OjaiHealing.com

A new, antibiotic-resistant strain of Staph bacteria has made its presence known in the US. Once mostly found in hospitals, the strain is now spreading through casual contact in communities. It is extremely difficult to control with Western medicine, although strides are being made. This Staph infection is particularly dangerous to susceptible populations, the sick, the elderly and the very young.

The question is: Do "alternative" healing modalities have something to add to the conversation? What can we, as Healers, offer in the way of prevention and/or cure?

Continue reading "Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 03:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Guest Editorial by Chandler Collins, DC

How many times have you woken up some morning in the not-too-distant past to find that you have a new ache or pain? Trouble turning your neck. Pain around your shoulder blade. An uncomfortable lower back.

Where does this pain come from? Did you "sleep wrong"? Was the bed too hard? Too soft? Why, of all mornings, is it bothering you on this one?

The sensations we have in our bodies are not random. The perhaps unimaginable complexity of the human system can make what we experience seem random. But just because the pattern is too difficult for us to figure out doesn't mean that there isn't one.

Continue reading "Referred Pain Can Be A Pain In The Neck" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Remember high school chemistry? Acids and bases (or alkalis)? Our bodies work hard to maintain a constant pH - not too acidic, not too alkaline. The real challenge we face, given the foods most of us eat and the constant low-grade stress most of us experience, is to keep our bodies from getting too acidic. An acid body can be an achy body and is a great environment for germs to grow - everything from the common cold to candida to yeast infections and athlete's foot.

Continue reading "Healthy Challenge #3 - Get Your Greens!" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A recent study looked at patients with celiac disease and with IBS characterized by diarrhea. It found that a whopping 72% of patients with IBS characterized by diarrhea became symptom-free as a result of a gluten free diet.

Gluten is present in many unexpected places, and elimination can be challenging. Here are two resources for living gluten-free, if you decide to try it:
Celiac Disease Foundation
and celiac.com

Continue reading "IBS may be improved with treatment for Celiac Disease" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Back in the 70’s, a friend was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. We were in our 20’s. This was something that wasn’t supposed to happen — if at all — until much later in life. Weren’t we young and invincible and immortal?

Continue reading "Raw Vegan Living-Food Lifestyle" »

Posted by Wyn Matthews at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Here’s a big challenge: Eliminate wheat from your diet for a few days or, even better, a week. When I say wheat I mean everything containing some kind of wheat flour – whole wheat, white flour, semolina, durum and even wheatberries – and anything with wheat derivatives in it, like tamari, seitan and couscous.

So why would you do this?

Continue reading "Healthy Challenge #2" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every few weeks, I send my clients motivational emails with practical steps to take toward healthier living. I'll also be reposting them here.

Just about every chemical reaction in your body depends on water. This week’s challenge is to ensure you are drinking enough water.

Continue reading "Healthy Challenge #1" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I’ve had a number of clients recently talk to me about how wonderful homeopathic medicine is. They go on to talk about the benefits of herbs, colon hydrotherapy or perhaps acupuncture. All of these treatment modalities, homeopathy included, fall under the larger umbrella of “Alternative,” “Complementary” or “Holistic” medicine. Homeopathy is a specific type of treatment, based on the philosophy that “like treats like.”

Continue reading ""Homeopathy" is not the same as "Alternative Medicine"" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tressa Kahler is offering a 50-hour Watsu training program here in Ojai.

Dates: June 26 - June 30
Location: 263 Carrizo Street, Ojai
Contact: Tressa, 646.2233 or 798.3125
Class is limited to 7 participants.

Summer seems like a great time to learn this water-based modality!

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 08:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As a professional in the alternative health field, I can tell you the importance of communication with my clients. Perhaps nowhere is this more important than in the massage studio. If you have had massage, you know there is a difference between a massage and a sensational massage. If you haven’t had massage therapy, what are you waiting for?

Continue reading "How To Talk To Your Massage Therapist" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1) Begin to understand some foods as a kind of medicine which can rebalance your body. When you find your body out of balance, certain foods can often help restore it. Foods have a subtler and slower effect than herbs, supplements or medications, but over a period of months and years they can support your immune system, build your body’s endurance, aid in ridding the body of the results of overindulgence, and support various body organs. Adjustments in diet alone may not be adequate to treat illness or disease, but the role food can play in healing should not be underestimated.

Continue reading "Five ways to support your health with food and herbs" »

Posted by Nathan Kaehler at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lots of us know that antibiotics may interfere with the "good" bacteria in our systems even as they help us get rid of infection and illness. Recent studies have shown that a particular probiotic, S. boulardii, can support our systems during a course of antibiotics. People with Giardia were more likely to be completely symptom-free at the end of treatment if they took S. boulardii at the same time.

Continue reading "Better "Good Bacteria" During Antibiotic treatment" »

Posted by Heather McKenzie at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

OjaiHealing.com is a healing blog, and companion site to OjaiHealers.com, which is a one-stop resource directory for alternative and traditional healing in Ojai and Ventura County, California.

Ojai is known as a healing community, from destinations such as the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa and The Oaks at Ojai to dozens of world-renowned healers in a dizzying array of modalities and expertise. We are bringing together a number of talented healers to share their knowledge and advice on a wide range of health and healing issues.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to bookmark us or add our feed. Best of health to you and your loved ones.

Posted by Tyler Suchman at 10:09 AM | Permalink