Holistic health care at St. Luke’s

Massage therapy and acupuncture now available

By Claire Kiger

Thehuman body has been designed with the astounding ability to heal itself. However, this ability is lessened when under stress.

“We tend to work too hard, sleep too little and have unhealthy eating habits,” said Kristina Polzin, licensed acupuncturist at St. Luke’s. “This high-stress environment makes healing difficult. Because of this, many people live in constant pain or discomfort.”

While many are able to find relief through modern medicine, some are not.

“We actually have quite a few patients who don’t respond well to medications or even surgery,” said Dr. Maricela Schnur, interventional pain management physician at St. Luke’s. “These patients need other options.”

This is why St. Luke’s now offers massage and acupuncture. These non-medicated therapies provide a more holistic approach and give patients the options they need to discover what works best for them.

Massage therapy

“Massage is much more than a way to pamper yourself,” said Megan Martin, licensed massage therapist at St. Luke’s Rejuvenation Center. "Regular care offers the body the ability to heal itself by reducing stress hormones, allowing for better sleep, increasing range of motion by reducing muscle tension, and reducing anxiety."

In addition to massage, Martin likes to give her clients additional resources that can prolong the effects of the therapy and help them feel their best.

“After a massage session, I teach my client some stretches they can do to target their problem areas,” Martin said. “I’ll also talk to them about proper posture, sleep position and daily routines that will contribute to a better quality of life.”

Martin offers a wide range of services, including chair massage, full body relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, reiki and prenatal massage.

Acupuncture

Similar to massage therapy, acupuncture also encourages the body to heal itself. “Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system and causes chemicals to be released into the muscles, the spinal cord and the brain,” Polzin said. “These biochemical changes stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities, promoting physical and emotional well-being.”

Because this therapy addresses issues at a deep, internal level, acupuncture can be used to treat a broad range of symptoms. This includes headaches, physical pain, poor digestion, nausea, mental distress and infertility.

“Many people are scared of acupuncture because they think it’s going to be painful,” Polzin said. “But it shouldn’t hurt at all. The needles are very thin — only about the width of a single strand of hair. I like to dim the lights and use calming music to create a relaxing atmosphere. It’s a quiet time for people to reconnect with their body. A lot of people even fall asleep!”

Natural healing options at St. Luke’s

While acupuncture and massage are available at various locations in the Twin Ports, there are many benefits to receiving these services at a medical facility.

“When you come to St. Luke’s for any service, you can know that your provider has been thoroughly vetted,” Schnur said. “Anyone who practices at our facility is consistent with St. Luke’s high quality standards.”

Both Martin and Polzin practiced privately before coming to St. Luke’s, and both are excited to be partnering with this healthcare system.

“I ran my own successful practice for two years,” Martin said. “However, I found it to be a bit lonely and sometimes downright scary to be all alone. I am thrilled with the incredible support system offered at St. Luke's.”

Polzin looks forward to being established within a network of medical providers as well.

“I became an acupuncturist because I want to help people,” she said. “Working at St. Luke’s, I can connect and collaborate with other health care providers to help people in a more comprehensive way. It’s a big difference from just practicing on my own. I’m really looking forward to it.”

To learn more about each of these services or schedule an appointment, visit slhduluth.com/massage or slhdululuth.com/ acupuncture. D

Samantha Roffers, a Moose Lake writer, believes it’s important to shop for things you love and feel comfortable in. Everyone’s style is unique and that’s what makes it so special.

By Samantha Roffers

HelloDear Readers! I hope this article finds you in a wonderful place. It's hard to believe the way summer is cruising on by, we could definitely use at least three more months of it in my opinion. When we headed to Amazing Grace Boutique, it was a surprisingly cool July day. I was thankful for the cooler weather to help inspire some fall fashions for this issue! I love the transition from summer to fall, you still have that great warm glow to the skin and it's all about light and soft layers. I hang on to my birkenstocks until the snow flies no matter how cold it gets so I paired them with a lot of the looks. Amazing Grace Boutique is an absolutely fantastic new addition to the mall, all of the pieces are very on trend and reasonably priced. They buy their clothes from American companies which keeps the sizing very consistent. They also have a fantastic size range which includes plus sizes. Not only do they offer an awesome clothing selection, they have tons of great gifts and accessories, everything from jewelry and bags to essential oils. If you are wanting a unique piece to add to your wardrobe I would highly suggest checking them out! D

1This first look was so comfortable and versatile. The jeans had a great amount of stretch and I adore the distressed look. The top was soft and romantic, with lovely cuffed sleeves and timeless ribbed detailing. You could easily pair this with your favorite fall boots and a jacket or pair this top with work slacks. The brown bralette added a fun touch to the outfit and spiced up the open neckline. I also grabbed this comfy black and floral skirt to pair with the green top for a totally different look, again so dang versatile!

by Sam

This next look was so classy and beautiful! These tan pants were so comfortable and fun, they paired perfectly with this black blouse. You could easily throw on a blazer or black sweater and wear this to work, or pair it with your favorite flannel or jacket for a dressed down and effortless outfit. It was so comfortable, it could easily be worn from day to night.

3 4 5

This third look was the winner in my book for comfort. The material of this super long cardigan was unbelievably soft, like being wrapped in a brand new super soft blanket. I loved the melted lines and tones of this piece. It's fun and different while still maintaining a nice neutral feel. I could see myself reaching for this on a daily basis to cozy up at home. I paired it with black leggins and a white tank top but the options are really endless.

This fourth look was so fun and vibrant. I was immediately drawn to this hot pink sweater and paired it with a cheetah bag, metallic cowhide slip on shoes and ripped jeans. This look was so comfy and cute. The sweater could easily be paired with leggings or slacks for a work day look or dressed down as shown for any other occasion. There is something about hot pink that makes me feel totally fabulous!