Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the number of self-help and nutrition books? Check out this list for some of the top recommendations from Dr Watkins based on books that she has used with patients and in her own life. This is a work in progress so stay connected for new suggestions.

Click on each title for more information:  

LIFE COACHING / MIND-BODY MEDICINE 

• You Can Heal Your Life: Louise L Hay
• Coach Yourself to Success : Talane Miedaner
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People : Stephen R. Covey
• Getting Unstuck : Pema Chodron (CD set recording of live workshop)
• Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind: Jon Kabat-Zinn

• Yoga & Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization

• Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within : Natalie Goldburg
• On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft: Stephen King

Life Coaching is a powerful tool to help patients make lasting changes in many areas of their lives.

Dr Watkins works with you to raise your standards for what you think you deserve and how you choose to live your life now and going forward. If you have tried time and time again to make a change without the results you are looking for then consider a coach to help identify what it is you truly want, what your obstacles may be and to create an action plan with purpose and direction.

Learn powerful techniques on how to:

• Identify what you truly want in life
• Learn how to control your thoughts and focus 
• Set clear goals and action plans
• Uncover obstacles to being your best
• Manage your body, mind and actions on a daily basis

The coaching program involves an initial intake of 75 minutes to identify the core areas you would like to focus on and establish key fundamentals to build your goals and actions plans. Follow up sessions are 60 minutes and can be done in person or over the phone. Coaching sessions will help guide you through the process, overcome obstacles and reassess throughout. You may be given exercises and requests to help create momentum and motivation.

Often, people get stuck when change starts to shift their comfort zone and old patterns - this is exactly the place we need to embrace and move through with confidence. Once you have a clear PURPOSE and OUTCOME to your goal, then making a change moves from a place of fear to a place of excitment and possibility. 

DR CARRIE WATKINS | NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN VICTORIA BC

VICTORIA MASSAGE THERAPY AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS CLINIC 

In Canda, Naturopathic Doctors receive extensive training and hands-on clinical experience in Acupuncture techniques and Traditional Asian Medicine to treat a variety of conditions including:

• Stress
• Pain Management
• Headaches
• Hormonal Balance
• Digestive Concerns
• Balancing Energy
• Fertility 

Acupuncture works extremely well in combination with other therapies to treat many conditions including hormone imbalance, indigestion, anxiety, headaches and skin conditions. Acupuncture may also be used in the treatment of acute or chronic pain. Specialized acupuncture techniques are highly effective for muscular injuries, muscular tension, headaches and trigger point release.

An acupuncture session typically takes between 30-45 minutes depending on your individual needs. A series of 5 sessions closely spaced is highly recommended for best results. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Carrie Watkins will work with you to address all issues and to develop a protocol that you are comfortable with.

DR CARRIE WATKINS | NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN VICTORIA BC

VICTORIA MASSAGE THERAPY AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS CLINIC 

Naturopathic Doctors are highly trained in the safe and therapeutic use of herbs to heal the body. Many herbal preparations on the market today do not contain standardized and quality ingredients. In order to get a therapeutic effect on the body, it is important to work with a qualified practitioner with knowledge of and access to herbal preparations that are both safe and effective. 

Botanical Medicine is a powerful healing tool that uses herbal preparations to effectively treat a variety of health concerns,  including:

• Immune Health 
• Detoxification
• Hormonal Balance
• Allergies
• Stress Management 
• Adrenal Health
• Thyroid Health
• Skin Conditions
• Digestive Concerns
• Insomnia
• To Increase Energy
• Increase Libido
• Weight Loss and Management 

Herbs may be prescribed in a capsule, tablet, tea or tincture form. The clinic offers a botanical dispensary where unique botanical tinctures are prepared for your individual needs.

Dr. Carrie Watkins has extensive training in the safe use of plant-based medicine and drug interactions. It is always important to discuss all drug use, dosages and known allergies with your Naturopathic Doctor. 

DR CARRIE WATKINS | NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN VICTORIA BC

VICTORIA MASSAGE THERAPY AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS CLINIC 

Proper nutrition is one of the most important components of healthy living and long-term disease prevention. Clinical nutrition involves reviewing dietary habits including types of foods, drinks and supplements and developing a specific meal plan to support the patients individual needs. Nutrition is essential for managing and healing the following conditions:

• Weight Loss and Management
• Detoxification
• Allergies and Asthma 
• Skin Conditions (ezcema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea)
• Digestive Concerns (IBS, IBD, Celiac)
• Migraines 
• Hypoglycemia (blood sugar imbalances)
• Diabetes (Type 2, pre-diabetes)
• Inflammatory Conditions (pain, swelling, redness, autoimmune)
• Cardiovascular Health (hypertension, high cholesterol)
• Energy (poor absorption, vitamin/mineral deficiencies)
• Mood and Concentration

Dr. Carrie Watkins thoroughly reviews food choices, eating patterns and aspects of disease that may be affecting your nutritional health. She offers tailored nutritional programs to suit your individual needs.

Dietary modifications are made based on the results of medical testing, patient history, lifestyle and symptom picture. The ultimate goal is to treat the root cause of symptoms. Therefore, clinical nutrition may incorporate a program to heal the lining of the digestive tract and replenish deficiencies such as probiotic bacteria, digestive enzymes and nutrients that are not being properly absorbed.

Digestive conditions and concerns may include: Gas, Bloating, IBS, Crohn's Disease, Celiac Disease, Food Sensitivities, Irregular Bowel Movements, Weight loss and Weight Management.

Food Sensitivity Assessment

Blood spot allergy testing is available for 96 foods. Elimination diets may also be used to determine if certain foods are causing inflammation or digestive upset. This type of diet involves removing specific foods for a period of time until symptoms clear and to allow the gastrointestinal system time to heal. Common inflammatory foods are re-introduced one at a time to assess for sensitivities. Testing for Gluten Allergies (Celiac Disease) is also available.

Comprehensive Stool Analysis

For long standing digestive challenges, comprehensive stool analysis and parasitology testing is available. This is an invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment tool that evaluates the balance of bacteria, yeast, fungi and parasites in the stool. In addition, this test assess the presence of occult blood, mucus and effeciency of digestion of fats, protein and carbohydrates. 

DR CARRIE WATKINS | NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN VICTORIA BC

VICTORIA MASSAGE THERAPY AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS CLINIC 

Every person has a unique lifestyle that includes family, relationships, friends, work, mental and emotional situations, all of which, influence his or her day to day experience and health state. Dr. Carrie Watkins, ND offers counselling and strategies to increase your personal success, interpersonal skills, confidence, optimism and mood, relaxation, sense of calm, level of happiness and overall fulfillment.

Life counselling and coaching can help you:

• Take control of how you experience life
• Change your mood
• Challenge your limiting beliefs
• Change your thought patterns
• Get the most out of your life
• Learn how to take focused action to manage your life

Individualized treatment protocols work with lifestyle factors to ensure that the patient is able to implement treatment on a consistent basis.  Lifestyle counseling also helps to identify and overcome obstacles to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the long-term.

Stress and anxiety play a significant role in our modern society. Chronic levels of stress disrupt hormone patterns and can contribute to many health concerns such as inflammatory conditions, weight gain, insomnia, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, lowered immune response, anxiety attacks and depression. As part of a holistic approach to health care, it is vital to address ways in which patients cope with and adapt to stress.

Supplementation, botanical medicine, acupuncture and body therapy may also be used to treat symptoms of stress and to improve stress response.

DR CARRIE WATKINS | NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN VICTORIA BC

VICTORIA MASSAGE THERAPY AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS CLINIC 

Hydrotherapy is a unique therapy that uses water and contrasting temperatures in various ways to stimulate circulation, detoxification, muscle relaxation and the immune system.

• Detoxify 
• Improve circulation
• Immune support
• Healthy skin
• Stress Management and Relaxation

Constitutional Hydrotherapy sessions are offered at the clinic based on individual treatment needs. This involves a series of alternating hot and cold applications. The contrasting temperatures promote the expansion and contraction of blood vessels and lymphatics, thereby increasing circulation and drainage. Constitutional hydrotherapy sessions are very beneficial as part of a detoxification program and to improve immune response.

Home hydrotherapy treatments are also prescribed to aid in circulatory conditions, skin conditions, hormone balancing and detoxification.

DR CARRIE WATKINS | NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN VICTORIA BC

VICTORIA MASSAGE THERAPY AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS CLINIC