The Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

Written by: Dr. Christine Davis, Naturopathic Doctor

The skin is the largest organ for elimination of the toxins within the body. Brushing the skin can stimulate the body’s natural cleansing and healing systems to help detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system. Dry skin brushing exfoliates and stimulates new skin growth. It cleanses the lymphatic system, removes dead skin and cellulite, tightens skin, tones muscles and stimulates circulation. The process also stimulates more activity in your sebaceous, or oil, glands, which helps the body create its own natural moisturizer and lessens the appearance of dimpled skin. Dry skin brushing has been practiced for thousands of years by the Japanese, the Ancient Greeks, and the Cherokee Indians. It’s easy once you get the hang of it, and it only takes 15 minutes to your entire body.

Procedure:

You can utilize the dry-brushing technique by a number of methods, including a rough loofah sponge, washcloth, soft pumice stone, gloves or a natural fiber brush. I recommend the natural fiber brush to reach tough areas. Dry brush your skin first in the morning, before you shower. Your skin should be completely dry. Start at your feet and move upwards along your legs. Always brush in the direction of your heart to facilitate circulation. Repeat using upward strokes from your hands along your arms. Brush your torso in an upward motion and your stomach in a circular motion. Brush your tailbone to the base of your neck as you can reach. Use more vigorous strokes on areas where your skin is thick–like your soles, and light strokes on areas where your skin is thin. Don’t brush irritated or broken skin. Dry brush once a day, first thing in the morning. You can brush areas with cellulite twice a day for about five to ten minutes to minimize the appearance of cellulite. Do this consistently for five months for best results.

Precautions

Avoid brushing your skin too vigorously. Excessive or abrasive brushing can cause irritation and scrapes to the skin. Increase pressure gradually over a period of time. During the first few weeks, your skin will often be red after your bath or shower; if skin remains red for more than 5 to 10 minutes, the brushing was too vigorous and should be scaled back.

The Power of Lemons

Written by: Dr. Christine Davis, Naturopathic Doctor

Lemons are remarkable fruits that can have a dramatic effect on your overall health and well-being.  Lemons boost the immune system, purify the blood and help the body rid itself of toxins.   Lemons and lemon juice are alkalizing, cleansing, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant and may successfully treat a variety of health problems.  As well, lemons are high in vitamin C, potassium and other minerals.

For best results, add the juice of half a freshly picked lemon to cool or warm water.  Water that is too hot will destroy vital enzymes in the lemons.  It should be noted that pre-packaged and pasteurized lemon juice will not have the same health benefits.  Organic lemons are preferred over to avoid any pesticide or chemical residue that might remain on the skin and in the pulp.

Lemons and pH Balance

Ripe lemons have an alkalizing effect on the blood and urine despite being an acidic fruit.  Acidic diets lower the pH in the body resulting in alkaline minerals being drawn from bone, muscle and tissue to rebalance the pH. The depletion of calcium, magnesium and potassium over time can lead to
weakened bones and muscle wastage.

Digestion and Cleansing

Lemons can also relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, bloating, gas and cramping. Drinking lemon water regularly will aid in the cleansing of the bowels, which helps eliminate constipation and diarrhea.  Bitter foods such as lemons are known to stimulate the liver, which can aid in detoxification and weight loss.

Immune Boosting

Lemons are high in vitamin C, a well-known cold and flu-fighter.  Lemon and honey can ease the pain of a sore throat or soothe the tickling and itching of a cough.  Squeezing the juice of 1 lemon in 1 cup of warm water with 1 tbsp. honey makes a base for a soothing cough or sore throat remedy.  Alternatively, mix lemon juice and honey in a small bowl and drink to soothe a sore throat.

Considerations

Although alkalinizing to the body, lemons can be acidic to the tooth enamel. It is best to drink lemon water first thing in the am (which is also the best time for liver detoxification) and rinse your mouth afterward, than to sip throughout the day.  Always consult your healthcare practitioner to understand what is best for your individual health needs.

SNAP Aurora- Magna Health Centre Opens to Public

Magna Health Centre Opens to Public

Magna Health Centre, a new medical clinic established by Magna International Inc., is now officially open! SNAP was invited out last month to meet their fantastic team of doctors and to tour this amazing clinic. It will serve residents in Aurora and surrounding communities as well as Magna employees who work in the area. The Centre is a multi-disciplinary clinic and its healthcare team includes practitioners in family medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine. Magna Health Centre is located next to the Magna head office in Aurora. Residents can call 905-726-7470 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

http://www.snapaurora.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=245177

Provided by: Dr. Christine Davis, Naturopathic Doctor

YorkRegion Article: Magna clinic offers treatments

YorkRegion Article: Magna clinic offers treatments.

By Amanda Perisco|
Provided by: Dr. Christine Davis, ND
Jan 24, 2011 – 4:37 PM

Open to the community. Naturopathic practitioner Dr. Christine Davis (left) and chiropractor Dr. Stephanie Milley are among the medical professionals staffing the new Magna Health Centre.  The facility opened as a resource to Magna employees, but has now opened its doors to the entire community.

You now have new health treatment options here in Aurora.  The Magna Health Centre is an 1,800-square-foot multi-disciplinary clinic that’s home to four practitioners and one medical doctor.  A Magna International initiative, the health centre is built on a holistic approach to medicine and features some of the latest laser technology.

Magna has always been a pillar of Aurora, said Dr. Stephanie Milley, a chiropractor based at the centre. “It was important for Magna to have a place to better serve its employees.”  Open to Magna employees for the past three months, the health centre has now opened its doors to all residents of Aurora and Newmarket.  “There is a need for health services in the area,” Dr. Milley said.  “This is a way to better service our employees and our community.”

The health centre is not an emergency clinic, but operates more like a combination between a walk-in clinic and family doctor’s office.  Along with chiropractic services, the centre offers naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and health and wellness services.  “We see a broad range of patients, everything from common allergies to chronic pain,” Dr. Milley said.  “It’s a very health conscious approach.”  The practitioners also take a more integrated and incorporated approach to treating their patients, Dr. Milley added.  Most people know what a family doctor does, she said.

“We want to keep a form of transparency as to what we do, why we are doing it and why the patient needs it.”  The centre has partnered with Meditech, a leading health software supplier, to offer the latest in laser technology.  The clinic has three laser machines to treat soft-tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, arthritis and sports injuries as well as wound management and diabetic ulcers.  The specialty machines are meant to be used hands-free, which means while the laser is being applied to a specific area, you are free to sit, read, lie down, listen to music and change positions.  The centre also has two laser machines that provide therapy through acupuncture points without puncturing skin.  The Weber laser machine is used in the United States and Europe, but has yet to be approved for use in Canada.  The Magna Health Centre is one of the few clinics in Canada to have this machine, Dr. Milley said, and it is ready to go when approval is granted.  Laser technology is essentially low-intensity light, Dr. Milley said. The treatment is non-invasive and adds additional energy to damaged cells to boost the healing process.  This is on the conservative side of medicine. It doesn’t cut, burn or heat up, so it’s a very comfortable type of treatment, Dr. Milley said. The treatment gives more fuel to better repair the area. It’s extra energy so the cells can do their jobs more efficiently.

“We can treat well beyond the common cough and cold,” she added.
For more information, visit http://www.magnahealth.ca

Bulgur Chicken Salad

Written by: Dr. Christine Davis, Naturopathic Doctor

1 cup bulgur
1 ½ cups boiling water
450 g boneless, skinless chicken breast
Freshly ground black pepper
¾ tsp kosher salt, divided
4 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
5 oz (8 cups) arugula, roughly chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 avocado, chopped

Put the bulgur into a large bowl, pour in the boiling water, and cover. Let stand for 10 minutes, then uncover and allow to cool. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season with pepper and ¼ tsp salt. Saute over medium heat in 1 Tbs of the olive oil until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Make the dressing by whisking together the remaining 3 Tbs of oilive oil with the orange juice, lemon juice, remaining ½ tsp of salt, and pepper. Add the arugula to the bowl with the bulgur and toss with the dressing. Top with the sliced chicken, tomatoes, green onions, and avocado. Serves 4.

Fresh Asian Summer Rolls

Provided by: Dr. Christine Davis, Naturopathic Doctor

Asian slaw:
½ cup fresh cilantro
2 carrots julienned
½ red cabbage julienned
1 red pepper julienned
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
1 apple, sliced thinly

Toss slaw together

2 cooked chicken breasts
1 package of Vietnamese Rice Paper Wrappers

Sauce– can use on slaw or for dipping:
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
2 Tbs. almond butter
¼ tsp sea salt
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
¼-½ cup water (to desired consistency)
1 ½ Tbs. sesame oil
½ teaspoon garlic chili sauce

Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one wrapper into the hot water until softened. Lay wrapper flat. In a row across the center, place chicken and Asian slaw, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, and tightly roll the wrapper. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve rolled spring rolls with dipping sauce.  Enjoy!