Pacific Way Wellness Center
  Health Newsletter

From the Chiropractic Office of Dr. Theodosia Woods - Spring 2008
 

What's Inside:
Yes, We Are Back In Our Office!

We are happy to announce the reopening of Pacific Way Wellness Center. After sustaining serious damage in the December 2007 storm, we have undergone major repairs and the office has been completely remodeled. Appointments are now available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Stop by and see our beautiful new office or give us a call to schedule an appointment time that is convenient for you. 

Please help us to extend a warm welcome back to massage therapist Willow Clark. She has recently returned from her stay in Nicaragua and is ready to once again offer her healing touch to the Oregon coast community. Jessica Jones is also still here and she is available for scheduling Saturday massage appointments. We are hopeful that Dr. Lanker will be back by the end of summer.   


Goodbye To Pacific Way Natural Foods

On December 2, 2007, as our big storm was just getting started, Dr. Woods' daughter Linden called from our store. She said that the roof was coming off the building and she was watching it fly down the road in long sheets of black tar paper. We didn't realize it at the time but this was the end of our labor of love, Pacific Way Natural Foods.

By mid January Dr. Woods realized that we were going to be out of the building until May and that she did not have the financial, emotional, or energetic resources to rebuild two businesses, the wellness center and the natural foods store. Dr. Woods' experience and talents are best employed in the wellness center, although she is still deeply committed to helping folks find nutritious, non toxic foods. We will continue to carry a few food medicine items in our office. In addition full cases of your favorite natural foods can be ordered at a significant discount.

We also recommend that you visit the following websites to purchase food from local farmers:

www.northcoastfood.org
www.deovolentefarm.com



Learn How To Feel Better Naturally

We have been updating our webpage, www.drtheodosia.com, and would like to encourage everyone to take a moment and browse our site. Here you can find information about our staff, philosophy, and treatment options. You can also find links to recommended organizations and search our archive of health and wellness tips to discover ways to improve your lifestyle and feel better naturally.

We are also now sending out the health newsletter in email format. Paper copies will still be available at our office. If you or someone you know would like to be added to our newsletter list, please send your name and email address to twoods@seasurf.net.

Natural Treatment for Fibromyalgia

Many chronic pain sufferers are told that it is "all in your head", but fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a very real condition that is estimated to affect up to 6 million Americans. Unfortunately, correct diagnosis can sometimes be difficult as there may be several different causes including things like trauma or stress. Conventional medicine does not offer a cure for fibromyalgia, and typically recommends controlling the pain with some form of symptomatic drug treatment. However, there is a better, more natural approach that can be effective at helping to reverse this disorder.

In the article "Fibromyalgia Patients: A Real Pain in the Muscles and Fibers", Dr. John R. Bomar explains that along with widespread pain, fibromyalgia patients may also experience disturbed sleep, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety. He discusses how an unhealthy lifestyle and poor diet can have a direct affect on chronic pain, and that current thinking suggests a root cause of fibromyalgia is systemic toxicity. This means that the function of the liver and kidneys may be impaired and the body is not effectively eliminating toxins.

To address this problem, Dr. Bomar recommends a holistic approach centered on increasing the body's detoxification process. In specific, he points out that optimum health requires a diet consisting of many fruits and vegetables, along with lean meats, healthy grains, dairy, nuts and oils. Additionally, it is essential for every individual to consume at least 64 ounces of water daily. Proper hydration assists the body’s biochemical processes and the elimination of metabolic wastes. Similarly, moderate exercise is necessary to increase lymphatic flow and yoga-type stretching can be helpful. Lastly, fibromyalgia patients can benefit greatly from hands-on massage and manual therapy (spinal adjustment and massage) to reduce muscles spasms that can lead to toxemia in and around the tissue.

At Pacific Way Wellness Center, we offer many treatment options for fibromyalgia including craniosacral therapy, light force chiropractic, massage, and frequency specific microcurrent.  If you suffer from chronic pain, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Woods. She will evaluate your pain and design a natural treatment regimen based on your individual needs. She can also offer lifestyle coaching and recommend vitamins/supplements that will improve your body’s overall health.

The Benefits Of Coconut Oil
Fats play an essential role in the everyday processes and functions of our bodies. However, many of the foods that are manufactured today are made with chemically altered hydrogenated or trans fats that have been proven to raise cholesterol and increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Eliminating these types of fat from our diet can help us to live a longer, healthier life. In recent years, nutritionist have been recommending the use of coconut oil as a beneficial alternative.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that coconut oil is an important food that can provide many health benefits. In her lecture titled "A New Look at Coconut Oil", Dr. Mary G. Enig discusses how the consumption of coconut oil can aid in the prevention/treatment of heart disease and also improve the immune system. For example, data derived from studies conducted in Southeast Asia and India show that a diet which includes coconut oil can actually improve good (HDL) cholesterol levels and reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol. In addition, the lauric acid found in coconut oil is used by the body to protect against disease-causing microbes such as viruses and bacteria. This antimicrobial property of coconut oil boosts the immune system and could be especially beneficial in treating chronic inflammatory diseases or for reducing the viral load of HIV-infected individuals.

To enjoy the health benefits of coconut oil, it is important that we try to incorporate 3 to 4 tablespoons into our daily diets. Homemade coconut milk is one delicious and wonderful way to help you do just that. The liquid is thinner than canned and more substantial than coconut water. Here is a quick and simple recipe you can make at home:

Dr. Woods' Coconut Milk

* 2 cups dried, unsweetened coconut

* 4 cups water

Blend ingredients together for several minutes and then strain liquid through cheesecloth. Coconut milk makes a refreshing beverage, can be mixed into smoothies, or used in cooking to add a Carribean or Asian flavor to rice, beans, curries, and soups. The solid residue that remains can be used to make a great compost!


For even more ways to add coconut oil to your diet, please be sure to come by our office and pick up a copy of "Coconut Oil for Health and Beauty". This book has many easy recipes for baked goods, main dishes, soups & salads, desserts, and drinks.



The staff at Pacific Way Wellness Center wishes you a
Happy, Healthy Spring!



Theodosia Woods, DC
  Jessica Jones, LMT,  Willow Clark, LMT