulates sleep via the release of melatonin

The major organs where specific hormones are produced and the action of the different hormones they produce include:

• Kidneys-helps control blood pressure, red blood cell production

• Pancreas-blood sugar balance, stimulates metabolism of glucose, protein and fat

• Ovaries-affects development, sexual characteristics, reproduction, proper function of uterus and breasts, healthy bones, prepares breasts for milk production

• Testes- affects male development, sexual characteristics, reproduction

• Hypothalamus-regulates growth hormone released from pituitary gland, regulates thyroid stimulating hormone, regulates certain reproductive hormones

• Thymus-lymphoid system

Hormone Imbalances

During your life, levels of hormones naturally fluctuate. These changes are most pronounced during puberty and the reproductive years. But they can also be affected by lifestyle choices and certain medical conditions.

A hormone imbalance is not always easy to detect by symptoms alone. Specific tests to determine the imbalance can be a first step to discovering the cause of your symptoms.

Some of the most common types of hormone imbalances include:

• Adrenal fatigue

• Diabetes

• Deficient estrogen

• Excess estrogen

• Deficient testosterone

• Excess testosterone

• Hyper or hypothyroidism

• Insulin resistance

• Metabolic Syndrome

• PCOS

• Insufficient progesterone

Signs and symptoms of any of these hormone imbalances can range from: fatigue, weak bones, headaches, fertility problems, skin issues, weight gain or weight loss, hair loss, poor quality sleep or insomnia, low sex drive, frequent UTI’s, heavy or painful periods, infertility, mood swings, brain fog, muscle weakness, blood sugar issues, chronic inflammation, chronic pain, vaginal dryness, blood pressure issues, circulation challenges, acne, low immune function, autoimmunity, abnormal hair growth, and many more.

Hormone Imbalances aren’t isolated to just females, as they have historically been seen, we are seeing more and more men dealing with hormone imbalances as well with similar health challenges.

Naturopathic Solutions for Optimizing Hormone Health

Understanding why you have a hormonal imbalance is key to starting the right treatment plan. This may include an in-depth case history, as well as, specific tests to determine exactly what hormones are involved and what may be causing the imbalance.

Good news though! There are ways to bring the hormone system back into balance, whether that is using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or getting on the right dose of thyroid medication, improving gut health or getting inflammation under control!

Lab Testing

Comprehensive conventional and functional medicine testing can pinpoint the nature of the hormonal balance. Common tests may include:

• Hormone panel test

• Healthy Living Assessment basic and enhanced

• Fatigue Assessment

• Female Fertility Assessment

• Female Hormone Assessment

• Lipids Assessment

• Metabolic Assessment

• Thyroid Assessment Basic and Enhanced

Your doctor will explain the test(s) most appropriate for your health conditions and your health goals. As primary care providers our VitaCare doctors have prescription authority that may be used in combination with nutrition, Functional Medicine, Bioindentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Chinese Herbs and Botanical Medicines.

Perimenopause and Menopause are critical transition times in a woman’s life. The symptoms may range from mild to debilitating, and repercussions from the hormone changes can likewise be minimal to extreme in their impact on health, wellness and quality of life.

Nauturopathic Physicians are in an ideal place to help their patients during this time as they have the education, knowledge and TIME to work with their patients at each step to spend individualizing treatment plans.

Perimenopause - may start from tow to 10 (!) heals prior to the onset of menopause

• Symptoms may include:

  • Alterations in menses (missed periods, heavier/lighter periods, etc)

  • Breast pain and changes

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Night sweats &/or hot flashes

  • Mood changes: irritability, emotionality

  • Cognitive changes: memory lapses, difficulty concentrating

  • weight gain

• Labs may show

  • Decreased Estradiol &/or Progesterone levels

  • Slightly increased FSH & LH

Menopause - 1 year following a woman’s last menstrual period (LMP)

• Symptoms as above and may also include:

  • Changes in libido

  • Vaginal dryness

  • Skin and hair changes (dryness, loss of hair, facial hair growth)

  • Genitourinary challenges (frequency, incontinence, increased bladder infections)

• Labs will indicate

  • Significantly decreased Estradiol & Progesterone

  • Elevated FSH & LH

Key concerns with regards to the Menopausal transition include ageing and decreased health of several organ systems - this is because Estrogen is very supportive in these areas

• Brain & Nervous systems

• Heart & Circulatory System

• Lungs

• Skin

• Bones, Joints, Muscles

• Bladder & Vagina

• Gastrointestinal System

• Ovary & Uterus

• Liver & Pancreas

Due to this change/loss of hormones, the menopausal transition is a key onset time of several medical conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular Disease

• Dementia & Alzheimer’s

• Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome

• Osteoporosis

• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

• Immune Dysfunction

• Anxiety & Depression

Naturopathic Physicians have access to many different types of testing to assess not only a woman’s hormone status, but also can investigate estrogen metabolites to identify risk levels for hormone related illness. Additionally, they can delve deeply into many of the associated conditions by testing for Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Cardiovascular disease, etc.. Testing options may include:

• Urine Hormone Metabolites (ie: DUTCH)

• Salivary Hormone testing

• Blood markers (ie through Lifelabs)

• and many others - please discuss with one of our team!

Treatment Options may include:

• Nutritional Counseling

  • to optimize antioxidant, mitochondrial, anti-inflammatory, etc health

  • to enhance metabolic resilience & flexibility

• Nutriceuticals/Supplements

  • to optimize hormone status, reduce stress and adrenal fatigue

  • to help manage many of the symptoms of peri & menopause

  • for health support to treat and/or prevent onset of illness or disease

• BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

  • may replenish decreased Estrogen &/or Progesterone hormone to manage/reduce/eliminate peri & menopausal symptoms

  • shown to significantly reduce risk of onset of many associated health conditions and illnesses

• Acupuncture

  • By balancing Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood flow through the may help alleviate many symptoms like anxiety, gastrointestinal issues, energy, sleep disturbance, hot flashes & night swats, etc

If you or somebody you know and love is in this phase and needing guidance, please reach out!

Both Dr. Holewa and Dr. Yim will be unveiling new programs for managing your metabolism and weight. They will be presenting this fascinating topic on September 26 at Beban Park Social Centre starting at 7pm. Register at the clinic at 250-585-2150 to reserve your spot!

Experiencing acute or chronic pain can be life changing. Whether it is from joint degeneration, neuropathy, cancer, circulation issues, gout, hormone imbalances, metabolic syndrome, trauma or an autoimmune disease, pain can dramatically impact quality of life.

Pain is something we all experience at any given time - imagine stubbing your toe, or burning yourself with a hot pan, cutting your finger or even breaking a limb. This is acute, relatively short-term pain. Chronic pain is ongoing, lasting for more than 12 weeks and can be from an amazing array of causes from autoimmune disease to circulation issues. It can also be acute pain that morphs into chronic if not taken care of.

Naturopathic medicine does more than help reduce or alleviate chronic pain, it looks to the root cause of your discomfort. Whether pain is from a long term injury or a chronic health condition, naturopathic physicians look deeper into why you are experiencing pain in the first place. That’s important, because naturopathic physicians don’t just put a bandaid on your pain that you’ll need to replace often, they look to repair the body as a whole.

Resources our Naturopathic physicians use to treat pain:

If you are suffering with chronic pain, our doctors will first provide therapies that can help with symptom relief. They may run specific tests to determine if there are deficiencies in nutrients involved in joint, bone and hormone health. They might also look at running tests to determine if toxicity is causing your chronic pain or if an imbalance in delicate metabolic systems are being impacted.

For example, if you have muscle pain, your doctor may do a hair mineral analysis to determine if heavy metals or a mineral deficiency is a contributing factor!

Yes! Naturopathic medicine digs deep into why you have chronic pain! Because they don’t want to just patch you up and send you on your way. They want to see you feel better. Testing helps them develop a more efficient and successful track towards helping you feel better and get back to living your best life!

Once they have the results from these tests, your doctor will map out a program that is specific to your pain, its causes, your lifestyle, and your health goals. They will work with you in creating the most sustainable and effective program.

This may include therapies and/or lifestyle enhancements like:

• Acupuncture

• IV or injection therapy

• Specific & Therapeutic doses of nutrients

• Botanical medicine

• Detoxification

• Anti inflammatory foods

Most importantly, you’ll be checking in to ensure the program you are on is augmented and adjusted as your health and pain levels improve.

If you’ve tried everything else consider our tried and true pain management programs. We promise to work with you to find a treatment plan that fits your goals, that will help you live your best life ever!

Dr Holewa offers customized skin consultations, Facial Acupuncture and Naturopathic approaches to healing skin conditions internally & externally.

Common conditions she addresses include: acne, rosacea, skin aging & wrinkles, eczema & psoriasis, hyperpigmentation and sun damage.

Additionally, Dr Holewa provides hormone, nutritional genetic/DNA and allergy/food sensitivity testing to which can help to determine the cause(s) of select skin conditions, as well as physician prescribed diet and nutrients (which may include supplements or IV therapy).

Dr Holewa carries and uses skin care by AlumierMD, a science-based, high-performing skin care line with an individualized approach. Alumier offers multifaceted, results-oriented skin care products that target the underlying physiology related to each skin type, condition and person. The AlumierMD skin care line is customized to meet each individual’s needs for optimal results.

Botox Injections: Medical Aesthetics

VitaCare Natural Health now offers the extremely popular Neuromodular (“Botox”) Injections. These cosmetic injectable treatments are used to help smooth wrinkles and unwanted lines and slow the signs of aging. Neuromodulators function by relaxing specific muscles to smooth and reduce visual fine lines and wrinkles, providing a lasting youthful and natural appearance. Nuceiva, an advanced, purified brand of neuromodulator provides the benefits of more rapid onset (as soon as 3 days in some cases!) and longer duration (it can last up to 3 or even 4 months).

Neuromodular (Nuceiva) injections may help to:

Reduce frown lines

Soften Crow’s Feet

Lift the Brow

Relax and soften a “Gummy Smile”

Reduce laugh lines and lip lines

Lift & “flip” the upper lip

Soften the jaw angle

Esthetic Medicine & Dermatology​

Investigating what is dysfunctional in your body to help minimize and eliminate any skin conditions (including acne, rosacea, urticaria/hives, dandruff) that cause either acute or chronic distress.

Skin conditions commonly result from gut dysbiosis, chronic inflammation, food sensitivities, liver congestion, environmental factors, and many more - so we investigate these areas, work to prevent them from continuing to cause problems.​

Additionally, we can enhance and preserve skin condition to minimize and often even reverse some of the signs of ageing, including wrinkles, roughness, discolouration and skin tone irregularities - approaches include nutrition, supplements, neuromuscular injections, proper skin care products, facial acupuncture and more - inquire for details!

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture & Gua Sha​

Facial Rejuvenation Facial Rejuvenation/Cosmetic Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely small and thin needles into acupuncture points in the face, head and neck. As with Constitutional Acupuncture, the Qi (body’s energy) is stimulated, as well as collagen production and blood circulation in order to improve the health, colour, tone and texture of the skin. This is an ideal therapy for erasing fine lines and broken vessels, minimizing pores and deeper lines and for firming sagging skin around the eyes and on the neck. Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely small and thin needles into acupuncture points in the face, head and neck. As with Constitutional Acupuncture, the Qi (body’s energy) is stimulated, as well as collagen production and blood circulation in order to improve the health, colour, tone and texture of the skin. This is an ideal therapy for erasing fine lines and broken vessels, minimizing pores and deeper lines and for firming sagging skin around the eyes and on the neck.