This is a cotton tape that attempts to release muscular and fascial adhesions that occurs of previous trauma, inflammation and poor posture over time.

Kinesio Tape was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase and has been used since 1979. This tape has been used in Japan on professional athletes far 25 years.

The main goal when using Kinesio tape is to restore normal function to affected areas by accomplishing proprieceptive feedback. Proprieception involves the balancing mechanisms in the body with its gross diameter being standing, the operation of torso, hips, knees, ankles, shoulders and even the head. Importantly other operations incorporate many smaller muscle movements such as finger movement and even leaning forward or backward. The taping also reduces edema and aids in regulating lymphatic congestion. This is achieved by acting as a second skin, lifting the skin, allowing drainage of extra fluid; acts like a massage.

An interesting effect of friction massage is the creation of anesthesia. The gate theory of pain model indicates that stimulation of the large-fiber mechanoreceptors causes presynaptic inhibition at the spinal cord preventing the small-diameter fibers from reaching the consciousness (within 3 minutes of friction anesthesia begins). The more times this anesthesia occurs the less time it takes to produce the same effects. However this doesn’t seem to occur on severely inflamed tissues.

The tape helps contracted muscles relax but diminishing the work that the muscle has to work. It also helps weakened muscles “turn on” to help them work how they are suppose to work, restoring the natural ability of the body to do its normal function (again referring to balance). To enhance muscle contraction, the tape is applied origin to insertion of that muscle, and conversely, to diminish muscle contraction it is applied insertion to origin.

Kinesio Tape is a functional tape that helps increase motion in inhibited areas while acting as a brace to support the injured area.

Overuse conditions respond within 2 weeks to 2 months under rigorous treatment of 3 times a week.

Exercising and stretching for awareness of correct posture and function are also incorporated to “reeducate” parts involved.

by Jacob Bell, DC

By Jamie Brayshaw, LMT

Vitamin D is being found to be a very important vitamin for immune health, bone health, inflammation response and mood.  And at our latitude, it is being found to be quite deficient.  I have been curious to hear more and more clients say that their MD is recommending a vitamin D lab test, and my nurse midwife told me to take vitamin D daily.

We usually recommend 4,000 IU daily.
This is WAY more than is in your multivitamin, so we recommend a separate vitamin supplement.  We carry a great liquid vitamin D that requires you to take just 4 drops per day.
By the way, the Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamin D, currently set at 200-600 IU, is now under review.
It’s clearly important to get vitamin D in the dark winter, but my nurse recommended to take it year round, as at this latitude we don’t get enough even in the summer!
Kids need vitamin D too!  Dose by weight, so if your child is half the size of an adult, give them half the dose.

Do you suffer from PMS, menstrual cramps, infertility, increased facial hair growth, or irregular periods?  These are all sign of hormone imbalance in women.

1. Determine what symptoms you have, and identify any hormone imbalance with your doctor or through testing.
2. If your hormones are low or imbalanced, supplement with things that mimic your bodies natural hormones (like bio identical hormones or herbs)
3. Balance your digestion with your diet
4. Start exercising, and if you don’t have the energy, go back to step two
5. Stop smoking ASAP
6. Reduce exposure to hormones in your food, water and cosmetics
7. SLEEP!  And if you can’t sleep, go back to step two.
8. Find ways to laugh and enjoy life

1. GARGLE with salt water- throughout the day- do this when you are exposed to colds and flus and to shorten the course once your sick.  The viruses replicate in our  throats, if you can wash them away, they have less chance to take hold and multiply.  If you can’t gargle at work or while your out- drink hot tea.
2. Elderberry- this herb is not only delicious, but has been shown to shorten the duration of colds and flus as well as the popular drug tamiflu.
3. Zinc- like elderberry can shorten the course of the illness and help boost your immune system to prevent getting it- be sure to eat when you take it- zinc can cause nausea is you take it on a empty stomach
4. Chicken soup- weather its the comfort or something in it, studies show that eating chicken soup actually does shorten the course of a virus and boost your immunity.  one mechanism is thought to be by strengthening gut immunity.
5. Herbal tincture formulated for your specific symptoms- there are so many herb out there that can be used to boost immunity and help with sinus congestion, cough, sore throat.  Talk to your Naturopath about formulating an herbal formula just for you.

Dr. Elise Schroeder, ND

Craniosacral Therapy is a method of releasing blockages where Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) is confined or immobilized to restore the overall fluid rhythm of the body. This gentle, hands on approach offers a way of tapping into the body’s own healing forces.  Through increasing both the production and movement of fluid, we facilitate the body’s own self-corrective mechanisms.  This form of therapy is generally deeply relaxing as well as rejuvenating as it directly improves the function and support of the central nervous system.  It can also be helpful in relieving pain as it facilitates realignment from the core outward.  Craniosacral Therapy has been known to alleviate a wide range of conditions, including: