I am constantly reading books on alternative health and wellness, trying out new tips and techniques, and gathering information on other alternative health care practitioners in the local (Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle, Washington) area.

I thought the wellness resources I've gathered might be useful to my clients and other visitors to the site. So here they are (ever-growing). (Note: Links that take you to sites where you can buy products will earn me a small commission (if you buy something), helping to support informational pages such as this without costing you anything.)

Wellness Books
Here are some books I have found to be valuable wellness resources:

• The Core Program, by Peggy Brill, P.T.
  I recommend this fast (15-20 min)exercise program to all my clients. It can really stop many painful musculo-skeletal issues dead in their tracks. At one point my hip hurt so badly I couldn't sleep. I started doing these exercises and within 5 days, it was gone. Inexpensive and a great reference book, too.
• Instant Relief: Tell Me Where It Hurts and I’ll Tell You What to Do, by Peggy Brill, P.T.
  Thanks again, Peggy Brill, for another brilliant book that can really knock pain on its butt. She even includes exercises for headaches.
• Energy Medicine, by Donna Eden
  A classic in the field. Her focus is on teaching self-care techniques. Can't recommend this too highly.
• Acupressure's Potent Points, by Michael Reed Gach
  The best book on acupressure I've found yet.
• Pain Free, by Pete Egoscue
  Another exercise book for rehabilitation. Much more involved than The Core Program, but worth a try before you go under the knife.
• Light Emerging, by Barbara Ann Brennan
  Another classic in the field of energy healing.
• Positive Energy, by Judith Orloff, M.D.
  A very readable introduction to many energy healing concepts.
• The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief by Claire Davies
  Trigger points are the cause of many mysterious and stubborn bodily aches and pains. Everyone should know about trigger points and how to treat them. This is the original trigger point self-treatment book. Very readable. Highly recommended if you hurt.

Music
Clients often want to know what I play during sessions. Here are a few of my favorites musical wellness resources:

• Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's "Brainwave Music": I use CDs from his relaxation series frequently, and they are practically magical in their ability to help people relax. Dr. Thompson, a researcher and sound healing pioneer, creates beautiful musical soundtracks with embedded audio brainwave pulses. Listening entrains your brain to a state of deep relaxation. There are also CDs for sleep, creativity, meditation, and energy. You can purchase his CDs here: The Relaxation Company.

• R. Carlos Nakai: Haunting Native American flute music. Any of his CDs are wonderful, but I use his Canyon Trilogy in my practice.
• Nawang Kechog: Tibetan flutist, former monk. He aims to use music to inspire non-violence, compassion and spirituality. It's very powerful, and yet soothing. The CD "Winds of Devotion" is a collaboration with R. Carlos Nakai.

Websites
And here are some Internet wellness resources:

• http://Save Yourself Articles Series
  A wealth of free articles about self-care for musculo-skeletal problems. Health writer and Canadian massage therapist Paul Ingraham presents meticulously researched advice with humor and clarity. He also has some e-books for a reasonable price, especially if you're afflicted with the problems he writes about. His e-book on trigger points is particularly valuable.

• www.revolutionhealth.com
  General information and tools for health

Tacoma-Seattle-Olympia Health Practitioners
I've listed only practitioners whom I receive treatment from or know personally, or whom a trusted source has recommended.

Acupuncture and Qi Gong
Lily Qin
Natural Medicine Clinic
10202 Pacific Ave. S. # 102
Tacoma, WA 98444
253-539-8592

Dr. Lily is flat-out amazing. She can help with so many health and wellness issues. I see her regularly and know so many people who have been helped by her. Her acupuncture style is very gentle, and she also does a lot of hands-on (needle-less) energy work (so her treatments are very pleasant).

She is also the founder and master teacher for the Tai Chi and Qigong Wellness Center in Tacoma.

Chiropractor
Randy Eaton, DC
2611 N Stevens St
Tacoma, WA 98407-4670
(253) 759-1566

He's straightforward and doesn't try to talk you into more appointments than you need.

Conscious Living/Personal Transformation
Daphne Michaels
Vibrational Health Institute
621 Pacific Ave., Suite 301
Tacoma, WA 98402
627-7257

I'm a long-time student at the Vibrational Health Institute. It's an amazing body of work, and worth many times over the time and money invested. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Esthetician
Still looking for a good one--someone who all about natural beauty care. Does anyone have any (local) favorites?

Homeopath/Naturopath
Richard Mann, N.D.
Seattle, WA
206-325-6935

Dr. Mann is worth the trip to Seattle. He's really helped my family's health. My husband had had serious allergies since childhood, and since seeing Dr. Mann, he is rarely bothered by them at all, and takes no medication for them.

Naturopath
Still looking for a good one. Does anyone have any (local) favorites?

Personal Trainer
Still looking for a good one. Does anyone have any (local) favorites?

Physical Therapist
Still looking for a good one. Does anyone have any (local) favorites?

Shamanic Healer
Peggy McEntee
706 Sixth Avenue
Tacoma,WA 98405
253-224-1005
The treatments I have received from Peggy have been amazing. (Full disclosure: Peggy is a friend.)

Talk Therapists
Margaret Ann Schmidt
8404 27th St. West
University Place, WA 98466
253-566-0779
MargaretAnnSchmidt.com

Margaret Ann is wonderful--wise, grounded, and clear-thinking. (Full disclosure: Margaret Ann is a friend.)

Vet
Dr. Dorothy Kielkopf, DVM
Evergreen Animal Hospital
6225 Wollochet Drive NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone: (253) 851-9195

I wish Dr. Dorothy could be my doctor! Evergreen Animal Hospital also provides acupuncture for pets.

Yoga Teacher
Try Najeea Leslie, of Forms of Grace.

Products
Here are some of my favorite wellness resources products:

• Aromatherapy/Essential Oils:
  If you're looking for a source for high-quality, organic essential oils, I highly recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. I really like this company for their high quality, good selection, and strong commitment to "green" principles. (The link will take you to the Mountain Rose Herbs website, where you can buy essential oils. If you do, it won't cost you any extra, but I will get a small commission, which helps me keep pages like this going.)

• Bruises, sore muscles:
  Arnica gel is great. Any brand will work.

• Sore feet, ankles, legs, hips:
  Before you pay a pile of money for custom orthotics, you might try these: Super Feet orthotics – green. They're available at REI, Nordstroms, and the Group Health pharmacy, among other places. They helped me with a heel problem (helping me avoid surgery); they helped my daughter when an ankle issue almost forced her to quit soccer; and I've had other clients who've found that they help a lot.

That's all for now, but the list will always be growing and changing, so check back for more wellness resources.

If you're local (Tacoma-Olympia-Seattle-Western Washington), please feel free to use the "Contact Nancy" form at the bottom of the navigation bar on the left to make suggestions for wellness resources that you particularly recommend. (No self-promotions, please.)

Go from Wellness Resources to Tacoma Massage Therapy Home Page.