Dr. Melyssa Hoitink, Naturopathic Doctor
570 Bryne Dr., Unit F L4N 9P6 Barrie, ON, Canada

My friends ! I get so excited when one of my patients has a breakthrough in their health journey. Today a patient came in and her pain has disappeared! When we first started working together, it was clear that she had A LOT of inflammation. She had been through a couple of joint surgeries that didn’t go as planned, leaving her in constant pain and with limited motion in her shoulder, knee, and wrist. ... We worked hard on figuring out what was causing the inflammation and breaking the inflammatory cycle her body was stuck in. We changed her diet, identified areas we could reduce her stress, optimized her digestion, and added in supplements to help bring down the inflammation. And Voila! With our plan in place and her dedication to healing, she is feeling better than she has in years. She can even go for her nightly walks with her husband that she was missing so much. These results right here are WHY I do what I do. Thank you to all of the people who share their health journey with me and for giving me the opportunity to do what I love. If I created a guide to kickstart your journey to living without pain would that help you? Comment below so I know if I should start creating See more

Stop telling yourself it’s impossible when you know it can't be true. Stop telling yourself that YOU can never feel normal like everyone elsethat you have fibromyalgia. You are not your condition. Fibromyalgia is not a life sentence if you don't let it be.... I know you've been told otherwise, but it's time to change the narrative. . Stop allowing yourself to believe that you don’t have the time, the money, the dedication, the support, the knowledge. Everything you need is available to you. You are resourceful, intelligent, and you don't let anything stop you in other areas of your life, so why are you settling for this? If you want more for your life, you can have it, when you decide you are getting it . I challenge you to begin shifting your mindset. You can regain control of your health and it starts with shifting your thoughts. See more

- (my favourite day of the week) featuring Epsom Salt Baths! Epsom salts are small crystals of magnesium sulfate that dissolve in warm water. I'm sure you've heard of taking magnesium for fibromyalgia, brain function, migraines, muscle pain, anxiety, sleep... (the uses really are endless). ... Epsom salts (and warm baths) are also a fantastic option for relieving fibromyalgia pain. As an added bonus, baths are stress-relieving and who doesn't need more of that?! To get maximum benefit from Epsom salts: Run a bath at a comfortable temperature. Dissolve 2-4 cups of Epsom salts into a bathtub of water. Soak in the tub for at least 20 minutes (or as long as you like). Have an Epsom salt bath one to three times weekly. I hope you all enjoy your weekend and get some form of self-care in.

Have you ever tried to explain to someone how it feels to go for blood work or imaging? The bizarre mixed up feeling of really hoping they finally find what's wrong, but also praying it's nothing serious. I had this experience EVERY TIME my doctors sent me for testing. It never went away and it never got more bearable. ... It's incredibly hard to explain this feeling to someone who doesn't suffer from a chronic illness. Someone who doesn't get what it's like to experience pain, exhaustion, brainfog, and other symptoms that cannot be explained. To explain what it feels like to be a "medical mystery" or to hear your doctor say "there's nothing more I can do for you". As hard as this is to explain, we have to talk about experiences like this. There are others who feel this way and think they are alone in their experience. Talking about it helps to point out the flaws in our medicine. Gaps in what we can measure and explain with tests and pictures. Talking about it pushes us forward in our understanding, in our research, and in the capabilities of medicine. You have the ability to make change. Keep sharing your experiences. If you've ever had this experience, leave me a in the comments. See more

= ! Research has shown that people with fibromyalgia live in a constant high stress state. It's no surprise given the fact that most people with fibromyalgia are high achievers. The people that get things done and do them extremely well. The caregivers and the problem solvers of the world. The ones who would give you their last meal if it meant you wouldn't go hungry. That's a lot of pressure.... The problem is, this constant high stress state takes an enormous toll on your body. Maintaining the stress response (also called the fight-or-flight response) requires a lot of energy, nutrients, and coordination of different body parts (muscles, circulation, brain function, etc). Overtime, your body can't physically maintain this level of response. It can't keep up with the demand for energy and nutrients and it can't control the high levels of inflammation naturally generated with the stress response. This leads to damage all over the body and it requires a lot of time, effort, and support to correct. In essence, fibromyalgia is similar to a very severe case of burnout. A body with fibromyalgia can't respond to stress appropriately when it needs to, but it's also stuck in this high stress state. Breaking this cycle is the first step to living symptom-free. This is the foundation of all the work I do with my patients and is absolutely essential to healing. Questions about how stress could be contributing to your symptoms? Send me a message and I'll answer them! See more

There's nothing quite like (finally) holding the paperback copy of your book for the first time! It's been a long road up until this point, but it has been soooo worth it. I can't wait to see how many people Flourishing With Fibromyalgia can help! See the link in my bio to get your copy.... #flourishingwithfibromyalgia #fibromyalgia #fibrowarrior #chronicpain #paperback #bookworm #naturopathicmedicine See more

Flourishing with Fibromyalgia is a #1 New Release on Amazon! This little orange banner may seem insignificant, but it means that Flourishing with Fibromyalgia is achieving the goal it was created to. Flourishing with Fibromyalgia is reaching people suffering from fibromyalgia who NEED to know that they have options and they CAN live a life they enjoy WITHOUT fibromyalgia symptoms stopping them. ... #fibromyalgia #fibromyalgiaawareness #invisibleillness #chronicallyawesome #chronicpainwarrior #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine #fibromyalgiatreatment #newrelease #thereishope #thereishelp #flourishingwithfibromyalgia

! is now available on Amazon! it's for a limited time!... Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0876F4CMX

If you want to be a part of the Flourishing with Fibromyalgia Launch team, use the link below to apply: https://book.drmelyssa.com/launch-team The Launch Team gets to read my book, Flourishing with Fibromyalgia, before the launch date set for April 26th.... Applications are closing soon! (Pardon my squinting, it's finally sunny outside! )

Flourishing with Fibromyalgia is your guide to living a life without the symptoms of fibromyalgia getting in your way. Using natural treatments, such as diet, nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, and healthy lifestyle habits, we address the root cause of fibromyalgia, heal the damage done, and rebalance your body systems to get your body functioning well again and you back to the life you are missing out on. In Flourishing with Fibromyalgia you will learn: How fibromyal...gia should be diagnosed. The causes of fibromyalgia. The proof that fibromyalgia is not all in your head. About conditions that commonly occur with fibromyalgia. How to support your natural sleep cycle, so you wake feeling rested and refreshed. How to eliminate symptom triggers from your diet, environment, and social life. How to optimize your digestion and live without unpleasant digestive symptoms. How to reprogram your stress response and train your body to relax and rejuvenate. How to manage depression and anxiety with fibromyalgia. How to reduce pain, boost energy, and clear fibrofog naturally. For more information on how you can read the book before the official release on April 26th, type the following link into your browser or click the link in my bio: https://book.drmelyssa.com/launch-team

A little encouragement for you going into your weekend. Sending gentle hugs to those who need it #fibromyalgia #gentlehugs #chronicpain #invisibleillness #motivation #keepgoing #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine

Magnesium is one of my favourite natural therapies. It has over 300 functions in the body! Magnesium targets 3 major symptoms of fibromyalgia: Pain, poor sleep, and fibrofog. It's also helpful in reducing anxiety, treating headaches, and preventing constipation. There are several forms of magnesium and selecting the right form is important. ... 1. Magnesium malate is the form that has been studied in fibromyalgia specifically. It has been shown to reduce pain and improve energy. Both magnesium and malate play a role in energy generating pathways in the body, which are dysfunctional in fibromyalgia patients. This form is also useful for treating headaches. 2. Magnesium bisglycinate is helpful in relieving muscle tension and anxiety. I use this form for headaches caused by muscle tension. 3. Magnesium citrate has more of an effect on the bowels and is most helpful for constipation. Magnesium comes in powder form, capsules, topical sprays or creams, and a salt form that you can add to your bath water (Epsom salts).

Sore and stiff muscles are a hallmark of fibromyalgia. Have you ever wondered why? Research performed on muscle biopsies taken from people with fibromyalgia show a number of abnormalities including: Moth-eaten appearance... Decreased blood flow to muscles Thickened blood vessel walls, hindering the transfer of nutrients and oxygen to muscles Requirement for more energy to perform the same amount of work as someone without fibromyalgia Premature muscular aging Researchers suspect that there is a chronic state of low level muscle contraction contributing to these abnormalities. This means that your muscles are always working and don't get a chance to relax. If you always feel like you worked out the day before, it's because your muscles have been working overtime, despite not hitting the gym. It's no wonder you feel tired and sore. Stay tuned for tips on how to break this cycle and repair damage to muscles! #fibromyalgia #fibromyalgiaawareness #invisibleillness #chronicallyawesome #chronicpainwarrior #naturopathicdoctor #naturopathicmedicine

We're looking for practitioners to join our integrative team! If you or anyone you know is looking for a wonderful place to practice, please see the link below for details. We look forward to hearing from you! https://www.indeed.ca/jobs

Despite what many people with fibromyalgia have been told, fibromyalgia is NOT all in your head. You are not making up your symptoms. There is evidence of biological abnormalities and physiological dysfunction in people with fibromyalgia. Research has shown that people with fibromyalgia commonly have:... Abnormal muscle structure and function Specific genes that predispose them to fibromyalgia Deficiencies in nutrients required to produce energy and regulate mood A history of physical and/or emotional trauma Inflammation in the brain Evidence of oxidative stress and immune system dysfunction Abnormalities in the functioning of mitochondria (the part of the cell responsible for making energy) Imbalances in neurotransmitters and hormones I know this sounds like a lot and it can be scary to hear, but the more we know about how the body is functioning with fibromyalgia, the better we are at targeting these abnormalities with effective treatments. This research has also uncovered information that may be helpful in making the diagnosis of fibromyalgia easier in the future. #fibromyalgia #fibromyalgiaawareness #invisibleillness #chronicallyawesome #chronicpainwarrior #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine #evidencebasedmedicine

What would your life look like if pain wasn't holding you back? Who would you spend your time with? What would you be doing?... What goals would feel within reach? What experiences would you be apart of? What parts of your life now would you leave behind? My health journey has felt like a long one, but I still vividly remember how difficult it was to think about questions like these. Looking back, they were so important in keeping me motivated to try new treatment options and follow through with my treatment plans, even though they were hard. Questions like these gave me hope for what I wanted my future to look like. I'll start with how I felt before I found my naturopathic doctor: If I were pain-free, I'd never have to cancel plans with friends or miss work because of pain. I'd never have to worry about how I'll be feeling when planning a trip. I'd leave behind the guilt of feeling like I let people down and the anxiety of making plans for the future. Pain would never be what holds me back from achieving a goal. I'd love to hear what a pain-free life would look like for you! Leave me a comment below or send me a private message. #fibromyalgia #fibromyalgiaawareness #invisibleillness #chronicallyawesome #chronicpainwarrior #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine

#fibromyalgia #fibromyalgiaawareness #invisibleillness #chronicallyawesome #chronicpainwarrior #biggoalsbigdreams #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine

I see many perfectionists come through my office and I applaud your efforts to give every goal your all! ... But, trying to do everything perfectly can be absolutely exhausting. It can zap your motivation when you've had an off day or a goal is proving to be harder than your originally anticipated. When you're feeling like giving up on a goal because you had a bad day, we discuss aiming for progress, NOT perfection. Look back at where you were when you started working toward...s a goal and where you are now. A bad day, week, month, or even year will not stop you from achieving that goal as long as you don't let it. We want to aim to do better than we did before, not to be perfect. If your motivation is in the tank, lets talk about how to get it back and work on making steps toward that goal, while also being gentle with yourself when you reach set backs. Send me a message and we'll figure out the best next steps.

In November Edition of "Fibro Friday", we're talking Mitochondrial Dysfunction. What is a mitochondria you ask? The mitochondria is the part of the cell responsible for energy production. It houses a number of different enzymes that convert the food we eat into ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate, the energy currency of our cells). To function properly, mitochondria need a number of different nutrients to make the enzymes involved and to carry out the reactions required for energy... production. Research has shown that in people with Fibromyalgia, cells have fewer mitochondria AND the mitochondria that are present don't function properly, compared to healthy controls. This may be due to a genetic abnormality, nutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress, or a combination of these factors. To learn more about the Mitochondria, check out my blog post here: https://www.drmelyssa.com//mitochondrial-dysfunction-in-fi Stay tuned for more information on how to support healthy mitochondrial function in future "Fibro Friday" posts! Photo Credit: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Mitochondria

Advance polling starts today for the federal election here in Canada. I cast my ballot. Go exercise your democratic rights and vote!

Is your digestion normal? Have you been experiencing symptoms for so long that you now consider them normal? Many of us think experiencing digestive symptoms, such as bloating, heartburn, gas, diarrhea, constipation and even pain, must be normal because its the way weve always been. If you experience any of the above symptoms or have ever been diagnosed with a condition related to your digestive system, my upcoming talk is for you.... Join me Wednesday October 23rd at Goodness Me Barrie for "Gut Feelings: Making Sense of Your Digestive Health". I will be discussing what is and isnt normal in terms of digestion and what your symptoms mean in terms of your health. I will discuss natural strategies for addressing whats causing your symptoms and how to fix them for good. Register in-store or online at: https://education.goodnessme.ca/event/6109

October Edition of Fibro Friday: Healthy Habit Tracking At "Flourishing with Fibromyalgia" last week, we discussed the importance of tracking any changes you're making for your health. This includes writing down the date you start a new healthy habit/supplement/medication, the name of the supplement/medication, the dose or instructions you are following, and the reason you started this supplement/medication/habit. Tracking any changes in dose (such as an increase or decrease)... and symptoms is also very helpful. I know this sounds silly at first, but it can be very useful for a number of reasons: Fibro fog and memory difficulties can make remembering details like this later much harder Writing it down keeps you accountable and reminds you why you are doing it Tracking what you've tried (along with dose) helps to prevent you from trying an ineffective treatment twice by mistake Showing this to your health care provider can help with choosing treatment direction (for example, if anti-inflammatory treatments result in symptom improvements, but autoimmune-type treatments don't) and optimizing doses of medications/supplements I have included a screenshot of the Tracker I use with my patients. You can create something similar, use a calendar, or shoot me a message if you'd like a copy of the handout I use.

Fibro Friday September Edition Join me September 24th at 7pm at Goodness Me Barrie (79 Park Place Blvd) for "Flourishing with Fibromyalgia"! Have you been struggling with pain so bad it stops you from getting out of bed, sometimes for days on end? How about fatigue so severe that even brushing your teeth feels like too much?... In this class, I will be discussing the proper diagnosis of fibromyalgia and current theories on how it develops. I will then outline natural strategies for managing fibromyalgia symptoms, restoring your health, and preventing future flares. If pain, fatigue, brain fog, and other fibromyalgia symptoms have been getting in the way of your life, it's time for you to find out how to flourish. Click on the link below to save your spot: https://education.goodnessme.ca/event/6108

Did you know there are different types of arthritis? In fact, there are more than 100 different types... ! Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are two of the more common types of arthritis. If you suffer from arthritis, it is important to know which type you have, as causes and treatment options differ significantly between the different types.... Osteoarthritis (OA): "Arthritis of old age", even though it does occur in young people too. Common joints affected: Hands, feet, hips, knees, and spine Typically occurs on one side of the body Cause: Abnormal wear and tear on the joints (excess weight, previous injury, joint malalignment, etc.) leading to breakdown of the joint cartilage (the tissue that protects bone from rubbing on bone when we move). Symptoms: Pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced ability to move the joint. Diagnosis: Symptoms and x-ray images of your joints. Naturopathic treatment options: Dietary changes to limit overall inflammation and remove pain triggering foods Supplements to reduce joint inflammation and help to repair joint cartilage Herbal support to reduce inflammation and pain Exercises to strengthen muscles supporting the involved joint and continue to nourish the affected joint Acupuncture to reduce pain and encourage healing Topical options to reduce pain. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system inaccurately identifies joint cartilage as a "foreign invader" and destroys it. Both sides of the body (Ex. Both right and left wrists) Symptoms: Swelling, redness, and a feeling of heat in the affected joints. Some people also experience symptoms in their eyes, heart, lungs, skin, and blood vessels. Joints affected: Any joint can be affected, but most commonly involved joints are the hands, wrists, and feet. Diagnosis: Blood tests Naturopathic treatment options: Investigation of possible food sensitivities Anti-inflammatory and immune modulating supplements and herbs Acupuncture Topical anti-inflammatory treatments Supplements and nutrients to help restore damaged joint cartilage Regardless of the type of arthritis, Naturopathic medicine offers many treatment options for pain relief, restoring joint structure and mobility. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a message. I'd be happy to answer them! For more information, check out the full blog post here: https://www.drmelyssa.com//osteoarthritis-vs-rheumatoid-ar

PROTEIN One of the most common dietary changes I discuss with my patients is working on incorporating more protein into their diets. Protein is very important for maintaining and building muscle mass, repairing damaged tissues, recovering from injuries or surgeries, as well as maintaining stable blood sugar levels and a healthy weight. Protein will keep you feeling fuller longer compared to simple carbohydrates (the main type of carbohydrates present in breads, pastries, ce...reals, etc), which is often what replaces protein in a typical North American diet. Breakfast tends to be the meal most people struggle with in terms of adding protein. Adding in more protein doesn't necessarily mean eating more meat. Although meat is a good source of protein, there are lots of plant sources too, including: Nuts and nut butters (almond, cashew, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc) Peanuts and peanut butter Seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, etc) Chickpeas Beans (kidney beans, black beans, etc) Soy foods (roasted soy beans, tempeh, edamame, tofu) Eating a variety of sources of protein throughout the day will help you to get appropriate amounts of these essential building blocks.

Fibro Friday August Edition! I don't know what it is about summer, but it is always so much easier to carve out time to get comfy with a good book and read for hours, compared to other seasons. At least that's what I find. I'm always on the hunt for a good fiction (if you have any great suggestions, send them my way! ), but Fibromyalgia is another favourite topic of mine to read about. After all, there's always more to learn and different perspectives to hear. I've included... 3 of my go-to books about Fibromyalgia that I recommend to patients who are newly diagnosed, not yet diagnosed, or to patients who have had this condition for years. They are chalk full of great information and are well-written (i.e. minimal medical mumbo-jumbo). Both books are widely available in most public libraries or available on Amazon. 1. The FibroManual: A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide for You and Your Doctor Author: Ginerva Liptan 2. The Complete Fibromyalgia Health, Diet Guide & Cookbook Authors: Dr. Louise McCrindle and Dr. Alison Bested 3. The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, Made Easy! Author: Jacob Teitelbaum It is always important to check with your healthcare provider before starting a new health regimen to make sure it is safe for you. If you have any questions or suggestions for other Fibromyalgia books you've found helpful, feel free to shoot me a message. I would love to hear from you! Happy reading on this beautiful long weekend!

I will be out of the office from July 26th to August 6th. I will be returning August 7th with my regularly scheduled hours and will be responding to any phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages upon my return. If you require supplement refills during this time, please call The Lakeside Clinic at (705) 726-0923 to determine the best time to pick up the products you require. Have a safe and happy August long weekend!

In Naturopathic Medicine, we talk about ... a lot. So much so that we even use this handy poop chart (more accurately called the Bristol Stool Scale). While this isn't always the most comfortable topic to discuss in detail, your stool provides tons of information about your health and possible underlying health conditions you may be experiencing. Do you know what normal 's look like? Take a guess at which stool type on the Bristol Stool Scale is considered normal.

Many people with arthritis describe more severe pain correlated with major weather changes, when thunderstorms are forecasted, or when temperatures drop. Medical research has not been able to correlate weather changes to differences in pain ratings among study participants, however, this is something I hear often from patients. Whether it's the rainy, stormy weather we've been experiencing or the fact that most people are much more active in the summer months, arthritis pain ...can put a serious damper on your summer plans. In the image, I've included some tips to reduce arthritis pain to help get you through your summer activities. While these tips won't address the root cause or give you a long-term solution for your pain, they should provide some pain relief. Check out my blog post for more information about each tip (https://www.drmelyssa.com//4-tips-to-reduce-arthritis-pain). As always, check with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, diet, or health routine to ensure it is safe for you. There are many ways to manage and address the root cause of your arthritic pain naturally. Methods used and treatment options vary depending the type of arthritis you have and are individualized to you specifically. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about natural arthritis treatment.

Feeling right at home in my beautiful new office at The Lakeside Clinic! If you've ever wondered about what Naturopathic Medicine can do for you (or you're wondering what the heck Naturopathic Medicine is anyways), give us a call at (705) 726-0923 to schedule your Complementary 15 minute Meet and Greet. I'm looking forward to meeting many more new faces in Barrie!

July's Edition of Fibro Friday features new research! There is very interesting (and Canadian!) research being performed in the area of Fibromyalgia and the link to gut bacteria imbalances. Researchers were able to correlate severity of Fibromyalgia symptoms to significant imbalances in the expected populations of specific bacteria species. This has never been reported in previous research performed in this area. We have much to learn about the populations of bacteria that li...ve on and in our bodies and how imbalances affect health overall, but analysis of gut bacteria could be a promising new diagnostic technique in an area that so desperately needs it. https://www.ctvnews.ca//canadian-researchers-find-link-bet

With the long weekend coming up and the warm weather finally gracing us with it's presence, sun safety should be top on your priority list! Sun safety is a topic many people don't think much about, but it's a very important one that could be affecting your health in ways beyond increasing your skin cancer risk. I've listed 5 Common Sun Safety Misconceptions below. Check out my blog (https://www.drmelyssa.com/p/top-5-sun-safety-misconceptions) if you want to learn more. ...Misconception #1: Spray sunscreens provide better protection from sunburns. Misconception #2: I need to be outside in the sun all day for my skin to produce enough Vitamin D. Misconception #3: There is no difference between different sunscreen brands. Misconception #4: If I have a "base tan" I won't burn. Misconception #5: I don't need to protect my eyes from the sun. Wishing everyone a (sun) safe and healthy Canada Day Weekend!

I am excited to announce that I will be joining the team at The Lakeside Clinic in Barrie! As of July 4th, I will be accepting new patients at The Lakeside Clinic and leaving my practice at Beach Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Wasaga Beach. My new hours will be as follows:... Tuesday 10am-7pm Wednesday 10am-6pm Thursday 10am-7pm If you would like to schedule an appointment, the lovely reception staff can be reached at 705-726-0923 or [email protected]. I will continue offering Complementary 15 minute Meet and Greets if you are curious about what naturopathic medicine can do for you. To find out more about The Lakeside Clinic, check out their website at: http://www.thelakesideclinic.com/ I look forward to working with you, residents of Barrie!

Did you know that adequate iron levels are required to carry oxygen in your blood to cells that need it? Did you know that you can be iron deficient, but not anemic? Did you know that there are different forms of iron?... Iron is an important mineral that, when deficient, can lead to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, and even a sore tongue. Having iron deficiency anemia means that you do not have enough iron to produce healthy, plump red blood cells, resulting in small cells that cannot carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. It is ideal to catch iron deficiency before it progresses to an anemic state. Menstruating and pregnant women are most at risk of becoming iron deficient, however following a vegetarian diet, Celiac disease, and frequent/severe bleeding of any cause can also result in deficiency. When a patient comes in with low energy, iron deficiency is always on my list of conditions to investigate. If you are concerned that you are iron deficient, you should speak with your Naturopathic Doctor or Medical Doctor about having your iron levels tested on your next blood test. Iron is a mineral that can reach toxic levels with over-supplementation, so it ideal to have your levels tested before starting supplementation and after 3 months of supplementation to determine if levels are increasing. Want to learn more about how to boost your iron levels? Check out my blog post at: https://www.drmelyssa.com//5-tips-to-boost-your-iron-levels

June's edition of Fibro Friday is in honour of World Environment Day, which was on June 5th. World Environment Day is honoured around the globe to increase awareness and support initiatives aimed at taking action to protect our physical environment and our planet. The environment impacts many aspects of our lives, including our health. People with Fibromyalgia are often sensitive to a number of environmental influences that, when identified, can lead to improvements in sympto...ms and decreased flares overall. The reason for this increased sensitivity is likely due to the increased stress these environmental influences place upon the body. The body of someone with Fibromyalgia is already stuck in a state of constant, overwhelming stress. Adding more stress does not bode well for symptoms. Think of your body as a rain barrel and water as the level of stress your body is under. With Fibromyalgia, your rain barrel is already full of water. It simply cannot hold any more. Adding more water will result in water spilling over (which in the real world, is more pain/fatigue/brain fog, etc). The good news is, you can decrease the "water in your rain barrel" by identifying environmental triggers for your symptoms and minimizing your exposure to them. When conducting an environmental history with patients, I inquire about not only the physical environment, but the mental and emotional environments they live in as well. All aspects of our environment have an effect on the internal environment in our bodies and our state of health. Check out my blog post for more information on the different environmental influences on our health. https://www.drmelyssa.com//fibro-friday-world-environment-

Check out the new summer staple BBQ recipe on my blog: Marinated Balsamic Chicken and Grilled Vegetable Skewers . Let me know what you think! https://www.drmelyssa.com//recipe-marinated-balsamic-chick

Heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is an incredibly common condition in Canada. Common symptoms could include a burning in the chest, bitter taste in the mouth, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, and sensation of a lump in the throat. If you suffer from GERD, you may experience a chronic cough, asthma, and disrupted sleep related to the condition. These symptoms are caused by acid travelling from its normal location in th...e stomach, up the esophagus, which is not protected the same way the lining of the stomach is. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are class of medications that I see A LOT of people on. PPIs work to lower the stomach acid, which decreases the incidence of acid escaping from the stomach and the associated symptoms. While PPIs are effective for their intended use, they can cause serious issues long-term, as described in the CTV News article attached. They are also a bandaide fix for what is likely the underlying issue. PPIs treat GERD and heartburn as overproduction of stomach acid (termed Hyperchlorhydria). Addressing GERD and heartburn from a naturopathic perspective, I recommend a simple test to my patients to determine if their stomach acid is in fact high, or if they suffer from low stomach acid (termed Hypochlorhydria). More often than not, people have low stomach acid causing the GERD symptoms. When stomach acid is low, the circular muscle at the top of the stomach (called the Pyloric Sphincter) doesnt get the message to close tightly. This results in a slight opening at the top of the stomach, allowing stomach acid to escape. Increasing stomach acid to an appropriate level helps to stimulate proper digestion, relieve GERD symptoms, and prevent the long-term use of acid-lowering drugs. Do you suffer from GERD or heartburn? Wondering if your stomach acid is low? Give me a call at (705) 429-0911 to schedule a Complementary 15 minute Meet & Greet to learn what we can do about it. https://www.ctvnews.ca//millions-of-canadians-using-acid-r

Myth 7: Naturopathic doctors give the same recommendations as health food store employees. Although health food store employees mean well by giving you advice on what supplements to take, they are often not trained in medicine or natural therapies to the extent that naturopathic doctors are. They also do not know about your medical history or about medications you are on that may interact with natural medicines. It is always best to get medical advice from someone adequately ...trained, licensed, and who knows your medical history to ensure the advice is safe for YOU. Missed the other myths or want a sneak peak at what's to come? Check out https://www.drmelyssa.com//busting-myths-about-naturopathi for the full 7 Myths. #NatMedWeek #MedicallyTrained #NaturallyFocused

Myth 6: Naturopathic medicine is not evidence-based or scientific. Naturopathic doctors are trained to critically analyze research. There is a growing body of scientific research on natural therapies, with new research published every day. There are 3 prongs to evidence-based medicine which includes patient values, best evidence, and clinical expertise. I utilize a fine balance between all three of these factors, to create a treatment plan that is individualized to you. Misse...d the other myths or want a sneak peak at what's to come? Check out https://www.drmelyssa.com//busting-myths-about-naturopathi for the full 7 Myths. #NatMedWeek #MedicallyTrained #NaturallyFocused