We were fortunate to chat with Sarah Collins, expert and founder of Nature's Way Holistic Health Center located in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. Her passion for health and beauty have driven her to pursue alternative approaches to wellness that might not be well known but have powerful transformative capabilities. With a menu that includes Rubimed PSE Therapy, Halotheraphy, a Gut Health Protocal, Metabolic Balance Program, and various DNA Wellness Programs, we were intrigued. We admire her innovative approach to both traditional and new age health services, if you're curious read on for some snippets of our conversation.
Q: So much of our outer appearance is dictated from what’s going on inside of us. For those looking to boost their glow or combat recurrent acne for example, what are some of the therapies you would recommend?
A: Yes, so true! Our skin is a direct reflection of our inner health. The gut-skin axis maintains continuous bidirectional communication, which is why the skin is often a great indicator of what’s going on inside the gut microbiome - healthy gut microbiome is often mirrored as healthy, vibrant skin. This right here is what prompted me to go back to school to study nutrition, so I could help with the internal aspect along with the external aspect of skin conditions. The esthetician in me always recommends good quality products and targeted skin treatments to help with the external aspects, but that will only take you so far. An internal approach is also needed for a well-rounded treatment plan for those clients who are truly serious about making the long-term changes necessary to correct or achieve beautiful skin.
The first place I like to start with is taking a look at gut health, digestion, lifestyle choices, stress levels, and quality of sleep. However, a few of the lesser-known modalities we offer at Natures’ Way that help with skin health are Halotherapy and LED Light Therapy. Halotherapy, aka salt therapy, improves skin as microscopic salt particles touch exposed skin, it increases skin cell ion channels and activates electrophysiological activity that creates skin protection. In addition to being anti-inflammatory and killing bacteria, it releases fluid trapped in tissue. As salt penetrates the skin, it balances the Ph, and encourages skin regeneration. By its nature, salt aids in draining the lymphatic system as it thins mucus and clears pathogens detoxifying the body, this helps clear the skin from acne and blemishes as well as other skin disorders.
With LED Light Therapy different wavelengths of the visible light spectrum correspond to different colors of LED light and penetrate the skin to different depths and have different biological effects. LED blue light therapy works by killing acne-causing bacteria at the source, deep beneath the skin’s surface. Blue LED light therapy emits specific, clinically-proven wavelengths of light to trigger an all-natural effect in human tissue, killing acne-causing bacteria, decreasing inflammation, and improving skin tone, texture, and clarity from the inside out. Red LED Light Therapy emits specific wavelengths of light energy that are clinically verified to enhance your body's natural ability to generate collagen and elastin by activating the fibroblast cells, thus helping to combat the signs of aging.
Q: For some people the idea of a detox seems like a big commitment but, for the person who needs a system reboot, is a detox the best way to go? Walk us through your method and why it works.
A: Great question! A gentle detox is a great reboot for most individuals unless you have a serious medical condition or are pregnant. I highly recommended rebooting your system a few times a year with our Two-Week Online Detox Program. This program is more about cleaning up your diet and daily habits and giving your liver and digestive system a little vacation from having to work so hard.
We are constantly subject to so many toxins from the air we breathe, to the food we eat, to the electromagnetic radiation we are exposed to, and of course the constant stress we are constantly under. We approach this detox mainly through a tailored meal plan that supports your detox pathways and provides much needed nourishment to your cells. To further help the process we recommend a few key products that helps support but also detoxify unwanted pathogens from your organs and bloodstream. Throughout the duration of the program, you also have access to our online nutritionist to ask questions or go over any concerns that arise. I find because our detox takes on a gentler approach compared to others it is much easier to commit to yet still very effective.
Q: As women we’re no stranger to hormones and when they’re raging or off- balance we definitely know- how can we keep them in check? Tell us about your hormone balancing program.
A: Isn’t that the truth, and it feels like hormonal imbalances are becoming more and more common as time goes on. In fact, it is extremely rare to encounter a female client who isn’t dealing with a hormonal imbalance, which is why I have been currently upgrading my education to become a Functional Hormonal Educator. We currently offer an online program option facilitated through our Certified Nutritionist who is based out of Calgary, AB. She offers an in-depth health assessment, along with specific meal plans, recommended nutrients, and supplements to help support the body, as well as lifestyle recommendations. She is available via email or phone to check in throughout the duration of the program to help with accountability and answer any questions or concerns as they arise. Soon I will also be offering a tailored program for clients wanting an in-clinic approach, and Comprehensive Hormonal Testing will be available.
A couple generalized suggestions for anyone looking to keep hormones in check would be to minimize stress levels or look for outlets for relieving stress as much as possible, as stress is a very large underlying factor when it comes to throwing our hormones out of whack. The adrenal glands play a very large role in our overall hormonal health, and our adrenal glands act in response to stress so it is important to keep our adrenal glands healthy to keep our hormones healthy too!!
Q: We all want in-out-immediate results but, we know much of our health is based on long term maintenance. What do you advise your clients to do in order to maintain a healthy balance vs. erratic spikes.
A: We seem to live in a world where we all want instant gratification, however when it comes to our health, we definitely need to give ourselves and our bodies time to heal. The majority of my client’s health has been a result of many aspects that have built up over a span of many years, even some dating back to childhood. We need to give ourselves time and be patient while implementing new changes. Not to mention if we tried to implement too many changes at once it could be completely overwhelming and typically can be a recipe for disaster. In my experience it has been best to implement a few changes at a time, and then once those changes have become ingrained habits, add in a few more changes and so on.
By allowing these changes to become long-term habits it will set you up for long term success. Life has a way of throwing us curve balls, and from time to time we will fall off course however, when that happens, the best advice I can give is to pick yourself back up and get back on track without the need to feel guilty or beat yourself up about it. There will always be ups and downs but if you set goals, and envision your ideal picture of health, allow this to be your driving factor when times get tough. And, remind yourself of your WHY, why you are doing this and making these changes to better your health? If your why is clear enough it is usually enough to help with the ups and downs that will come and go throughout life.
