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Thyroid-Friendly Eating: How to Treat Hypothyroidism With Food Shaped like a butterfly, the thyroid gland in the neck pl...
02/18/2025

Thyroid-Friendly Eating: How to Treat Hypothyroidism With Food

Shaped like a butterfly, the thyroid gland in the neck plays a critical role in overall health, as it produces a series of hormones that regulate metabolism, brain development, bone maintenance, and heart, muscle and digestive functions. Thyroid health can be achieved by eating clean, unprocessed foods and maintaining appropriate levels of iodine.

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly five in 100 Americans suffer from hypothyroidism, which occurs when the body does not produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormones. Common symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, inability to tolerate cold temperatures and hair loss should not be ignored. Diagnosis is aided by a blood test that measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones. While most cases of an underactive thyroid are mild or cause few obvious symptoms, the disease can become severe if it is left untreated.

“Only 10 percent of the population is aware of their thyroid problem and are trying to manage it. Thyroid disease is a big thing. If people don’t know if they have it, they should be screened for it. If they have it, they should have hope,” says Alan Christianson, a naturopathic endocrinologist and author of The Thyroid Reset Diet: Reverse Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Symptoms With a Proven Iodine-Balancing Plan.

“For women, an especially critical time to check thyroid health is during perimenopause years, when thyroid function can often waver, becoming underactive. Even if lab tests are normal, it is important to speak with a physician that understands the symptoms of hypothyroidism,” says Anna Cabeca, an obstetrician-gynecologist and women’s health expert in Brunswick, Georgia. “Most people can improve or reverse it radically. Diet is very powerful. Start with your shopping list and at the top write: Food is medicine.”

Offering hope, Michigan-based obstetrician-gynecologist Tabatha Barber says, “It’s often about doing less, not more, to help improve thyroid function. Don’t be afraid that this is something you have to live with forever.” As a teenager, Barber was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland and often causes hypothyroidism. She has learned how to modify her diet for relief.

Skip the Gluten

“Gluten is the main trigger that really seems to irritate the immune system,” says Barber. “A lot of people don’t realize that gluten is in some sauces, salad dressings, seasonings, medication fillers and more. It can be enough to keep the inflammation associated with hypothyroidism going.”

Balance Iodine

“Iodine is the Goldilocks mineral,” says Christianson. “It’s important to not consume too much or too little. Those with thyroid disease usually get too much. When they do, it inflames and slows the thyroid.” In such cases, he recommends eating a wide range of unprocessed food and avoiding ingredients with the highest iodine content, such as fish and other seafood, iodized salt, seaweeds, grains and most dairy.

Monitor Ingredients

Barber prioritizes the elimination of artificial ingredients and additives, saying, “It’s about really getting back to basics, eating unprocessed meats, vegetables and some fruits.” She recommends consuming foods rich in zinc and selenium, such as shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts and diary, as they send signals to the thyroid to produce the right hormone levels.

Cabeca shaves selenium-rich Brazil nuts on soups or salads. “Keep them as a staple in the kitchen,” she advises, adding that balance is important when selecting zinc- and selenium-rich foods because some of them, like dairy, may also contain high levels of iodine.

Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Cabeca finds clever ways to sneak anti-inflammatory ingredients into her recipes. For her kafta kabobs, for example, she combines ground meat with finely chopped parsley, garlic, tomatoes or dried shiso leaves and tops them with cashew butter or tahini sauce. Similarly, she uses plenty of parsley in her tabouleh—a traditional Middle Eastern salad—and replaces the customary bulgur wheat with chopped Brussels sprouts or cauliflower.

According to Northwestern Medicine, cauliflower can be part of a healthy thyroid diet, along with other cruciferous vegetables. “These are foods that I grew up on,” Cabeca says, noting that parsley is a natural diuretic that is also good for the thyroid.

Cross-Brain Fitness: An Integrative Workout for the Mind and BodyHolistic approaches to health and well-being that consi...
02/18/2025

Cross-Brain Fitness: An Integrative Workout for the Mind and Body

Holistic approaches to health and well-being that consider the entire person—body, mind and spirit—are especially effective in cultivating creativity and mental equilibrium. Cross-brain fitness training encourages the use of both the left and right hemispheres of the brain in tandem to improve body and brain function.

One study published in Advances in Physical Education suggests that exercises involving movements across the middle of the body improved the ability to transfer motor skills from one hand to the other, most likely due to improved communication between the two sides of the brain. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Exercise, Nutrition and Biochemistry found that a 12-week brain health exercise program for seniors improved lower and upper body strength, as well as aerobic endurance, while also increasing cognitive function and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that plays an important role in neuronal survival and growth.



Engaging Sports
Physical activities that engage both brain hemispheres boost health and enhance creativity by integrating analytical and creative thinking. Team sports such as soccer and basketball are excellent for cross-brain development. They demand strategic planning and logical thinking, activities typically associated with the left hemisphere. At the same time, they require players to use spatial awareness and creativity—skills linked to the right hemisphere. This combination encourages players to continuously switch between different modes of thinking, thereby improving brain agility and coordination.

“Team sports require players to analyze the game situation, anticipate opponents’ moves and strategize accordingly,” says Danielle Smith, a registered dietitian and personal trainer. “Players need to understand the rules of the game, their position-specific responsibilities and how to execute plays effectively. Team sports offer a great way for these skills to develop naturally in a fun environment.

Rock climbing is a prime example of an activity that blends cognitive demands. It requires meticulous problem-solving and advanced planning (left-brain activities) to choose the best routes and techniques for ascent. Simultaneously, climbers must employ spatial awareness and adaptability (right-brain activities) to navigate and adjust to new challenges on the fly, making it a comprehensive brain exercise.

Sailing combines the technical knowledge and analytical thinking characteristic of the left brain, such as navigating and understanding sailing mechanics, with the intuitive grasp of environmental elements like wind and water, a right-brain activity. Sailors must continuously interpret these dynamic elements and adjust their strategies accordingly, promoting an advanced level of hemispheric integration.



Implementing a Routine
Incorporating a variety of cross-brain training activities into a regular fitness routine is crucial for engaging different parts of the brain and maximizing cognitive development. Here are some tips and strategies for creating an effective cross-brain fitness routine:

Add variety. Rotate between activities that challenge different cognitive skills. For example, blend team sports, which enhance strategic thinking and cooperation, with individual pursuits like rock climbing or sailing that require problem-solving and adaptability. This diversity not only prevents boredom but also stimulates different brain areas.
Be consistent. Schedule brain-stimulating physical activities several times a week. This regular engagement helps to encourage new neural connections and improve brain function over time.
Progress gradually. Start with simpler tasks and gradually increase the complexity of the activities as cognitive and physical abilities improve. This progression keeps the brain challenged and engaged as training advances.
Track results. Use a journal or digital app to record the types of activities performed, their duration and any noticeable improvements in thinking, problem-solving or creative output. Also reflect on changes in emotional and mental well-being. Such monitoring is essential to appreciate the benefits of a cross-brain fitness routine.
Check cognitive progress. Consider periodic cognitive assessments to formally measure cognitive improvements. These can be simple online tests designed to evaluate brain functions such as memory, attention, problem-solving and creativity.

Holistic Support
Cross-brain fitness can be supported by other activities during the day. Regular meditation, for example, quiets the mind’s chatter, allowing both sides of the brain to work in harmony, thus enhancing the ability to generate new ideas and solve problems creatively. “Meditation and mindfulness practices are associated with strengthening the brain's connectivity,” explains Kathleen Benson, a registered dietitian specializing in women’s health, sports nutrition and digestive health. “This can improve attention, memory, decision-making and general mindfulness. Regular practitioners often have improved emotional control, lower stress and clearer thinking.”

What we eat significantly impacts our brain function and overall health. A balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and proteins can enhance cognitive function and support both the logical and creative faculties of the brain. Foods like blueberries, nuts, fish and green leafy vegetables boost brain health and foster mental clarity.

Adequate sleep helps consolidate memories and clear brain fog, making room for new ideas and creative thinking. Sleep also balances the emotional states, ensuring that both the analytical and creative sides of the brain can function optimally without the interference of stress or anxiety.

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02/18/2025

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Emotional Healing as a Family: How Parents Can Model Mental Health SkillsFamily walking in fall on path with dogTryMyBes...
02/17/2025

Emotional Healing as a Family: How Parents Can Model Mental Health Skills

Family walking in fall on path with dog

TryMyBest/CanvaPro

The mental health of our children is in crisis. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2021 advisory on the youth mental health crisis, one in five children aged 3 to 17 has a mental, emotional, behavioral or developmental disorder.

To turn the tide on mental health, kids need emotional regulation skills, including the ability to identify emotions, self-soothe, obtain perspective, walk in another’s shoes, think flexibly and solve problems. By developing these emotive sensitivities, children can then improve their self-confidence, sense of self-worth and empathy, as well as begin to develop lasting and meaningful relationships.

“Kids will learn to regulate in the face of challenge. The only question is whether they learn healthy or unhealthy ways to do it,” says Brad Chapin, a licensed clinical psychologist in Topeka, Kansas, and author of self-regulation resources for children. “Removing challenges from children isn’t the answer. The focus should be on building self-regulation skills, and then those challenges become opportunities for strengthening those skills.”



What Adults Can Do
In the words of lyricist Stephen Sondheim, “Careful the things you say / Children will listen.” Janet Philbin, LDSW, a certified, conscious-parenting coach and author, says, “When people become parents, they will tell you they want to parent differently than how they were parented because of the emotional childhood pain they endured. However, generational patterns will more than likely repeat unless the parent has done the emotional work to deconstruct their own childhood pain through coaching or counseling. As a result of doing the necessary inner work, a parent’s ability to connect with their children will improve because they are able to be more connected with themselves.”



Practicing Emotional Regulation Together
“When we choose to look at behavior issues as a lack of skill-development, it changes the story from one of shame and negativity to one of hope,” says Chapin, whose recent book Self-Regulation Skill Set supports adults in their journey to self-regulation.

As with learning any new skill, practice is key. Here are a few fun activities for parents and children to do together to strengthen connections and build emotional regulation skills. Teaching kids when they are young is ideal, but it is never too late to start.

I Spy: While in a store, on a walk or at a park, challenge each other to notice the body language and facial expressions of people (or themselves) and identify the emotion they might be feeling. This game is a way to practice the skill set of recognizing warning signs when we start to feel upset. Parents should encourage their kids to take notice of the different expressions their peers make while at school to develop empathy and compassion.

The Paws (Pause) Game: To play, the first person who sees a dog says, “paws”, takes a calming breath and puts their hands out like paws. The person with the most points at the end of the excursion wins. This game develops the skill of slowing down the alarm system within our bodies. Parents and caregivers can remind kids that throughout the day when they start to feel their own warning signs of anger or frustration, they can take a breath and “paws” to help prevent acting in a destructive way.

Balloon Party: In this game, parents invite their kids to sit comfortably with them and imagine that they are all preparing for a big party and need to blow up lots of balloons. While blowing up pretend balloons, remind each child to blow them up slowly so they don’t pop. After blowing up several balloons, enjoy a pretend party. This is a fun way to connect with children through imaginative play while practicing peaceful breathing, which helps calm the nervous system

The Thriving Heart: Integrative Approaches to CardiologyAlthough only the size of a fist, our hearts pump blood to our o...
02/17/2025

The Thriving Heart: Integrative Approaches to Cardiology

Although only the size of a fist, our hearts pump blood to our organs and supply oxygen and nutrients to our cells, allowing every system to function optimally. Maintaining a healthy heart is one of the most important factors for overall wellness, and cardiovascular disease is highly preventable. Integrative cardiology, which focuses on treating the whole person rather than just the heart, reflects a shift toward more individualized, patient-centered care. Using personalized nutrition, expansive blood testing, advanced therapies and holistic practices, doctors and patients can blend the best of traditional and integrative strategies for a more balanced and effective approach to heart health.



The 100-Year Heart

Dr. Jack Wolfson is a board-certified cardiologist, bestselling author and founder of the site NaturalHeartDoctor.com. He pioneered the 100-year heart method, which focuses on what he calls “thrival” nutrition, lifestyle, biohacking and ultra-diagnostics to lead a life filled with vitality, clarity and longevity. “Our approach is root-cause medicine, which puts pharma last,” he explains. “By looking at daily habits and lifestyle choices, we are able to see why people develop cardiovascular disease, which is the number one killer worldwide.”

Wolfson notes that cardiovascular health begins by giving the heart the nutrition it needs to thrive. “Food is medicine, and a paleo-based diet like our ancestors followed has been shown to optimize heart function,” he says. “I recommend patients focus on eating wild seafood and pasture-raised meats such as bison, including organs like the heart and liver. This is supplemented by foraging for things like eggs, raw dairy, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconuts and other fruits and vegetables.”

How we live has a dramatic effect on heart health, and Wolfson asserts that there are a number of lifestyle factors we can control. “A thrival lifestyle centers around being outside in natural sunlight and participating in activities we enjoy. When combined with a positive mindset and high-quality sleep, these practices increase longevity and contribute to a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment,” he says. “It’s also essential to avoid environmental toxins, such as air pollution, plastic and indoor pollutants like mold from water damage, to the best of your ability. Finally, managing stress and getting movement throughout your day are key to optimal cardiovascular function.”

A truly holistic approach to wellness combines many interrelated tools. “Find an activity you love to do outside, whether that’s hiking, biking, stand-up paddleboarding or yoga. Before you begin, turn your attention inward and think of three things you are grateful for,” Wolfson advises. “This gratitude practice helps you find your happy place, and it gives you a sense of purpose in a world where that’s becoming increasingly difficult. It engages the autonomic nervous system, which controls functions like heart rate and blood pressure.”

Wolfson believes that for a healthy mind, body and heart, a chiropractor should be the gatekeeper to overall wellness. “Chiropractic care uses the manipulations of bones in a purposeful way to make impactful changes to the neurologic system. It sends out beneficial, efferent signals to all of the cells, tissues and organs, including the heart. It also helps to get us out of the ‘fight-flight-or-freeze’ mode that so many people are operating in,” he remarks. “Chronic stress from work, family, news and finances keeps the sympathetic nervous system activated, but chiropractic treatments help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which allows us to rest and digest.”

To kickstart heart health even further, Wolfson’s 100-year heart method uses thrival biohacking methods such as supplements and non-surgical recovery therapies. “Evidence-based, food-grade supplements from field-harvested animals and wild fish support heart function without chemicals or pharmaceuticals,” he points out. “People also may need additional minerals like magnesium, herbal remedies, probiotics or detox strategies if they’ve been living around pollutants. Non-invasive technologies like red light therapy, sauna use, massage, ozone therapy and other cutting-edge treatments help to hack our system and support a healthy heart.”



Treating the Whole Person

Dr. Mimi Guarneri is a California-based cardiologist; the medical director of Pacific Pearl La Jolla; an award-winning researcher, consultant and philanthropist; and president of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. In her practice, she combines conventional, integrative and natural medicine to holistically treat the whole patient.

Guarneri says that while cardiovascular disease is still largely misunderstood, it is also highly preventable. “People think it’s a disease of cholesterol, but it’s actually due to inflammation, oxidative stress and immune response,” she explains. “Inflammation can come from obesity, stress, sleep apnea, poor food choices and food sensitivities, and that is what causes damage to the lining of the blood vessels. In the conventional medicine realm, that means telling patients to stop smoking, lose weight and get blood pressure and cholesterol under control. From a holistic perspective, we look at all the lifestyle factors that contribute to heart health.”

When treating a patient with heart disease, Guarneri uses the metaphor of a tree with sick branches. “Instead of just cutting them off, you have to look at the soil to see what can be causing the illness. The soil of our lives includes micro- and macro-nutrition, a healthy microbiome, avoiding toxins, high-quality sleep, physical activity and mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. All these factors contribute to healthy heart function,” she says.

Guarneri uses advanced testing to assess a patient’s baseline heart health. “We begin with a blood and urine micronutrient analysis, which measures the level of antioxidants and nutrients in the body. Then we conduct a microbiome analysis, which is a three-day stool test that shows how someone is digesting their food. We can see every type of microbe, any parasites and if there is dysbiosis [imbalance] or bacteria overgrowth. Finally, we conduct an in-home study on sleep, which is an integral part of cardiovascular health. Someone with sleep apnea can snore and stop breathing, putting them at increased risk for heart disease, heart failure and high blood pressure,” she says.

Advanced cardiovascular testing shows additional valuable data. “An EndoPAT tells us if the lining of the blood vessels is making nitric oxide, the most important ingredient for heart health. This is a 40-minute, in-office procedure that does not require radiation. Since cardiovascular disease is an inflammatory disease, we do advanced lipid testing to measure inflammatory markers. A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test measures the level of C-reactive protein in your blood to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke. A 24-hour blood pressure cuff tells us what’s happening throughout the day, and a continuous glucose monitor shows how blood sugar reacts to foods. It’s also valuable feedback to the patient, who can see how their body responds to what they’re ingesting,” says Guarneri.

With all this data, the team creates a road map to health. “We make recommendations based on each patient’s individual needs, including supplements, food choices and lifestyle modifications,” she says. “I may suggest nutraceuticals to complete something that’s missing, such as vitamin D, or I may use them to treat a problem. We’ll prescribe omega-3 [fatty acids] if your triglycerides are high, but we’re also going to give you a low glycemic index diet.”

Guarneri works with patients to manage stress through mindfulness, meditation, exercise and other lifestyle choices. “If you are in constant ‘fight-or-flight’ mode, you are producing adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol, which cause blood pressure to go up, the coronary arteries to constrict, cholesterol to increase and oxidative stress to develop,” she explains.

Guarini points to a study involving Black Americans with hypertension that showed a 48 percent reduction in cardiovascular events through the use of transcendental meditation. “Mindfulness has also been shown to improve telomeres, telomerase and other genes of aging. Making conscious decisions in our behavior in response to stress is key to overall wellness and cardiovascular function. If your habit is to go home and have a drink after a hard day, we encourage patients to put on their tennis shoes and take a walk instead,” she says.



The Future of Cardiology

New advancements in cardiology are made all the time. In the coming year, cardiologists and researchers are expected to dig deeper into lipid disorders, obesity management and RNA-based therapies for conditions like cardiac amyloidosis, heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We can also expect to see an increase of awareness and interest in the role lipidology [the study of lipids or fatty acids] has on cardiovascular disease. “Preventive cardiologists and clinical lipidologists like myself have been checking Lp(a) levels for well over two decades now, but there has been little we could do medically to reduce high levels,” says Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI, FACC, FACP, adding that a number of nucleic acid therapeutic trials suggest this may change soon.

Experts stress that despite technological treatment advancements, preventative care is still the most effective way to ensure cardiovascular health. “Everyday lifestyle choices have the biggest impact on overall wellness and living a life of vitality, clarity and longevity,” says Wolfson.

Chocolate Champions: Benefits of Dark Chocolate and CacaoAncient Mayans prepared beans from the cacao tree, mixed with s...
02/16/2025

Chocolate Champions: Benefits of Dark Chocolate and Cacao

Ancient Mayans prepared beans from the cacao tree, mixed with spices, to make a ceremonial drink that was both sacred and medicinal for them. Today, the market is filled with all sorts of chocolaty treats, but dark chocolate is the low-sugar, nutritional superhero that tickles the tastebuds, boosts the production of mood-enhancing endorphins and delivers flavanols, the antioxidant compounds linked to improved cardiovascular health.
“Chocolate affects us deeply when it comes to our emotions. This is why you get it when you are sad, when you are happy or when you want to show your love. Chocolate doesn’t just hit the heartstrings, it’s also scientific,” says Chris Davis, a private chef and third-generation cocoa devotee from Belmont, North Carolina, who is passionate about the ingredient’s sweet and savory potential.

The benefits of dark chocolate can be traced back to its high flavanol content. Researchers have discovered that this antioxidant supports the production of nitric oxide, which is crucial for improving circulation, relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Flavanols have also been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, which could reduce the risk of diabetes. Observational studies have shown that indulging in one or two small squares (approximately six grams) of high-quality chocolate daily reduces the risk of mortality from heart disease.



How Chocolate is Made

Chocolate production involves a complex set of steps, beginning with a cacao pod that is larger than the palm of a hand. The seeds inside this pod are fermented, dried and roasted to create cocoa beans, which are comprised of nibs, cocoa butter and an outer shell. The nibs are ground and refined to produce cocoa solids, and the shell is ground into cocoa powder. The most beneficial dark chocolate contains 70 to 90 percent cocoa solids with minimal added sugar and no artificial ingredients such as alkali, a flavor enhancer that greatly diminishes flavanol content.
Another nutritional powerhouse is cacao powder, which is made from raw cacao beans and nibs that are fermented and roasted at much lower temperatures than the beans used to make cocoa powder. Although it is more bitter, cacao powder retains more of the bean’s original nutritional value, including flavonoids and antioxidants.



Therapeutic Indulgence

“Rich in B vitamins, cacao is full of minerals such as calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and zinc,” says Sara Ratza, from Tarpon Springs, Florida, a clinical herbalist, health practitioner and author of Drinking Chocolate: Ancient Traditions for Modern Healing. “Traditionally, cacao is given to help raise serotonin and level out dopamine, so the Indigenous people share cacao to help those dealing with addictions. Cacao contains hundreds of chemical compounds such as phenethylamine, which is associated with the production of endorphins in the brain.”

According to Ratza, theobromine, cacao’s main chemical constituent that many confuse for caffeine, has psychological effects that enhance mood. Cacao was an important part of her own emotional healing while she grieved the loss of both her brother and father. During the COVID pandemic, she owned and operated a brick-and-mortar chocolate factory and shop. “The stories of people coming in and dealing with the trauma of the time is forever ingrained in my heart,” she recalls.

Ratza recommends using cacao in the form of nibs or powder from reputable sources. “If your chocolate has transparency of the origin and/or farm, generally you are buying a higher-quality product,” she explains. No matter how we revel in dark chocolate or cacao, it is important to opt for the “fair trade” certification that ensures the product was manufactured without child labor and at a fair wage for workers.



The Savory Side

For most of us, our love affair with chocolate is based on its sweet form, but a whole world of gourmet fare celebrates its versatility beyond the candy bar or smoothie. For Davis, “The magic truly happens when applied in a savory way. There is a whole other flavor profile to chocolate before sugar is added to it when you want to add an earthy depth to a dish or add smokiness to a protein. Almost any sauce I make with wild game, red meat or red wine I will add a bit of cacao to give it the flavor and color that no other ingredient will come close to.” One of his favorite Mexican recipes is mole, a rich and savory sauce made from chilis and chocolate.



Opening Our Hearts to Chocolate

Ratza believes that consuming chocolate takes us on a journey, if we allow a little time for it to transport and transform us. “Cacao almost forces you to slow down,” she says. “It is important to sit and close your eyes as you sip a cup of cacao or let a piece of chocolate melt on your tongue.”

Divine GuidanceA serious illness and a downward spiral into a pattern of unyielding medical complexity turned Jane Fecte...
02/16/2025

Divine Guidance

A serious illness and a downward spiral into a pattern of unyielding medical complexity turned Jane Fecteau’s life upside down. After five years of struggling with her health, overwhelming chemical sensitivities, and innumerable visits to allopathic, holistic, and alternative medicine doctors, Fecteau reached the conclusion that traditional medicine couldn’t restore her health.

One day, as Jane was praying to be well with particular intensity, she felt a subtle shift occurring. “I became aware that God was using my illness to signal a change in my life’s direction. It was what some people call an anointing to heal— to heal myself and others. Shortly afterward, the fundamental issues surrounding my illness began to resolve themselves. I felt blessed and profoundly grateful for the amazing insights bestowed upon me and resolved to continue developing the gift. After regaining my health, I formed the discipline of studying, praying, and meditating for hours every day, and my practice continues today. As I became noticeably stronger, others began to seek my help for their own obstinate illnesses, and I found I could help them,” says the intuitive energy healer.

In 2001, Jane began a formal practice and started seeing patients by appointment. Explaining her methods, she says, “My method defies characterization or identification with a known school of thought, teaching, or practice. It has been described as ‘sui generis,’ meaning of its own kind or unique in its characteristics. I’ve never had formal medical training. What I’ve had is the accumulation of knowledge that comes from years of continuous self-study in human anatomy, neuroanatomy, and physiology. I feel that at the level of healing work that I do, it isn’t strictly necessary for me to know the name and function, although I feel it expands my perception and proficiency,” she says.

While developing her method, Jane needed to learn how to study and better understand the limits of her work. “I’d already consumed all of psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen’s books, read and re-viewed courses on anatomy and physiology, and devoted hours every week studying neuroscience lectures and writings,” she advises.

To learn if her methods were beneficial to patients with serious neurological diseases such as stroke and traumatic brain injuries, she volunteered once a week for one year at a neurological rehabilitation center. With the center’s permission, she was able to help people suffering from profound neurological injuries and diseases. Simultaneously, she greatly strengthened her understanding.

“My work reflects the Divine that each of us embodies. My work is of and through God. Under Divine guidance, the body shows me how to quickly and effectively mobilize the individual’s own healing forces. In this way, my work is sensitive to, and synchronous with, the body’s own schedule of healing, whatever sequence or timeline that may be,” she explains.

Emphasizing that it is not she who heals, Jane indicates that she assists in restoring health, balance, and vitality to people with issues such as chronic pain and chronic illnesses that are slow to resolve or cannot be managed well with allopathic medicine. “My work helps them to quickly cut through the Gordian knot of their perplexing medical conditions,” she says.

Explaining a bit more about her sessions, Jane says, “I get the list of their symptoms and their diagnosis. Next, I see screens in front of me that show anatomy and physiology. I look at the screens. One comes forward, and I see the condition. I ask the body: how can I help? I address a few points energetically. The energy flows into the body and helps balance that condition. This generally requires more than one session.”

An intuitive identifies medical and emotional illnesses in others. They can work from a distance if a patient is in a remote location. The specialized information can be received through seeing, feeling, hearing, sensing, or even writing.

Jane’s work goes one step beyond in that she identifies and balances energies surrounding the condition. “The energy improves it, leaving an abiding reverberation of health and resilience where illness once was. The energetic effect continues after we’ve finished with the treatment session. As a result, clients can expect lessened symptom intensity and a shorter recovery time if the injured or imbalanced area is challenged again because deep but subtle changes are taking place and are being assimilated throughout spiritual, emotional, and physical dimensions,” says Jane.

For more information, call 207-370-7701. Visit JaneFecteau.com

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