Jennifer Aniston, Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow have all been photographed sporting the tell-tale marks of cupping therapy but what’s all the hype about?

Cupping therapy is a method of treatment often employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine. During cupping, small glass/plastic cups or bamboo jars are used to create suction and applied to the skin. Once skin contact has been established, the superficial layer of muscles is drawn into the cup to apply gentle pressure and the cups can be gently moved over the skin. Cups are often left stationary on areas of the body corresponding to acupuncture points or on areas of pain or muscle tension.

The suction created by cupping is used to relax tight muscles, increase circulation and blood flow, and calm the nervous system. It is also used to relieve back and neck pain, anxiety, migraines, abdominal cramps (especially those related to PMS) acute coughs and colds (to clear congestion), asthma, and high blood pressure. Cupping is a great tool to add to weight loss treatments as it can help to break down fat deposits and reduce the appearance of cellulite by improving lymphatic drainage and detoxification.

While cupping is not painful, the recipient commonly walks away with circular bruises on the areas where the cups were applied. Relief usually lasts for several days and chronic conditions typically require more frequent treatments to bring about lasting benefits.

Naturopathic Medicine is a beneficial addition to conventional fertility treatments  and in-vitro fertilization protocols. Support from a Naturopathic Doctor using strategies such as nutrition, supplements, acupuncture, guided meditation and botanical elixirs can improve the success rate of fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization.

Ideally, using complementary therapies, such as Naturopathic Medicine, should be about an integrated approach to becoming as healthy as possible so that your body can respond to medical treatment such as fertility treatments and IVF in the most optimal way, increasing both your chances of conception and your ability to support a healthy pregnancy to term.

Individualized Treatment Plans

During an initial visit, your individual case history, personal health goals and desired outcomes will be discussed in detail. With that information a complementary health plan will be created which incorporates diet, exercise, lifestyle factors and the most appropriate support therapies for your individual requirements such as acupuncture, supplements and herbs.

Diet and Exercise

Being within a healthy weight range and eating nutritious foods can increase your chances of conception. When you are pregnant, eating appropriately will help to ensure that you and the baby are both healthy and robust. Advice on appropriate levels and types of exercise will also be addressed.

Supplements and Botanical Medicine

There are a number of botanical medicines and supplements, which can increase fertility; however, it is important to be assessed and prescribed these on an individualized basis. It is important to seek professional and experienced advice if considering the use of herbal medicines or supplements in conjunction with IVF treatment as many herbal medicines and other supplements can interact with the drugs prescribed as part of your IVF treatment. For this reason it is important to consult with a Naturopath experienced in this area.

Acupuncture

The use of acupuncture in conjunction with IVF has been well researched, and it is now well accepted that acupuncture increases success rates with IVF treatment. Ideally patients will have a weekly visit for at least a month prior to the IVF transfer. This lead up treatment assists with stress levels, supports follicle and endometrial lining development, and allows the practitioner to correct any imbalances present. On the day of the IVF transfer two acupuncture treatments are conducted, one immediately prior to and one immediately after the transfer. I frequently go with patients to the fertility clinic to perform the acupuncture protocol. I also recommend a follow up visit 5 days after transfer to promote implantation. In cases where there is a history of miscarriage or unsuccessful IVF cycles acupuncture treatments in the weeks following may also be recommended. If you are about to begin your IVF cycle and haven’t left time for the lead up treatment, using acupuncture on the day of transfer will still improve your chances of a positive pregnancy outcome.

The unusually mild winter we experienced this year has paved the way for a pretty bad spring for seasonal allergy sufferers. Allergy sufferers are noticing the telltale sniffling, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes earlier this year as the balmy spring temperatures cause an explosion of plant pollens in the air. Preventative natural treatment can ease these symptoms and reduce the need to reach for the Claritin. Here are 3 natural strategies to reduce seasonal allergies:

Quercetin: The Anti-Allergy Bioflavanoid

Quercetin is a naturally occurring bioflavanoid found in high concentrations in leeks, which conveniently sprout up right before spring allergy season. Quercetin prevents the development of allergy symptoms by reducing inflammation and controlling the release of histamine.

Stinging Nettles (Urtica Dioica)

Nettles are a fantastic remedy for inflammatory and mucus forming conditions such as asthma and seasonal allergies.

Neti Pot

Neti pots and other forms of nasal irrigation are useful in preventing symptoms of seasonal allergies because they flush out allergens and excess mucus within the nasal cavity.

In addition to the above strategies, ask a Naturopathic Doctor about whether acupuncture, other herbal treatments or supplements, homeopathy or dietary modifications may help relieve your seasonal allergies.

Food sensitivities affect approximately 35-45% of individuals (Duke Integrative Medicine); unfortunately, many of those individuals are unaware that they have one. What they are aware of this that they struggling with a wide variety of physical symptoms that may include fatigue, headaches, weight gain, and digestive issues and traditional treatments are failing to make them feel better.

Food sensitivities are more common than allergies but are more difficult to diagnose because the body’s response to an offending food is often delayed, slower and milder than a food allergy. With food sensitivities you may not experience the effects until 4-6 days later; this makes it very difficult to find the connection between specific foods and the symptoms being experienced. Despite being milder, food sensitivities are no less harmful to one’s long-term health. Food sensitivities induce an inflammatory reaction in the body and create an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract. Because the digestive system is very closely linked to the neurological system a wide variety of symptoms occur with the presence of an offending food. Age plays a role in the symptom presentation of food sensitivities but as we age the long-term effects of inflammation begin to show.

To identify the offending foods, a naturopath will often perform an IgG test which involves a simple finger prick. Another method regularly used by Naturopathic doctors and other holistic practitioners is an elimination/challenge diet. This diet involves the removal of all common allergenic and inflammatory foods and then the gradual systematic reintroduction of them to determine how your body responds to each individual food.

If you are suffering from any chronic disease, you may benefit from identifying potential food sensitivities as many conditions – including arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, depression and ADHD – have been associated with food sensitivities.

The feeling is familiar: a band squeezing your skull, a dull ache in the back of your neck, pain and pressure on both sides of your head. It’s a tension headache, and it’s by far the most common type of headache – approximately 90% of women and 70% of men will experience at least one during their lifetime. While tension headaches are not typically indicative of something serious, they can be very painful and debilitating. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes tension headaches but there are very common triggers. Things such as stress, depression, hunger, poor posture, poor sleep and muscle strain and, in women, hormonal fluctuations, can trigger tension headaches. Naturopathic medicine provides treatment alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions with comparable success and fewer side effects.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is effective at preventing rebound headaches that occur when weaning a patient off prescription and over-the-counter painkillers (people who regularly take these medications can suffer a headache as soon as the pills wear off). In addition to helping patients transition off medications, acupuncture can help patients relax and address the root cause of the headaches; what’s more, a recent review of research found that the technique could halve the number of days a month a person experiences head pain.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic medicine uses remedies to address both acute conditions and constitutional, chronic issues; this makes it a great method to symptomatically address acutely triggered headaches but also to treat the underlying disharmonies that make one susceptible to headaches. Because the philosophy of homeopathic medicine states that the body’s response to an illness is the correct one, they give heavily diluted substances – often the herbs nux vomica and belladonna for headaches – that are supposed to mimic the patient’s symptoms, thereby helping the body defend and heal itself. Homeopathy helps the body to rebalance itself. Often, the patient can begin to feel much better after one treatment.

Nutrition

There is significant relationship between nutrients and headaches; many studies have found that headache sufferers are often deficient in key nutrients – primarily magnesium, coenzyme Q10, riboflavin, and vitamin D. Up to 50% of headache sufferers can be magnesium deficient. Magnesium can ease muscle spasms and alter brain chemicals thought to play a role in headaches. There are a variety of blood tests used to measure nutrient levels, but most Naturopaths rely on the analysis of a diet diary completed by the patient for 1 week to determine if any nutrients may be deficient. If a patient doesn’t eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, is under a lot of stress, or is a frequent drinker, a nutrient deficiency is more likely to be contributing and nutritional supplementation may be warranted.  Often dietary modifications are recommended to help reduce the frequency of headaches; there are a number of foods commonly associated with triggering headaches such as wine, aged cheeses, citrus and MSG. In addition, foods that the individual may be sensitive to may be eliminated from the to assess whether they are contributing to the headaches.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a great treatment for headaches you can try at home. All you will need is 2 small towels, 2 large bowls and either an ice pack or ice cubes. Fill one basin with ice water and one basin with hot tap water (no greater than 114o F). Soak one towel in each basin. Wring out hot towel and place on the back of the neck for 3 minutes. Remove this towel and replace it with the iced towel for 30 seconds. Repeat the hot and cold applications three times each.

Acupuncture and homeopathy are worth considering as adjunct therapies once you are sure that the headache is not a sign of a serious disorder. In addition, dietary modification and appropriate nutrient supplementation can provide relief; hydrotherapy is a great tool to try at home. Natural therapies and the addition of a Naturopathic doctor to one’s healthcare team provides individualized care and innovative strategies for treating headaches.

Insomnia can be a frustrating short-lived complaint or may be a constant burden that significantly impacts daily activities. Getting a good night’s rest is essential to overall health and well-being; while you sleep the body heals and repairs itself so interferences with sleep impair this process. Proper rest is as essential as diet or exercise to maintain energy, mood, immune function, and overall health.

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep:

• Reduce any stimulants from your diet particularly caffeine (tea or coffee and chocolate). Remember that energy drinks are also full of caffeine too. If you can not give up your morning coffee try to completely avoid all stimulants after 3:00pm as they may prevent your nervous system from relaxing later in the evening.
• Reduce sugar intake throughout the day to maintain more stable blood glucose values.
• Eating late at night is not advised as the digestive system is still working hard when you are trying to sleep and the body cannot completely succumb to a restful slumber.
• Deep breathing and meditation may help to prepare the body for sleep by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
• A foot-bath or a foot massage from a friend or partner using a calming lavender essential oil. The aroma of lavender removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness and induces sleep.
• Set an “electronics curfew” an hour before bedtime and dim the lights, turn off the television and avoid using the computer. The light exposure from electronics before sleep can disrupt body rhythms and suppress the release of the hormone melatonin, which promotes sleep.
• A relaxing temperate bath to slow the body and mind down, to relax the muscles  add 1/2 cup of epsom salts to the water.
• Exercise to use up pent up energy and to relieve stress, though avoid intense physical activity less than 3 hours before bed.
• Magnesium is also an important nutrient for sleep for hormonal synthesis of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone needed by the pineal gland to produce sleep hormones and program the pattern of sleep.

• Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.
• Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.
• Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.
• Drink at least 2 litres of water daily.
• Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.
• Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.
• Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.
• Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration.
• Dry-brush your skin or get a massage to remove toxins through your pores.
• Exercise for 1 hour every day. Yoga or jumping rope are good. Also try qigong, a martial-arts based exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.

Foods & detoxification

Include lots of the following in daily diet:

• General rule of thumb – lots & lots of fruit & veggies, variety of legumes, raw nuts & seeds
• Leafy greens including kale, swiss chard, dandelion greens, beet greens, spinach, collards
• Freshly juiced veggies, greens & fruit
• Blue-green algae including spirulina, chlorella
• Fresh herbs – cilantro, parsley, rosemary, mint, cayenne, ginger, garlic, sage, etc.
• Herbal teas – dandelion root, licorice root
• Lemon Juice – squeeze the juice of ½ lemon into water first thing in morning, or drink mid-afternoon for “pick me up”
• Fresh, clean water
• Fiber – ensure regular elimination (veggies, legumes, ground flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed)
• Organic or naturally raised foods – especially animal products (meat, dairy, eggs), soft-skinned fruit, leafy greens

Eliminate some or all of these anti-nutrients from daily diet:

• Sugar (for maximum benefit eliminate honey, agave, maple syrup also) – anything ending with “ose” e.g. maltose, sucrose
• Processed, pre-packaged & “fast” foods
• Alcohol (also a form of sugar)
• Coffee
• Dairy
• Wheat
• Chocolate
• Beef, pork
• Non-organic animal products