Holistic Arkansas Cleansing from the Inside Out Page

Cleansing from the Inside Out
by Lisa Armstrong, M.Ed.

Now that April has arrived, flowers bloom and the sun replenishes us. We also have a unique opportunity this time of year by embarking on "spring cleaning" for ultimate health and wellness. As you may be aware, toxic chemicals accumulate and are stored in our body’s tissues. Just as nature clears out the remnants of winter with wind and rain, a spring cleansing program can rid your body of harmful chemicals or poisons and reduce natural waste products that have built up in the liver, the skin and the intestines. But how can you tell if you really need to detox? Here are some clues:

Do you feel more fatigued than usual?

Do you have allergies that won’t go away?

Do you use coffee or other caffeinated beverages to get through the day?

Is your skin not as clear as it once was?

Could you stand to lose some weight?

Do you have intestinal or digestive problems, such as gas or constipation?

If you answered "yes" to several of the questions listed above, you are probably a candidate for detoxification. Taking the time to cleanse and heal your body from the inside out will result in increased vitality and well-being. Cleansing treatments usually start with the liver, the body's major detoxification organ. When the liver is working efficiently and effectively, other organs often fall in line, including the skin, the large intestine, lungs, kidneys, and the lymphatic system.

Cleansing and renewing each of your major bodily systems is best achieved through an integrative approach to detoxification, utilizing not only your body, but your mind and spirit as well. Use the following as a guide to aid with your inner cleaning, but keep in mind that starting any detoxification plan is best done under the supervision of a health or wellness professional.

Colon Hydrotherapy - A safe and effective method of flushing out toxic wastes, colon hydrotherapy involves the infusion of filtered water into the colon (large intestine) through the rectum. A colon hydrotherapy session may be considered a rejuvenation treatment for your body as it aids in efficient removal of waste material. Check the Holistic Arkansas site, or ask for referrals for this most beneficial treatment.

Supportive Counseling/Life Coaching - Focused inner work will provide you with the space needed to release yourself from negative emotions and ineffective thought patterns. By ridding yourself of this emotional waste, you will be able to create healthy new ways of dealing with life's challenges. Check out Betsy Johnson of Life Coach for Midlife Transitions (http://www.lifecoachbetsy.com) or Michelle Casto, of Bright Light Coaching - http://www.brightlightcoaching.com for insights and assistance.

Manual Lymph Drainage - This gentle massage therapy technique removes metabolic wastes, excess water, toxins and bacteria from the tissue. MLD also relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, helping to relieve stress. (Check out Naomi Hall and the other experts at the TouchPointe Center in Little Rock - http://holisticarkansas.com/fpnaomihall.html.

Naturopathy - This method restores balance by removing any obstacles that are keeping your body from healing itself. Naturopathy increases the healing response within so that the body becomes healthier and more vital. One practitioner is Dr. Phil Burbutes of Hot Springs - check him out at his website, http://www.themedicalalternative.com or at Wild Oats Natural Marketplace in Little Rock on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room.

Nutrition - A holistic approach to nutrition will jump start your "spring cleaning" with an elimination diet, (no white sugar, white flour, chocolate, sodas, milk products, wheat, and caffeine). By incorporating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, you can activate the enzymes in the liver that promote your natural detoxification process. Consider consulting Dr. Gus Reynolds, MSc, DC, CCN, DACBN of the Alternative Health and Wellness Center in Edgemont (Heber Springs area) - http://www.ahwc.net

Yoga - Yoga encourages the proper circulation of blood and lymph fluids, enhances digestion, reduces nervous tension, strengthens the endocrine system, lubricates the joints, reduces excess fat and improves concentration. There are many options for yoga in Arkansas, including the Arkansas Yoga Center in Fayetteville, the Yoga Studio of Little Rock, and others. Or visit http://www.holisticarkansas.com, click on "Search" and highlight the "Yoga" category to find a yoga class near you!

Acupuncture - This ancient Chinese healing system increases circulation, boosts your metabolism and assists with digestive imbalances that can contribute to low energy, bloating and weight gain. (Check with Dr. Martin Eisele of Evergreen Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Little Rock - http://www.evergreenhealth.net

Aromatherapy - Entering the bloodstream through the pores of the skin, essential oils are carried to all parts of the body by the circulatory and lymphatic systems. They are chemically complex and have a direct effect on the body, mind, and spirit. During detoxification, essential oils can be used as a massage oil or in the bath. An excellent aromatherapist and reflexologist is Stephenie Cooke of A Nurturing Touch Clinic of Massage Therapy and Reflexology - info@nurturingtouch.com, 501-224-6363, or 501-733-2503.

Even if you remain unconvinced of the benefits of detoxifying, here are some quick and easy ways to improve your diet:

Eat a banana every day - it is the equivalent of two servings of other types of fruit.

Substitute water for at least two cups of coffee or tea per day. You should try to drink between 56 and 64 ounces of water a day. Translation? Eight 8 oz. glasses of water, or 3 20-oz. bottled water.

Try cooking without salt for a week - you may find you need less than you think!

Don’t eat a cookie - instead have a piece of whole wheat bread with a low fat spread.

Switch to low fat or skim milk.

Add an extra portion of steamed green vegetables to your evening meal (kale, spinach, and other green, leafy vegetables).

Add more fresh fruits and fruit juices to the diet - consider taking a day (or a half-day) to drink only raw, fresh juices.

Capture the real beauty of spring by promoting your health, strengthening your body and easing its ability to cleanse and heal itself. Check the Holistic Arkansas site for more details, call (501) 851-6608 or visit www.holisticarkansas.com/search.php