Village Health Clinic specializes in healing the whole family, naturally. Our clinic treats conditions specific to all age groups using science-based natural medicines as alternatives to drugs & surgery.
Our services are covered by most health insurance carriers. Coverage needs to be submitted and confirmed by the patient.
The majority of health care needs can be addressed by the following:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a tradition of medicine that has been practiced for over 5000 years. Traditional therapies are fused with modern science to create a form of medicine that provides balance to the body's systems. Used to stimulate the organ systems, Acupuncture is a successful method of treatment for a variety of health problems including pain, hormonal imbalances, infertility and digestive issues.
For more information go to our Acupuncture page. (back to the top)
Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bio identical hormones replacement therapy (BHRT) involves the treatment of hormone deficiencies using hormones that are identical to those naturally produced in the body. Conventional hormone therapy, on the other hand, uses hormones that have been chemically altered so that they can be patented and sold as a drug. It is this chemically altered drug form of hormone therapy that has received much negative attention regarding the side effects associated with hormone therapy.
The goal of Bio identical hormones replacement therapy (BHRT) is to achieve a natural hormone balance in the body resulting in symptom relief and improved well being without the side effects. BHRT is used to treat a variety of hormone deficiencies such as menopause, peri-menopause, hypothyroidism, and adrenal deficiencies. It can also be used to facilitate weight loss and treat infertility, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual cramping, premenstrual syndrome, low libido, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. Bio identical hormones are made using natural ingredients and available by prescription from local pharmacies.
Dr. Brian Gluvic has over ten years of experience using BHRT. Your appointment with Dr. Brian Gluvic will involve a comprehensive consultation, lab work and physical exam. He will present dietary, nutritional and lifestyle options that will help you achieve hormone balance in the long term and bio identical hormone replacement therapy options to provide more immediate results. (back to the top)
Clinical Nutrition & Diet Therapy
Diet is assessed and modified according to the individual’s needs and the health condition treated. Weight and detoxification can be assessed. Food sensitivity or allergy testing may be recommended and allergy desensitization protocols specified to your needs if required. Nutrition, shopping & cooking guidance is offered. (back to the top)
Children's Health, Naturally
At the Village Health Clinic, we emphasize science-based natural medical care for children. Starting in infancy we provide comprehensive well baby/child exams where we record your child’s growth and development, perform a full physical exam, and discuss in detail all your parental concerns – such as vaccinations, breast feeding, food introduction, allergy risk reduction, and healthy eating habits. We provide evidence-based dietary and nutritional treatments, along with conventional therapy when required, for common chronic and acute conditions in infancy and childhood – like constipation, eczema, infant reflux, abdominal pain, diarrhea, ADHD, autism, asthma, ear infections and other respiratory infections. Dr. Brian Gluvic has received additional training in naturopathic pediatrics and teaches pediatrics at the local naturopathic medical school. To receive the best in naturopathic medical care for your children, schedule an appointment with us. (back to the top)
Botox Cosmetic
Say goodbye to wrinkles! Botox cosmetic involves injection of small amounts of botulinum toxin into facial muscles which relaxes the muscles. As the muscle relaxes so will the wrinkles. Botox injections can significantly reduce frown lines, crow's feet, dimpling on the chin and other signs of aging. During our initial consultation we will create an individualized treatment plan that will result in a natural, more youthful look. (back to the top)
Cold and Flu Prevention
More to come.... (back to the top)
Constipation
The basic treatment for constipation is to increase dietary fiber and water consumption. When this is not enough, we address the underlying cause of constipation, an overstressed and under-functioning bowel. To reduce stress on the digestive tract and restore normal bowel function, we avoid adverse foods reactions with either a hypoallergenic diet or by food allergy testing and utilize a combination of supplemental fibers and nutritional stool softeners. For constipation that does not respond to these dietary and nutritional treatments, we restore normal bowel function with acupuncture, more aggressive digestive support and colon hydrotherapy. Colon Hydrotherapy involves flushing the colon with sterilized filtered water which results in the removal of accumulated toxins and stimulation of bowel activity. (back to the top)
Detoxification
A cleanse, also referred to as a detox, is a supplement and dietary intervention to assist with the body’s elimination of waste products (detoxificaiton). Most people think of cleanse as something you do for a few weeks at a time and perhaps a few times a year. This may temporarily relieve your symptoms of fatigue, bloating, constipation, and headaches but these symptoms often return after the cleanse is completed. The body usually does a pretty good job of detoxification on a daily basis when optimal nutrition is available and when the body is not overwhelmed by dietary, environmental and emotional stressors. If you are feeling toxic and experience fatigue, bowel issues or chronic pain, consider consulting a naturopathic physician to determine your nutritional needs and ways to reduce these stressors on your body. We can formulate a detox program, involving diet, nutrition and perhaps colon hydrotherapy, to get you feeling good now and a maintenance plan towards feeling great for the long term. (back to the top)
Naturopathic Family Medicine
As primary care practitioners, Naturopathic physicians perform routine physical exams as a screening process in preventative medical care. Routine exams help screen for risk factors and may include both conventional and specialty testing. A full physical exam is recommended yearly. (back to the top)
Food Allergy Testing
Food allergies are adverse immune responses to a food protein. Our clinic provides food allergy testing to properly diagnosis certain health issues. (back to the top)
Infertility
At the Village Health Clinic, we combine our extentive experience with the latest research and traditional medicines to restore optimal reproductive health. We use evidence based nutritional and diet therapies, herbal medicines, acupuncture and bioidentical hormone replacement therapies to create a customized treatment plan to restore hormone balance, optimise ovarian and uterine function, and ultimately increase fertility. The treatment plan is tailored to support and improve the success rate of assisted reproductive technologies (in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination). We also successfully treat conditions that interfere with fertility: endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, fibroids, low ovarian reserve, early menopause, autoimmunity, luteal phase defects, hypothyroidisms, recurrent miscarriage, and male infertility. (back to the top)
IV Vitamins & Minerals
More to come.... (back to the top)
Midwifery
Midwifery in British Columbia is primary maternity care – from the first prenatal visit until six weeks postpartum. Midwives attend to the needs of women during normal pregnancy and birth, in both a home or hospital setting, providing the majority of health care needs in pregnancy & birth. Midwives are licensed to order laboratory tests and prescribe medications pertinent to maternity care.
Midwifery services are fully covered by the Medical Services Plan.
For more information on Midwifery, visit our Midwifery page. (back to the top)
Prebirth/Induction Acupucture
Natural childbirth has become the exception, not the standard. Medical and surgical interventions for deliveries have increased exponentially in the last two to three decades in Canada. Epidurals are used in almost half (46%) of all births in Canada. Where as in England, the rate is 12%. Medical inductions have increased from 12% in the 1980s to 20% in 2007. C-section rates have increased from 17.6 to 26.3% from 1993 to 2006. The World Health Organization argues that this rate should be 5-10%.
Pre-birth acupuncture helps to increase your chances of a natural childbirth. Several studies have shown that pre-birth acupuncture reduces labour by 3 – 5 hours and reduces induction rates by 43%. Several studies have shown that pre-birth acupuncture reduces Epidural rates by 31% and C-section rates by 32%. Pre-birth acupuncture helps to ripen the cervix, move the baby into the proper position, increase stamina and resolve other pregnancy related concerns. To learn more about pre-birth acupuncture talk to your Village Health Clinic doctor, midwife, or office assistant. Treatments start at 36 – 37 weeks gestation. (back to the top)
Prolotherapy
Chronic musculoskeletal pain occurs when ligaments and tendons are damaged. Over time, movement is impaired, which contributes to further damage. Anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Advil) are often prescribed to reduce pain, but these ultimately prevent the body’s natural healing process, leading to more damage. With time, surgery is recommended as a last resort. An effective alternative to drugs and surgery is Prolotherapy, which involves injecting a natural solution into the area of the damaged tendons and ligaments. This solution stimulates an inflammatory response, leading to growth and strengthening of the tissue and ultimately reducing pain and restoring motion. The number of treatments required is commonly between 2 and 10, depending on the area affected. (back to the top)
Sports & Physical Medicine
Hydrotherapy (water therapy), colon hydrotherapy, orthopedic exams, functional exercises, and spinal/cervical manipulations may be prescribed for treatment in Sports Medicine. In addition, trigger point injections, neurotherapy, prolotherapy and topical natural anti-inflammatory preparations may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and promote healing naturally and effectively. (back to the top)
Sublingual Immunotherapy/Allergy Testing
Allergy season is rapidly approaching. Do you remember the itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing fits, coughing, wheezing and resulting fatigue. At the Village Health Clinic we provide an effective treatment and preventive option for allergies – sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).
SLIT involves daily oral drops of diluted allergen (grass, mold, dust mite, tree pollen, cat dander) taken over several months to reduce symptoms of allergy. SLIT works the same way as allergy injections but without the needles. It is a safe effective treatment that is easy to administer (easier and better tolerated than allergy shots) and much less expensive than allergy shots. Currently it is not common practice in Canada and the US, but it is used extensively for the treatment of allergies in Europe.
A recent review of 63 studies involving 5000 children and adults found strong evidence that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) works. In these studies, individuals with hay fever or asthma received either SLIT or placebo treatment. Those receiving SLIT had significant improvement in symptoms – reduced coughing, wheezing, nasal discharge, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
Dr. Brian Gluvic is board certified to perform a variety of different types of allergy testing, including skin prick testing. He has years of experience and training with the diagnosis and treatment of allergic conditions and can provide you with evidence-based treatments to improve your allergy symptoms and ultimately improve the function of your immune system. To find out more on how to free your-self from allergies, schedule an appointment and start feeling better! (back to the top)
Women's Health
More to come.... (back to the top)
Weight Loss
Some people have difficulty losing weight even with the help of weight loss plans. Others lose weight but can’t keep it off. We specialize in helping all of these individuals. Utilizing a comprehensive approach, we identify the underlying medical, dietary, and nutritional factors that interfere with weight loss. We create a complete dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle plan specific for you that leads to not only dramatic short term weight loss but long term maintenance without feeling deprived. If necessary, we incorporate more aggressive strategies involving nutritional protocols, vitamin injections or hormone therapy to facilitate weight loss. Ultimately, your new diet and nutritional plan lead not only to weight loss but more energy and well being - and a new you. (back to the top)
Village Health Clinic welcomes new patients. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.