When someone first calls my office and requests treatment to help them with low sexual desire, or problems with sexual functioning,
one of the first questions I ask them is, “Have you already seen your doctor to have blood work done to rule out a possible medical condition?”
Tiffany Nardella was just 35 years old when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
After college, I worked for a few years in the sexual health field with an emphasis on women's health. Since I had a heightened awareness of women's health issues, I took special care to make sure I had my annual exams and knew my own body.
Sexual intimacy is an expected part of a modern day relationship—it is often seen as an expression of love and desire. Most couples are typically very sexual at the beginning of their relationship but it isn't unusual for activity to slow down over time. Factors such as aging, relationship complacency, and hectic lifestyles contribute to the decline in sexual activity but overall, healthy relationships do not tend to go more than six months without sexual intimacy. A steady decline or sudden end of sexual activity may be an indicator of deeper issues; if not addressed, it may be the beginning of a sexless relationship. Sex-avoidant, or sexless couples, are on the rise. Recent studies have shown an increase in the amount of young couples experiencing less than average sexual intimacy in their relationships. A "sexless" relationship is defined as couples having intercourse fewer than ten times a year. It is estimated that nearly 20 million Americans in a relationship are completely sexually inactive.
Sexual intimacy is an expected part of a modern day relationship—it is often seen as an expression of love and desire. Most couples are typically very sexual at the beginning of their relationship but it isn't unusual for activity to slow down over time. Factors such as aging, relationship complacency, and hectic lifestyles contribute to the decline in sexual activity but overall, healthy relationships do not tend to go more than six months without sexual intimacy. A steady decline or sudden end of sexual activity may be an indicator of deeper issues; if not addressed, it may be the beginning of a sexless relationship. Sex-avoidant, or sexless couples, are on the rise. Recent studies have shown an increase in the amount of young couples experiencing less than average sexual intimacy in their relationships. A "sexless" relationship is defined as couples having intercourse fewer than ten times a year. It is estimated that nearly 20 million Americans in a relationship are completely sexually inactive.
Do you spend significant amounts of time on your computer, tablet or Smartphone? If you do, then like an increasing number of people, you may rely so fully upon one or all of these modes of communicating and connecting with the outside world that you might not be able to envision life without it. While you no doubt have a very real need for these devices in your daily life and work, is it possible that your reliance on them could be eroding the quality of your life, and in particular, your love life?
Is the time you spend online having an effect on your face to face connections? What happens to relationships when one partner finds themselves flirting with Facebook friends while the other partner would prefer to spend time with them? And how do relationships fare when one partner is late to bed because they would rather find romance online?
Do you spend significant amounts of time on your computer, tablet or Smartphone? If you do, then like an increasing number of people, you may rely so fully upon one or all of these modes of communicating and connecting with the outside world that you might not be able to envision life without it. While you no doubt have a very real need for these devices in your daily life and work, is it possible that your reliance on them could be eroding the quality of your life, and in particular, your love life?
Is the time you spend online having an effect on your face to face connections? What happens to relationships when one partner finds themselves flirting with Facebook friends while the other partner would prefer to spend time with them? And how do relationships fare when one partner is late to bed because they would rather find romance online?
Are you a junkie? I’m not referring to drugs, alcohol or pain medications. There are other compulsions out there that are nearly as detrimental to our health, and yet, so much more readily available that you could purchase them anywhere, anytime, legally, and heck, you could even use a coupon! I’m talking about food addictions.
Picture American healthcare as a tin of fish. We pay for caviar, but are we receiving canned mackerel? Statistics from 2009 show that we cast out $7,960 per person per year. We are grossly outspending the rest of the world. Sweden pays $3722 per year per person. The savings alone could buy every U.S. citizen a new Volvo every 10 years! Is greater health being gained from shelling out all those clams?
Sorry Charlie! The level of America health is on a sinking ship. Peering into the depths of the World Health Organization’s “Healthy Life Expectancy Rankings” top ten list, Japan floated to the surface as number one. Then came Australia, France… Greece… Andorra. NO America…and, where’s Andorra?
You are tired of it! All of those people slowing traffic by jogging and biking on the road. Don’t they know that people are trying to get to work on time, shop for a new outfit or are hungry and want get to a restaurant? How RUDE! Ever been in a checkout line behind a guy who just left the gym? PEEEW! Besides a 15 item express lane, there should be one for sweaty and smelly post-fitness-routine customers. For the sake of the general public’s convenience and welfare, please read this article and gain powerful insights into why you should NOT be doing any exercise!
“Wow... how did you know doc?”
“That’s right where I feel it!”
“You always seem to know right where to go!”
I hear these wonderful exclamations from patients every day. Some patients even throw the word “magician” around. My father, also a doctor of chiropractic, has had me as a patient ever since I was a baby. He amazed me, inspiring similar exclamations. Once his magic fingers were on me, he quickly found tender spots I never knew I had. Even though I felt fine and was receiving preventive care, I always felt better afterward! It was like he had special laser-guided sensors in his fingers...
“You can fire your doctor, or fire him or her up. Help your doctor be a better doctor for you during your visits. Become more efficient and prepared without wasting precious appointment time.”
Mrs. Lamb tells everyone that she LOVES her doctor! Sometimes she is lucky enough to be kept waiting in Dr. Badside’s reception room for TWO hours past her appointment time. To top it off, the receptionist keeps to herself and never smiles. This gives Mrs. Lamb the opportunity to catch up on all the old, torn fashion magazines and Hollywood gossip rags from 2008 that are spread across the table in the corner of the room. There Mrs. Lamb sits, turning the dog eared pages until, with a whistle in her voice, the receptionist announces that the doctor is ready and herds Mrs. Lamb into a room down the hall.
Yes, you ARE a victim of the modern age! You spend much of your day banished for hours sitting in traffic, locked and chained to a work station or your home computer, and captivated on the couch watching TV. Your body is sustained in awkward positions. Your posture is crooked, compromised and fatiguing. Your neck cocks forward, causing your muscles to grip desperately to the back of your skull. The bands of connective tissue and muscles in your pelvis shorten and tighten for hours while you sit oddly perched on a chair. When the day brings needed breaks to your sedentary punishment, you suffer the results. Standing slowly, you teeter to a balance. Your body rebels against further movement.
“Hospitals haven’t given safety the attention it deserves,”
—says Peter Pronovost, M.D., senior vice president for patient safety and quality at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.
You secure your SCUBA mask and jump through the water’s surface, leaving only a splash as you begin your 100 meter descent into the watery depths. The water is murky and filled with unforeseen horrors that can rip the life from your body in a second. Sharks. The sharp steel of shipwrecks. Gear malfunctions. Such territory requires split second decisions for survival.
Q:
My teenage daughter is recovering from foot surgery and is not as active as she usual. She has been complaining that whenever she eats sugar her neck and upper shoulder area hurts. The doctors are baffled. Can you make a connection between these seemingly unrelated yet absolutely consistent and nagging complaints?
A:
You have given me several clues. First, a teenager probably does not have the greatest diet. Second, the recent inactivity is likely significant. Both of these clues lead me to a possible conclusion. That it may be her lymph system is overloaded by poor dietary byproducts. Many people who are active excrete these toxins by sweating through exercise. This enables them to ride the line and walk the tightrope of symptoms, no symptoms. They feel a little yucky, sweat, exercise, feel better. Inactivity closes the gap and topples the apple cart. Then minor dietary infractions cause symptoms. Sugar as a toxin is insulting to the system anyway, especially if it is in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Sugar does also make a temporary and immediate shortening of the muscular tendons where they attach to the bones. Together the over saturation of the lymph with toxins, the lack of excretion, the shortening of tendons and additional toxic input; more sugar, could very likely present itself as neck and shoulder pain. Especially when eating sugar under the
circumstance of being immobile. My recommendation is healthy, live greens, organic fruits and vegetables, lots of waterand perhaps a detoxification diet. Manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that flushes the lymph system and a sauna would all be very helpful. Myofascial release may be needed to encourage full release of these muscles as well as posture awareness of head position and the stress on the neck muscles in sleeping and awake postures.
Q: I notice you recommend Yoga often to your clients. I had a strange experience in Yoga that was described to me as my Kundalini Rising. I had severe uncontrolled jerking at this time and am afraid to meditate or do Yoga again. It left me very sore.
A: Yoga is a very telling practice. It is an opportunity for you to get to know your body and all of the areas that are tight not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In your practice you are not only striving for symmetry of muscular length and strength and proper bony alignment but balance in your thought processes and connection with the energetic aspects of Being. Kundalini rising is the energy (Prana ) moving up the spine, this canal, the (Shashumna) and through all the Chakras or Energy centers along the way. If there are blockages, belief systems or patterns of trapped energy these will be revealed and be expressed many different ways.
The Kundalini Rising does not necessarily make you jerk however the nervous system and any tethers or resistance in this system will present that way. It is helpful to coordinate Transformational Bodywork, Craniosacral therapy and Myofascial therapy with your Yoga regime so that blockages and restrictions can be moved more gently. You can stop kundalini rising instantly, so it is imperative you have an attentive and experienced teacher until you master this more advanced energetic aspect of Yoga practice.
Ann is an award winning writer,teacher and speaker. Ann is the personal body worker of Her Holiness “Sai Maa”. Ann practices osteopathic physical therapy and has helped thousands of patients. Ann is also an expert on the use of healing foods, homeopathic and herbal consultations, and therapeutic horseback riding. Ann treats her patients in a beautiful country setting which enables her to utilize all of her learned skills as well as some of the healing properties that only Mother Earth can bestow .Ann is available by appointment and can be reached 302-656-7882. The farm is also available for birthday parties, women’s circles, and retreats.
Ever see the majestic figure of a Humpback whale off the bow of a boat? Ever feel the rush of hitting the lottery? Ever experience the accomplishment of pushing to the end of a marathon? Ever shout with joy from winning a reality game show? Ever gaze down at the earth from Mount Everest? I certainly hope that you polish off many of the items that fill your bucket list. Unfortunately, another bucket list exists with items that most Americans will experience, but wish they wouldn’t! This list contains events that embarrass, terrify and hurt. I may not be able to help you avoid producing an unexpected bodily sound at a board meeting, or keep bad luck or poisonous spiders out of your way, but I can provide you with valuable insights for the best and most cost-effective ways for handling an event that happens to nearly all Americans - lower back pain!
“Seduction can be broken down into an equation: 10% projection of success, 10% appearance, 10% intelligence, and 70% charm.”
—Askmen.com
Some people just seem to ooze sex appeal (think Samantha Jones and Christian Grey). Granted, those are fictional characters that both have a lot of experience under their belts, but don’t worry if you don’t—with a little coaching and practice, you will be radiating sexy in no time. The truth is we are all capable of being sexy. Like everything else in life that’s worth having or doing, it takes effort and dedication to perfect those skills. Whether you are trying to meet a stranger, or rekindle the art of seduction after years in a relationship, these are some guidelines to follow in perfecting your skillset.
“We sit by the fire and speak softly,
While the wind blows, and the rain
Lashes against the windows
The lights flicker and are gone,
The storm grows worse….
We sit quietly watching the fire,
It hisses as the rain comes down the chimney,
The lights come back,
The storm grows worse.
The wind whirls around the roof….
Daylight comes, the clouds are gone.
The sun is shining.”
Hurricane Bob, by Mary Hoxie Jones, 1991; in
Tracing the Rainbow, Manchester Ctr, VT, 1995.
Q:
My cat “Chance” was recently diagnosed with cancer of the liver. He is 13 years old and has diabetes. I have been investigating the holistic ways to treat it because I do not want to do chemotherapy on my pet. I came across an article that said that Vitamin C was helpful. Can you discuss this, please?
Adding fiber- and flavor-rich fresh veggies lets you enjoy favorite foods, while educating your family's palates and habits towards healthier fare.
This month, families are encouraged to implement healthier eating habits. "Eat more fresh vegetables," has become an organizing focus for me to keep upgrading my nutrition. Eating more vegetables will unequivocally boost your family's nutrition. Here are some ideas to inspire your journey towards a healthier lifestyle and a more attractive physique.
Jane had neck PAIN. It hurt every morning when she woke up at 5:30 and crept into the shower. Over the past months, she began adding more and more time and hotter water. She thought it would make her neck feel better. The pain returned as fast as the steam and condensation on the mirror cleared. After she came home from work in the evening, Jane’s neck felt raw,
Echinacea, also known as purple coneflower, has gained popularity in recent years as a nutritional supplement that proponents believe is helpful in staving off the common cold and shortening its duration. But given the variation between dosages and formulations—such herbs are not regulated as medical drugs by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and so makers have little incentive to standardize—it’s hard to get definitive answers as to Echinacea’s effectiveness.
Q:
I have neuropathy. My hands and feet are go numb and wake me several times in the night. It is getting worse over time. What help is there for me?
A:
There are several angles for which to approach such a problem and sometimes this issue must be approached from all the angles at one time for full recovery. We will start small and work toward a bigger picture. First, the cellular aspect or more specific the biochemical influence on the body.
She was already there when I arrived... huffing and puffing... sporting stretchy black garb while a distressed expression blanketed her face. What was she thinking? Could it be,
“This is wonderful! Who hoo, I love being chained to a treadmill for FIVE hours each week!!” I don’t think so. Her body language spoke more of the desperation displayed by Superman, outstretched arms, tightly clawed hands, scrambling feet, as he crept toward safety when in the proximity of kryptonite. After I had finished my routine at the gym, I was on my way out when I saw her STILL trucking away on the treadmill. Now, sweatier and obviously exhausted, she slapped her feet on the spinning belt to nowhere with a disheartening beat - the rhythm of an army drum calling for retreat. Sound like a familiar scenario?
Am I Normal?
As a sex therapist, I get a lot of questions from people wanting to know what is “normal.” People vary so widely in their sexual thoughts, attitudes and behavior that defining “what is normal” is difficult if not completely impossible. A good rule to follow about normalcy for you is: whatever you and your partner decide will be pleasurable for you both. This month, I’m sharing with you the most commonly asked questions, with some brief responses. Enjoy!
Approach the month of March, with the promise of pots of gold, shamrocks and little leprechauns, our thoughts turn to beer. Green beer, light beer, low-carb beer… the choices are endless. For those on a low carbohydrate diet, St. Patrick’s Day is the holiday for you. Not only is the traditional dish of corned beef and cabbage naturally low in carbohydrates, but now you can even enjoy beer and liquor, too.
Myth: Stretching reduces the risk of injury
Fact: In early 2004, the US Centers for Disease Control released a report which analyzed over 350 studies arouond the globe The report’s bottom line: Stretching has not been proven to lower the risk of injury during activity and may even increase your chances of winding up on the sidelines.
Curious, isn’t it, how we find so many explanations for why we can’t seem to control our weight? Everything from “I don’t have time for anything except fast food!” to
“I can’t use my stationary bike because it's covered in clothes” to “The dog ate my menu plan.”Living well results from a combination of many factors which are, for the most part, within our control and one of the core elements for producing a sense of wellbeing is a healthy body. While most of us know the “rules” for achieving that, it is in following those rules that some of us lose our way.
According to greek legend, when the gods walked upon the earth, they lived on walnuts. It’s no wonder why they did. As an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants walnuts have many potential health benefits.
Walnuts are an exceptionally good source of omega-3 fatty acids, a special type of fat the body cannot manufacture. Numerous studies have demonstrated that people who consume a diet rich in omega 3 oils have a significantly reduced risk of developing heart disease. Specifically, Omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce artery clogging plaque from forming within the walls of coronary arteries.
These important fatty acids also impact the healthy functioning of nerve cells. A relative deficiency of omega 3 oils leads to the formation of cell membranes that are much less “fluid” than normal, which can ultimately affect behavior, mood and mental function. In fact, decreased consumption of omega 3 fatty acids has been correlated with increased rates of depression.
Walnuts also contain polyphenolic compounds which are powerful antioxidants and inhibit free radical damage to LDL cholesterol, further reducing the possibility of plaque formation.
Add Walnuts to your Daily Diet
Despite the significant health impacts, an estimated 60% of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. The good news is that increasing YOUR body’s supply of healthful omega 3 fatty acids couldn’t be any easier - just toss a few walnuts into your morning oatmeal, or your dinner salad, or grab a handful as a quick afternoon snack.
What do Heavy Winter Rains Have in Common
with Glaucoma?
Every winter across the US, heavy rains bring thoughts of flooding, backed up drainage systems and overflowing streets. When the drains and city sewers get clogged, the overflow of winter rains can bring a once bustling community to a grinding halt.
Most all of us, at one time or another has experienced heartburn. Heartburn is a common symptom of acid indigestion.
Have you ever wondered what was going on inside your body to cause this annoying sensation? Heartburn occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach are refluxed into the lower esophagus. Since the cells lining the esophagus are not able to withstand exposure to acidic conditions, irritation and inflammation result; hence the burning sensation. Individuals that are at greater risk for experiencing acid indigestion are those with hiatal hernia, weakened valve between esophagus and stomach (lower esophageal sphincter) and those with an impaired ability to clear liquids or food from the esophagus into the stomach.
I adopted Pepper from a shelter in 1992, just after I moved to Philadelphia. I had cats growing up on a farm in Wisconsin, but never had the opportunity to have one as an adult, due to various rental agreements. From 1992, to 1998 when I met my partner Neal, it was just us two. I had had relationships during that time, but perhaps Pepper knew that they would not last and therefore didn’t pay much attention. Then I met Neal and after several weeks he began to notice a change in her behavior, saying one day, “You know she’s trying to kill me.”
Do it yourself, Great new products and how to's
