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The Acacia Integrative Health Clinic
is a team of talented health care professionals
who provide individualized, complementary and alternative health care in a team setting.
The clinic is located in Victoria, BC.
WE ARE:
Dr. Pamela Hutchison, Naturopathic Physician
Clinic Director
Dr. Amy Gilchrist, Naturopathic Physician
Director of The Family Medicine Clinic
Graham Robertson, Registered Massage Therapist
Jennifer Apedaile,
Registered Acupuncturist
Christine Selder,
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Celeste Ford,
Registered Massage Therapist
Dr. Jaime de Melo,
Naturopathic Physician
Victoria Spaurel
Registered Acupuncturist
Staff
Melissa Coles
Dannielle Rutledge
WE OFFER:
Naturopathic Medicine,
Massage Therapy,
Acupuncture,
Electrostimulation Acupuncture,
Counselling,
Homeopathic Medicine,
Allergy and Sensitivity testing,
Salivary Hormone testing,
Pap smears,
HPV testing,
Hair Mineral Analysis and Heavy Metal Analysis,
Comprehensive Digestive Stool analysis,
Detoxification,
Botanical Medicine,
Vitamin B12 injections
B Vitamin Complex injections,
Homeopathic injections,
Screening Physical Exams,
Sublingual Immunotherapy
IV Therapy
Infrared Sauna
And more...
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Flu Prevention
Come in between October 30th and November 14th and get 5 dollars off!
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We will be offering our flu prevention program starting end of October.
This is by far our most popular program. Come in early for a discount off the regular price
What is it?
Injections of two homeopathic formulas that have been shown in clinical studies to increase immune cell function; plusTwo homeopathic immune stimulants you take weekly for several weeks. For more info on this service you can email us if you click here.
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| Extended Benefits? | | Most extended medical benefit plans roll over January 1st. This is a good time of year to use up those credits.
Much of what we do here is covered by extended benefits.
What a great way to start the New Year off healthy and strong!
P.S.
The clinic is closed from December 25th to January 2nd.
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Issue: #17 Acupuncture/Prescribing update/Flu Programme
| October 2010 |
Greetings!
 Fall is upon us! A gorgeous season with lots of fall foods to enjoy like squash and turnips and carrots! We hope you are having a wonderful season.
Prescription UPDATE:
As you may, or may not, know, I (Dr. Pam) have passed my pharmacy exam and am now
able to write prescriptions. Dr. Amy has now begun this process and will be writing her exams in February 2011. What does this mean to you?- You can now have your prescriptions refilled when you come in to see Dr. Hutchison (if you are a patient of Dr. Amy or Dr. Jaime please see number 7 below). Please Note: Naturopathic Doctors have a limited scope - we cannot write scripts for narcotics, tranquilizers or stimulants.
- You can have a prescription from Dr. Pam for your health concern/s started and monitored by an her. Dr. Pam may need lab tests to properly monitor your progress on a prescription drug.
- You can now have a prescribing naturopathic physician who takes time to understand your specific needs and considers your individuality when recommending a medication. NDs are best positioned to prescribe alongside natural therapies as we understand interactions better than any profession - and we come from a conservative and preventative perspective - so we will work to limit the dosage of the drug you may need, and use them when natural therapies have not worked well or well enough.
- We can safely help you discontinue a drug (antidepressants, heart medications, etc...) by offering safe alternatives while providing you with a prescription that makes sense (and saves you money) for your particular withdrawal process.
- All ND written prescriptions are covered in the same manner as those written by a Medical Doctor.
- We can now write prescriptions for bio-identical hormones (except testosterone), dessicated thyroid, and other previously inaccessible natural products that had become prescription only (such as Tryptophan).
- If you are a patient of Dr. Gilchrist or Dr. de Melo - they can consult with Dr. Pam on your prescription needs. Dr. Pam would need a brief, 15 minute consultation with you to finalize a prescription or renewal.
Other news:
Dr Pam has written an article for Vista Magazine coming out in November 2010. It is a review of naturopathic techniques for treating hayfever. We will post a link to it when it hits the virtual press.
Christine Selder, Registered Clinical Counsellor, now offers free 30 minute visits for people interested in starting a counselling relationship. To book these all you have to do is call the office (250-475-1522). She has written an article below on conflict in relationships.
We now have an acupuncturist in 4 out of 5 business days per week. Read Victoria Spaurel's article below to find out more about acupuncture.
We will have a clinic closure from December 25th to January 1st for the winter holidays. This will give front-desk staff and all the practitioners a well deserved break.
That is all for now. Thanks for reading our newsletter. As always we love feedback, so let us know what you think!
Be Well,
Dr. E. Pamela Hutchison ND
Clinic Director
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The Cyclical Nature of Relationships
Christine Selder, M.Ed, RCC
|  As we enter the fall season I am reminded of the cyclical nature of all things. As rain begins to drop from the sky and leaves begin to scatter the ground I am refreshed by the changes and comforted by their familiarity.
Relationships too hold seasons or cycles; we move towards or away from each other physically or emotionally through intimacy or circumstance. Even in those relationships that last a lifetime we have times of joy and times of conflict. David Richo, the author of "How To Be An Adult in Relationships, The Five Keys To Mindful Loving," reminds us that the journey in relationship goes down rather than up. The first stage of romance is that of idealizing the other - seeing in them all that is best and good. The second stage or season is that of conflict where we see the shadow side of ourselves and the other. The clouds roll in and the rain begins to pour. In this stage we see each other in our entireties. He writes:
We do not know ourselves, nor can we integrate our experience until we meet our own shadow and befriend it by struggling with it. How can we know our partner until we do the same with her? How can we love what we do not know?...This phase is a totally normal, necessary, and useful part of the process of building a lasting bond. Without the struggle it entails, we might be lost in one another and thereby lose ourselves. We need conflict in order to evolve from projection to mature self-affirmation (126).
Some, but not all, of the descriptions for healthy conflict include:
Exploring issues directly
Taking responsibility for our own emotions
Remaining focused on the present issue
Resolving an issue with an agreement to change something for the better
Fighting fairly
Taking mutual responsibility for the problem
It is ok to agree to disagree
Seeking therapy if necessary
Letting go of an attachment to outcome
By allowing for healthy conflict relationships can become stronger and hold more intimacy. We can love ourselves and each other as whole beings. Healthy conflict can be seen as a season of a relationship and perhaps even welcomed as a time for growth and acceptance.
For some ideas on how to have positive conflict check out: Secrets of Positive Marriage Conflict
For more info on Christine and her work -Read Christine's Profile
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Nervous About Trying Acupuncture?
Victoria Spaurel, R.Ac., Registered Acupuncturist |  You're not Alone! If you perused the last newsletter you know that I have recently joined the ultra-professional team of healthcare providers at Acacia Integrated Health Clinic. I'm so pleased to offer my services and expertise to our dedicated patient base.
My first conversation with patients, more often than not, includes addressing preconceived fears and sometimes misconceptions about the needling aspect of treatment. Inevitably people want to understand the benefits of using Acupuncture Therapy for their particular case before agreeing to give it a try. Of course this makes sense, given that our mainstream medical model is one that is unable to look at the body, mind and spirit as a whole system. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory seems strange at first. I always welcome these discussions because they create understanding of a new way of thinking about the body.
A large portion of my patients are new to Acupuncture when they begin treatment. Often with nervous patients the first sessions are long on consultation and short on actual treatment time to give the body a chance to adjust to the sensations of tingling, pressure and warmth that are noticable during acupuncture. Treatments are always paced to suit the patients comfort level and often are preceded by a light acupressure massage to unwind beforehand.
I find that over time, my patients actually feel empowered by having treatment and by our discussions of how the different body systems interact and work together. As health improves patients become aware of how their lifestyle choices effect their particular symptoms, energy level and sense of wellbeing.
Please email me with your feedback and your own questions or concerns. I'd love to further this discussion in the clinic if you're feeling inspired to address your own health concerns with Acupuncture.
To contact Victoria: CLICK HERE
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Sweet and Sour Winter Squash
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Acorn squash has a mild flavor and goes well with sweet and nutty seasonings. They are in season right now!
 Ingredients
2 acorn squash
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons walnut oil
Freshly ground nutmeg
Ground walnuts
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the squash on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, until soft enough to easily cut in half. Cut in half, and scoop out the seeds and membranes.
2. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Stir the maple syrup and walnut oil together in a bowl, then brush over the cut surfaces of the squash. Sprinkle with a very small amount of ground nutmeg. Place in the oven and bake one hour, brushing every 10 minutes with more oil and maple syrup. When the squash is tender, brush once more, then spoon a tablespoonful of finely chopped walnuts into each cavity and return to the oven for five to 10 minutes, until the walnuts are toasty. Remove from the heat. Serve hot or warm.
Makes four large servings or eight medium servings.
This can sit for an hour or so after it's done. Cover with foil.
We got this recipe from The New York Times. They have a new(ish) food column focusing on healthy dishes that are long on flavour, and often short on preparation. The online version of this recipe is available here.
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| Upcoming Talks and Events |
Did you know? We are on Twitter and Facebook
Sauna Saturdays!On the following Saturdays come in for a relaxing sauna on a Saturday for 25% off the regular price ($15 instead of the regular $20). Better yet, bring a friend for only 10 dollars more!
October 16 & 30
November 13 & 27
December 11
Please bring your own towel and a glass or metal drinking water container. A shower is provided for you to rinse off afterwards. You must call the clinic to book your spot. Same day bookings are welcome! Call 250.475.1522 to reserve your spot.
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