Naturopathic principles #4 Treat the whole person

I keep saying I treat the whole person but what does that even mean? That I look at your head and your toes? Not quite. More like I take into consideration the various facets of your life, your health, your reality.

 Naturopathic medicine looks at the whole picture and does not reduce patients to their particular symptoms. This includes mental, emotional, physical, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors. Stay tuned next week where I will post a series that lays out the various “determinants of health” that guide the naturopathic approach. Because we treat the whole person, we claim the mantle of “holistic” practitioners.

This is one reason why my intake is longer than what you might be used to from a conventional medical doctor. I will ask about your diet, sleep, exercise, mental-emotional state, self-care, supportive relationships, occupation, etc. We will dive into your family medical history as well as your own medical history. Working together to understand you as a complete person gives us a foundation to create a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Most of my patients find me because they are looking for a more patient-centered approach that does not reduce them to a runny nose or sprained ankle. You have probably heard the old joke about “The heart attack in room 5.” You are not your symptoms, you are an individual and deserve to be treated as such.

Does this principle resonate with your own health beliefs? Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #acupuncture #treatthewholeperson

Shop local this year

Given this unprecedented year, I am shifting some of my holiday shopping behavior. While we tend to silo “Small Business Saturday” to just one day, I am re-thinking this season. How about we view this week as the “Small Business Season”? This is not to say that big box stores or chains are inherently bad but to highlight the deep struggle so many small businesses have faced this year.

Here are some simple ideas to support small businesses in your community: 

Visit the cute coffee shop around the corner

Support local artists

Gift certificates to local restaurants

Buy your loved one a gift certificate to Willow Clinic!

Treat yourself to a massage from a local massage therapist

Join a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture)

Health is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Consider treating yourself or a loved one to an intake with me this holiday season. Without health, nothing else matters.  

If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

 #naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #healing #drjesskeating #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #smallbusiness

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is simple – let us all tap into the immense power of gratitude. Gratitude can radically shift your perspective in an instant. It moves us from fixating on what we lack to focusing what we have. This transforms our reality into one of abundance instead of one of scarcity. A daily gratitude practice is an essential part of maintaining robust mental health.

Gratitude does not negate things in life that are difficult, sad, frustrating, tragic, etc. It merely re-focuses our mindset on the good things in life. I am sad that I will not be able to share Thanksgiving with our extended friend group this year but I am still grateful to be able to cook for and enjoy the day with my husband.

What are you grateful for? Comment and let’s fill the internet with gratitude!

Today I am grateful for my husband, loving family, fulfilling career, a roof over our heads, my passion for cooking healthy food, our three adorable cats, meaningful friendships, my faith and my health.

Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #gratitude #givethanks #thanksgiving

Naturopathic Principles #3 Treat the root cause

Rather than suppressing symptoms, naturopathic doctors work to find the root cause and treat accordingly. The classic phrase “Don’t kill the messenger” fits nicely with this principle. Painful periods, headaches, anxiety, constipation, acne, low libido, joint pain and poor sleep are all symptoms. Symptoms are your body’s way of communicating that something is wrong. While you can take a pill for most of these conditions, that approach fails to address the root cause.

We’ll take headaches as an example. In my practice, I have found the most common underlying causes of headaches to be dehydration (chronic inadequate water intake), muscle tension (particularly in the neck) and food triggers (also called food sensitivities). While patients sometimes get relief from over-the-counter pain meds, the lasting and complete solution is to address these fundamental causes.

If you desire a deeper solution to your health challenges, find a licensed Naturopathic Doctor to work with on your health journey. A comprehensive intake is part of the process we use to investigate the true causes of your health concerns. We then craft a comprehensive treatment plan to help you regain great health.

Does this principle resonate with your own health beliefs? Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #acupuncture #rootcause #nature

Naturopathic Principles #2 Healing power of nature

Humans evolved over thousands of years to thrive in the environment on earth. This includes a cycle of light and dark each day, a certain amount of oxygen in the air, the food that is available, etc. Our natural state is good health. Naturopathic medicine believes when you remove the obstacles to health, healing is the natural response.

My favorite way to visualize this concept is to think about getting a fairly serious cut. You go to urgent care and have it stitched up (the appropriate intervention in this case). Over the next few weeks, the skin closes, the pain recedes and you are (just about) as good as new. Did the doctor (or nurse) who did the stitching “heal” you? No! They helped your body have a good healing outcome but your body (nature) did the healing. 

Along these same lines, I am not responsible for you regaining great health. I contribute my expertise, give you the road map, troubleshoot your roadblocks, motivate you to get past plateaus and direct your general trajectory. But YOU do the work and your body does the healing. Together we harness the power of nature to achieve great health. When you remove the obstacles in your path, your body returns to its innate state of good health.

Does this principle resonate with your own health beliefs? Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home. 

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #acupuncture #powerofnature #naturecure

Naturopathic Principles #1 First do no harm

This is part of the oath that every doctor takes upon completing medical school. We always work for the highest good for our patients and the best possible outcome given the individual circumstances. In naturopathic medicine, it means we try to choose natural or comparatively gentler interventions first. The least invasive options ought to be exhausted before higher force interventions are tried.

We recognize that different interventions are appropriate for different conditions. Someone with a broken wrist needs surgical attention first and foremost, while a patient with pre-diabetes would benefit from dietary and lifestyle counseling to prevent the progression to diabetes.

Patients with low back pain may be familiar with this “progression of force.” Conservative approaches are tried first: weight loss, over-the-counter (OTC) pain pills and physical therapy (PT) are usually the first line options. If these fail to bring relief, steroid shots are usually next and surgery is the last resort. However, during that first trial of therapy, we can also add chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga, stretching, cold laser, herbal medicine and dietary counseling to the list of effective interventions. The naturopathic tool kit is quite large and we always seek to use the simplest, least risky options first.

Does this principle resonate with your own health beliefs? Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

 #naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #acupuncture #firstdonoharm

Sunday Funday!

The real question in life is not, “What do you do for work?” but rather, “What do you do for fun?”

It’s Sunday! Traditionally a day of rest, my Sunday posts are dedicated to “Vitamin R.” In naturopathic philosophy, Vitamin R means rest, recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation. It is just as essential to good health as deep sleep, exercise, meaningful relationships and healthy food. Each Sunday I post about things that help me rest and rejuvenate. It is very important to cultivate these habits and hobbies. I cannot tell you how many of my patients draw a total blank when I ask them: “What do you do for fun? Or for “you time”? Or as a hobby?” Make sure you have an answer to these questions. 

My “quarantine craft” was to take up Diamond Painting! This slow craft eventually produces beautiful paintings, one small gem at a time. It gives me a break from my busy schedule and lets my mind rest. I found it a delightful way to have a creative endeavor and a little “me time.” Addressing self-care, creativity and mental well-being is just one way that I treat the whole person.

Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer 15-minute complimentary consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #functionalmedicine #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #vitamindR #treatyourself #dayofrest #creativity

Connecting with the divine

As George Michael says, “You got to have faith.”

As humans we all have a deep inner drive to connect with something greater than ourselves. This is even more important in these unprecedented times. What exactly this connection looks like, however, is up to you. I have never been a believer that a rigid dogma is necessary or that everyone must connect with their higher power in the same way.

Connection can be meaningfully found with God, Buddha, Yahweh, Krishna, Allah, Shiva, the Universe, Mother Nature, The One, The Divine, Jesus Christ, holy saints and numerous other options. I am not here to direct anyone’s spiritual path, judge another’s beliefs or even comment on what truths and practices one finds meaningful.

I am here to encourage you to cultivate a relationship with the divine in a meaningful way. Good times come and go, grief visits us all and human endeavors are fleeting. Connecting with something greater than our limited perception of reality gives us a more solid foundation.

As part of my comprehensive intake with patients I ask if they have any spiritual or religious beliefs or practices. Again, this is not to judge or criticize but merely to assess the whole picture of each patient. The naturopathic approach seeks to build a partnership between doctor and patient and address all the determinants of health. This way, you receive the most comprehensive care possible.

How do you perceive the divine? Stretch yourself to deepen that connection or explore new ways of seeing the sacred in every day life. Leave yourself a reminder that you will see each day.

If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my website or bio to get in touch. I offer 15-minute complimentary consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

 #naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #faith #belief #higherpower

8 ways to prevent breast cancer

1. Maintain a healthy weight – being overweight has been linked to increased breast cancer risk. Manage your weight with both healthy activity & good nutrition. Avoid crash or fad diets.

2. Eat a healthy, varied diet – Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc.) help the liver break down hormones like estrogen. Fiber from fruits & veggies help the body bind & eliminate waste. Add healthy fats and protein to balance your diet.

3. Consume alcohol in moderation – alcohol intake has been linked to breast cancer risk. Moderation is defined as less than 1 drink per day for women and less than 2 per day for men.

4. Get regular screening – monthly self-breast exams are a great way to “Get to Know your Girls.” Yearly breast and pelvic exams should be performed by your primary care provider (PCP). After 50, talk to your doctor about getting regular mammograms.

5. Stay active – Exercise promotes cardiovascular fitness, healthy weight and mental well-being. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. You can also get a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Find physical activity that you enjoy - biking, dancing, swimming, walking, etc.

6. Check in with your hormones - Talk to your doctor about any signs of possible hormonal irregularities. If you have painful, heavy or long periods, fibroids or fibrocystic breasts, you may have too much estrogen. Excess estrogen is connected with some types of breast cancer. Managing your hormones is important for overall health and can decrease your cancer risk.

7. Stay regular – make sure you are having at least one healthy bowel movement every day. Eating a high fiber diet (5-9 servings of veggies, 1-2 servings of fruit) and drinking 60-80 oz of hydrating fluids helps with good bowel health. Constipation can lead to re-absorption of estrogen and cause hormonal imbalances.

8. Manage stress – Stress leads to the release of cortisol, which can disrupt blood sugar, mood and sleep and cause weight gain. Find healthy ways to blow off steam and prioritize self-care. Journaling, guided meditation, time spent alone, crafts and creative endeavors, a relaxing massage, talk therapy, prayer and so many other simple activities can help take your body out of the “fight-or-flight” mode.

Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? Optimizing your current health and working to prevent disease is what I specialize in. It’s true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Understanding your individual case and taking a patient-centered approach to care is what i do everyday!

If you are looking to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right place! I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #telehealth #holisticmedicine #prevention #breasthealth #wellness #willowclinic

Delicious protein Muddy Buddies!

What is this? Could it be a healthier version of a childhood favorite?!?! Be still my beating heart.

I don’t know about you, but I have a SWEET tooth! So when I found a recipe for protein-packed muddy buddies, I had to try them out.

I used almond butter instead of peanut butter and substituted half of the powdered sugar with vanilla protein powder. Choosing rice and corn Chex makes this treat gluten free!

Basic recipe involves mixing powdered sugar and vanilla protein powder in a bag and then melting nut butter, coconut oil and chocolate chips on the stovetop. Coat rice/corn Chex with melted chocolate mixture. Carefully add chocolately Chex into the bag, seal and shake until well coated!

Find the recipe HERE!

Health is about seeking a balance between discipline and enjoyment. I enjoy how I feel when I exercise but I also need the discipline to get me into the gym each week. I love having treat foods but my discipline reminds me that they are not everyday foods. Creating healthier versions of classic treats is another way to seek balance.  

Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer 15-minute complimentary consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #functionalmedicine #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #healthytreat #treatyourself #muddybuddies