VIVE Integrative Health Group

Have you heard about EMSELLA at Vive Health Group? 🍃

Earlier this year, we introduced EMSELLA to our clinic: an innovative, non-invasive technology designed to support pelvic-floor health and help address urinary incontinence. 🙏

Urinary leakage can happen when you sneeze, laugh, exercise, or simply go about your day. And while it’s common, that doesn’t mean you have to accept it as something you just have to live with. Pads can help manage leaks, but they don’t strengthen the underlying pelvic-floor muscles. Pelvic-floor muscle training can be beneficial, but it requires consistent participation and proper technique. 💭

EMSELLA offers another approach. Using electromagnetic energy, EMSELLA stimulates thousands of pelvic-floor muscle contractions in a single session, all while you remain fully clothed. One 28-minute session delivers approximately 11,000 pelvic-floor contractions. ⚡️

In comparative clinical studies, EMSELLA demonstrated:

✨ 7× greater effectiveness than pelvic-floor muscle training
✨ 3× greater effectiveness than electrical stimulation

At Vive Health, we’re proud to offer innovative, evidence-informed technologies that give our patients more options when it comes to their health and quality of life. If urinary leakage is affecting your confidence, activities, or everyday life, ask our team whether EMSELLA may be an option for you.

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

BTL Aesthetics

Why “Everything Looks Normal” Is Not a Diagnosis: And What to Do Next 🍃

“Everything looks normal.” For someone struggling to conceive, those words can be anything but reassuring. In her newest blog, Dr. Patti Yik explores why “normal” fertility testing doesn’t always mean there’s nothing left to investigate, and what questions you can ask when you still feel like something is being missed. 🩺

Conventional fertility testing plays an important role in identifying major structural or reproductive concerns. But standard testing may not capture the full picture, including areas such as:

✨ More comprehensive thyroid function
✨ Hormone patterns throughout the entire menstrual cycle
✨ Inflammation and nutrient status
✨ Gut health and estrogen metabolism
✨ S***m DNA fragmentation

The blog also explores real clinical patterns where deeper investigation uncovered factors that weren’t apparent through standard testing alone. Most importantly, naturopathic fertility care isn’t about replacing your existing medical team. It can be a collaborative layer of investigation that works alongside your OB, reproductive endocrinologist, or family doctor to explore the functional picture more deeply.

If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but you still have unanswered questions, this is a blog worth reading: https://vivehealth.ca/why-everything-looks-normal-is-not-a-diagnosis-and-what-to-do-next/

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

The Root Causes of Acne 🍃

It’s Acne Awareness Month. Did you know? Acne isn’t always just a skin problem. Sometimes, your skin is giving you clues about what’s happening beneath the surface. Dr. Charmagne Sia Lu explains:

When we’re looking at acne, I like to consider the root causes, not just what’s showing up on the skin. Hormonal imbalances, hormone metabolism, constipation, dietary choices, stress, inflammation, and the microbiome can all play a role in the health and appearance of your skin.
For example, highly processed and inflammatory foods may contribute to inflammation, while hormonal shifts can increase sebum production, clog pores, and create an environment where acne-causing bacteria can thrive. 🦠

And yes, your digestion matters, too. Your body needs to properly eliminate hormones and their metabolites, which is one reason regular bowel movements are an important part of the conversation when we’re looking at hormonal health and acne. ✨

The good news? Once we understand what may be contributing to your acne, we can start working toward supporting your body from the inside out. 🙏

If you’re struggling with acne and want to understand what might be contributing to it, book a Meet & Greet with Dr. Charmagne to learn more about how we can support your skin and overall health. Book your appointment:

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

Butternut Squash and Pear Soup Recipe 🍃

It’s soup season! As the weather cools down, Dr. Patti Yik and Dr. Colin Race are sharing a family favourite: Butternut Squash & Pear Soup. Creamy, cozy and full of fall flavour, this soup is perfect for a chilly fall day…and even better as leftovers! 🥣

Butternut Squash & Pear Soup Ingredients:

• 1-inch ginger root, minced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 butternut squash, chopped
• 1 small/medium sweet potato, chopped
• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 pears, cored & chopped
• 1 cup thick coconut milk
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Directions:

1️⃣ Add ginger, cinnamon, squash and sweet potato to a pot. Cover with stock, bring to a boil, then simmer.

2️⃣ Meanwhile, sauté onion in olive oil for about 4 minutes. Add pears and cook another 4–5 minutes.

3️⃣ Once the squash and sweet potato are tender (about 30 minutes), add the onion, pears, coconut milk, salt and pepper.

4️⃣ Remove the cinnamon sticks and blend until smooth using a food processor or immersion blender.

5️⃣ Serve hot & enjoy!

Bonus: It keeps in the fridge for several days, making it a great make-ahead meal for busy fall weeks. Head to our blog to save the recipe: https://vivehealth.ca/butternut-squash-and-pear-soup/

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

Cold & flu season is coming: Are you ready? 🍃

Once viruses start making their way through schools, workplaces and homes, it can feel like there’s no escaping them. But supporting your immune system doesn’t have to start after you get sick. 🤧

At Vive Health, we believe in being proactive. In our blog, “Colds and Flus: The Naturopathic Immune Support Program,” we’re sharing practical ways to support your immune health before illness strikes, including:

🥦 Nutrient-dense, immune-supportive foods
😴 Prioritizing quality sleep
🏃‍♀️ Staying active and managing stress
🌿 Herbal and nutritional support
💧 At-home hydrotherapy strategies
💉 IV nutritional therapies and other individualized naturopathic options
🫖 And why rest and early action matter when symptoms first appear

The goal isn’t to promise that you’ll never catch a virus. It’s about giving your body the support it needs to build resilience, potentially reduce illness severity or duration, and get you back to feeling like yourself. We also share more about our Naturopathic Immune Support Program, which has been helping Vive Health families prepare for cold and flu season. 😷

Read the full blog to learn how you can proactively support yourself and your family this cold & flu season: https://vivehealth.ca/colds-and-flus-the-naturopathic-immune-support-program/

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

Folate Receptor Autoantibody Testing (FRAT) 🍃

Folate does more than support pregnancy. Did you know it also plays an important role in brain and nervous system health? 💭

Our very own Dr. Jennifer Yee recently explored a lesser-known area of folate health: Folate Receptor Autoantibody Testing (FRAT). While we often hear about folate in the context of prenatal health and preventing neural tube defects, folate is also essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, metabolism, cardiovascular health, mental health and the nervous system. 🩸

Folate levels in the blood don’t necessarily tell us how much folate is reaching the brain. FRAT testing looks for antibodies that may interfere with the transport of folate across the blood-brain barrier, as well as other markers that can affect folate transport and absorption. ✨

Who might benefit from learning more about FRAT testing? What exactly does the test measure? And how is it performed? Dr. Yee breaks it all down in her latest blog, including how our Naturopathic Doctors determine whether this type of testing may be appropriate for an individual and what happens once results are available. 🩺

Read the full blog here: https://vivehealth.ca/folate-receptor-autoantibody-testing-frat/

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

Dr. Kate Hadfield and her new MSCP designation 🍃

Dr. Kate has recently earned the designation of Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), an additional credential recognizing specialized knowledge and competency in menopause care. 🙏

As a Naturopathic Doctor at Vive Health Group, Dr. Kate has a special interest in supporting women through the hormonal changes of perimenopause, menopause and midlife. This new credential represents another step in her commitment to providing thoughtful, evidence-informed care to women navigating this important stage of life. ✨

So, what exactly does MSCP mean? 💭

The Menopause Society’s certification is designed for healthcare professionals who demonstrate specialized knowledge in menopause and midlife women’s health through a competency examination. For patients, that means another layer of expertise when it comes to understanding the often-complex symptoms and health considerations that can accompany the menopausal transition. 🩷

At Vive Health, we know there is no shortage of information (and misinformation) about hormones and menopause. Our goal is to help you make sense of it all with evidence, education and individualized care. 🩺

Congratulations, Dr. Kate, on this wonderful achievement! We’re lucky to have your expertise on our team. 🥰

If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause and looking for support, our team is here to help:

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

📸:

Labour Day Long Weekend Hours 🍃

A long weekend is a perfect opportunity to slow down, recharge, and make space for your well-being. 💚

Please note our holiday hours at Vive Health Group:

🌿 SATURDAY: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🌿 SUNDAY: CLOSED
🌿 MONDAY: CLOSED

Whether you’re spending the weekend outdoors, connecting with loved ones, or simply taking some much-needed time to rest, we hope you have a safe, healthy, and restorative Labour Day long weekend. We’ll see you back at Vive Health for regular hours on Tuesday! 🙏

Connect with us:

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]

Patient Testimonial: Chronic Cough 🍃

“For at least the last three years, I had been plagued with a “mysterious” nocturnal cough. I underwent a battery of tests ordered by doctors and specialists: lung function, barium swallow, nasal X-rays, gastroscopy and the ultimate joy: spending 24 hours with a computer probe inserted through my nasal passage into my stomach. Nothing conclusive. I pursued several recommended remedies: prescription heartburn medications, inhalers, elevating my bed, avoiding food close to bedtime. Nothing helped. I resolved myself to the fact that I would have to endure those nasty coughs every time I put my head on a pillow.

Then I went to see Dr. Colin Race at Vive Integrative Health. He refused to write this cough off as an unresolved mystery. He sent me home with a naturopathic remedy. The cough has disappeared! Over the years, it was routine for me to lie down at night, wait for the cough, get it over with, and then try to sleep. Not anymore. Thanks, Dr. Colin!”

— CJ, Vive Health Patient

At Vive Integrative Health Group, we believe your health concerns deserve to be heard, explored and looked at from an individualized, whole-person perspective. Thank you, CJ, for taking the time to share your experience with our team! 🙏

Connect with us:

💻 www.vivehealth.ca
📞 403-984-3538
📧 [email protected]