Man getting frustrated looking his medical symptoms up online
The Dangers of Googling or Using ChatGPT For Your Medical Symptoms
Googling Symptoms

How many times have you Googled your symptoms and been provided with frightening information about potential health ailments? The internet is a powerful tool that has made our lives easier in a lot of ways. However, it can easily complicate matters by providing broad information that doesn’t pertain to each individual. 

For the sake of this article, I asked Google ‘Why do I have a headache?”. I was provided with multiple answers, including dehydration, allergies, hormone imbalances, and underlying medical conditions like a stroke or meningitis. 

 

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket 

The internet can be a helpful tool in assisting you in learning more about different health conditions. But it should only be considered one of the tools you rely on, not the only one you rely on. Solely relying on information from one article or from ChatGPT (or any other AI software) can be dangerous, as there is a significant amount of misinformation floating around online. The rise in artificial intelligence is making it much more difficult to differentiate good information from bad information. 

If you find information online that you are interested in incorporating into your daily life to support your overall health, consider having a conversation with your healthcare provider (or naturopathic doctor) to learn more about the information that you found, and to see if the recommendations from Google or ChatGPT truly are good ideas for you to incorporate. It is important to remember that these artificial interfaces do not have all the answers and can make errors, just like humans. Although these artificial interfaces may be intelligent, they did not spend years in school studying the human body, and they lack the ability to make personal recommendations based on your individual being. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by blindly trusting the internet. Seek additional guidance for well-rounded support. 

 

Naturopathic Medicine and Artificial Intelligence 

As a naturopathic doctor, it is my job to take all of the information available (labs, medical history, personal preferences, individual symptoms, etc) into consideration when providing support to each individual. A computer-generated model cannot make these same individualized recommendations, because it does not know you as an individual- it only knows you by the data input into its system. ChatGPT cannot pick up on your emotions, and it cannot gauge appropriately how much stress you are under or how sleep-deprived you are.

Important Considerations

Google cannot replace a medical education or a degree in any healthcare field. ChatGPT cannot replace years of hands-on training, clinical experience, and anecdotal evidence that is seen on a daily basis. While there is no doubt that AI will infiltrate the healthcare community and there will inevitably be ways that artificial intelligence improves the medical community, we must use caution with our health and wellness when it comes to artificial intelligence. 

 

Getting overwhelmed by all of the “medical advice” swirling around social media? You’re not alone. Read more here!

References:
  1. Tan S, Xin X, Wu D. ChatGPT in medicine: prospects and challenges: a review article. Int J Surg. 2024;110(6):3701-3706. Published 2024 Jun 1. doi:10.1097/JS9.0000000000001312
  2. Homolak J. Opportunities and risks of ChatGPT in medicine, science, and academic publishing: a modern Promethean dilemma. Croat Med J. 2023;64(1):1-3. doi:10.3325/cmj.2023.64.1
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April is Rosacea Awareness Month

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition commonly associated with redness, inflammation, or rash, typically located on the nose and the cheeks. Rosacea can appear differently in different people. Some may experience a quick flushing sensation in their face, some may experience constant redness, irritation, and discomfort of their face, and others may experience acne-like breakouts on their face. 

 

What causes rosacea?

The root causes of rosacea are largely unknown, but there are many different working theories. 

One of the most common theories is that underlying inflammation is likely contributing to the development of rosacea. This inflammation could be coming from a disrupted gastrointestinal microbiome (possible infections or imbalanced bacteria) or a disrupted skin microbiome, as it is common for patients with rosacea to have higher numbers of Demodex mites on the skin. 

Several different triggers for rosacea can vary from person to person, including stress, sunlight, spicy foods, exercise, temperature changes, caffeine, and alcohol. Therefore, it is essential to take notes of your symptoms so that you can better understand what may be triggering your rosacea. 

 

Naturopathic Support for Rosacea

One of the main principles of naturopathic medicine is ‘tolle totum’ which means ‘to treat the whole person.’ When you book your initial appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors, we will dive deep into your medical history. We will discuss things like diet, sleep, stress, exercise, etc. This is to learn more about you as a whole person (and not just your rosacea). This will allow us to make possible connections between your rosacea and other factors in your life that could be contributing (stress, intense exercise, inflammation, diet, microbiome imbalances, etc). Making these connections and getting to the root causes can help us work towards improving symptoms along with the underlying causes, helping you move towards an improved state of health. 

If you want to be proactive before your visit, you can create a symptom and lifestyle journal to help us better understand what could be triggering your symptoms. In your journal, you can include things like: what symptoms you experience, what time of day you experience them, what activities you were doing before/while you noticed the symptoms, what foods you ate before/during symptoms, etc. 

 

If you are tired of dealing with rosacea, take charge of your health this Rosacea Awareness Month and let Richmond Natural Medicine help guide you towards clear skin

 

For more information on our practice or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (804) 977-2634!

Looking for Seasonal skin care tips for Spring? Click here!

Dealing with psoriasis? We have a blog for that too! Click here!

 

References:
  1. Farshchian M, Daveluy S. Rosacea. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557574/ 
  2. Sánchez-Pellicer P, Eguren-Michelena C, García-Gavín J, et al. Rosacea, microbiome and probiotics: the gut-skin axis. Front Microbiol. 2024;14:1323644. Published 2024 Jan 8. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1323644 
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castor oil spilling
Castor Oil and How To Use It
What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is extracted from the Ricinus communus plant. Historically, it has been used orally to support many different ailments, with its most well-known benefit being a stimulating laxative. Today, we use castor oil for a variety of conditions, from head to toe, but we tend to use it externally, as this is the safest and most gentle use of the oil. 

 

Potential Benefits of Castor Oil
  • One of the most common uses of topical castor oil is the application of a castor oil pack applied over the liver. Castor oil is anti-inflammatory and may help stimulate bile flow, which helps our bodies bind and eliminate toxins more effectively.
  • When applied to the abdomen, castor oil can help decrease abdominal bloating and discomfort and may also be helpful for constipation. You can apply and rub a quarter-sized amount of castor oil over the abdomen in a clockwise motion to help promote peristalsis when combined with the physical movement of the abdominal massage
  • Castor oil can be very helpful in reducing joint pain and inflammation. You can rub a dime-sized amount of castor oil over a painful joint (as long as there is no broken skin) and leave it to absorb slowly.
  • Castor oil is applied to the scalp to help promote hair growth and is often used topically to help moisturize skin. One of the main constituents, ricinoleic acid, is a fatty acid component that provides moisturizing properties to the skin
  • Castor oil can indirectly help promote relaxation. By adding a castor oil pack to your nightly routine before bed, you can help ensure that you are taking time for self-care, nourishment, and relaxation at the end of each day! 

 

Naturopathic Considerations for Castor Oil

As naturopathic doctors, we are trained to utilize many different modalities, therapies, and herbs when creating plans for our patients. Topical castor oil is a supportive therapy that you’ll likely see on your care plan here at Richmond Natural Medicine. If you have been reading about castor oil online lately and are wondering if it may be beneficial for you and your specific health goals, give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors! 

 

Want to know how to make your own castor oil pack at home? Check out this video from the Edgar Cayce Institute: How to Make a Castor Oil Pack.

 

Needing more Spring Detox Support? Read our blog on Gentle Detox Foods + Herbs for Spring!

 

References:
  1. Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair Oils: Indigenous Knowledge Revisited. Int J Trichology. 2022 May-Jun;14(3):84-90. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_189_20. Epub 2022 May 24. PMID: 35755964; PMCID: PMC9231528.
  2. Fong P, Tong HH, Ng KH, Lao CK, Chong CI, Chao CM. In silico prediction of prostaglandin D2 synthase inhibitors from herbal constituents for the treatment of hair loss. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;175:470-480. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.10.005 

 

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International Women’s Day

Starting in the early 20th century, International Women’s Day arose due to inequalities in daily life that forced women to speak up for better working conditions, equal pay, and the right to vote. Although we’ve made significant progress during this time, there are still significant gaps and inequalities present today. Because of this, women around the world continue to press onwards to ensure equal rights for future generations. 

Since women make up the majority of the naturopathic medicine field, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge a few women who were pioneers in the field and helped us get to where we are today. We would not be able to provide the care and support to our patients without these previous contributions. 

 

Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell

Dr. Blackwell was the first woman awarded a medical degree in the United States upon graduating from medical school in 1849. Upon graduation, she focused on the health and well-being of women and children and eventually helped co-found the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. This eventually led to the development of a medical college for women, which provided medical education for women and likely helped open the doors to allow more women into the field of medicine. 

 

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler

In 1864, Dr. Crumpler became the first formally-trained African American woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Prior to her medical education, she was a nurse who worked to improve the lives of previously enslaved persons who otherwise would not have had access to medical care. In addition to her medical education, she also documented her work carefully in her book ‘A Book of Medical Discourses,’ which aimed to provide preventative guidance and support for mothers and children. 

 

Rosemary Gladstar

We would be remiss if we did not discuss Rosemary Gladstar’s contributions to the world of plant medicine. She helped create the longest-running herbal school in the US, allowing her to share her herbal knowledge nationally. Additionally, she has authored multiple books that have helped bring practical herbal understanding into many people’s daily lives. At the same time, she is actively helping promote the environmental sustainability of herbs. She helps promote ecologically sound harvesting and best-use practices to ensure future generations are able to enjoy them.

 

Ancestral Healers

It is also important to acknowledge our ancestral healers who, for many centuries, had been healing and caring for their communities long before the field of medicine was invented. Civilizations from across the globe have documented stories of women in their tribes, groups, and communities who have shared their knowledge and healing abilities, and there is no doubt that without their contributions, we would not have the breadth of knowledge regarding botanical medicines that we, as naturopathic doctors, utilize on a daily basis. 

 

At Richmond Natural Medicine, we #AccelerateAction by providing a space for women to tell their stories, celebrate their victories, and support them on their health and wellness journeys! 

If you have been looking for a caring provider who takes the time to sit with you, listen to your story, and craft a supportive plan that is individual to you, give us a call today at (804) 977-2634 to book your appointment with one of our providers. 

 

References:
  1. The History of International Women’s Day 
  2. Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler
  3. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell 

 

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Allergies, Again?!

Do you feel like you just finally got relief from your Fall seasonal allergies? Well, don’t throw out your supplements just yet because it’s time to start preparing for Spring allergy season! Last year, we noticed that pollen levels slowly started increasing around the middle of February here in Richmond, which means now is the time to prepare! Heading into the peak of allergy season with the lowest histamine levels possible will work to your advantage, as your body will be able to process and clear histamines more effectively in the hopes that you will experience fewer symptoms! 

 

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

As we venture outdoors more in the springtime, exposure to pollen, grass, flowers, trees, and other environmental triggers can cause spring allergy symptoms. When we are exposed to these allergens, our bodies sometimes see them as a threat, so it causes our immune system to react. This reaction causes mast cells within our body to release histamines, which helps our bodies fight these ‘invaders’ but also ends up causing more symptoms. Our main goal is to stabilize the mast cells so less histamines are released, which will result in fewer or less severe symptoms and will help you enjoy the spring season a little more.

 

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms of seasonal allergies can vary dramatically from person to person. Still, some of the most common symptoms include a runny nose or nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, watery/itchy eyes, postnasal drip, headaches, and fatigue. Sometimes, we even see changes in our blood pressure and heart rate! 

 

Spring Allergy Preparation Tips

  • Avoid high-histamine foods to help reduce the overall histamine burden in the body. A few examples of high-histamine foods include citrus fruits, pineapples, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplants, spinach, packaged meats, fermented foods, shellfish, alcohol
  • Air Quality: Consider purchasing a HEPA air filter for your main living spaces to reduce allergens in the air. Dust surfaces in your home often, vacuum carpets, and wash curtains and bedding frequently to reduce allergen exposure. If you spend a significant amount of time outdoors, consider changing clothes as soon as you enter the house to reduce contamination throughout the rest of your home. It’s also common for allergens to find their way inside your home by way of your shoes. So, make sure to take those shoes off by the door!
  • Castor Oil Packs: Consider purchasing a bottle of cold-pressed castor oil to use daily for optimal liver health! Castor oil is anti-inflammatory and can help gently support the detoxification pathways within the liver. This helps ensure we are effectively breaking down and eliminating histamines from our circulatory system. Important Note: Castor oil is to be applied topically (rubbed on the skin) over the abdomen/liver and is not to be taken internally.

 

Spring Goals: Start clearing those histamines! Schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors to learn more about histamine processing and what additional support may be best for you to incorporate this spring season! 

 

Read More: Benefits of Air Purifiers in Spring 
Read More: How to: Castor Oil Pack 

 

References:

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8469513/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557790/ 

 

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Black History Month: African-American Contributions to Plant Medicine 

As naturopathic doctors, we rely on botanical medicine, also known as herbal or plant medicine, daily. Whether in the form of food, tinctures, salves, topicals, or encapsulations, plants play a vital role in the healing process. The knowledge we possess today regarding plant medicine would not be available to us without the prior knowledge handed down from generations before us. Today, we take a moment to highlight a few African-American pioneers and their contributions to plant medicine. 

 

Harriet Tubman

While we’re most familiar with Harriet Tubman for her work as an abolitionist, she was also a nurse and herbalist. Historical documents show that she helped the conductors of the underground railroad to identify which herbs and plants were safe to ingest, as well as which ones could help sustain them on their journey. She also served as a nurse and utilized botanical medicine to help treat her patients, and likely helped pass along vital information regarding the uses of different herbs and plants for different ailments. 

 

Emma Dupree

Emma Dupree was a community herbalist who spent her entire life serving the people of rural North Carolina. Always available and eager to help anyone who knocked on her door, she was the true embodiment of a community herbalist. She cultivated a prolific garden in her backyard with medicinal herbs and plants and understood their medicinal properties and uses well. She often utilized herbs like sassafras, sage, mint, and catnip, all of which are still commonly used in herbal medicine. 

 

George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver is widely known as a scientist and inventor who primarily focused on creating and enhancing farming practices. Such practices include crop rotation, which helps enhance soil quality and allows farmers to become more self-sufficient. While he is most well known for his work with peanuts, he also made great advancements with soybeans and sweet potatoes. His work highlights the importance of crop rotation for optimal soil health and likely paved the way for what we now know as ‘regenerative farming.’

 

Current Herbalists

There are many living herbalists who are working to preserve and share their knowledge of African-American herbalism. Here are a few herbalists to consider learning about:

  1. Marc Williams 
  2. Lucretia VanDyke 

 

References:

  1. https://nursing.virginia.edu/news/flashback-harriet-tubman-nurse/#:~:text=Bradford%20in%20her%201886%20biography,smallpox%2C%20and%20other%20infectious%20diseases
  2. https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/black-herbalist-spotlight-emma-dupree/?srsltid=AfmBOorDfzmtqflPUsG7KL70WfQmZKksG8YPMrKGEiHVD8Cwgx8uXsYW
  3. https://sowtrueseed.com/blogs/gardening/emma-dupree-folk-herbalist-granny-woman?srsltid=AfmBOopm446-94_Y_AQP65JP7HwyhiS8OsVHC-kCYvdSNVaU6Oe3MKSy
  4. https://americanherbalistsguild.com/george-washington-carver-american-scientist-indigenous-herbalist-essex-igyan#:~:text=George%20Washington%20Carver%2C%20while%20not,science%20and%20sustainable%20farming%20practices.
  5. https://www.bbg.org/article/black_herbalists_harriet_tubman_emma_dupree 
  6. https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/african-american-herbalism-history/?srsltid=AfmBOopmJnMq0dvO4HlHC4BASSkanBL29PuGvbEr6AZYeVghqpFkKPu4 
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autumn sunlight
Seasonal Support for the Changing of Clocks and Seasons

Seasonal Support: Changing of Clocks and Seasons

Fall is the optimal season for slowing down, reflecting, and settling in for the winter, but often, many of us cannot fully enjoy the season because we are struggling to cope with the changing of the clocks. While daylight savings time may provide certain advantages, our bodies cannot always keep up with the changes, so we may need to give a little more nourishment and care during this adjustment phase.
Our circadian rhythm is a delicate internal process that is designed to keep our bodies on track and in a natural rhythm, which plays an integral role in our overall health and wellness. As the clocks are set back in the fall and we lose an hour of daylight, our bodies can have a difficult time adjusting to the time change, and this often results in a disrupted circadian rhythm. Some of the changes that may happen when our circadian rhythm is out of balance include nervous system dysfunction, blood pressure imbalances, mood disruptions, changes in sleep, and so much more.

Circadian Rhythm Support

  1. Daily routine is important for optimal circadian rhythm. Going to bed and waking at the same time every day ensures our internal clock stays on track. Even on days when you are off work or have a different schedule, it is important to continue to sleep and wake at the same time. This promotes consistency and a stable routine for optimal circadian support.
  2. Morning sunlight is important for circadian rhythm support. It triggers our brains to stop producing melatonin and start producing serotonin. This helps remind our bodies that it is time to wake up and get the day started. If you cannot obtain morning sunlight within the first 15 minutes of waking, consider purchasing a ‘happy light. Happy lights mimic the sun and can help support optimal circadian balance.
  3. Shifting your meal times may be another way to support your circadian rhythm. Eating breakfast earlier in the day and moving up dinner slightly can help signal to your body that it is time to go to bed earlier.
  4. Consider exercising in the morning and avoid exercising in the evening, as it may be too stimulating and may not provide you with enough time to settle in at the end of a long day.
  5. Reducing exposure to blue light may be helpful. Research shows that blue light disrupts sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Using blue light-blocking glasses and reducing screen time one hour before bed can help promote a proper circadian rhythm. Dimming or turning off indoor lights early in the evening may also gently help signal the body that it is time to wind down and get ready for bed.
  6. Ask your provider to check your Vitamin D levels! Low vitamin D levels are associated with circadian rhythm imbalances. This is why it is important to ensure your Vitamin D levels are in the optimal range to support you during these seasonal shifts!

If you need extra seasonal support to help manage the changing of the clocks and seasons, our practitioners at Richmond Natural Medicine are ready to help! Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

References:

Ayyar VS, Sukumaran S. Circadian rhythms: influence on physiology, pharmacology, and therapeutic interventions. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn. 2021;48(3):321-338. doi:10.1007/s10928-021-09751-2

Juliana N, Azmi L, Effendy NM, et al. Effect of Circadian Rhythm Disturbance on the Human Musculoskeletal System and the Importance of Nutritional Strategies. Nutrients. 2023;15(3):734. Published 2023 Feb 1. doi:10.3390/nu15030734

Bedrosian TA, Nelson RJ. Timing of light exposure affects mood and brain circuits. Transl Psychiatry. 2017;7(1):e1017. Published 2017 Jan 31. doi:10.1038/tp.2016.262

Arabi A, Nasrallah D, Mohsen S, et al. Association between Serum Vitamin D Status and Circadian Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2024;16(13):2111. Published 2024 Jul 2. doi:10.3390/nu16132111

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A Naturopathic Perspective on Fibromyalgia
A Naturopathic Perspective on Fibromyalgia
Obtaining a prognosis of fibromyalgia can be a long and winding journey for many patients. There aren’t any labs or imaging studies that can support the diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is considered a disease of exclusion, meaning that your primary or specialist provider will rule out many other conditions before verifying you have fibromyalgia. This process can take years for many people.
Many symptoms can accompany fibromyalgia. These include joint pain, pain or tenderness of the skin when touched, fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbances, and depression, to name a few. Because of the vast array of symptoms that can present, there is overlap with many different conditions. This makes it more challenging to understand what causes fibromyalgia. But just because you are living with fibromyalgia does not mean that it should compromise your quality of life. There are so many ways to support your body along the journey! 

 

Natural Support for Fibromyalgia
  1. Mind-Body Support: Gentle relaxation-based activities like yoga and massage therapy can help reduce pain associated with fibromyalgia. Yoga can also improve overall mood and sleep quality. 
  2. Tai Chi: Tai Chi, a gentle form of exercise that combines gentle movement with breathing and meditation, has been shown to reduce pain and improve mental health in patients with fibromyalgia. You can look online to find a tai chi class near you or simply look up a video online from the comfort of your home! 
  3. Vitamin D: Patients with fibromyalgia tend to have lower Vitamin D levels, so checking these levels regularly for optimal health is essential.
  4. Magnesium: Low intracellular magnesium levels, which can lead to pain, weakness, and inflammation, are commonly seen in patients with fibromyalgia. A high-quality supplement may be beneficial to help ensure that you are not deficient. 
  5. Diet and Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory diets, like The Mediterranean Diet, have shown numerous benefits for patients with fibromyalgia, including improving fatigue and anxiety, which could potentially improve overall quality of life. 

 

Looking for more options? Click here to learn about other effective strategies for relieving chronic pain.
If you need extra support managing your fibromyalgia symptoms, our practitioners at Richmond Natural Medicine are ready to help. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment! 
Interested in how homeopathy can help with pain? Click to read more about how homeopathy could increase your quality of life and support pain management!

 

References:

  1. Fibromyalgia: In Depth
  2. Pagliai, G., Giangrandi, I., Dinu, M., Sofi, F., & Colombini, B. (2020). Nutritional Interventions in the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Nutrients, 12(9), 2525. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092525 
  3. Lazaridou, A., Koulouris, A., Dorado, K., Chai, P., Edwards, R. R., & Schreiber, K. L. (2019). The Impact of a Daily Yoga Program for Women with Fibromyalgia. International journal of yoga, 12(3), 206–217. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_72_18 
  4. Wang, C., Schmid, C. H., Fielding, R. A., Harvey, W. F., Reid, K. F., Price, L. L., Driban, J. B., Kalish, R., Rones, R., & McAlindon, T. (2018). Effect of tai chi versus aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia: comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 360, k851. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k851
  5. Casini, I., Ladisa, V., Clemente, L., Delussi, M., Rostanzo, E., Peparini, S., Aloisi, A. M., & de Tommaso, M. (2024). A Personalized Mediterranean Diet Improves Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia. Pain and therapy, 13(3), 609–620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-024-00598-2 
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Effective Techniques for Chronic Pain
Finding Relief with Effective Strategies for Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain in Adults

It is estimated that over 25% of adults live with chronic pain in the United States, collectively spending over 100 billion dollars annually on expenses related to their chronic pain. 

When we think of chronic pain, we usually think of muscle or joint pains. However, we often overlook other types of chronic pain like endometriosis, migraines, fibromyalgia, and inflammatory bowel disease. We can also develop chronic pain after certain events like vehicle accidents or other physical traumas. No matter the cause of chronic pain, it can be debilitating and lead to a lower quality of life, as the pain often takes away the ability to do the things that we once enjoyed. 

 

Coping Strategies for Chronic Pain

While there are many different causes and types of chronic pain and various approaches to them, here are a few simple ways you can help reduce inflammation within the body and help reduce pain:

  1. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet high in antioxidants is a great way to reduce inflammation. Likewise, reducing packaged or processed foods and refined sugars is another excellent step toward reducing inflammation and pain.
  2. Working to reduce stress levels can help reduce overall inflammation. It can allow the body to exit from a hypervigilant state, where we often experience more muscle tension that can lead to worse pains over time. Stress management techniques can be very effective in reducing certain types of chronic pains, especially when there is a strong mental-emotional connection between the two. 
  3. For conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and other joint and muscle pains, photobiomodulation (a process by which light stimulates living things to heal themselves), especially infrared light therapy, can effectively reduce inflammation and pain. Visiting an infrared sauna is a great way to help improve pain and inflammation.
  4. Daily movement, stretching, or exercise can significantly reduce pain and inflammation. They keep the body in motion and reduce stress and tension on the muscles and joints. Walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are a few easy and gentle ways to incorporate movement into your daily routine. There are also plenty of resources available for chair exercises, which allow for gentle movement in the comfort of your own space. 
  5. Supportive therapies such as Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) and Reiki have shown benefits for pain management, especially when chronic pain has mental and emotional components or symptoms. Both work together to release tension from the body and foster a deeper body awareness, which can help individuals better understand and manage their pain.

Naturopathic Approach to Chronic Pain

As naturopathic doctors, we are trained to follow six principles of naturopathic medicine, one of them being ‘tolle totum,’ which translates into ‘care for the whole person.’ 

Dr. Alexander notes, “As a naturopathic doctor, it is my responsibility to see each patient as a whole – to zoom out and see the big picture and to connect the dots that are often unconnected. When it comes to chronic pain, we often see a combination of different problems coming together and resulting in pain. During visits, I typically ask patients about any injuries or illnesses that may contribute to their pain, along with any family history of chronic pain patterns. When possible, I also like to discuss certain traumas that the patient may have experienced, as this may be a crucial element to unearthing potential root causes of their chronic pain.”

If you need support while navigating these different coping strategies for chronic pain, our practitioners at Richmond Natural Medicine are ready to help. They offer consults, Reiki, and CST. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment! 

 

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553030/ 
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10381948/ 
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10531845/ 
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9980499/ 
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10815384/ 
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31642490/ 
  7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30982020/ 

 

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The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is a vital part of our daily lives, yet according to the National Institute of Health, over 50 million Americans experience a sleep disorder. In today’s society, it is often encouraged to sacrifice sleep to be more productive, but unfortunately this has caused us to lose sight of the importance of sleep. 

 

Lack of sleep can lead to slower cognitive thinking and reaction times and affect how we interact with each other in our daily lives. Research also shows that lack of sleep is often associated with cardiovascular disease, depression, inadequate blood glucose control, and hormonal imbalances. 

 

Tips for Improving Sleep

Creating healthy sleep habits and routines may sound like an overwhelming task, so here are a few simple ways to get started:

  1. Consider purchasing blackout curtains to help eliminate light infiltration during sleep. Research has shown that even small amounts of dim light at night can negatively impact overall sleep. 
  2. If you find it difficult to fall asleep because your sleep environment is too noisy, consider downloading an app like Insight Timer or purchasing a noise machine for additional sleep support. Research has shown that both white and pink noise can effectively mask external sounds while simultaneously evoking a sense of calmness and relaxation, promoting better sleep quality.
  3. Avoiding caffeine after lunchtime can be a helpful change to incorporate into your routine, as too much caffeine in the afternoons and evenings can disrupt your natural sleep cycle and can cause you to stay up past your bedtime. Consider swapping that afternoon coffee for a cup of herbal tea! 
  4. Start learning more about your sleep habits by creating a sleep-tracking journal. A good journal should include the following: what time you stopped using screens, what time you got in bed, how long it took to fall asleep, how many times you woke during the night, what time you woke in the morning, and if you felt tired or refreshed upon waking. You can even take it a step further by writing down some notes about your dreams! 

 

Read more about Sleep Hygiene Practices.

 

Naturopathic Approach

At Richmond Natural Medicine, each practitioner approaches sleep disturbances differently, but they each provide a comprehensive investigation into your sleep patterns. Dr. Alexander explains her approach to working with patients who experience sleep disturbances: 

“With patterns of disrupted sleep, we typically cannot pinpoint one individual cause, but rather typically a combination of multiple insults that have occurred throughout the day and over a period of time. With each patient, I dive deep into their sleep history to determine more information about their relationship with sleep, their nighttime routines, their bedroom environment, and their daily caffeine intake. We even discuss other factors that may be contributing to disturbed sleep patterns, such as partners, children, or pets that share the sleeping space. By gathering all of this information, we learn more about potential root causes of each individual’s sleep disturbances.” 

 

 Read more about our Top Tips for Improving Sleep.

 

If you need extra support improving your sleep quality, our practitioners at Richmond Natural Medicine are ready to help you. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment! 

 

Still interested in what a sleep routine should look like?

Read more about checking your sleep routine here!

 

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/ 
  2. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/04/benefits-slumber 
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5976009/ 
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8838436 
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36870101/ 

 

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Phone 804-977-2634

Fax - 804-980-7876

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM

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