What is Reiki?

Throughout the years, Reiki has become widely used as a complementary modality in many different medical settings, including hospitals, drug and rehabilitation centers, oncology units, and palliative care. Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in the early 1900s in Japan and was founded by Dr. Mikao Usui. It helps both the emotional and physical body. It’s not associated with any religion and has long been an accepted form of therapy from many different backgrounds. You can practice reiki both in person and remotely. It promotes a state of calm, restores energy, and brings balance and harmony to the body. In a more balanced state, this stimulates and strengthens our vitality and helps the body’s innate ability to heal. 

Do you need Reiki?

Everyone can benefit from Reiki! We all experience some form of energetic imbalance from time to time. This could be from sickness, trauma, injury, stress, heartbreak, grief, anxiety, anger, depression, or PTSD. Overall, Reiki can support many conditions and even uplift your emotions, including overall well-being and general wellness.

What to Expect from a Reiki Session:

At the start of your session, the Reiki Master practitioner may ask if you have any specific concerns or would like to set an intention for the session. You will then be asked to lay on the table, fully clothed. Lights will be dimmed, and soothing music will be played to create a calming atmosphere. It is a time to relax and disconnect from your day, and it’s okay if the patient falls asleep! The practitioner’s hands will be just above the patient’s body, moving from head to toe using different hand positions. There is no massage or manipulation. The patient may have a wide array of experiences. They may feel warmth, tingling, or sometimes nothing but the blissful tranquility accompanying a moment to relax. The patient can expect a deep state of relaxation and a sense of lightness after the session. It’s also common to experience better sleep quality, decreased pain, uplifted mood, and a feeling of well-being. 

Significantly, several studies explain the potential health benefits of Reiki. A three-year study conducted at an oncology unit showed that after at least one Reiki session, patients experienced decreased anxiety and pain and improved sleep quality(1). Additionally, in a randomized control study, university students experienced more relaxation after receiving Reiki than from music or meditation (3). 

How Often Should I Receive Reiki?

For best results, you should book an appointment either weekly or every 2-3 weeks. Is there a specific area that you would like to improve? If so, please call our front desk for more information and to schedule an appointment. 

RNM offers many different healing tools and options, including Reiki, Cranial Sacral Therapy, and an Infrared Sauna!

Resources:

1. Birocco et al (2011). The effects of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in patients attending a day oncology and infusion service unit. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 29:4. 
2. Keyes, R. (2012). The Healing Power of Reiki. Llewellyn Publications. 
3. Witte D & Dundes L. Harnessing life energy or wishful thinking? Reiki, placebo reiki, meditation, and music. Altern Complement Ther. 2001;7:304–309

Here at Richmond Natural Medicine, we see people from all walks of life, including children, elderly “wisened” clients, and everyone in between. The range of chronic and acute conditions we see is vast, but in this article, we will focus on the naturopathic approach to autism. 

People refer to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a spectrum because of the characteristics and symptoms present in many variations among individuals with autism. Most commonly, a professional diagnoses this developmental disorder around the age of two. However, many individuals receive a diagnosis of autism later in life.

Symptoms of Autism include (but are not limited to):

• Social and communication barriers include lack of eye contact, difficulty with conversation and social cues, not responding to calls for attention, or difficulty adjusting to new or unfamiliar social situations. 
• Displaying repetitive behaviors such as verbal tics, repetitive phrases, or heightened interest in specific topics.
• Sometimes, they are highly sensitive to sensory inputs such as lights, sounds, textures, or fragrances. 
• Strengths include high functioning in math, numbers, problem-solving, and a strong memory for minute details. 

The physical and mental manifestation of autism affects people differently, and some adults function quite well with ASD, being familiar with their symptoms. Autism can be well managed and supported by a variety of modalities, including naturopathic care. 

Read More: Autism Spectrum from the NIH

Naturopathic Medicine: A Whole Body Approach

When working with children and adults with autism, naturopathic providers are looking at several factors to support holistically. They will be working in collaboration with your medical care team while offering personalized suggestions to suit the needs of each person. Some areas your ND will be focusing on include:

Gut and Immune Health

The gut/brain connection is critical to behavioral functioning, overall immunity, and absorption of key nutrients. Your Naturopathic Doctor will thoroughly examine your immune history, any current or past allergies, and your general daily diet and make suggestions that may be necessary nutritional precursors. This can include pre-or probiotics or immune support to enhance gut microbiome functioning. They may recommend testing to note if there are any micronutrient deficiencies or if there may be suspected dysbiosis of the gut. Overall, reduction of any inflammatory or allergic inputs can be extremely helpful. 

Hormone Health

Based on the person’s age and health history, hormone imbalance may be contributing to the severity or some symptoms of ASD. Your ND may recommend reviewing any lab work from your medical care team or suggesting additional hormonal lab work. Naturopathic care can play a complementary role in hormonal support of ASD alongside your conventional medical team. 

Noticing and Reducing Stress

For all of us, heightened periods of acute or chronic stress can exacerbate most symptoms. The effects of short and long-term stress equally impact those with ASD. Your ND will ask about family and social situations, work and life stressors, or anything you consider difficult to manage daily. Supporting the adrenal response through stress management practices, appropriate herbal or homeopathic suggestions, and engaging in helpful community support are some areas where your ND may make some suggestions. 

Dietary support and food intolerances

Research has shown that certain individuals with ASD can have specific nutrient deficiencies, including Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and folate. Particular foods may be recommended for added support or even dietary supplementation. Additionally, those with ASD can be more sensitive to certain foods, including dairy and wheat, or added ingredients, including dyes, preservatives, and fillers. Each person is different; thus, your naturopathic doctor can assist in identifying if there are food intolerances or if additional nutritional support is needed.

Supporting Gentle, Daily Detoxification Pathways

Furthermore, some people – especially children – with ASD may have slightly lessened detoxification potential through their key detox organs, including the liver, kidneys, skin, and lymphatic system. Your ND carefully notes how each person eliminates and detoxifies, always considering any detoxification protocols via nutritional or supplemental inputs with a gentle and thoughtful approach.

Read More: How Colorful Foods Support Detoxification Pathways

Naturopathic medicine is an approach to healing that focuses on lifestyle, diet, homeopathy, and botanical remedies. Conversely, alternative therapies focus on the individual, addressing their specific concerns, needs, and underlying conditions, unlike many modern remedies that expect one medication or treatment to satisfy a general need. Importantly, naturopathic medicine recognizes that everyone is an individual and treats them as such to promote health and longevity.

Naturopathic Support For Autism

Richmond Natural Medicine commits to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our naturopathic approach focuses on holistic, personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each individual. If you or a loved one are seeking supportive, integrative care for autism, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced naturopathic doctors. Let us partner with you on your journey towards improved health and well-being. Contact us today to learn more about how our naturopathic services can support you or your loved one’s journey with autism.

Have you ever heard of the practice of sleeping in warming socks? This long-standing hydrotherapy health practice has been used for generations, and the benefits are extraordinary and yet so simple. The concept harnesses the body’s innate heating and cooling response to not only stimulate the immune system but also support overall detoxification and lymphatic stimulation while you sleep. Here’s how it works:

When you first warm, then immediately cool the feet, there is an increase in blood flow and circulation, lymphatic drainage, and white blood cell count – all of which are needed for an effective immune response. This method is known as a “heating compress”, meaning your body is responsible for warming up the cold socks overnight. Some people also report the warming sock treatment to have a sedating effect, improving their overall quality and quantity of sleep. 

Read More: The Benefits of Hydrotherapy

The warming sock treatment works best on the very first day of an illness or for allergies. It is best to continue this practice for at least two or three nights in a row for the maximum effect. 

Benefits of warming socks:

1. Stimulates and encourages circulation
2. Supports the first stages of seasonal colds such as congestion, headaches, sore throats, and fever
3. Can be used for migraines or allergies
4. Supports a healthy immune response
5. May improve sleep quality and quantity

How-To: Warming Sock Treatment

1. Prepare a bowl of ice water, and soak a pair of thin, cotton socks until they’re saturated.
2. Remove the socks from the ice water, and wring them out thoroughly. Place in the refrigerator. 
3. Prepare a hot foot bath and soak your feet for 5-10 minutes until they are warm and pink. Dry off your feet thoroughly with a clean towel.
4. Immediately afterward, put the ice-cold wet socks on your warm feet. Overtop the cold socks, and put on a pair of thick, wool socks (or other insulator socks). 
5. Go directly to bed and leave the socks on overnight. 
6. During the night, you may wake up with your whole body wet from sweat. If so, change into dry pajamas, but leave on the socks.

In the morning, you will notice the once cold, wet socks are completely dry! 

Note: Warming socks are contraindicated in people with a lack of feeling in their extremities (such as severe cases of diabetic neuropathy, Raynaud’s, or neuropathic injury) as they may be unable to feel if the temperature of the foot bath would be too hot. Also, any individuals with mobility issues where they may be unable to remove the socks should avoid this treatment. 

Read More: Keeping Kids Healthy: Immune Support for Back-to-School

Are there any known contraindications? – Yes, if they have a lack of feeling in their extremities where they are unable to feel if the temperature is too hot. This could include severe cases of diabetes or neuropathy from injury. Also, if individuals have issues with mobility and being able to remove the socks, etc..

If you’re feeling tired of feeling tired from being woken up at night, you’re certainly not alone. We see a large number of parents whose young children wake them in the middle of the night, a habit that sometimes goes on for years at a time. Often children will wake up their parents at night after a band dream, or from night fears and want to either get in bed with them, or have the parent get up and put them back to bed. Either way, this is extremely disruptive to the parents’ sound sleep, and over time can prove difficult to get back into a restful sleep rhythm. 

This is a tricky sleep situation because – at least for parents – taking something to sleep through the night is not solving the problem when you’re actively being woken up in the middle of the night. However for children, getting to the bottom of why they’re waking up is often where our naturopathics doctors will start. They can provide support for both parents and children with the end goal of helping everyone get the best night’s sleep possible. 

Read More: Nutrition Tips for Optimal Sleep

Sleep Support for Children & Parents 

No two children are alike, and what may work for one child may not be quite right for another. Here are some considerations to explore for yourself and your children, and can be further discussed with one of our NDs to better tailor these approaches for your sleep needs:

1. Nutrition before bedtime – When we consume our largest meal at night, this can not only be energizing, but strenuous for our body to digest while we’re trying to sleep. Also, consuming sugar or alcohol can easily disrupt our blood sugar balance – a strong influencer on how well our body can fall asleep and stay asleep. Children especially can be susceptible to sugar highs at night. Thus, try to consume smaller portions at dinner time, or consume dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. Avoid sugary desserts and beverages to avoid blood sugar spikes in the middle of the night. 

1. Screen time – The trouble here can be two fold: 1) Blue light and screen strobing can affect our internal clock (also known as circadian rhythm), and disrupt our ability to fall asleep. 2) Children are highly sensitive beings. What they’re watching in the evenings before bedtime may be affecting their stress levels or impacting their dreams causing night terrors or nightmares. Instead, listening to a story or drawing / coloring / dream journaling in the evenings is a more calming and creative way to ease into restful sleep. 

Read More: Harvard Health: The Effects of Blue Light 

1. Herbs for sleep support – Herbal support can be a useful addition to evening routines to support our stress response before bed time and to help us nod off naturally. There are several good herbs for sleep support, and your ND can provide the most appropriate one for you or your child. Herbs traditionally used for calming sleep include lemon balm, chamomile, linden and passionflower. 

1. Homeopathics – your naturopathic doctor may have guidance on incorporating homeopathics for yourself and your child to support sleep cycles and behaviors around sleep. Talk with your ND about these options and if they think this could be a useful addition to your care plan. 

If you and/or your child is struggling with sleeping throughout the night, consider making an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors to create a tailored plan just for you. 

December is a very unique month when it comes to health and wellness challenges. We have a change of season from autumn to winter, sometimes a higher than normal level of stress, extra travel, holiday foods and extra savory meals, and often very social meal gatherings where our diet fluctuates significantly from our normal day-to-day. Below are 5 tips for holiday digestion support with some simple daily habits to keep in mind. 

Read More: Healthy Holiday Recipe Round Up 

5 Tips for Holiday Digestion Support 

• Avoid drinking ice-cold beverages around mealtimes. Icey drinks dampen our digestive fire and make it harder to digest our food, especially in the colder winter months. Instead, opt for room temperature or slightly warm beverages before or after meals. 

• Add fennel seed to your food! Fennel is a natural carminative (meaning it helps with gas and bloating) and is a perfect addition to heavier dishes such as hearty soups, stews, pasta, or roast. It also adds a delicious and aromatic flavor to any dish. 

• Do your best to avoid holiday grazing. Allowing at least 4 hours between meals encourages healthy digestion and allows your stomach time to properly digest the food you’ve recently consumed. 

• Enjoy after-meal herbal teas. Peppermint, fennel, and chamomile teas are excellent to support your digestion post-meals and to serve for your guests after a large gathering. A pot of evening herbal tea is always a welcome addition to a dinner party when you have a house full of guests. 

• Remember to eat fiber! We need about 25 grams of fiber daily for optimal digestion and healthy elimination. Most people barely consume half of this on a daily basis. Fiber-rich foods include all vegetables, fruits (with the skin) beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens! Eating enough fiber also has the added benefit of supporting cholesterol and blood sugar levels over time. 

If you need individualized support with maintaining your nutrition practices this season, consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Beliy to review your needs and your lifestyle practices. Together you can create a personalized nutrition plan that supports your needs and optimizes digestion.

Contact us at (804) 885-3082 to learn more about our practice and to schedule an appointment.