Root and Branch: Optimizing your health with Functional Medicine. A conversation with Dr Breana McElgunn
Release Date: 07/05/2023
Episode 21 – Understanding Perimenopause, Part 3. Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Pillars of Health
Guide to Wellness
Feeling Out of Sync? There’s a Path to Relief If you’re noticing more mood swings, fatigue, or night sweats and wondering if it’s perimenopause, you’re in the right place. This journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and insights, you can bring balance back into your life naturally. In this episode, Susannah Freeman, founder of Guide to Wellness, brings a compassionate and practical approach, blending Functional Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address perimenopause symptoms. She highlights how the Five Pillars of Health—Digestion &...
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Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause, Pt 2 Postmenopause
Guide to Wellness
In this second episode of this series, Dr. Breana McElgunn and Susannah Freeman delve into the complexities of menopause and postmenopause offering insights and practical advice for managing these natural transitions. They explore life after Menopause. Which is for many women almost half of their lifespan. Many women live almost half their life postmenopause. We break down what to expect and how to tell if something you are noticing is a sign of a problem or a natural adjustment of your body. Aging with grace is not always easy in a culture that focused so much on youth but Dr. B and Susannah...
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Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause, Pt 1. Perimenopause.
Guide to Wellness
In part one, Dr. Breana McElgunn and Susannah Freeman delve into the complexities of perimenopause and menopause, offering insights and practical advice for managing these natural transitions. They emphasize that menopausal changes can begin as early as 35 and extend into the late 50s, a span of up to 20 years. This broad range can lead to confusing symptoms that overlap with other life stressors or dietary issues. Dr. B and Susannah address cultural concerns, noting how women are often misunderstood or stigmatized during this phase. They reassure listeners that these changes are normal and...
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Everything you want to know about acupuncture, and might have been afraid to ask.
Guide to Wellness
Join host Susannah Freeman, Clinic Director at Great Turning Healing Center, and Acupuncturist Jack Schwem as they explore the ancient practice of acupuncture. This episode delves into the history, practice, and benefits of acupuncture, tracing its origins from ancient China to its modern integration into global medical practices through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Discover acupuncture’s 3000-year history, from its beginnings in ancient China to its evolution and worldwide acceptance. Learn about the adaptation of acupuncture tools and techniques, including needles,...
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The Fast Track to Fasting Like a Pro: How, Why, and Why Not?
Guide to Wellness
Susannah Freeman, Clinic Director at Great Turning Healing Center, teams up with acupuncturist Jack Schwem to unravel the complex world of fasting and time-restricted eating. Whether you're curious about the benefits of skipping meals or how to safely incorporate fasting into your routine, this episode is packed with insights. Jack shares his personal journey with fasting, starting as a high school student inspired by the life of Buddha, and explores the different types of fasting, including intermittent fasting. Together, they highlight the potential benefits, such as enhanced cognitive...
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Clearing the Path to Wellness: The When, How and Why of Cleansing
Guide to Wellness
In this episode, host Susannah Freeman, L.Ac., and guest Dawn Schwem, Health Coach, delve into the rejuvenating world of spring cleansing. As nature blooms anew, it's the perfect time to align our bodies and minds with the season of renewal. Susannah brings her expertise in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as Functional Nutrition, to explain how seasonal changes affect our body's internal function and how specific cleansing practices can help us harmonize with these natural rhythms. Dawn, with her extensive background in holistic health coaching, shares...
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The Science of Serenity: Exploring Voo and the Vagus Nerve with Marianne Amsden
Guide to Wellness
In this episode of the Guide to Wellness Podcast, we delve into the fascinating realm of the vagus nerve and how we can harness the power of breath, vibration, and body awareness to regulate it. Susannah Freeman is joined by Marianne Amsdon, a licensed mental health counselor and somatic experiencing practitioner. Marianne shares insights into the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, as well as survival responses like fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Through guided exercises, including the use of the "Voo" sound, listeners learn practical techniques to release...
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It’s on its way, are you ready for it? Winter into Spring: Use the Seasons to Amplify Your Success
Guide to Wellness
Get ready because change is coming! Winter's fading away, and spring is peeking around the corner. Let's talk about how you can use the seasons to boost your success. As you listen, please have in mind your health goals and apply these tools as we go! In this lively podcast episode, Susannah Freeman, L.Ac., the host, teams up with Health Coach Dawn Schwem to dive deep into how the seasons impact our well-being. Using the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese medicine as our roadmap, we'll explore how Spring can shake things up for the better. Learn about the Lunar Year of the Green...
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Creating Change the Simple Way
Guide to Wellness
In this episode, Susannah is joined by Bobby Ibarra, a Structural Integration practitioner, to discuss creating change in a simple way and embodying that change for a healthier, more joyful life. They delve into the discomfort of adapting new habits and emphasize the importance of celebrating small wins. The conversation touches on the three stages of reaching health goals and the role of awareness in disrupting old patterns. While the topic may seem lackluster, Susannah and Bobby believe that finding passion in life comes through embracing the mundane. Join them on a journey to simplify...
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Choose Your Words, Change Your Life:
Guide to Wellness
Resources and Show Notes: by Dr. Lori Barr : Get the free download "The Catalyst Prescription" here Be one of the first 10 people to call and receive a free copy of the Journal to accompany Think and Grow Well when you schedule a Functional Nutrition Consultation. Contact or schedule with us here: Great Turning Healing Center 406-599-0088 , Join us as Susannah Freeman, LAc, and Lori Barr, MD venture into the world of language, thought, and action. Dr. Barr shares insights into her journey and introduces essential tools for effective communication. Susannah and Lori present advanced...
info_outlineWelcome to the Guide To Wellness Podcast. Each episode we discuss topics that simplify Traditional Oriental Medicine and Functional Medicine to support your healthy life. In this episode, Susannah sits down with Dr. Breana McElgunn, a stellar naturopathic physician with a wealth of knowledge about the intricacies of hormones, the gut and health in general. In this episode we chat about how we help people regain optimal health. Most important thing to know? It’s a partnership between you and your medical team. For more details, please read further...
https://www.greatturninghealing.com/
Functional Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of illness rather than simply treating symptoms. It seeks to optimize health and well-being by considering the unique lifestyle, dietary environmental, and genetic factors that influence an individual's health.
Dr. Breana and Susannah can guide you through some key principles and practices of Functional Medicine to help optimize your health:
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Personalized Approach: Functional Medicine recognizes that each person is biochemically unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It emphasizes individualized care by considering a person's genetics, lifestyle, environment, and personal health history.
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Root Cause Analysis: Rather than just addressing symptoms, Functional Medicine aims to uncover and address the underlying causes of illness. This may involve investigating imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal issues, gut health, toxicity, or chronic inflammation.
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Comprehensive Assessment: Functional Medicine practitioners conduct in-depth evaluations to gather information about your health history, lifestyle, diet, stress levels, sleep patterns, and environmental exposures. They may also use advanced laboratory tests to identify potential imbalances or dysfunctions.
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Diet and Nutrition: Food is a powerful tool for optimizing health. Dr. Breana and Susannah can provide guidance on personalized nutrition plans based on your specific needs and goals. They may recommend an anti-inflammatory diet, elimination of food sensitivities, or targeted supplementation to address nutrient deficiencies.
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Lifestyle Modifications: Functional Medicine recognizes the impact of lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep, exercise, and social connections on overall health. Dr. Breana and Susannah can help you develop strategies to manage stress, improve sleep quality, establish an exercise routine, and foster supportive relationships.
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Gut Health Optimization: The gut plays a crucial role in overall health. Functional Medicine practitioners focus on optimizing digestive function, identifying and addressing imbalances in gut bacteria (dysbiosis), and healing the gut lining. They may recommend specific probiotics, herbs, supplements, and dietary interventions to support gut health. This may extend to brain health in positive ways.
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Detoxification: Environmental toxins can accumulate in the body and contribute to various health problems. Functional Medicine emphasizes supporting the body's natural detoxification pathways through targeted interventions, such as supporting liver function, hormone balance, and elimination. This includes guidance on having a clean diet and reducing exposure to toxins.
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Mind-Body Connection: Functional Medicine recognizes the importance of the mind-body connection in overall health. Dr. Breana and Susannah can guide you in incorporating stress reduction techniques, mindfulness practices, and other modalities to enhance your mental well-being.
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Integrative Therapies: Functional Medicine integrates complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine and mind-body practices into treatment plans. These therapies support your body's natural healing processes, improve patient outcomes, and wellbeing.
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Continual Monitoring and Adaptation: Functional Medicine is a dynamic and evolving approach. Dr. Breana and Susannah will work with you to continually monitor your progress, make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan, and empower you to take an active role in your own health optimization.
It's important to note that while Dr. Breana and Susannah can provide valuable information about Functional Medicine, this podcast is not meant to provide individualized medical care. To fully explore and implement Functional Medicine principles, it is recommended you seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals specializing in this field. You are welcome to contact either Dr Breana McElgunn, ND or Susannah Freeman, LAc for more information on working with us.
https://www.greatturninghealing.com/