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Articles by Laurie Steelsmith
What Irregular Periods Signal About Your Health
Cramps, migraines, mood swings, bloating, achy breasts—is it any wonder why many women often bemoan the onset of their periods? Hardly, particularly if you fall into the camp of women who have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), an acute form of PMS that may trigger everything from hot flashes to suicidal ideations. And yet, just as much dread can be stirred up when you miss the monthly reminder of your reproductive health. Where is your period—and what’s the why behind it?
What Causes Vaginal Dryness? A Naturopathic Doctor's Guide to Finding Relief
From ample water to luxurious lotions, there are dozens of ways to banish dryness in your life, whether it’s thirsty skin or a dehydrated mouth. Vaginal dryness is a whole different story. Not only might it be the last topic you want to broach with others, but the number of potential reasons behind it can also cause even the most physically-attuned among us to draw a blank.
Expert Tips for Success After Dry January
The original roots of Dry January may not be immediately clear—some argue that marathon runner Emily Robinson launched the cause after abstaining for a month to train, while others insist the practice dates back to Finland’s “Sober January” in the 1940s—but if you’re one of the millions of adults who have sworn off alcohol at the start of the year, you may be experiencing several of the effects of sobriety.
New Year, New Goals; 26 Micro-Changes That are Easy to Make
New Year’s resolutions may seem like a modern invention, but the practice of enhancing one’s life at the beginning of January dates back centuries: Historians indicate that ancient Romans dedicated the first month of the new year to promises, offerings and self-reflection. And yet, no matter how entrenched the tradition of goal-setting might be, you may have grown tired with the entire concept of start-of-the-year drastic changes.
Causes, Symptoms and Prevention
Forget Valentine’s Day: The winter holidays are when the real heart of people emerges. From charity toy drives and neighborhood caroling—to mistletoe under arches and meaningful presents—the benevolence of mankind is often at its richest from Thanksgiving to New Years. With the abundance of joy all around us, it’s impossible to not feel affection for our fellow humans. And yet, the heart of people (of the literal kind) is also a leading concern during the holiday season.
It’s certainly no secret that we live in an era in which even the most quotidian concepts have earned a label. Whether it’s an “everything shower” or “adulting,” “bed rotting” or “sleepmaxxing,” our feeds are deluged with fresh sayings that can confuse even the most social-media-astute among us. “Holiday back pain” might immediately seem to fall into the same category—shorthand that boasts an ear-catching, memorable zing about it. A trend, however, “holiday back pain” is not.
When minerals and spices come to mind, we may immediately think of their curative powers. Magnesium can be a boon for a rejuvenating night’s rest. Ginger feels like a windfall when nausea hits. Cinnamon offers a lofty dose of antioxidants, calcium lends itself to bone health, and turmeric has been touted for everything from cognitive enhancement to weight loss. But if there’s one common additive that may be more harmful than healing, it’s salt—and not for the reasons that might instantly surface.
What Are Menstrual Cups? A Complete Guide for Beginners
A bloated belly, a piercing migraine, a perpetual desire to bawl—premenstrual symptoms can be vexing enough, but women also have to deal with another headache: Deciding on a period product that’s both healthy for them and the environment. Enter menstrual cups. First introduced as far back as 1937, menstrual cups have recently experienced a wild resurgence.
What Is Activated Charcoal? The Truth About Detox Claims and Safety Issues
Dozens of once-secret holistic health remedies have recently gone mainstream. Ayurvedic skincare, plant-based milk, ozone therapy, homeopathy, essential oils and adaptogenic herbs—to say nothing of yoga, meditation and acupuncture—have officially left their niche neighborhoods and become as commonplace and esteemed as restorative sleep and regular exercise.
Is Sugar Addictive? The Full Story on How It Impacts Your Brain & Body
Stroll into any coffee shop and the sheer array of sweeteners—from monk fruit extract to stevia and honey—demonstrates the country’s collective concern surrounding sugar.
A Guide to Menopause Relief
When it comes to menopause, estrogen unequivocally takes center stage. For a good cause, too. The sex hormone, which we often unwittingly depend on for everything from high productivity to a luminous complexion, goes haywire during perimenopause, or the years preceding your period’s grand finale. With its decline comes a host of woes, including abnormal vaginal bleeding, bloating, brain fog and fatigue—to name merely four out of the 30+ menopause symptoms that have been identified thus far.
7 Menopause Myths Keeping You From Wellness. Here's Why.
Myths surrounding women’s health abound. Have a urinary tract infection? Cranberry juice will cure it. Eyeing oral contraceptives? Be prepared to see a higher number on the scale. From the belief that osteoporosis is an issue you don’t have to concern yourself with until your 60s to the notion that men are more prone to heart disease than women, it’s all too simple to lead a life that may run counter to what’s best for your wellness. Add menopause to the mix.
What to Avoid, What to Eat for Relief
Menopause has gone from a subject shrouded in secrecy to one of the hottest topics of the 2020s. Halle Berry has candidly discussed her misdiagnosis and experiences. Oprah Winfrey dedicated hours to the topic and paved the way for a no-holds-barred ethos. #menopause videos have received more than a billion views on TikTok.
Unraveling the Causes and Finding Relief
Clarity, confidence, an end to those paralyzing period headaches—it’s safe to say that the upside of menopause is a cause for celebration. If you’re like most women the world over, though, the positive aspects of menopause are often eclipsed by its dark underbelly. Even if you’re decades away from going through “the change,” you may be overwhelmed by tales of unrelenting hot flashes, stick-to-the-sheets night sweats, and mood swings so severe they evoke your adolescence.
How to Boost Serotonin Naturally: 8 Feel-Good Fixes for Lasting Serenity
“Serotonin” has gone from a term rarely repeated outside of mental health circles to one of the biggest catchwords of the ‘20s. Hilarious memes are made about it daily. Its hashtag has garnered more than 2.3 billion views on TikTok. People drop it into conversations as often as stress, anxiety and dopamine. Frequently touted as the “happy hormone,” serotonin has been praised as one of the keys to wellness, while a lack of it has been condemned for a whole litany of life’s disturbances.
What is Bigorexia? When Fitness Becomes a Fixation
There’s certainly no issue with striving to look and feel your best, whether that’s through optimizing your skincare routine or dedicating time and energy to remaining fit.
What is Adrenal Fatigue? Understanding the Causes, Symptoms & Solutions
It’s hardly a secret that the very word stress has become synonymous with a litany of problems, from accelerated biological aging to difficulty concentrating. And while a certain amount of stress is actually beneficial for you—it boosts brain function and contributes to greater resilience and strength—chronic, unmanaged stress may lead what’s known as “adrenal fatigue,” an issue that has its own subset of complications. Sound familiar?
4 Key Strategies for Stability
As women, we innately know when our hormones are in harmony. We feel radiant, confident and energetic. Tasks, whether it’s a difficult conversation with a loved one or a seemingly-unmanageable workload, can feel like a breeze, while our emotions feel steady—even downright bright and buoyant. Thank estrogen for this high. The sex hormone has an enormous influence on everything from the luster of your hair to the strength of your libido.
Efficacy, Benefits & More
Body sprays. Hair sprays. Cleaning sprays, nasal sprays, sunscreen sprays, rejuvenating facial sprays—even pharmaceutical sprays. It’s hardly a secret that we’re well-acquainted with the world of aerosols and the convenience and ease of use they offer. But there’s one contemporary spray that’s particularly making waves these days: Vitamin sprays. From vitamin C to vitamin D, many of the nutrients we require to thrive are increasingly found not in tablets or pills but in sprays you can use on the fly.
What is Reiki? A Beginner's Guide to Energy Healing
From digital detoxes to dopamine fasts, wellness trends can occasionally feel like nothing more than passing fads. And yet, if there’s one craze that’s proved to have staying power, it’s reiki—a Japanese form of energy healing that’s presently used by more than 1.2 million adults in the United States. Celebrities ranging from Gwyneth Paltrow to Cameron Diaz tout its advantages, while older research reveals that more than 800 hospitals in the country offer reiki as a complementary therapy.
Enhancing Your Immune System
For more than a year and a half, there has been an unprecedented amount of talk about the immune system—in the press, with our health-care providers and even among family and friends. But other than a vague notion that our bodies have a goal of keeping us healthy, the immune system remains largely a mystery for many of us.
Finding Hormone Harmony During Perimenopause—And Beyond | Bottom Line Inc
Plenty of ink is devoted to the topic of menopause but many women are only vaguely acquainted with what precedes it: Perimenopause. That’s the eight to 10 years before a woman reaches menopause itself, which is classically defined as going a full year without a period. And yet, educating yourself about perimenopause is the first step towards navigating this era with ease—and even pleasure.
What’s Really Causing Your Muscle Pain—Sarah Hiner talks to Laurie Steelsmith, ND, LAc | Bottom Line Inc
Tired of suffering from muscle or joint pain that just won’t go away? Scientists have recently discovered that fascia—the connective tissue that holds all of our muscles in place—actually is an extremely sophisticated communication network that has a huge impact on chronic pain. The good news is that properly caring for your fascia can help you live pain-free.
Why I Chose to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
As a naturopathic doctor who prizes a holistic, natural approach to health, it may seem surprising to some of you that I’ve chosen to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is understandable, to be sure, but after giving the vaccine a tremendous amount of thought—and conducting an enormous amount of research—I felt it was the best decision I could make for my family, friends, patients and community.
The Resolution You’ll Benefit from for Years: Detox Your Relationships
The New Year is fast approaching, which means a fresh start for us all. And while standard New Year’s resolutions—from toning up to eating clean—are often wise, there’s one personal pledge that often goes overlooked: Removing ourselves from relationships that bring us more worry and pain than solace and joy.
Healthier Holiday Baking: Try These Sugar Alternatives
The holidays are upon us and while they may be radically different in our COVID era, one thing is bound to stay the same: We’ll be spending a great deal of time in the kitchen, perhaps more than ever. And with #quarantinebaking going down as one of the most popular ways people have dealt with the stress of 2020, we’ll likely be pulling out our favorite recipes for everything from pie to pudding.
Mystery Solved: Joint and Soft Tissue Pain Caused by Diet and Mold
The patient: “Cheryl,” a 36-year-old massage therapist. Why she came to see me: Cheryl arrived at my office with soft tissue and joint pain that had surfaced—and worsened—within the last 10 months. On the morning she came in to see me, she said her pain was a six out of 10, but that it often escalated to nine. Indeed, the pain had gotten so bad that it had restricted her from using her hands for anything but the most vital tasks, such as brushing her teeth, preparing food and driving.
Finding Natural Relief for SIBO
The patient: “Clara,” a 39-year-old mother of two. Why she came to see me: Clara came into my office complaining of intestinal distress, primarily in the form of excessive gas production and alternating constipation and diarrhea. How I evaluated her: Clara and I began our work together by covering her personal and medical history. “Hardly a fanatic” about her health, as she put it, she nonetheless strived to take care of herself by refraining from alcohol and taking Spin classes four times a week.
When Menopause Causes Arthritis…How to Ease the Pain and Get Back to Life
The patient: “Serena,” a 49-year-old marketing manager. Why she came to see me: Serena came to my health center because of joint pain. Her knees and hips often ached when she woke up, but it was her hands and fingers that were troubling her the most. What started as occasional discomfort in her hand joints progressed to the point that she found daily tasks such as typing, cooking, and carrying bags of groceries painful.
Excellent Health Benefits of Chamomile
Mother Earth doesn’t just supply us with the air we breathe and the stunning settings we see. The plants she produces provide us with heaps of health benefits, from turmeric’s brain-boosting properties to echinacea’s immunity-enhancing qualities. Chamomile doesn’t just fall under this category of healing plants. The herb epitomizes it.
To Live Pain-Free, Take Care of Your Fascia: Here’s How
Take a yoga class and chances are you’ll hear your instructor mention the word fascia…in fact, you’re likely hearing it everywhere, from “myofascial treatments” at your favorite spa to celebrities touting the benefits of cupping. But what is fascia—and what role does it play in your physical health? Fascia refers to your internal webbing.
Repairing Your body After Coronavirus — Sarah Hiner Talks to Dr. Laurie Steelsmith | Bottom Line Inc
Once you have fought COVID-19 and healed from it, your body still needs TLC. Individual organs and systems have been attacked, and like any other sickness, your defenses have been worn down and need to be rebuilt. In this edition of the Bottom Line Advocator Podcast with Sarah Hiner, leading naturopathic physician, Dr. Laurie Steelsmith shares with Bottom Line President Sarah Hiner how she is helping her patients regain strength and vitality post-COVID-19.
After a COVID-19 Infection: Healing Your Brain and Body
Chances are, your health, along with the wellness of your loved ones, has been on the forefront of your mind for the last three months—and that may be putting it mildly. How could it not? The pandemic that’s swept the globe has, as of writing this, infected 5.29 million people and taken 341,000 lives, placing the strength of our bodies to withstand such a rampant illness above everything else. For a good reason, too: The “novel” coronavirus is truly novel.
To Protect Against COVID-19: Strengthen Your Gut Microbiome
At the time of writing this, COVID-19 has swept the globe, infecting over 3.25 million people worldwide and killing over 231,000. While we’ve done plenty to mitigate our risk of infection—from practicing social distancing to perfecting personal hygiene to focusing on immune health—one factor may be overlooked by many: Bolstering the health of our gut microbiome to avoid an inflammatory storm.
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How I’m Assisting My COVID-19 Patients with Natural Medicine
When news of the coronavirus made it to the States in December 2019, I felt concerned, to be sure, but far from panicked. I live in one of the remotest archipelagos in the world and early reports suggested that it was being closely monitored and contained. Since then, the world as we know it has been turned upside down. Now, COVID-19 isn’t the province of an unfortunate few but a daunting possibility many of us are either directly experiencing or may face.
Sound Heals! The Right Playlist to Boost Your Mood
Whether you’re a millennial or middle-aged, chances are you’ve heard about sound healing—the idea that sound can encourage everything from sharpened awareness to a calmer mood. The science is there to prove it, too: A 2016 study demonstrated that singing bowl meditations aided in a host of bodily improvements, from lowered blood pressure to bolstered immune strength and enhanced circulation.
Dr. Laurie Steelsmith
Laurie Steelsmith Laurie Steelsmith, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, certified Iyengar yoga teacher and passionate spokesperson for educating and empowering women to transform their lives with better health through natural medicines and practices that work with, rather than against, the body’s own healing processes.
Natural Healing Secrets for Women
Laurie Steelsmith Laurie Steelsmith, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, certified Iyengar yoga teacher and passionate spokesperson for educating and empowering women to transform their lives with better health through natural medicines and practices that work with, rather than against, the body’s own healing processes.
The Pros and Cons of Chiropractic Care
While I’ve long lived by the philosophy that our bodies are more than capable of healing themselves, I recently experienced a subluxation in my lower spine that left me pursuing outside measures. The Prolozone treatments I underwent were helping, but, I’ll admit, I was growing impatient. I wanted my life back—and fast—and so I booked a chiropractic session for the lumbar (L4) adjustment I knew I needed.
Yoga as a Catalyst for Change...for Healing, for Happiness
Yoga has gone from a niche enterprise practiced by a select few to a multi-billion industry. Tens of millions Americans engage in the 5,000-year-old practice. And while most of us are well-aware of the benefits yoga promises—including increased flexibility, mental clarity, and improved muscle tone—it’s all too easy to brush it off as another fitness craze.
7 Immune-Boosting Tricks to Stay Healthier This Winter
“The north wind doth blow, and we shall have snow…” and a runny nose, stuffy head, sore throat, achy muscles, and fever, too! With the new coronavirus that originated in China now reaching the US and the CDC reporting that millions of Americans have been sickened by influenza, you may feel more like hiding in bed with a box of tissues than frolicking in the snow.
Solving the Puzzle of Sudden-Onset Depression
The patient: “Maile,” a 35-year-old hotel concierge. Why she came to see me: I had met Maile years before when she accompanied her mother to my health center, but the woman who walked into my office was hardly recognizable as the same person. Gone were the stylish clothes, the bright smile, and the engaged, curious demeanor; in their place stood a disheveled, rather gaunt woman who had trouble meeting my eyes.
Game-Changing Pain Relief with Oxygen (Ozone) Therapy
Oxygen earned the moniker “breath of life” for a reason: The air we breathe gives us existence. First used in the medical field in 1810, its ability to facilitate health is making a resurgence, primarily in the form of oxygen therapies. As a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist with 26 years of experience under my belt and with a sub-specialty in sports medicine, I’ve seen countless patients arrive at my center with both acute and chronic pain.
The Secret Ingredient That Causes Digestive Distress
The patient: “Patrice,” a 55-year-old massage therapist. Why she came to see me: Patrice appeared to be the epitome of health when she stepped into my office for the first time. Radiant and fit, it was clear she treated herself with tremendous care. Right off the bat, however, she told me that she’d spent the last month battling digestive distress that had ranged from mild to severe.
Natural Relief (At Last!) for Painful Period Cramps
The patient: Jessica, a 35-year-old graduate student and part-time waitress. Why she came to see me: Jessica walked into my office with a grimace I’m all too familiar with. For the past several months, she’d been struck with menstrual cramps so severe they were wreaking havoc on her life.
The Root Cause of Heart Palpitations, Anger, Weight Gain, More
The patient: “Lily,” a 41-year-old small business owner and mother of two. Why she came to see me: Lily arrived at my office complaining of intermittent heart palpitations—a racing sensation, or “fluttering,” as she put it, that came on suddenly and persisted off and on for roughly seven to 10 days per month. Two weeks earlier, the palpitations had felt especially peculiar and, at her husband’s insistence, she’d gone to the ER.
IV Nutrient Therapy for Asthma and Allergy Relief
The patient: “Stephanie,” a 40-year-old nurse and avid cyclist. Why she came to see me: Stephanie was clearly keyed up when she walked into my office for the first time. While originally from Hawaii—where my natural health center is based—she’d spent the last decade working at a hospital in Portland, Oregon. Shortly after returning to Oahu a year earlier, her body, as she put it, “went haywire.” High stress was overwhelming her from morning to night.
PRP Magic: Look Younger, Feel Younger with Platelet Rich Plasma
Blood may not be the sexiest topic but your own blood may be the secret to health and vitality. Sound bizarre? Think again. Here in the realm of naturopathic medicine, we live by the tenet that our bodies are built to heal themselves. Proof of this emerges in myriad ways, from scabs that eventually form fresh skin to an (albeit exasperating) itch—a sure sign that blood is moving towards a wound in the name of healing.
Overcoming Insomnia Naturally
The patient: “Olivia,” a 43-year old art gallery owner. Why she came to see me: After consulting with a series of doctors about her persistent inability to sleep, Olivia arrived at my office bleary-eyed, exhausted—and determined to conquer her insomnia naturally. How I evaluated her: My work with Olivia started with a comprehensive evaluation of not only the state of her body but also of her mind and emotions. On the whole, Olivia claimed she felt well most of the time.
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