Restore Integrative Health

Dry Needling + Massage: A Perfect Pair for Tight Muscles 📍💆‍♀️

Ever had a stubborn knot in your shoulder that just won’t let go, no matter how much you stretch or massage it?

That’s where dry needling may help!

Dry needling uses very thin needles placed into tight areas of muscle, often called trigger points. You might feel a quick twitch or a dull ache, followed by a sense of release as the muscle relaxes. While everyone’s experience is different, many people are surprised by how manageable the treatment feels.

✨ But pairing dry needling with massage is where the magic happens!

Dry needling targets specific areas of muscle tension, while massage helps relax surrounding muscles, ease discomfort, and promote an overall sense of relaxation.

Together, these therapies can help reduce muscle tension, improve mobility, and get you moving more comfortably.

Curious if this combination could help you?

Winnie, our Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) and Registered Acupuncturist, offers both treatments and can help determine the best approach for your needs.

💙 Ready to give those stubborn knots some extra attention? Book your next appointment with Winnie!

🔗 Book online at www.restoreyourhealth.ca or via link in bio ⬆️

Perimenopause is getting a lot more attention these days, which is a very good thing.

But I also think we need to be careful not to oversimplify it.

Yes, changes to your menstrual cycle and hot flashes are classic signs. But in clinic, I also hear about changes in sleep, mood, cognition, energy, exercise tolerance, sexual health and more.

And this is where things get nuanced. Not every woman will experience perimenopause in the same way.

Not every new symptom in midlife is caused by hormonal changes. And hormone therapy, while an excellent option for many women, is not the only piece of the puzzle.

Good perimenopause care should look at the whole picture. Your symptoms. Your menstrual history. Your medical history and risk factors. Your sleep, nutrition, movement and mental health. Your goals and preferences.

Then we build a plan that makes sense for you.

This is one of the things I love most about working in women’s health. There is rarely one answer for everyone.

Dr. Stephanie Peltz, ND, MSCP

More availability for mental health support!

We’re happy to share that Sharon, our Registered Psychotherapist, is expanding her hours at Restore!

Sharon is now available for in-person appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays AND Fridays, making it easier to find time for the support you need.

Whether you’re navigating stress, anxiety, life transitions, or simply looking for a space to feel heard and supported, Sharon offers a warm, compassionate approach to care.

Sharon is currently welcoming new clients!

Visit our website to learn more about Sharon or book an appointment. 💙

This weekend, all five of our Restore NDs attended the OAND Conference — a great opportunity to learn, connect, and stay current with the latest research.

We explored updates in gut health, chronic disease, mental health and ADHD in perimenopause, fertility, collaborative care, and the evolving role of AI in healthcare.

Continuing to learn is such an important part of how we provide thoughtful, evidence-informed, integrative care — and we’re excited to bring these insights back to our patients. 💛

OAND | Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors

We’re a few weeks into back-to-school now — which is often when the lunchbox reality starts to set in.

The novelty has worn off, routines are busy, and suddenly the food you carefully packed is coming home half-eaten… or untouched.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Your child does not need a perfect lunchbox every day.

Here are 3 things worth focusing on instead:

1. Get them involved.
Ask what they actually want to eat. Make a simple lunch plan together and give them some choice.

Kids are much more likely to eat food they helped choose — and it’s also one small step toward learning how to feed themselves well.

2. Don’t be afraid of carbs.
Growing brains and bodies need carbohydrates for energy — especially active kids and young athletes.

Rather than labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” help kids connect food with what matters to them:

More energy.
Better focus.
Feeling stronger.
Fuel for sport and play.

3. Focus on the meals you can influence most.
You can’t control exactly what gets eaten at school — and you don’t need to.

A nourishing breakfast and family dinner can go a long way toward supporting overall nutrition, even when lunch is hit-or-miss.

Think protein + carbohydrates + fibre + healthy fats, without making every meal a project.

Your job isn’t to control every bite.

It’s to make nutritious food available, keep offering variety, and help your kids gradually build the skills and confidence to fuel themselves.

Less pressure. More perspective. 💛

Want more practical tips? Read Martha’s full blog post for more school lunch ideas, or book a visit with her if your family could use some personalized nutrition support. Both links in bio ⬆️

💉 Join our 1st B12 POP-UP!

Have you been curious about B12 injections but never tried one? This is your chance to give one a try, meet our newest ND Dr. Steph Peltz, and raise money for a worthy cause all at the same time.

How it Works: Dr. Peltz is donating all the supplies, and her time, so there is no charge for your injection. Instead, we are asking for a minimum $25 donation, with 100% of the money raised going to the Daily Bread Food Bank. *Cash Only

B12 is an essential nutrient involved in red blood cell production, neurological function, and energy metabolism.

B12 supplementation can be particularly relevant for:
• Vegetarians and vegans
• Older adults
• People with certain digestive or absorption concerns
• People taking medications that can affect B12 levels (i.e. metformin and PPIs)
• People with low or suboptimal B12 levels
• People struggling with poor energy
And more...

So if you’ve been B12-curious, come say hello, support the Daily Bread Food Bank, and get your shot while you’re here.

📆 Oct 17th, 11 AM - 1 PM,
📍Restore Integrative Health, 321 Carlaw Ave Unit 208
📱By appointment only, book online, or reach out to secure your spot
* Minimum donation: $25, 100% goes to Daily Bread Food Bank

B12 supplementation is generally considered safe and well tolerated. However, B12 injections may be contraindicated for some. A brief screening will be completed before injection.

Testosterone is having a moment in women’s health.

We’re seeing claims that it may help with everything from libido and energy to mood, muscle, brain fog and feeling more like yourself again.

But what does the evidence actually support?

In her latest blog, Dr. Stephanie Peltz, ND, MSCP takes a closer look at testosterone therapy for women — including where the evidence is strongest, where we still need better research, what prescribing looks like in Canada, and why sexual health deserves to be taken seriously.

The goal isn’t to dismiss testosterone or the women asking about it. It’s to make sure the conversation is grounded in good evidence and individualized care.

Read the full blog at the link in our bio.

We’re looking for an RMT to join our team!

Restore Integrative Health is a well-established multidisciplinary clinic in the heart of Leslieville, serving our community since 2012.

We’re looking for a Registered Massage Therapist who is passionate about providing thoughtful, patient-centred care and would love to be part of a collaborative and supportive clinic environment.

A few things our practitioners love about Restore:

✨ An established clinic with a strong presence in the Leslieville community
✨ A wonderful, experienced multidisciplinary team
✨ A warm, professional and supportive work environment
✨ Opportunities for cross-referrals and collaborative patient care
✨ An established patient base and ongoing clinic marketing
✨ A beautiful, welcoming clinic space in a vibrant Toronto neighbourhood
✨ Administrative support so you can focus on your patients and your practice

We’d love to connect with an RMT who is professional, personable and interested in building a long-term practice as part of our team.

Interested—or know someone who might be a great fit? Please reach out to us at [email protected] or send us a DM.

Please feel free to share! 🤍