I hate using the "F word" but fall is in the air. The leaves have started to change color, the days are shorter, and the mornings are cool. The kids are back to school and the chaos of summer is a distant memory.

Fall is my favorite season, I feel like it’s a natural time to reset & reintroduce routines. If you are a control freak like me you love routines, to do lists, and schedules.

Most common questions asked by the people about Occupation Therapy include:

Do you help people find jobs?

No, we do not help people find jobs. ‘Occupation’ refers to the activities that you complete in your everyday life. Anything that “occupies” your time is an occupation. We help people who are experiencing barriers to activity completion; these barriers vary drastically (disability, illness, role transition, etc.). Wow! This means the therapy we provide can vary dramatically from person to person!

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common menstrual related diagnosis in women of reproductive age. Typically symptoms first appear in adolescence, however some women begin to develop symptoms in their early to mid 20’s. Although PCOS is named after the presence of multiple cysts on the ovaries, it really is a collection of symptoms.

The birthing parent is not the only one who is at risk of developing anxiety or depression related to pregnancy and childbirth. The non-birthing parent is also at risk of postpartum depression and anxiety. The stigma men experience if they struggle as a new parent is even higher than women. Traditionally men are viewed as strong and self-sacrificing. This makes reaching out for help even tougher. Janelle Daku provides fantastic suggestions on how Dad’s can bond with baby and be the involved parent he desires.

In this blog Kim Deschamps summarizes a very powerful and healing self-care treatment to empower women and teach them how to read the physical patterns held in the pelvic muscles and alleviate patterns that inhibit energy flow.

When you google pelvic pain the list is long, like really long! This makes sense because yes, there are many reasons one might experience pelvic pain! And sometimes there are multiple reasons combined that can result in chronic pelvic pain. SO, let’s dive into it!

When it comes to women’s health, knowing and understanding how our bodies work is important. It’s the only way we can be alerted to when things are off. Unfortunately, most women, my self included were not educated about our bodies. Start the conversation about your reproductive system and menstrual cycle with Shasta Zeeman in her recent blog post, first of a 3-part series!

Janelle Daku, OT, shares her knowledge and her personal experience with endometriosis and sheds light on the collaborative team and holistic interventions that are available to women experiencing endometriosis. Definitely take a read!!

Post-partum anxiety is defined by frequent, distressing fears. Some mothers describe worrying constantly about worst-case scenarios, seeing potential risks all around them. Dr. Marnie Rogers-de Jong, PH.D., provides excellent information on the physical symptoms of post-partum anxiety, and the variety of ways to help a mom experiencing postpartum mood disorders.

Managing stress in Danielle’s life has become top of her priority list ever since going through a diagnosis and surgery for a frontal lobe brain tumor. She believes it has been one of the things that has truly helped her get back to my optimal health and happiness. Read more on her reflection.

During times of stress, the “fight or flight” (sympathetic) nervous system becomes more active to help us deal with our stress. This part of our nervous system is not meant to be turned on for a long period of time. Dr. Stephanie Liebrecht, ND provides insight on three common plants that are used to support the nervous system in naturopathic medicine.

Stress is a natural part of becoming a new mom. A newborn baby can bring so much joy and excitement to your life. It is also very normal to experience stress during this time. Worry, strain or pressure can occur in response to very demanding circumstances, in this case having a new baby to care for. Find out ways to combat stress as a new mom that is practical and achievable from occupational therapist, Janelle Daku.

Everyone has some level of stress or anxiety in their lives. It’s normal to feel worried at times, especially when you’re faced with tough situations - like financial problems, relationship issues, or a global pandemic! But fear and worry can go beyond that helpful range and have negative impacts on our day-to-day life. If you’re wondering whether anxiety is an issue in your life, here are five things to consider.

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “fight or flight.” It’s actually pretty helpful for understanding how people respond to stress. Especially if we can add one more word: Fight, flight, or freeze. In this article, Dr. Marnie Rogers de Jong describe three common stress responses and their potential effects.

Danielle shares on her recent health journey and the incredible adversity that she overcame. Being diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2020, to surgery 8 days later, and an incredible healing journey all through a global pandemic, her courage, strength, and optimism is truly inspirational. ‘I think it would be easy to look back on the last year and say, “I never want to remember that year” or “that was the worst year ever”, but instead I choose to celebrate the positives, even amongst all the negatives. I now know more than ever that I am a strong, resilient and very grateful woman, wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, aunt, cousin, friend, and therapist.’ Thank you for letting me share my story, Danielle Bararuk.

To all the mothers who have babies, are planning on having babies and who’s babies are grown up – we at HPW have something amazing in store for you. We have recently been working through a cohesive post-partum rehabilitation program for moms! We, as a team of healthcare professionals with a special interest in prenatal and perinatal care have always supported, encouraged and rehabilitated mothers navigating the 4th Trimester and beyond.

‘Movement was the catalyst for reconnection after so much disconnection.’ When it comes to a movement program postpartum, Kelly believes that it is really vital to provide the mother what she needs on that day & in that moment. It’s not just about what you need for movement it’s also what you need for your self-care, your nervous system, your mind, & your body. Read more about movement and pregnancy in this awesome blog!

Kelly Button bravely shares on her recent ectopic pregnancy, the ups and downs with experiencing a pregnancy loss, and extends gratitude to her care team, family & friends for the support she has received. Kelly shares honestly, feels deeply, and places words to all of the emotions that she has been experiencing as she moves through her healing journey.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge. I wanted to mark this day by highlighting how COVID-19 has impacted women’s well-being. While there’s no doubt that men are struggling too, research suggests that women have been hit hard by the economic, social, and emotional challenges of the pandemic.

As a Nurse Practitioner Shasta Zeeman provides primary healthcare services that care for both you and your family. I can provide prenatal care for pregnant women up until delivery and then immediately postpartum & beyond. I hope to create relationships that last a lifetime and include caring for you, your newborn, other children as they grow, and your partner who often gets left out during this monumental time.