I’m so glad you found me!
I’m Abby and I am the owner of Sanctuary… a practice focused on healing, balance, and general well-being. I offer massage therapy, aromatherapy, and birth support services (birth doula and placenta encapsulation).
While I specialize in working with expecting and new families, I welcome every family to my practice too. From newborns to ninety, if you would like to experience natural healing through the power of touch, I welcome you!
I don’t know about you guys, but Spring hits me pretty hard. I never used to have allergies until I lived on a garden campus during college – and now as an adult the joy of Spring is a bit clouded by itchy eyes and way too much sneezing.
If you know me, you know I’m hesitant to take too many medications, so I’m always looking for alternate ways to manage things like allergies. In my quest for my OWN solutions, I’ve found a lot of fabulous suggestions that just plain old make sense. So let’s talk about a few of them.
1. Check the filter on your furnace. Are you changing it often enough? You’ve been running your heat all winter long, so by this time if you haven’t changed it, its likely good and filthy. Get that filter changed! Especially when you’re running your heat/ac its particularly helpful in eliminating some of those environmental factors like pollen and pet dander. Need some guidelines on managing your HVAC? Check HERE for more info.
2. Open doors and windows bring allergens in on the breeze. Everyone loves a home with open windows and fresh air, but it might just be the very thing making you miserable. Leave those things outside when you can. Close windows and doors. Leave shoes outside.
3. Vacuum your mattress, wash your bedding regularly and shower before bed. Freshening up can reduce allergens in your bed so you don’t sleep in them. Don’t forget to wash your hair in particular. Its closest to your face and is the perfect place for pesky pollen to hang out.
4. Once you’ve got that HVAC system all clean and shiny – RUN it. Environmental factors from outdoors creep into your house a number of ways. If you don’t want to run the heat/ac you don’t have to – just run the fan so that the inside air is being pulled through the filter. Don’t forget to put reminders on your calendar to CHANGE that filter regularly. Check out this great article from Discovery Fit and Health for more details.
5. You’ve heard me talk about them before probably, but the neti pot really can be your best friend. Your body’s first defense against airborne pathogens is your nose! Rinsing your sinuses daily will help to flush those things from your system rather than leaving them sitting there and waiting for the mucus to expel them. Never tried a neti pot? Here is my favorite - its actually a positive pressure squeeze bottle instead of a gravity driven rinse.
6. Vaccuum! Vaccuum again. And vaccuum one more time. Don’t dust things, suck them into your hoover unapologetically… preferrably one with a HEPA filter.
Sounds simple enough, right? Its nothing earth shattering or requiring major lifestyle changes, but you might find that these simple steps make a big difference in how you feel when all things sneezy are blooming and making you miserable.
Here’s to waking up free from crusty eyes and the constant companionship of a huge box of kleenex!
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Its that time of year. You’re hearing a ton about the flu shot again. How do you know if you should or shouldn’t get it? If you know me, you know I highly advocate educating yourself and making the best decision for your family.
The CDC has released their statements on the 2011-12 flu season here. Want to know specifically how they claim the vaccine works and its effectiveness? They provide that information here.
There’s a LOT of conversation about whether or not the flu vaccine actually works. Natural News reports: “A research team conducted an extensive investigation of studies based on previous vaccine trials. Although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are usually considered the true “gold standard” of medical research, out of 75 studies found there was only one recent RCT that had outcomes based on real flu vaccine given to real human beings.” (full article here)
So where does the widespread use of the flu shot come from? Why do we all take it? Some medical journals have been calling for comprehensive and unbiased studies on effectiveness for years. Witness an article posted in 2006 by Medical News Today. I’d urge you to make sure that any of the trials/studies that you are consulting aren’t funded by the pharmaceutical companies who benefit from the use of the shot.
If you do decide that the vaccine is the way to go, make sure you know what the ingredients are. You can see the package inserts that typically come with a medication here. Take note of the vaccinations that use formaldehyde and mercury. The suspending agents for the virus can be just as disabling as the virus itself.
If you decide to get he flu shot, do you need help deciding which one to get? Check out this article by Dr. Bob Sears.
If you decide against it, stock up ahead of time on remedies so that you can battle the effects of the flu sooner than later. Some of my favorites include osillococcinum, a hot bath with some epsom salts, and doTERRA’s peppermint essential oil.
Trying to prevent getting it? Dr. Mercola has some FABULOUS recommendations in this article.
My best recommendations in addition to his? Make sure you’re washing your hands well. A good hand washing should include soapy suds for at least 30 seconds with warm water – ideally with a REGULAR soap – NOT an anti-bacterial soap. Increase the amount of cinnamon in your diet – and your environment. Cinnamon is caustic to bacteria and viruses. Diffuse doTERRA’s clove or cinnamon oil if you like it straight – or OnGuard if you like a nice blend. Trader Joe’s sells some really great cinnamon brooms for less than $5 a piece. (They make great gifts!)
While I personally will not be getting a flu shot this year (or likely ever), it is a very personal choice and there are any number of reasons people have for getting or not getting the vaccination. Informed consent is the most important factor. Ultimately, make sure that you give your body the tools you need in order to have a happy and healthy flu season.
Wishing you a flu free season…
Get the benefit of health and wellness with a monthly Massage VIP Membership to Sanctuary! No annual contract, no administrative fees, no gimmicks!
Sanctuary is offering clients the opportunity to purchase a membership – and the more often you visit, the more you save!
Here’s how it works:
Pick your massage (Relaxation, Therapeutic, or Pregnancy).
Pick how often you’d like to come (discounts start with 2 monthly visits)
Pay your membership fee on the 16th of every month (autopay with credit card available!)
That’s it! Hurry – Space is limited!
Check here for more details or call Abby at 619-387-8350
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with World of Wellness Chiropractic to keep you healthy in Central and East County. With a second office in El Cajon, I can now reach more of you with a convenient location just off of Highway 8 at Main
Street.
If you’re coming into the office for the first time, please say hello to Melissa and Rachel on your way in. If you’re already a part of the WoW family, I’m thrilled to meet you and would love to be a compliment to the care that Dr. Gina is providing.
Please note that moving forward, I will be in El Cajon on Monday and Wednesday. I will be in Rancho Bernardo on Tuesday and Thursday. Fridays will alternate between the two locations.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of you now that I’m that much easier to find!
