Integrative Health

“Taking time–in to focus your attention on your internal world has been shown in research to grow those important prefrontal fibers that integrate your life, give you a strong brain and enable you to have healthy relationships .” 
Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., BRAINSTORM, The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain (Penguin Random House, NY, 2013).

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.

 “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.

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.

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.

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.

Q:  I have been limping in fairly severe pain 8/10 for three years.  I have had therapy of every sort.  It seems no  one is really sure if the pain is coming from my back, hip or knee. My gut tells me there is something deep  

Rubbing, scrubbing, scratching, brushing, petting, patting your dog, cat, hamster, horse, sheep, parakeet, cockatiel, chicken, iguana, snake or turtle is a feel good time for both of you. Beyond that, much has been researched and published about therapeutic benefits interacting with a "companion animal."

I've felt exhilarated swimming with a dolphin holding its dorsal fin at a Key Largo rescue center, observed the deLIGHTING of nursing home residents and staff when pets visited, and have seen physically challenged children transform astride a gentle horse.

What are Allergies?

Allergies are a very common problem. More than 50 million Americans suffer from various types of allergies. One out of every eleven visits to a doctor's office is somehow connected to allergy symptoms. Out of the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, 35 million of that population has allergic rhinitis, also known as Hay fever. Allergic rhinitis is the single most common chronic disease experienced by Americans today. One third of all people in the U.S. have at least one type of allergy.

Q: I am a patient who has recovered from a chronic pain problem. My pain is greatly reduced but my world is upside down. I have lost my career and spouse. My eating habits are terrible and I cannot remember the last time I exercised. I cannot take medication anymore because I developed an ulcer. Where do I go from here?

Q: I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in my back and right leg. This presents as temperature changes, burning, pain and spasm as a result of a complication of an injury. Can you treat this problem and how do you treat it?

 Rolfing is a therapy that methodically rebalances your body. It frees your body from restrictions as it releases stresses, strains and tensions held in your physical structure. Rolfing improves and restores flexibility and range of motion, releasing bound-up energy. After Rolfing, your body expends less of its vital energies against gravity. This restored freedom leads to a sense of increased physical vitality with less effort, noticeably higher levels of energy, improved health and physical appearance.

Alternative therapies are the new pioneers in changing the landscape of the health profession. The healing arts have been around for centuries but for most of us, we are just beginning to recognize its creditability.

 In the alternative realm, we use energy forces, affirmation, breath and manual techniques totreatourclients. Holistic and energetic cures have been applied with positive healing results(homeostasis). The best results occur when the healer takes the time to listen to the body and then apply techniques to assist the body in its own healingprocess. Zero Balancing (also called ZB)is a perfect example of one of these whole body,holistic modalities.

Winter dehydration has greater consequences than just dry skin. It may also be the source of your seasonal blues and flues.   

“Drink at least one quart of pure water a day” was one of the first self-health assignments for students in my holistic practitioner classes.  Over 30 years and more than 12,000 reports from 600 students, along with my professional observations, and I can say quite confidently that drinking pure water has miraculous healing effect.

Q: My daughter has had symptoms of autism since her 15 month old vaccines. She does not talk well and has many behavioral difficulties.  Is there any treatment techniques in osteopathy that are helpful with this diagnosis?

A:  I have had several children come to me with developmental delay or autism that had minimal speech and multiple behavioral disorders.  True osteopathy performed as it was created, utilized nature and animals in the treatment process. Many prescriptions included activities out in nature or interaction with animals. I use myofascial release and craniosacral therapy to balance the structure and then ask nature to help with the rest.

Q:  I have had episodes of dizziness that comes on intermittently and seems to be occurring more frequently and it seems to happen whenever I lie down.  I have been getting treated for a car accident that occurred earlier this year, could they be related?

A:  There is a chance you have benign paradoxical vertigo. This is caused by an unequal distribution of inner ear matter. There are very simple exercises that can be done in sitting.  Turning your head to one side and falling to the opposite side touching the part of your head beneath your ear to the surface count to 30, up and follow the same directions to the other side.  

Our month of May gleams with renewal.  Fluorescent green continues to sprout from rich, dark earth after a restful winter and chilly spring.   Flowers blossom little and large, brilliant and aromatic to seduce pollinating insects—an ingenious strategy to enhance a future for all of us.  What a spectacle.   Do you ever marvel at Nature’s seasonal cycles of soughing off the old for the new to emerge?  I’ve witnessed this spring rebirth 64 times, and continue to be delighted with surprises brand new to my awareness.

Spring into joyful celebration of change.

What an exciting season.  Mother Nature dazzles every one of my senses in Her spectacular performance of rebirth and renewal.  Last month’s little green nubs are today’s kaleidoscopic tulips and golden daffodils.  The delicious aroma of freshly mowed grass inspires me to pause for some really deep breaths.  Barefoot stepping over lush, cool moss not only delights my feet, but also brightens my already good mood.  Songbirds serenade me into wakefulness each morning like those endearing opening scenes of Walt Disney’s Cinderella.  The exquisite taste and crunchy texture of the first fresh-picked asparagus from the garden is irresistible.   

Whether you’re among the 86% of polled Americans who favor retaining “In God We Trust” on currency, or the 14% that want it deleted, here’s some down to earth encouragement to get help for living well from a powerful higher resource.  Whether you are religious, agnostic or atheist, believing in and utilizing some power greater than one’s mortal self is a topic worth exploration during these challenging times.  It’s an enduring investment with guaranteed dividends.

"In the last fifty years, the concept of an holistic approach to wellness, - integrating spirit, mind and body into the health paradigm, has been called many things, some of them unrepeatable in polite company. It has morphed from alternative to complimentary and finally integrative medicine.  This includes spirituality, stress modification, exercise, diet and micronutrition. "

Dr. Gerald Lemole, Medical Director Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Center and Center for Integrative Health 

  Many centers are emerging around the country primarily because the public demands empowerment and a more proactive role in their own health.