Getting Well.
Your state of health will be assessed during each visit, and an appropriate treatment will be provided based on your body’s feedback. As building a house requires many tools—a hammer, nails, measuring tape, screw drivers, etc.—your body may also require a few tools to get it on track to optimal health and wellness. Since beginning practice in 1994, Ryan has studied and integrated many methods of healing—all of which he draws upon to evaluate the best approach for you in each of your sessions.
Although each treatment session usually involves an integration of methods, each method can also be used as a standalone treatment. Below is a brief description of the different approaches and how they benefit you. Look for the helpful hints in each category.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine that was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann over 200 years ago. Its basic principle is that the body is a self healing organism that is capable of correcting the disease process naturally. Homeopathy utilizes medicines known as homeopathic remedies, or simply “remedies”, which are made mostly from the plant and mineral kingdoms. Homeopathic remedies stimulate the body to heal. Although different, this could be compared to the mechanism through which vaccines are given to stimulate the immune system. High potency homeopathic remedies are often given once in a single dose to stimulate the healing response. The body then does the rest of the work.
Examples of homeopathic remedies are Calcarea Carbonicum (oyster shell), Pulsatilla (flower) and Phosphorus (elemental).
(Ryan attained a diploma in homeopathy from the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy after 4 years of study. He has also completed the 2 year Homeopathic Master Clinician Course. Other post-graduate studies have taken him to India and throughout North America.)
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Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine has a history of use in all cultures from across the globe. Chinese herbal medicine is the most evolved having a complete system of diagnosis and treatment. Ayruvedic medicine (from India) and Western herbal medicine also have a thorough history of use. Together these systems provide many options for assessing and treating health imbalances. Traditional Chinese medicine uses the concepts of Yin and Yang to assess your state of health and prescribe an herbal formula. Each organ can be assessed and patterns of imbalance determined. Diet and lifestyle changes are often recommended. Herbal formulas are usually taken in tablet (or capsule) and/or in tincture (alcohol extract) form. Herbs have an excellent record of safety and considerations are taken if a person is on prescription medication.
(Ryan studied Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbal medicine for two years with The East/West School of Planetary Herbology. He finds herbal medicine to be an excellent adjunctive therapy to his treatments.)
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Energy Medicine
Chi, prana, vital force, or energy—these are all terms used in holistic medicine that refer to the life force that animates and supports the physical body and guides its physiological functions. This vital life energy provides the blueprint for the physical body and can be influenced and altered to improve your health and wellbeing.
The concept of energy in healing is commonplace in India, Tibet, and China where practices like acupuncture, tai chi, qi gong, and other energetic therapies have been used for thousands of years. In the West, energy medicine is steadily gaining appreciation and scientific acceptance.
Blockages to the free flow of energy in the body can be seen as car accidents on the highway—they slow down traffic (energy) or stop it completely. Unchecked, these blockages lead to the degradation of the human body, emotional stress as well as increased susceptibility to disease. Energy balancing techniques assist your body in releasing the blocked energy that is contributing to your illness, pain or symptoms. This may be done by holding specific points on the body, using tapping techniques, visualization, or breathing techniques.
(Ryan has studied various forms of energy medicine—Energy Grounding, Body Harmonization™, Biokinetics™, The Yuen Method™, and Touch for Health Kinesiology™. Energy assessment and balancing has become the cornerstone for all his treatments.)
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Osteopathy—for Pain Relief and Whole Body Health
The body often holds specific physical tensions or imbalances which require releasing in order to facilitate the healing process. This is especially true for cases of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction such as back pain. Osteopathic manipulation such as Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, and Mechanical Link may be used to release restrictions from the bones, joints, muscles, organs, arteries, and other connective tissues of your body. The techniques are gentle yet very effective, especially for cases of back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, etc. They are also capable of improving the health of other systems in the body such as the immune, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and hormonal systems.
(Ryan has extensively studied the Mechanical Link system of osteopathy, having completed all levels at least once. He finds this method to be extremely fast, thorough, and effective at releasing disruptive tension patterns from the tissues in the body. Along with energy balancing this method is a core approach to treating most structural problems.)
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Bowen Therapy
The Bowen Technique is also very effective in correcting biomechanics and relieving pain. It is also beneficial in treating asthma, digestive complaints, and other disorders. Bowen is a gentle hands-on technique which releases tension from the body and balances energy. Both Bowen Therapy and osteopathic techniques work on the fascia in the body. Fascia is the web of connective tissue that connects every part of the body to every other part. It is one reason why treating a tight artery on the bottom of your foot can actually release tension from your neck. Everything is connected.
(Ryan was first introduced to The Bowen Technique in 1995 when he sought treatment for low back pain. After one Bowen treatment, his pain instantly disappeared. Within a few months Ryan was in California studying the method. Since then, it has helped transform his practice and provide solutions for many common health problems.)
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Postural Exercise Programs
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In cases of musculoskeletal dysfunction (back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, etc.) postural weaknesses may need to be addressed directly. Using the MBFD® system of postural realignment, a program of exercises is usually recommended. These programs are excellent for relieving pain, developing strength and flexibility, and improving posture. |
(Ryan began studying the MBFD® system of postural correction in 1995 and studied personally with its founder Geoff Gluckman, MSc over a number of years, jointly treating some of the most complex chronic pain patients. Integrating postural exercise programs into Ryan’s practice provides solution for many people with chronic pain conditions.)
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Other Services Offered In Our Clinic
Dr. Kira Frketich, ND is a naturopathic doctor in our clinic. She offers a full scope of naturopathic medicine services as well as food sensitivity testing, acupuncture, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Auricular Therapy.
