Nutmeg “Nuggets” Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients


clearly remember my heart leaping into my throat as the words breast cancer seemed to explode from the doctor’s mouth. The slow- motion echo made my head spin as the floor dropped away beneath my feet.


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A cancer diagnosis always causes some level of stress. After the initial thought about one’s own mortality, there are the practical concerns. Does my insurance cover this? Will I be able to work? Who will care for my loved ones? Who will care for me? Am I physically and mentally capable of fighting for my life? How will treatment affect my health, my appearance, my self-confidence?


I was in massage therapy school at the time of my diagnosis.


The emotional support and access to healing treatments kept me essentially free of anxiety. The physical touch of therapeutic mas- sage along with meditation, yoga, and Reiki helped me discover the resilience of my spirit.


Massage feels wondrous. It also magically improves immune function, increases levels of dopamine and serotonin; regulators of mood and relievers of stress and anxiety. Massage has been shown to improve sleep quality which is crucial in the healing process. Therapeutic touch benefits patients and caregivers throughout the journey from diagnosis and treatment to recovery and beyond.


At a time when you may feel as if your body has betrayed you,


massage allows an opportunity for the body to unwind and leave the fight or flight state behind to enter the rest and digest mode. During sleep and peaceful rest the body engages in the business of healing. Compassionate human touch is truly restorative. I am blessed to have been a recipient in my time of need and I am grate- ful to pay it forward.


Lynne Gavrilis is licensed massage therapist and owner of Natural Balance Massage, which moved from Newington to Berlin last year. She and the team at Natural Balance work on a variety of issues with their clients including stress and anxiety, chronic pain disorders and repetitive motion strains and injuries.


Lynne can be reached at 860-357-4315 or frontdesk@ctnatural- balance.com. Natural Balance is located at 369 New Britain Rd. Berlin and on the web at ctnaturalbalance.com


ancer is a word that evokes a visceral reaction in most people. In May 2010, I had my turn to react. I


Low Levels of Endorphins Associated with AutoImmune Disorders


ndorphins are a family of molecules produced in most cells in the body. They are important in immune function, cell growth and repair. We need adequate levels of these en- dorphin molecules to be healthy. Low levels are associated with autoimmune disorders.


E New research is finding that Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has


a positive effect on the immune system. It is being used and studied in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, neurologi- cal problems and cancer. LDN is a TINY dose of SHORT-ACTING Naltrexone (just 1-6mg) given daily, that helps signal the immune system to heal you.


LDN specifically binds to the endorphin receptor for OGF.


OGF, or Opioid Growth Factor, normally sits on that receptor. Naltrexone displaces OGF for just a few hours, and as a result, your body thinks you don’t have enough OGF so it makes more, plus it makes more receptors and the receptors are hungrier for OGF.


LDN also has a second mechanism of action – it decreases


brain inflammation by decreasing the activity of microglia, the im- mune cells of the brain. LDN blocks Toll-like receptors on sensory nerves, which may help pain patients greatly. Clinical trials have shown LDN to be effective in treating chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia along with IBS, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, depression and Parkinson’s Disease.


I have been prescribing the off-label use of LDN since 2013 and use it in all autoimmune disorders. It works incredibly well for most, but not all, people with few, if any, side effects. In patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis where auto-antibody levels can be eas- ily monitored, I have come to expect to see a gradual lowering of these auto-antibodies.


LDN must be made by a compounding pharmacy and, once the final dose is determined, the cost is generally about $1 per pill, regardless of dose. Pioneer Pharmacy in Vernon, CT has organized several LDN conferences and is a great resource for all things LDN, as is ldnscience.org.


intuitive readings  angel therapy® medical intuition energy healing  sound healingworkshops certificate programs Priscilla Bengtson 80 Eastern Boulevard, Glastonbury healinginharmonycenter.com860.430.9801 10 Natural Nutmeg - October 2018


Dr. Sachs graduated with honors from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Raphael Hospital and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1998, Dr. Sachs turned her focus to Clinical Nutrition, Toxicology, Integrative and Functional Medicine, and dedicated several thousand hours of accredited advanced medical education to this field. www.tsachsmd.com 15 Bennitt St., New Milford, CT. 860-354-3304. mail@tsachsmd.com. See ad on page 22.


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