This Friday: Dr. Walter Crinnion at the Gayety In Collingwood

Hi All,

A quick note about our upcoming environmental medicine event – tickets are selling quickly, and we want to make sure that you can get yours if you’re interested!

On Friday, May 13th at 7PM, we’re bringing naturopath and environmental medicine expert and Dr. Walter Crinnion to the Gayety Theatre in Collingwood to share his expertise.

Author of Clean, Green and Lean, Dr. Crinnion has been practicing environmental medicine for nearly 30 years. He is a beloved teacher, an international speaker and has a love and passion for understanding the health effects of everyday toxins that is infectious.

If you want to understand the connection between chemicals and cancer and other chronic diseases, this is a must-see event.

Tickets are available at the door, but about two-thirds of the seats are sold. You can get yours in advance at the clinic, or on-line.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

-Tara

Safely Navigating Cancer Care Alternatives

April is Cancer awareness month, and we have a couple of cancer-related events coming up – a free public talk on safe alternative cancer care, as well as a live event with environmental medicine expert Dr. Walter Crinnion at the Gayety Theatre in Collingwood.

I thought I’d share one of our recent newspaper articles on safely navigating the confusing waters of cancer care.
– Tara

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Speaking Up About Your Alternative Cancer Care
By Lia Sonnenburg, ND & Tara Gignac, ND

Nearly one half of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment are also using some type of complementary or alternative treatment as well.

It’s not a surprising statistic. A cancer diagnosis can be a frightening experience, and the journey through care can be no less harrowing. An option that provides help, hope and a sense of control can be a welcome option.

What you might find more surprising, though, is that the majority of those patients—some 75%—don’t tell their oncologist about their other care.

Why Patients Don’t Tell

Many patients report that their oncologist’s default response to alternatives is, “No.” It’s discouraging for patients, but it’s not unreasonable. Oncologists aren’t trained in how alternative treatments work or how they might interact or interfere with conventional care. The safe answer is to manage that risk by confining care to what they know best.

But patients want to default to yes. People want to do everything they can to heal and survive. So they take the supplement from the friend of a friend, and they don’t tell their oncologist because they don’t want to be told no.

Who To Tell

Many alternative cancer therapies are supported by great research, both inside and outside of conventional settings. Others are not. And some can be harmful to conventional treatment protocols. Knowing the difference takes more than a Google search. Going it alone is not a safe option.

Consider sharing both with your oncologist, and with a health care professional familiar with alternatives to make sure you get the best care possible.

If you or someone you know is confused by their care, or overwhelmed by their choices, you can attend our free session on March 30th at the clinic, or call 705-444-5331 to book a complimentary 15-minute appointment with a Collingwood naturopath. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

Collingwood Spring Running Clinic

2011 is the year I start running again.  I took 2010 off and focused on building strength and flexibility with regular yoga, which worked beautifully. March 20 will mark the first day of spring, and the day I hit the trails.

For anyone interested in an organized running group, check out Maximum Physiotherapy’s Spring Running Clinic in Collingwood. Sue and Brock offer a great program.  It starts March 22, 2011.  To learn more, visit http://www.maximumphysiotherapy.com/News-And-Events/Spring-2011-Running-Clinic/a~2481–c~344601/article.html

If you don’t fancy running but like to read, check out Born to Run by Chris MacDougall. Yes, it may seem strange to read a book about running if you don’t run, but if you’re not even a little intrigued to put on running shoes after reading it, I’ll treat you to an organic energy bar at the clinic… 🙂

-Tara

Making Sense of the HPV Vaccine

If you’re the parent of a girl in Grade 7-8, you’re likely aware that the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is recommending your daughter receive the HPV vaccination to decrease the risk of cervical cancer. It’s also being recommended for women up to the age of 26 who didn’t receive it when they were younger.

Many parents and young women have questions – if you’d like to have yours answered, or you know someone who could use some insight, join Lia Sonnenburg, ND at StoneTree on Wednesday, Feb 23rd at 7PM to learn more about:

  • The development, safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine
  • Cervical cancer risk and treatment
  • Improving the reproductive health of women and teens

This info night is free to all – feel free to bring a friend. RSVP to the clinic at 705-444-5331 or [email protected].

Patient-Centered Care: How Our Well Woman Visit Was Born

Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in women aged 20-49, with peak incidence occurring age 40-50. This year, some 1300-1500 Canadian women will be diagnosed.

With proper screening, cervical cancer is a preventable disease, but of those who die from it this year, only about half will have had a recent pap test.

So why aren’t women getting paps?

Sometimes it’s because they don’t have a medical doctor, but mainly it’s because the process is uncomfortable. It’s easy to put off for another day. And another.

I spent years reminding patients that it was time for a visit to their doc for a “yearly” and many would put it off. I would offer to do the test myself, (ND’s are licensed in Ontario for pelvic and breast exams, and pap tests) but still there would be hesitation.

A year ago I sat down with some of the important women in my life and asked them this question:

What is it about the experience of your annual physical that you hate? Or, to put it more positively, what would you change about this experience that we all have to do, but don’t like to do?

Here are some of the comments I got:

“Do the sheets and gowns have to be paper?”

“Does everything have to be so cold?”

“There is never any easy way to ‘clean up’ and you leave the office feeling uncomfortable and looking for a washroom.”

“I’m worried that in the summer my feet might smell and it’s embarrassing.”

“Why does the light have to be so stark?”

“I wish I could get a copy of the results, not just ‘no news is good news’.”

Is this all that was standing between women and regular paps? Well-armed with some of the reasons why women were opting out or delaying paps, we set about creating a new “Well Woman” annual visit from the ground up.

The Well Women Visit at StoneTree Clinic was created around what patients actually needed and wanted. Your visit takes place in a softly lit room, with real linens and warm socks. All equipment used is warmed and lubricated, and at the end of your examination you receive a cup of hot raspberry leaf tea to soothe the uterus and calm the soul.

You should feel respected and comfortable…or as one woman said, “It’s never fun. But this is definitely as good as it gets!”

Discomfort is a lousy reason to avoid an annual exam. But it’s a reality. Spread the word to the women in your life: screening is important, and there are options to make it easier.

We offer Well Woman Days every few weeks – call the clinic at 705-444-5331, or book online here.

31 Days and Counting: Finding the Value of Daily Exercise

icytaraI don’t always make resolutions, but at the beginning of each New Year I do take the time to reflect about the past year of my life and think about what future actions I could take to make my coming years better in some way.

Although we are an active family and I’m committed to exercise and a healthy lifestyle, I decided to stretch myself more this year. On January 1st, I committed to exercising at least 30 minutes per day for the next 365 days.  The exercise can be anything that is consistent and sustained for at least 30 minutes – walking, running, yoga, x-country skiing, biking or any other moderate activity. It doesn’t have to be intense, just daily.

I set this goal for a number of reasons, but there is one reason that stands out: The busier life gets, the easier it is to have the things we do to support and maintain our health get further and further down the list of priorities.  By setting this goal and committing to it every day (as opposed to a certain number of times per week), getting my 30 minutes in is one of the first things I think about when I wake up.  I consciously make time in my schedule to make sure it gets done.

After completing my first 31 days I realize how many days in the past I would have missed an opportunity to get outside, breathe fresh air and move my body and blood.  Not because I didn’t have the time, but because I didn’t use my time for this critical part of healthy living.  We all have 30 minutes a day to walk, but there are plenty of days when your life gets a hold of you and the day is over before you’ve had a chance to even think about exercising.

I already feel stronger and healthier. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re wondering whether it’s worthwhile, here are a few more benefits:

  • You’ll sleep better (and so will your kids if they join you!)
  • You’ll reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and almost every other non-congenital condition on the planet
  • You’ll improve your mood and stave off seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
  • You’ll likely notice a change in your body in terms of your body fat and how your clothes fit
  • You’ll boost your immune system and reduce your likelihood of colds and flus

If you’re interested in jumping aboard my 365 days of active living, I encourage you to do so – there’s no need to wait until next January. Recruit a friend. Buy an iPod and use that 30 minutes to learn a language, listen to books, download a great podcast on active living,  or groove to your favorite tune. Or just use the time to disconnect, de-stress and enjoy some solitude.

Only 334 more days to go!

-Tara

H1N1: Frequently Asked Questions

It’s been a busy week! H1N1 is top of mind, and based on the emails, phone calls and visits, many of you feel like you’re faced with a difficult choice.

We’ve added an H1N1 FAQ to the website with some of the most common questions we’re fielding here at the office.

If you have a question that’s not listed, feel free to email us at [email protected] – we’ll answer the question and add it to the list. You can also use the online contact form.

Remember that prevention is still the best strategy. Our popular immune boosting program is now in full swing. It uses regular high doses of vitamin C intravenously as a natural anti-microbial, and can be a great preventative strategy. It can also be used at first sign of symptoms to stop an illness in its tracks.

Treatments are comfortable and relaxing. For more information, or to schedule your appointment, call us at (705) 444-5331.

If you have concerns about H1N1, read the FAQ’s – there are links to other resources there, too. And of course, as always, if you have questions just contact us. That’s what we’re here for! -Tara

You’re Invited: Our Open House!

Update: Thanks to everyone who joined us at the open house! We had a wonderful evening. If you’d like to try some of the great recipes we offered, you can find them here.

-Tara

Please Join Us…

If you’re curious about how naturopathic medicine works, or are wondering what happens at our Collingwood clinic, then this Thursday, June 18 from 4-7PM is the perfect time to find out. And if you’re already a patient, we’d love to see you!

We’ll be holding our 5th annual open house to celebrate health in our community. It’s become one of our favourite days of the year at the clinic! Bring a friend or family member on Thursday and enjoy:

  • Unique natural foods
  • Free body composition analyses
  • Clinic tours
  • Green smoothies
  • Fantastic recipes

The entire StoneTree team will be there to chat, answer questions, and enjoy spending time with friends old and new.

I look forward to seeing you!

– Tara

The Details:

Thursday, June 18, 2009
4-7PM
StoneTree Clinic – 115 Hurontario Street, Suite 200, Collingwood (map)

The Free and Easy Way to Health: The StoneTree Clinic Walking Club

Update: We’re no longer running the StoneTree walking club. If you’d like a referral to a great coach or personal trainer, though, please contact the office anytime at 705-444-5331.

 

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One of the greatest challenges to becoming more active is that for many people, fitness can be a lonesome, unappealing idea.  To help make it easier, we’re excited to announce that we’ve started our free StoneTree Walking Club. It’s fun, friendly way to add more activity to your life.

We meet weekdays, rain or shine, for a 45-minute walk on the trails and streets of Collingwood, led by one of the StoneTree team. The walks are free, and open to everyone  You don’t need to be a patient – bring a friend if you like!

We meet at the clinic in downtown Collingwood. No special skills or equipment required – just dress for the weather.

This is an easy way to get outside and get moving, and having someone to walk with always makes things more enjoyable.  I hope to see you there!

-Tara

 

Please Join Us For Our Grand Opening!

Mark Your Calendars! We’d be honoured if you could join us for the official Grand Opening of our new clinic this Friday.

Date: Friday, June 20th

Time: Drop in anytime from 3-7PM

Location: StoneTree Clinic
115 Hurontario Street
Suite 200
Collingwood, ON
(705)444-5331

Stop by anytime between 3-7PM for:

  • office tours, including our new colon hydrotherapy and IV suites
  • some great food and refreshments
  • a chance to meet the entire StoneTree team, and ask any questions you may have
  • an opportunity to join us in celebrating the start of summer!

We’d love to see you there!

Yours in good health,
Tara Gignac, ND

Map and Directions