Endometriosis and the Integrative Approach

By Erin Lindberg /   Mar 26, 2023   

While there is no known cure for endometriosis, conventional medicine is yet to find a way to ‘treat’ endometriosis; mainly focusing on temporary symptom relief through surgery/hysterectomy, hormone therapies/birth control pills or prescription painkillers.  Each comes with their own undesirable side effects and risks, while simultaneously failing to address the root cause of the problem. 

Shared later, is a more integrative approach to managing endometriosis in lieu of succumbing to the pharmaceutical and surgical push, which includes a more holistic approach aiming to reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, alleviate pain, balance hormones and support natural detoxification through diet, lifestyle changes, supplements and therapies.  

Endometriosis Facts

• Endometriosis is estimated to affect one in ten women of...

In the quest for healing, many people are learning the meaning behind the idea of mind-body connection. Much of what has been discovered stems from ancient methodologies, medicine, and healing practices that the western world is opening up to gradually. These ancient teachings have been lost in our fast-paced society that tends to clamor for the new, shiny thing, but the practices echo what we already know; the knowledge lives in our own intuition.

The philosophy behind mind-body connection is actually very simple and it means that these two seemingly separate things are actually the same; they are interconnected, and one influences the other’s health and fortitude. What we do with our mind affects our body and vice versa. Our mind is present throughout our body. 

All of our thoughts can manifest internally and externally, meaning that our mind has a direct link and effect on our health, both mentally and physically. Does this mean if you have a negative thought,...

What is scoliosis?  How do we treat scoliosis at Integrative Therapies and Wellness?

At some point in our lives, we have likely all heard the term “scoliosis”.  Maybe you know someone who has been diagnosed with it.  Maybe you remember going through a screening clinic in middle school or junior high where a school nurse or teacher had you bend forward to look for a curve in your spine or a rib prominence on your back.  Scoliosis is often thought of as a disease of adolescence (which is typically when it is commonly diagnosed).  However, individuals of all ages can present with scoliosis.

So, what is it?  Typically, when a person thinks of scoliosis, their first thought is of the “s” curve.

In this illustration, the spine on the right is what we see one dimensionally in an individual with scoliosis.  The spine of this young woman is curved to the right.  But scoliosis is not a one-dimensional affliction.   As you...

Feeling the need to detox? You may have searched all the different methods to rid the body of toxins, but did you know that your body has its own system to eliminate toxins? 

What is the Lymphatic System? 

Your lymphatic system acts as a disposal system that works throughout your body to help flush toxins out of the body and keep blood and fluid levels in balance. The lymphatic system is a subsystem of the circulatory system, composed of lymphatic vessels, nodes, ducts, organs and tissues, responsible for ridding the body of toxins by transporting lymph throughout your body so the toxins don’t accumulate and cause disease.  Lymph is a clear fluid highly concentrated with white blood cells, responsible for helping your body fight infection and disease. When lymph doesn't move, our cells, tissues and organs can’t effectively remove waste products. 

Unlike the blood system, the lymph system has no pumping mechanism and relies on the...

What does it mean to be truly grateful and how does the practice of expressing gratitude help our health? Gratitude is perhaps a bit different for each person, depending on their personality and communication style, however, the main idea is to be expressive of thankfulness for what you have, the people in your life, and also your mind and body. 

When we can speak words of gratitude each day, whether out loud, through gifts or actions, or by writing our thoughts, we begin to ignite a powerful tool that infiltrates the world around us and our own health. 

Resonating in positivity and gratitude calms the mind and this decreases stress. When we can do this, we remove potential threats to the body, as stress increases hormone levels, including cortisol, which can then lead to health issues; this includes weight gain. 

As noted by Harvard Health (health.harvard.edu), “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater...

The pelvic floor is an area of the body that cannot be ignored; its purpose is critical to overall health and living comfortably, yet it’s often misunderstood. Because of this, factors that are outside of the more common causes of pelvic floor issues, namely pregnancy, are overlooked, and one of these is hormone dysfunction.

With its main function being to cradle the bladder, bowels, and uterus or prostate, the pelvic floor is a complex blend of ligaments and muscles. When these are taxed or stretched, problems such as incontinence, inability to empty the bowels fully, leakage of urine or bowels, feeling the frequent urge to urinate, pain during intercourse, painful periods, ovulation pain, constipation, and other unpleasant issues may ensue. These are not only uncomfortable physically, but they also affect mental health as they can spark anxiety and depression due to the stress and fear around lack of control in bodily functions. However, understanding the role that hormones...

Integrative Therapies & Wellness is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month! 

Breastfeeding comes with some incredible benefits!

Research shows that breastmilk can provide protection against certain common childhood illnesses, such as ear infections, respiratory infections, and diarrhea.  It can also help to reduce the risk of certain allergies and type II diabetes. For mom, breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin, which plays a role in bonding with your baby, as well as stimulates the uterus to contract following childbirth. Breastfeeding may also reduce the risk of breast cancer as well as ovarian cancer.  

  . . . As well as some challenges.

While the benefits of breastfeeding are numerous, breastfeeding can also come along with some challenges. Pain with latch, clogged ducts, mastitis, and low milk supply are all common but not normal when initiating a breastfeeding relationship. If you plan to breastfeed, it is helpful to have a...

Life is complex and hectic at times where we can get overwhelmed with excessive “thinking” leaving us “revved up” and lost in our “head space”. This state can leave us disconnected from ourselves and our surroundings. This is usually a sign that our nervous system is disrupted and if not addressed can lead to more complex issues. 

Why do I need to practice grounding?

It is estimated that the mind thinks between 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts per day.  Excessive thinking, especially negative or fear provoking thoughts, can trigger our sympathetic nervous system eliciting a stress response in our body.  This stress response is also known as “fight or flight”, which can leave us in survival mode for an extended period of time.  

If this becomes a habitual pattern, it can tax our adrenal glands, secreting too little or too much stress hormone, cortisol.  Over time this can cause several stress related...

Thoughts of fear and worry elicit emotions, often unexpressed, which in turn creates a physiological response in the body.  Research has proven that fear and related emotions can produce a chemical (TGF) that causes the fascia to thicken, increasing inflammation and compromising our immune system.  Fascia is the soft tissue that weaves throughout our entire body surrounding and supporting every single cell and structure in your body. The thickening of the fascia becomes solidified, like a “straight jacket” on the body and becomes a source of pain, dysfunction, and limitation, which may cause additional fear, further thickening the fascia, creating more restrictions/contraction in an attempt to protect against the unidentified threat.    

Authentic myofascial release stimulates a profound phenomenon.  It begins with “pressure electricity”. It is understood that the fascia is a crystalline structure, and when pressure is...

The Body’s Shock Absorber

After the birth of my 3rd child, via c-section, I embarked on an intense fitness endeavor in pursuit to restore my pre-pregnancy body.  Within a year I had surpassed my goals but was experiencing back pain. I was in the best shape I had ever been in my life and the lowest weight I had been in years.  I golfed with my gal pals Thursday evenings. After golfing on a Thursday, I began experiencing an odd sensation in my right hip. No pain, but a peculiar feeling. The symptoms further progressed the more active I became.

Long story short, I ruptured a disc in my lumbar region and underwent immediate surgery due to loss of function in my right lower extremity. I was terrified! Afraid I’d never return to my former level of activity and potential never get rid of the pain. During this time I was training to become a pelvic floor occupational therapist. I began learning about the importance of the pelvic floor and inner core. Which brought me...