Let me explain; as healthcare professionals that spend a lot of hands-on time with your wellbeing, we often hear a lot of apologies for things that we just don’t care about. We see people from all walks of life, at various stages, and at every age. We’ve seen Scars, eczema, psoriasis, sunburns, and hair- so. much. hair. None of those are bad things. It’s part of our job. We show up without judgement to every appointment for every person.
Our clinic represents a space for compassion, care, and community. If things like body hair or a peeling sun burn bothered us, we wouldn’t be here doing what we do. Every body is different, and every body comes with its own quirks and conundrums that we’re here to help make sense of. Your scars, your bumps, your bruises, they tell us a story; they tell us of the life you’ve lived and the things you’ve endured.
In healthcare we see a number of people with plenty of insecurities about their bodies or appearance, sometimes to an extreme degree. It’s important to us that you know that we are never judging you for your body, your past, or anything else. Well, we might judge you a little if you don’t drink enough water after your treatment. Beyond that, everyone has their own story, their own stuff.
People often think they need to apologize before we even begin.
“Sorry I didn’t shave.”
“Sorry, I’m sweating.”
“Sorry about my skin.”
“Sorry about my feet.”
Truthfully? We’re usually just thinking about whether you’re comfortable, whether you’re in pain, and whether there’s anything we can do to help. Healthcare professionals spend so much time around real human bodies that the things people worry about most barely register to us anymore. Bodies sweat. Skin flakes. Hair grows. Sometimes people come in exhausted, anxious, hormonal, bloated, sore, overstimulated, or running entirely on caffeine and determination. That’s life. That’s being human. Most of the time those things are exactly the reason you’ve booked your appointment in the first place. We’re here to help alleviate those stressors, or at least their impact on your system.
If you are experiencing discomfort, we want to help. We offer a variety of services and disciplines that can support you through your journey to wellness. Pam McLoed is our resident Herbalist and specializes in Perimenopause and Menopausal symptoms in women, but she can also help with other systemic ailments, such as bloating, frequent headaches, and inflammation. She and Dr.Noemi Carapia-Blades can work together to form treatment options that can restore that sense of comfort within your body. For connective tissue discomforts, muscle weakness, and persistent aches; we have a team of massage therapists and our physiotherapist team, Magdalena Schlegel, and Krystal Rudy. For visceral (organ) disfunctions, connective tissue malfunctions, and creaking that won’t crack, we have Amy Shantz, our Osteopathic Manual Therapist. Finally, for mental health challenges, you can book an appointment with Teresa Futers. If you’re unsure of who to ask for, talk to our reception, and if they can’t direct you immediately, they’ll consult with the team and get back to you ASAP.
There’s also something important to remember; bodies are not meant to always look airbrushed or perfect. Social media has convinced many people that normal human features are flaws that need correcting or hiding. But in a treatment room, we see reality every day. We see healing bodies, tired bodies, aging bodies, strong bodies, recovering bodies. None of them need to earn compassion before walking through the door.
You do not need to arrive polished to deserve care.
In fact, some of the most meaningful moments in healthcare happen when people finally stop apologizing for existing exactly as they are. When they finally relax their shoulders a little. When they realize, they don’t need to explain every scar or insecurity before sitting down. That comfort and trust matter more to us than whether your legs are shaved or your hair is messy after a long day.
At the end of the day, we are not here to evaluate your appearance. We are here to support your health, your comfort, and your wellbeing. So come as you are – stubble, sweat, dry skin, messy hair, healing scars, and all. We promise; nobody cares except you.