Balance Natural Health Clinic

05/18/2025

Understanding your menstrual cycle can be empowering and transformative, whether you’re aiming to conceive or simply navigating daily life.

Here’s a snapshot of each phase and how they shape your well-being 👇

Phase 1: Menstrual Phase (Day 1 to 5-7)
This is when your period occurs, and hormone levels are at their lowest. Your body is shedding the uterine lining, which can lead to lower energy levels and mood swings. It’s a time for rest and reflection.

Phase 2: Follicular Phase - End of period to Ovulation (typically around Day 14 in a 28-day cycle)
This phase sees a rise in estrogen as your ovaries get ready to release an egg. Many women experience a boost in energy and mood during this phase, making it a great time for goal-setting and social activities.

Phase 3: Ovulation - Around Day 14 (varies with cycle length)
This is the midpoint of your cycle when the mature egg is released. You might notice an increase in cervical mucus, and a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) promotes the egg’s release. This phase is often marked by heightened libido and increased confidence.

Phase 4: Luteal Phase - Post-Ovulation to the start of the next period (Days 15-28)
Progesterone takes center stage to prepare your body for a potential pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, progesterone levels drop, leading up to your next period. This phase can bring about premenstrual symptoms like mood swings, bloating, and fatigue. It’s a time to practice self-care and manage stress.

What to Do With This Info?
Tune in to your cycle and observe how each phase affects you. Notice changes in mood, energy, sleep, and digestion. Your body’s natural rhythm has profound impacts—embrace it and listen to what it’s telling you.

Your body is unique and wise. Use this knowledge to make empowered, health-focused choices that align with your cycle.

Visit Balance Natural Health Clinic to learn more about your hormones and cycle.

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05/15/2025

New online course from Dr. Nicole Shortt, ND!

Learn about your menstrual cycle and ovulation to improve your chances of conception. We will cover cervical mucous, cervical position and basal body temperature tracking.

03/12/2025

Dr. Ariel Jones, ND, is a familiar face to many.

Her main interests in medicine are creating personal, collaborative and comprehensive treatment plans with her patients through kind dialogue and informed consent.

Her areas of deep interest are in reducing the burden on the body including: toxins, pharmaceuticals and old coping strategies to make a space for new levels of health and wellbeing.

She is particularly interested in women’s health:
- Mental health
- Fertility
- Supported pregnancy and post-partum care
- Illness prevention
- Chronic viral infections including Lyme disease
- Chronic pain
- Working strategies for healthy daily living.

She also has advanced training in intravenous and regenerative injection therapies, chelation and heavy metal detoxification.

“It is my absolute honour to care for your health and the health of your family.”

- Dr. Ariel Jones, ND

02/19/2025

In our clinic, building a strong rapport with your practitioner is essential. Establishing a sense of knowing, liking, and trusting them fosters a comfortable and collaborative environment.

This connection allows for:

🍃 Personalized Approach: A deep understanding of your practitioner’s qualities ensures tailored treatments aligned with your preferences and needs.

🍃 Effective Communication: Open dialogue based on trust leads to accurate symptom descriptions and better treatment outcomes.

🍃 Holistic Care: A solid relationship enables comprehensive care, considering both physical and emotional aspects for optimal well-being.

🍃 Long-Term Wellness: By investing in a relationship, you pave the way for a sustainable self-care plan, enhancing your overall health journey.

🍃 Confidence in Treatment: Knowing, liking, and trusting your practitioner fosters confidence in their skills, boosting your commitment to wellness goals.

In essence, cultivating a strong connection with your practitioner isn’t just about the treatment; it’s about nurturing a partnership that fuels your long-term health and happiness.

If you think Faith sounds like someone you could connect with and would like to start RMT services with her, please head to our booking link and book a session with Faith!

01/21/2025

Food affects the way your body functions, and the quality of the food you consume will affect the state of your health. Foods affect each of us differently, which is why consideration to your individual dietary needs is our priority.

Our naturopathic doctors may ask you to keep a diet diary, which is the first step towards determining food sensitivities, clarifying digestive issues, or discovering any other correlation between your diet and your health. Through this exercise, we can make dietary suggestions or changes to help improve your health. Specific diets may be recommended and treatment may include nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, or enzymes to promote healing and to give you whole body health.

If this post has you thinking that this is something you would like support with, book an appointment and you will have a team to support your total wellness journey.

01/14/2025

A few rare openings coming up for midwifery care at Vernon Midwifery.

01/13/2025

Most extended health insurance plans in Canada cover naturopathic treatments.

Insured patients are encouraged to contact their employer or individual insurance brokers to determine if they are covered and/or to request that their policy be extended to include naturopathic services if it does not already do so.

Since naturopathic doctors use alternatives to costly techniques and drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to investigate expanding coverage of this cost-effective treatment method.

Naturopathic medicine is currently not fully covered by any of the provincial health plans.

However, if you are eligible for MSP Premium Assistance in British Columbia, visits with a naturopathic doctor are included in your 10 annual supplementary healthcare benefits.

The best way to find out more is to contact your extended benefit plan provider or read the coverage information provided by your employer.

Don’t let this valuable resource go to waste!

12/30/2024

Curious about natural health options in 2025?

Let’s talk about the difference between homeopathic medicine and herbal medicine!

Homeopathic Medicine👇
Is a holistic system that stimulates your body’s self-healing ability using highly diluted substances. It’s tailored to your unique symptoms, addressing physical, emotional, and mental health. Common uses include managing stress, allergies, and chronic conditions.

Herbal Medicine👇
Harnesses the natural power of plants through teas, tinctures, capsules, and extracts. These remedies provide direct, pharmacological benefits to treat specific ailments like inflammation, digestive issues, or sleep difficulties.

While both focus on natural health, their approaches and applications are unique. Choosing the right method depends on your personal wellness goals as well as your current state. 🌱

Visit Balance Natural Health Clinic in Vernon, BC for Naturopathic support and guidance.

Call to book an appointment at (250) 545-0103

12/27/2024

Menopause often comes with stigma, as we mostly hear about its challenges, leading many to dread “the change.”

However, there are numerous ways to support your body during this natural phase of life.

Dr. Nicole Shortt, a dedicated Naturopathic Doctor at Balance Natural Health Clinic in Vernon, BC, specializes in helping individuals navigate hormonal changes like perimenopause and menopause.

Since everyone’s experience is unique, Dr. Shortt offers personalized care to manage symptoms and empower you through this transition.

Book an appointment today to take charge of your health and feel supported in your wellness journey in 2025!

12/20/2024

December is bustling with to-do lists, celebrations, and endless errands. But amidst the chaos, don’t forget to care for yourself!

A relaxation massage is the perfect way to recharge, reduce stress, and bring calm to the busiest season of the year.

Plus, we’ve got you covered for those last-minute gifts! Our gift certificates make thoughtful stocking stuffers and are a great way to treat someone special.

Book your massage today or grab a gift certificate because everyone deserves a little holiday or new year relaxation!

What’s your favourite way to relax? Let us know 👇

12/18/2024

PCOS affects 1 in 10 women, yet so many go years without a proper diagnosis or effective support. The symptoms- like irregular cycles, weight changes, and fatigue - can feel overwhelming, but there is hope.

Dr. Nicole Shortt at Balance Natural Health Clinic specializes in natural, tailored care to address hormonal imbalances and support your overall health.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of PCOS or suspect you might have it, let’s work together to find answers and solutions that work specifically for you, your lifestyle and your body.

Book your appointment today and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

12/16/2024

This simple at-home remedy can do wonders for your body. From reducing inflammation to supporting digestion, it’s a must-try tool for natural wellness!

However, castor oil packs aren’t for everyone, so be sure to check out the details in this post. If you’re unsure, reach out.

Our team of Naturopathic Doctors at Balance Natural Health are here to guide you on your personal wellness journey.

Have you ever tried a castor oil pack? Let us know in the comments! 👇