Health Coaching

HEALTH COACHING OVERVIEW:

Welcome to Redefining Wellness Center! We're so excited that you've joined our family and we look forward to helping you achieve healing.

She works alongside our practitioners to ensure that you are fully supported during your plan of care and answer any and all questions you may have about your protocol.

Health Coaching Appointments are a time for you to bring up any concerns or questions you have. You will assess and discuss how your body is handling the protocol, gaining insight into what your symptoms are telling us and how you can support yourself with the use of food, herbs, therapies, binders, and other healing modalities.

IS THIS A QUESTION FOR THE HEALTH COACH?

Laura will not be able to make changes to the active plan of care that you've created with your practitioner, but will be a crucial part of helping the protocols work well with your body.

While any major protocol changes will need to be approved by the practitioners, Laura can provide support and options for drainage supplements and binders, which may help mitigate or alleviate negative reactions. In major cases, Laura will be able to check with the practitioners and update you ASAP.

Some examples of questions that can be answered by the Health Coach:

• “I started my protocol 5 days ago, and since then have had intestinal cramping and some loose stools. Is there anything I can do?”

• “I've had a lot of trouble sleeping recently. I just feel like my brain is racing and it's very hard to get my body to calm down, even though I feel exhausted”

• “I want to exercise but my body doesn't tolerate it well. What are some good options for me?”

• “Should I be taking a multivitamin?”

• “I always get nauseous and dizzy in the sauna- what can I do?”

• “Finding non-toxic hygiene and home products is so overwhelming. I need clean shampoo, soaps, dishwasher and laundry detergents, makeup, menstrual care products and surface cleaners that work, but don't include harmful chemicals. Are there products you recommend?”

• “My body feels stressed all the time, I would love to feel calm and grounded. Any suggestions?”

• “I'm confused about X supplement on my protocol- what is it and how will it support me?”

These are a few, but not all, of the questions that she can answer or help you talk through!

Here are a few examples of topics you will likely discuss together during your appointment:

REACTIONS:

'Have you experienced any changes or increased symptoms since adding in X supplement(s) or starting your protocol?'

If yes, you'll discuss options to alleviate discomfort. These often include slowing down on your protocol, increasing drainage supports and/or binders, incorporating nervous system work to calm the body and brain, and utilizing external therapies such as castor oil packs.

Sometimes we add in support or change your protocol, while other times, it is best to hold steady and give your body time to adjust. Many factors are taken into account when deciding on a game plan, and we value your input!

DRAINAGE:

The conversation around your drainage pathways will be ongoing throughout the course of treatment to ensure everything is functioning as expected, and troubleshoot as needed.

• Are your bowels moving regularly?

• Are you experiencing any changes in bowel movements?

• Any increased symptoms such as headaches, skin breakouts or rashes, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, body pain, anxiety, or changes in appetite?

• Are you able to sweat?

• Tell me about your water/mineral intake.

• Do you experience discomfort when consuming high fat meals?

• How is your digestion?

• How did you feel after trying X supplement, food, or therapy?

These questions help you and Laura assess areas that are weak and/or need some support! We'll provide advice on how to optimize these systems with food, supportive supplements, daily practices, and products that have worked well for our team and clients (i.e. blue light blockers, magnesium lotion, etc.)

SYMPTOMS:

(Examples: menstrual pain, skin irritation, GI issues, changes in bowel movements, feeling anxious, trouble sleeping, leg cramps, headaches, bloating and gas pains, dizziness when standing, swelling, food reactions, body pain, etc.)

Every client comes to us with existing symptoms, so we want to hear which of these are affecting you most and suggest ways to support you through them while we get to the root cause. If you experience new or increased symptoms in response to a protocol, Health Coaching appointments are a helpful opportunity to understand and address these.

• “What do you feel is the most difficult symptom that you're experiencing right now?”

• “When did this start?”

• “What has helped this, if anything, and what has made it worse?”

• “Is there anything you would like to discuss trying in an effort to improve this?”

• “Have you noticed any patterns?”

We believe that symptoms are your body's way of communicating. Gathering an idea of the context around a certain symptom helps us know how best to support you!

NUTRITION:

Clients are often recommended to a specific diet to fit their needs while working with us. Low oxalate, low histamine, and gluten free diets are common, while other clients are directed towards a less specific, whole foods/organic diet. Carnivore and animal based diets are sometimes indicated.

If you're feeling overwhelmed with a certain diet, struggling to know where to start or what foods to focus on, Health Coaching is a great resource.

Nutrition is one of the most individual factors imaginable, so suggestions will be different for each person, depending on what you need, and how much time is available. Nutrition conversations include advice on:

• Eating to support healthy hormones and blood sugar (macronutrient balance)

• Food sourcing

• Options for filling in “nutrient gaps” found during your conversation with Laura

• Options for clean meat and produce delivery if needed

• Healthy fats

• Foods to avoid for optimal health

• Supportive foods for your situation, concerns and symptoms

• Meal strategies to make eating less overwhelming and more nourishing

• Meal ideas and recipes

• Referral to helpful resources such as recipe blogs and compilations

• Meal timing

• Specific brands that we love for nourishing, on the go foods

• Foods and nutrients to include based on the symptoms that your body exhibits

• Herbal supports

• Cyclical eating for menstruating women

• Ways of eating to support those with an irritable or sensitive GI tract

NERVOUS SYSTEM WORK/TRAUMA HEALING:

The brain and body are undoubtedly connected. If you have a history of trauma or highly stressful life events or times, addressing it could be the missing step in feeling better! We often suggest nervous system work, but what does this look like?

Health Coaching appointments are a time for you to share your thoughts, concerns and questions around nervous system work, and get some advice on where to start.

• Which modalities should you try first?

• If you feel like your body is stuck in fight or flight, which therapies should you look into to unravel past trauma and help your body to feel safe?

• “What improvements have other people like me experienced when doing X therapy?” (i.e. EMDR, Neurofeedback, Primal Trust, Tapping, etc.)

• “I experienced something that wouldn't be labeled 'traumatic' but I feel that it still affects me- do I need nervous system work?”

• “I want to start helping my nervous system feel safe, but I have very limited time. What should I try?”

• “How long does it take to 'fix' my nervous system?”

• “I've tried talk therapy to work through traumatic events, but my body still feels on edge and in danger all the time. Is this normal and is there anything I can do?”

If you have a history of past or present trauma, you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Either way, there is so much you can do to heal!

Again, any and all questions are welcome. Chances are that another client has experienced what you're going through, and you're not the first to ask about it! Our team members have also learned much from their personal health struggles and are always eager to share what has helped them and others.