The Trickiness of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a complicated infection, tough to diagnose and even harder to treat if doctors miss an early diagnosis, which is all too often the case. Lyme disease treatment is tricky because the most popular blood tests used in most doctors' offices to detect the disease miss about 55% of Lyme cases. If and when a patient finally is diagnosed, it's sometimes by a clinical evaluation of the symptoms, ones that often mimic other ailments like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and even Alzheimer's disease.

Complicating matters even further, symptoms can change and move making it even harder for doctors to effectively diagnose and treat. Headaches, migrating pain, bowel problems, uncharacteristic mood swings, panic attacks, and sleep disorders are just a few of the symptoms commonly reported in Lyme patients.

Antibiotics Aren't Always the Only Answer

While antibiotics and other prescription medications can help in treating the disease and the all-too-common tick-borne co-infections that often hitchhike into your body through a tick bite, I say there's also a place for holistic remedies in the treatment and management of Lyme disease. Antibiotics alone may not suffice because Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi and it has a way of getting into the cell. When it does this the cell membrane inadvertently protects the bacteria and shields it from the antibiotics. The bacteria can also hide dormant in the nervous system, among other places, where antibiotic drugs can't reach them.

Natural treatments can help heal the body by knocking out the infection all together and reducing inflammation while also getting an injured immune system back on track. 

Using Nutrition Response Testing I do not diagnose or treat Lyme but if a patient comes in knowing they have it, here is how I help support the body:

• Herbs: samento, banderol, stevia, andrographis, resveratrol, and cat's claw all target Lyme and related tick-borne infections. 

• Tea time: green tea compounds, along with curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, are known to reduce oxidative stress and help aid in traditional antibiotic treatment. We love muscle testing for your specific tea at our Tea Bar.

• Having enough vitamins and minerals: Zinc, B, and D vitamin deficiencies could slow down Lyme recovery, so I always muscle test to see if a patient is in need of these vitamins. 

• Probiotics: Probiotic foods may help replenish beneficial bacteria in the gut that are wiped out by antibiotic Lyme disease treatment. Organic yogurt, kefir, and even fermented vegetables are good sources of probiotics and a supplement may be needed as well.

• Exercise: Even small concentrations of oxygen can help destroy Lyme bacteria in the body. Although Lyme typically zaps people's energy, intense exercise during and after treatment can help keep the disease at bay. Add extra oxygen in the body with our ozone sauna can help. 

• Natural Anti-Inflammatories: natural compounds that ease inflammation, such as curcumin, and Standard Process's antronex.  

• Diet: a low-carbohydrate diet is a must because carbohydrates, including sugar, fuel the Lyme germs. This means ditching most processed foods and avoiding any added sugar. Muscle testing the person, and actively supporting the person's general health with emphasis on their immune system, circulation, reduced inflammation, and detoxification can lead to reduced symptoms and full immune system restoration.

We help Lyme's patients and have built a niche for helping severe, chronic Lyme's patients.  Here's one of our testimonials. 

Lyme’s Disease: “Having suffered chronic Lyme Disease for years with no help from Western medicine, I set out on a journey to find out all I can about the beings that were inhabiting my body. During the years I was infected I tried nearly everything, including vitamin IV drips, weeks at a raw living food center, acupuncture, colonics, lymph drainage, doctors, doctors and more doctors. Having finally overcome the infection and on the better side of dealing with the toll it took on my body, mind and spirit, I can highly recommend Dr. Alicia Armitstead. Dr. Armitstead’s uses your own body’s intelligence through NRT (Nutritional Response Testing i.e., muscle testing) to create the plan of action. In my work with Dr. Armitstead we were unable to treat my Lyme infection for 14 months because we had to work through other issues that took priority over the Lyme infection. As an example, if the body is already in a weakened state, it is incapable of performing basic functions like contending with the "everyday" toxicities found in water, air, food, cleansers, deodorants, creams, shampoos, detergents, exhausts, etc., so the body, being too sick to detox them, ends up storing those toxins away in organs or tissue throughout the body. This gradually builds up over time and while this can happen to a healthy happy body, it can be extremely debilitating to a body infected by Lyme or any other severe situation. With Dr. Armitstead, you will experience through the work what toxins are aggressive to the body and need the most immediate attention from visit to visit. Overcoming Lyme Disease is just the beginning; the real work is in restoring the body from the havoc Lyme wreaked. I was like the girl in the bubble: my immune system was and is still so sensitive and if I am exposed to any kind of chemical I get sick. I continue to get better and better but it is a process and a commitment to my health. It could be Lyme’s disease, autoimmune or any other of the thousands of things that people fight these days and one thing is for sure: You have the power to help your body heal right now today by changing your toxic environment.” A.H.

Acupuncture For Pain Management by Dr. Erin Lee

Acupuncture has been used for over 2,500 years to regulate homeostasis and stimulate biological responses. Similar to how the body responds to a minor injury such as a paper cut, an acupuncture needle serves to create a controlled micro-trauma, setting off immune and anti-inflammatory responses and stimulating the body’s own healing mechanisms.

Acupuncture points are located along major nerve pathways in areas with a higher concentration of nerves, vessels and neuromuscular attachments, thereby affecting the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems and the regulation of neurotransmitters and hormones. In fact, 80% of motor points (where the nerve innervates muscle) are actually major acupuncture points.

Examples of Acupuncture Points

Dermatomes are specific areas of the body supplied by a spinal nerve. For example, sensation in the pinky toe (including pain) is supplied by the S1 spinal nerve originating from the sacrum. The acupoint Bladder 67 (BL67) is located on the pinky toe and ancient texts have outlined that it is to be used to turn a breached baby. How does this work? Because it stimulates the nerve which originates right behind the uterus, thereby stimulating movement of the baby!

Functional MRIs show evidence that certain points such as LI4, which is located on the hand, stimulate certain areas of the brain and effectively shut off pain receptors, thereby affecting the “fight or flight” response. Similarly GB37, a point on the leg which is known in Chinese medicine to be the empirical point for the eye, has been shown in functional MRIs to affect the area of the brain controlling optic function.

Acupuncture for Pain Management

Although effective for most internal conditions such as allergies, respiratory and digestive issues, stress and anxiety, and gynecological/fertility issues, acupuncture is most popularly known for pain relief. It is an effective means to reduce muscle tension, regulate nerve signals and increase blood flow to the area, which in turn reduces inflammation and swelling to accelerate healing by removing obstructions and allowing WBC and other healing agents to reach the site more quickly and effectively.

At Work In Progress Acupuncture Studio, a combination of trigger point therapy, electrostimulation (E-Stim), cupping and/or guasha are used to effectively treat many pain conditions including: migraines, neck, shoulder, low back, hip, knee, ankle, sciatica, carpal tunnel, tennis/golf elbow, and plantar fasciitis. If you have numbness, tingling or pain anywhere in the body, consider getting acupuncture before surgery, injections or other therapies to naturally align and stimulate your body’s own healing mechanisms.

Contact

Read our Google Reviews to learn more about how others have found acupuncture to help. To check if your insurance plan includes acupuncture benefits, submit your insurance information on the website below. HSA and FSA accepted.

Call/Text: (212) 547-9477

Email: hello@workinprogressacu.com

Website: workinprogressacu.com

Spring Detox: Detoxing & Liver Support

It’s out with the old and in with the new for springtime, and the same goes for toxins built up in your body, better out than in. Just like good housekeeping, there is good body keeping! Cleansing at least once a year is especially helpful, and even more supportive when done as the seasons change. Just like the temperature, the foods we eat during each season change.  As we move from spring to summer, the body is working up towards some of the busiest months of the year.

Traditionally, cultures all around the world have practiced seasonal cleansing in different ways. The liver is one of the main organs to take toxins out of the body, and is also one of the hardest working organs in our body! The liver works with other organs to detox blood, produce bile, breakdown hormones, and acts as a storage facility for our vitamins and minerals. If the liver is not functioning properly, it can effect many other areas of our body.

Some things you may notice if your liver is not performing at its best include: gas or bloating, constipation, heartburn, acid reflux, yellowish tint to skin and eyes, high blood pressure, difficulty losing weight, cognitive difficulties, dark urine, poor appetite, and chronic fatigue.

To help support your liver, there are certain foods we can focus on. These foods include beets, carrots, tomatoes, grapefruit, spinach, citrus fruits, cabbage, turmeric, avocados, apples, Brussel sprouts, garlic, dandelion root, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, green tea, artichoke, olive oil, and alternative grains like quinoa, millet and buckwheat.

There are many diets, supplements, and programs available to cleanse your liver - and we encourage you to find the one that is best for you by muscle testing. Below are some general tips for optimal liver support:

-       Hydrate
-       Eat clean and organic
-       Exercise regularly
-       Eat good fats (like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and avocados)
-       Eat veggies, preferably organic. A good rule of thumb is to eat many colors to get the most micronutrients
-       Take a probiotic
-       Get the proper amount of sleep
-       Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
-       Avoid processed foods and whole grains

Most people find that when they have completed a liver cleanse, they have much more energy, improved digestion, and have brighter looking skin. Many report more mental clarity and cognitive functioning, along with a boost to the immune system and more balanced blood sugar levels.

Do You Have GERD?

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, a digestive disorder affecting the ring of muscle between your esophagus and your stomach. This ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If you have GERD, you may experience heartburn or acid indigestion, which happens when your lower esophageal sphincter is weak or relaxes when it shouldn't, allowing stomach acid to flow back into your feeding tube or esophagus.

Some factors that can increase your risk of GERD include obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, smoking, eating large or late meals, drinking alcohol or coffee, and taking certain medications.

What Is The Difference Between GERD and Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a common condition that occurs when the stomach acid or other contents of your stomach flow back into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation in your chest (heartburn) or a sour taste in your mouth. Acid reflux can occasionally happen to anyone, especially after eating certain foods or drinking certain beverages.

GERD is a more severe and chronic form of acid reflux. GERD happens when acid reflux occurs frequently and damages the lining of your esophagus. GERD can cause more severe symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and inflammation of the esophagus.

Acid reflux is a symptom of GERD, but not all cases of acid reflux are considered GERD. GERD requires medical treatment to prevent complications.

What Are The Symptoms of GERD?

GERD can cause a burning pain in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating or at night. Other symptoms of GERD may include:

• Regurgitation of food or a sour liquid (acid reflux)

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

• Sensation of a lump in your throat

• Persistent dry cough

• Hoarseness or sore throat

If you have frequent or severe symptoms of GERD, we can help by creating a specific nutritional program to help heal the stomach and valve.  If left untreated, GERD can lead to complications such as inflammation (link to podcast on chronic inflammation) , ulcers, bleeding, narrowing, or cancer of the esophagus.

The Common Causes of GERD

GERD affects millions of people worldwide. Different factors may contribute to GERD in different individuals. However, some common causes or risk factors for GERD include:

• A weak or dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which is a ring of muscle at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach that acts as a valve to prevent reflux. Typically, the LES closes tightly after food passes into the stomach and opens only when needed. However, if the LES is weak or relaxes abnormally, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus.

• A hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is defined as when a small part of your stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. This can weaken or distort the LES and make it easier for reflux to occur.

• Obesity or pregnancy. Excess weight or pressure on the abdomen can strain the LES and increase intra-abdominal pressure, forcing stomach contents into the esophagus.

• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking can damage the mucous membranes of the esophagus and impair its ability to clear acid. It can also reduce saliva production, which helps neutralize the acid. In addition, nicotine can relax the LES and stimulate acid secretion.

• Certain foods or drinks. Some foods or beverages can trigger or worsen GERD symptoms by relaxing the LES and increasing acid production or secretion. Some examples of these foods or drinks are:

  • Spicy foods

  • Fatty or fried foods

  • Chocolate

  • Peppermint

  • Citrus fruits and juices

  • Tomato-based products

  • Coffee and other caffeinated beverages

  • Carbonated drinks

  • Alcohol

However, different people may have other triggers for GERD, so it is important to identify and avoid one's own personal triggers which is what we do when we muscle test you. Other factors that can cause GERD include:

• Certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and some antibiotics.

• Stress, anxiety, or depression. These can affect the function of the digestive system and increase acid reflux symptoms.

• Medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, scleroderma, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, or gastroparesis.

• Genetic factors. Some people may inherit a tendency to have a weak or dysfunctional LES.

What Can Happen If GERD Is Left Untreated

There can be severe complications for your health if GERD is ignored and left untreated. Some of the possible consequences are:

• Esophagitis: When the lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed, and can lead to bleeding, ulcers, and scarring

• Esophageal stricture: a narrowing of the esophagus due to scar tissue, which can make it hard to swallow food and drinks

• Barrett’s esophagus: a condition where the normal cells of the esophagus are replaced by abnormal cells that are more prone to cancer

• Esophageal cancer: a rare but life-threatening type of cancer that affects the esophagus

• Asthma: a chronic lung disease that causes wheezing, coughing, and breathing difficulties

• Pneumonia: an infection of the lungs that causes fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath

These complications can be prevented or treated if you seek medical attention for your GERD symptoms. Healing Arts uses only natural remedies, including dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and a supplementation plan to help you control your GERD and protect your esophagus. Understanding the causes of GERD can help people prevent and manage their symptoms effectively. Please do not ignore your symptoms or delay seeking help. Your health is important.

Are You Suffering From Allergies?

Do you experience:

• Environmental allergies that make you dread seasonal changes?

• “Food Allergies” that severely limit your diet (and nourishment)?

• Sensitivities to things in your environment that restrict your quality of life?

• Symptoms or unwanted health conditions that simply won’t respond, or only respond to treatment temporarily?

These symptoms could be signs of allergies. If you have allergies, there is an alternative to medication and the impracticality of avoidance…It is AACT, Accelerated Allergy Clearing Technique.

Allergies are multifaceted. They can show up just about anywhere in your body and bring forth a variety of issues. They can affect your nose, eyes, throat, lungs, stomach, skin and nervous system. They can give you a bellyache, GERD, a rash and even bring on fatigue and headache.

In our experience, when major allergies, both food and/or environmental, are present and not handled, they are often interfering with the body’s normal function, repair, and self-correcting mechanisms. Autoimmune disease have risen dramatically due to high levels of pollution in the air. This represents a major health problem that experts now think affects one third of the whole population. And if they are not managed properly, people begin to deal with it by avoiding the modern world.

Food sensitivities, environmental allergies, and chemical sensitivities are afflicting more and more people and an individual can be allergic or sensitive to any number of substances including: foods, molds, pollens, animal dander, chemicals, fabrics, medications, MSG, food additives, etc. Allergy symptoms can be over-reactions of the immune system while and/or an imbalance in the body's nervous system. An imbalance in the body's energy can lead to decreased health, so clearing allergies and sensitivities is one way to improve the overall immune system.

The allergy clearing procedure is a gentle, painless, non-invasive way to relieve symptoms by utilizing acupressure, muscle testing, and nutrition to address underlying problems and bring balance to the body. It is safe on the youngest to oldest of patients. Most begin to notice improvement in just a few sessions, but the full benefit is seen as a patient's overall health improves with the combination of acupressure plus vitamin supplementation. Some common changes with the allergy clearing include: elimination of lactose intolerance, reduction or elimination of IBS and GERD, sinus relief, seasonal allergy relief, elimination of eczema and hives, reduction of fatigue, improvement of ADD symptoms, decreased gluten intolerance and bowel gas, and elimination of asthma, just to name a few. 

The following are symptoms that may be related to allergies or sensitivities. If you experience any of these conditions and have not found relief, you may be a candidate for allergy clearing. Symptoms including: acne, canker sores, dark circles under eyes, eczema, hives, itching, constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, vomiting, IBS, asthma, coughing, sinusitis, stuffy nose, bedwetting, joint pains, anxiety, fatigue, bloating, hyperactivity, learning disorders, arthritis, hay fever, post nasal drip, red ear lobes, red cheeks, ear infections, headaches, sore throats, and weight gain.

Besides AACT we also have very natural, strong anti-histamine supplements that can help reduce your allergy symptoms without the drowsy side effects of medication.  One supplement in particular, detailed below, Dr. Armitstead developed called Inflammation Relief that can help.  

Patients come to Healing Arts with all sorts of health concerns. Headaches, bloating, acne, constipation, insomnia, fatigue, infertility, eczema, brain fog, the list can go on and on.  Our answer is always the same: muscle test the body to see what toxins the body is holding in order to reduce inflammation. Inflammation in the head is a headache or migraine. Inflammation in the joints is pain. Inflammation in the gut is bloating. You take a deep breath and if the body reacts to the dust or pollen in the air inflammation will increase in the body, causing your allergy symptoms. The root cause of all dis-ease is inflammation. What we find with the muscle testing is why. Is the reason for the inflammation heavy metals, heavy chemicals, bad flora, parasites, or a food sensitivity?  We fell in love with the technique of muscle testing because it is so fast and noninvasive, giving me and my patients answers.  

When starting to detox and supporting the body with the right nutrition it takes time to get the inflammation down and yet we wanted patients to get symptomatic relief as soon as possible and we have noticed throughout the years we would have to give 2-3 different anti-inflammatory supplements to do the job depending on how severe the inflammation or allergies were so Dr. Armitstead decided to make her own supplement, called Inflammation Relief,  that contained everything to help lower the inflammation.  It contains  Curcumin, Pepperine (Black Pepper), Fenugreek, Gotu Kola, Quercitin, Boswelia, Bromelain, and Magnesium lactate.

You can also oil pull every morning to help clean out the lymphatic system and reduce inflammation especially in the sinuses.  Oil pulling as we know it today, was introduced in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. He claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. Dr. Karach’s method of oil pulling emphasis swishing, not gargling, the oil in the mouth. The oil is “worked” in the mouth by swishing and chewing it around the mouth and ‘swizzling’ it (pushing it through the teeth) for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal on an empty stomach.

At the Healing Arts Tea Bar we also have teas that can help with allergies and we can muscle test you for your own personal tea blend.  For allergy symptoms we test for Cinnamon, Turmeric, Green Tea, Ginger, Sarsaparilla, Nettle, Holy Basil, Lemongrass, Peppermint, and Echinacea.  

Also at the Wellness Center to help with allergies and get the inflammation down, we have the nasal ozone treatment and salt booth therapy.  For nasal ozone treatments breathe in microscopic organic olive oil (made in a glass jar to be Healing Arts approved because it can’t be in plastic or aluminum) treated with the extra oxygen from the ozone. Inhaling ozone this way helps to reduce allergy symptoms, sinus pain, headaches and inflammation throughout the body. In the salt booth, you take deep breaths of air with microscopic salt in it.  The specialized salt goes into the sinuses and lungs breaking up mucus and reducing inflammation.  

So if you are suffering from allergies this spring know that we can help and there are lots of different ways to help support the body.

Why You Should Be Drinking Coconut Water

There are all kinds of enhanced waters these days, but coconut water is the real deal. The drink quickly became a staple everywhere from health food stores to fitness studios but it's sweet, nutty taste isn't for everyone. Do the nutrition facts back up the hype? Here's what you need to know.

What exactly is in coconut water?

Well, coconut water is the clear liquid inside coconuts. You'd typically get coconut water from young, green coconuts—those harvested at five to seven months of age, whereas the browner coconuts are a better source of coconut milk. There are many known health benefits of drinking coconut water, including the 6 listed in this article.

Good for post-workout recovery: Coconut water is abundant in several electrolytes including potassium, sodium, and magnesium. If you're having an intense sweat session, especially in the summer months when you may be sweating more think of grabbing a coconut water instead of Gatorade. The electrolytes in coconut water can help to regulate fluid balance, prevent dehydration, and even ensure proper muscle function. Of course, you'll want to make sure you refuel with enough carbohydrates and protein post-workout as well but coconut water really can help prevent muscle soreness and cramping.  

May help reduce blood pressure and stroke risk: Bananas are notorious for their high potassium counts, but just one cup of coconut water contains more potassium than a medium sized banana. Research suggests that potassium-rich diets can help support heart health by reducing blood pressure and even protecting against stroke.

May support good digestion: Coconut water contains magnesium, a mineral that helps to keep things moving and prevent constipation. Magnesium also helps prevent cramping.

Drink if you're sick: If you're under the weather, the body can lose a tremendous amount of fluid from vomiting and diarrhea. Coconut water can help with hydration status and balance electrolytes better than regular water in this scenario and you don’t want to drink ginger ale with all the added sugar.

May promote healthy skin: Lack of proper hydration can lead to dry, tight, and even flaky skin. Drinking coconut water can contribute to your daily hydration needs which promotes circulation and radiant skin.

Great alternative to sugary beverages: Skip the sugary juices and sodas and instead reach for coconut water when you're in the mood for something other than water. Unlike sugar sweetened beverages, coconut water usually has little to no added sugar (in unflavored varieties). This makes it a great choice for diabetics or individuals looking to reduce their consumption of added sugar.

I personally add coconut water to my morning superfood smoothie because it has a way of enhancing the health benefits of the other superfoods in it so I can get even more nutrition out of it. I only drink one type of coconut water, organic Harmless Harvest. I was first attracted to it being organic and not thermally pasteurized and after trying lots of different coconut waters it’s the taste that keeps me loyal to this brand. We do sell it in the office for $5 and I highly recommend it after an ozone sauna.

7 Signs Your Liver is Overtaxed and How to Detox for Better Health

Your liver represents the human body’s primary filtration system — converting toxins into waste products, cleansing your blood, and metabolizing nutrients and medications to provide the body with some of its most important proteins. As such a fundamental part of the body’s overall regulation, it’s paramount to keep your liver healthy and to limit overindulgence. What are the early symptoms of an overtaxed or stressed liver? Are there telltale warning signals that your liver could benefit from a little loving care and extra detox? Here are seven signs your liver may need some attention:

1. Fatigue (& Sugar Cravings) - Fatigue is a common complaint the world over, and is often experienced when the liver is under stress. The liver converts glucose into glycogen, a form of sugar that can be stored and then later released as glucose when the body needs a burst of energy. By storing and supplying the body with glucose, the liver helps provide energy and combat fatigue. If the liver is stressed it may become less efficient at regulation of blood glucose. Fatigue and sugar cravings may pop up.

2. Hormonal Imbalances - The liver detoxifies more than chemicals and pollutants. It also detoxifies our own hormones, including excess estrogen. Not surprisingly, when liver function is impaired, excess estrogen may not be adequately bound and excreted. Signs of excess estrogen in women can include PMS, fibrocystic breasts, moodiness, weight gain, menstrual disturbances, fibroids and more.

3. Gut Issues - When the flow of bile is stagnant or slowed, the gut shifts towards a state of dysbiosis, where unfriendly flora dominate, and constipation is common. The toxins from pathogenic bacteria then block detoxification pathways in the liver as well.  With the resulting imbalance of flora and dysbiosis, excessive gas and bloating may be experienced after eating.

4. Heavy Metal Accumulation - Human exposure to heavy metals has soared, due to an exponential increase of metals in industrial, agricultural, and technological applications. From coal burning power plants to plastics, textiles, electronics, wood preservation, and paper processing, metals are ubiquitous in everyday life. Heavy metals can cause DNA damage and contribute to a variety of human illnesses.  When the liver’s detoxification pathways are impaired, heavy metals can accumulate in the body. In particular, the liver’s stores of glutathione, which safely and effectively binds to toxins and metals, can be depleted.

5. Reactivity to Chemical Substances - When the liver is under stress, individuals may find themselves more reactive to chemical exposures, including gasoline, kerosene, natural gas, pesticides, solvents, new carpet, adhesives, glues, fabric softener, formaldehyde, cleaning agents, medications and more.

6. Allergies & Food Sensitivities - Seasonal pollen allergies may worsen, and food sensitivities may increase. The liver is responsible for breaking down excess histamine, and if it is sluggish, histamine may build up in the body. In individuals with chronic impaired bile flow, blood levels of histamine have been found to be significantly greater than normal.

7. Sleep Problems - Nearly 60 million Americans are affected by sleep disorders every year. Sleep problems run the gamut, taking too long to fall asleep (called sleep latency), waking up too early, fitful and poor sleep quality, frequent nocturnal awakening, or early morning awakening. The solutions range from sleep medications to cognitive reframing techniques, relaxation tapes, meditation, sleep hygiene, and more. But one simple solution may be to improve liver function. Sleep disturbances have long been observed in chronic liver conditions, and one mechanism may impair hepatic melatonin metabolism. Melatonin is the “circadian rhythm” hormone—the hormone our bodies naturally release as darkness falls, and which readies us for a good night’s sleep. 

When giving the liver a break I suggest to patients the liver friendly cleanse by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The goal of this cleanse is to eat food that puts no stress on the liver.  Do it for at least 10 days to get any health benefits.

1. Fruits and vegetables in salads, juiced or cooked should be consumed as much as possible.  All fruits and vegetables are allowed (except for those prohibited, listed on #8).  Some great options are:

• Apples

• Carrots

• Watercress

• Green Onions

• Celery

• Lettuce

• Cauliflower

• Broccoli

• Endive

• Chives

• Chicory

• Tomatoes

• Green Peppers

• Radishes

• Beet

• Cabbage

• Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and flaxseed oil for salad dressing

2. Sweet potatoes or yams may be served once a week.

3. Potatoes are recommended for lunch and dinner.

4. Brown or wild rice may be used to replace potatoes once in awhile.

5. The Hippocrates Special Soup is recommended as a starter to every meal.  The soup is prepared from the following ingredients:

• 3-4 stalks of celery

• small amount of parsley

• 1 ½ pounds of tomatoes

• 2 medium onions

• 2 small leaks or 2 additional medium onions

• a few cloves of garlic

• 1 pound of potatoes

Cover all ingredients with filtered water and cooked for 2 hours. The mixture can be processed to a thick creamy soup in a food processor, allow fibers and peels to remain. It is recommended to prepare the soup and refrigerate it only for 2 days of consumption.  

6. The following herbs and spices can be used in small quantities: allspice, anise, bay leaf, coriander, dill, fennel, mace, marjoram, rosemary, sage, saffron, tarragon, thyme, sorrel and summer savory.

7. Juices should be consumed several times through the day, not exceeding 13 glasses daily. Eight ounces of green leaf juice, apple-carrot juice, or any combination with the allowed fruits and vegetables is recommended. The vegetables used in green juice should be from the following list:

• Romaine lettuce

• Swiss chard

• Beet tops (young inner leaves)

• Watercress

• Some red cabbage

• Green pepper

• Endive

• Escarole

8. Prohibited Foods and Substances.

• The following “non liver friendly” health foods:

  • Berries

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Pineapple

  • Avocados

  • Cucumber

  • Mushrooms

  • Sprouted Alfalfa and other sprouted seeds or beans

  • Hot peppers

  • Mustard and carrot greens

  • Beans and legumes

• Black tea, green tea and other non-herbal or caffeine-containing teas.

• Coffee.

• Drinking of water is not encouraged.  Sip water only when thirsty.  You should be getting enough water in the prepared juices above.

• Beef, pork, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood and all other meat products.

• Dairy products of all types including goat and sheep.

• Oils and fats of all kinds are forbidden with the exception of fresh, raw, organic flaxseed oil.

• Flour and refined white and brown sugar.

• All manufactured or processed foods.

• Candy, cakes, muffins, pastries, and other refined sweets.

• Alcohol.

• Soybeans and soy products.

• Baking powder and baking soda which contain sodium and alum (aluminum).

• Any product that contains fluoride such as tap water, toothpaste, mouth gargle, hair dyes, beauty parlor permanents, cosmetics, deodorants, lipstick and lotions must be totally avoided.

The Healing Power of Alignment

The purpose of chiropractic medicine is to support the alignment of the body so that nerve flow is optimal from the brain to the rest of the body. If the joints are misaligned, the nerves and blood flow are compromised. Muscles that attach to the joints are then pulling at compromising angles and can cause tightness and pain. Without proper nerve flow, impulses to muscles and organs are limited, so muscle injury and organ dysfunction can happen. Signs of such organ dysfunction can be headaches, acid reflux, stomach or intestinal pain, erectile dysfunction and more.

When working with patients, I use both chiropractic medicine and design clinical nutrition programs using muscle testing. Sometimes patients just need a nutrition program, sometimes they only need chiropractic, but more often than not at some point during their healing program both tools are needed to reach optimal health.

Chiropractors got into nutrition work starting in the 1940s, when they weren't getting as good of results as they were in the early 1900s. They knew they weren't worse doctors, but what used to take 5 office visits for a patient to get optimal relief was now taking 12 visits — Why were people not holding their adjustments? Why were they slower to heal? The answer is toxins. A toxin in the body that the nervous system saw as a noxious stimulus that would keep irritating the body so the body couldn't do what it was meant to do. The body is meant to heal.

Around World War II is when canned food and more sugar entered the grocery stores, and I think ever since then food became more and more processed to the point of the majority of food on the shelves of a grocery store is no longer food but products. The body could not digest these products that well and inflammation ensued causing healing to be slower.

Inflammation is the culprit — so whether I use chiropractic medicine or nutrition, the goal is to remove the inflammation so the body can heal. Without the right nutrition the body cannot produce healthy cells and without the right alignment, nerve and blood flow will not bring the right impulses or nutrition to all parts of the body.

There are ways to muscle test when a symptom is more of a nutritional deficiency or a structural misalignment. So next time you are in the office let us know of your health concern and we can help differentiate which care is best for you!

5 Benefits of Collagen Powder

Have you heard about collagen powder?  It seems like the next big hype but this time I actually feel the hype is warranted.  Collagen can now be found in just about everything — from creams and cosmetics, to powders and pills. As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is found in your muscles, skin, blood, bones, cartilage, and ligaments. You may want to consider squeezing in an extra serving of this vital protein for several reasons, as collagen is a building block that:

• promotes skin elasticity

• holds together your bones and muscles

• protects your organs

• heals the gut

The good news is that your body produces collagen on a regular basis. But, it does slow down with age. It also slows down with smoking, sun exposure, and an unhealthy diet. If you don't have enough collagen in the body you may start to see wrinkles and sagging skin, or even experience joint pain.
Keep reading to discover five specific benefits you may experience if you take the time to up your collagen consumption.

1. Eases joint pain

As your cartilage weakens and deteriorates with age, you may start to feel stiff, achy joints. It’s possible that upping your collagen intake may help reduce joint pain and alleviate symptoms of arthritis.
In a 2009 study, participants took a collagen supplement for 90 days. Results showed that osteoarthritis symptoms decreased by 40% while the severity of symptoms dropped by an impressive 33%.
In an older study from 1993 with the same collagen supplement, participants with severe rheumatoid arthritis saw a reduced number of swollen and tender joints — 4 out of 60 participants also experienced complete remission. 

2. Reverses skin aging

One of the most well-known benefits of collagen is its ability to promote glowing, vibrant skin. This essential protein provides elasticity to the skin, helping it to appear more youthful and healthy. But as you get older and collagen production declines, fine lines, loose skin, and dryness can occur. 
A study published in 2014 randomly chose 46 of 69 women, ages 35-55 years old, to take a collagen hydrolysate supplement. The rest of the group took a placebo. The women who took the collagen showed an improvement in skin elasticity within four weeks.
The same manufacturer also conducted another study in 2014 with the same supplement, which significantly reduced wrinkles after just eight weeks.

3. Helps build muscle and burn fat

Collagen is a major component of muscle tissue, so it should come as no surprise that it can have a big impact when it comes to building muscle mass. Plus, collagen also contains a concentrated amount of glycine, an amino acid involved in the synthesis of creatine which provides muscles with the fuel needed to power through your workout. So what happens when you add collagen to your workout routine?
There’s not much research on collagen and exercise, but a study in 2015 looked at collagen supplements in 53 older males with sarcopenia, a condition where you lose muscle mass due to aging. After 12 weeks, those who took supplements along with resistance training saw an increase in fat loss and muscle strength more than the placebo group.

4. May reduce cellulite

Besides keeping your skin healthy and glowing, collagen may also help improve the appearance of stubborn cellulite. Cellulite is when the layer of fat under the skin pushes up against the connective tissue, creating a dimpled or lumpy appearance on the skin.
Another study was sponsored in 2015 by manufacturers to see what collagen would do for cellulite. They randomly assigned 105 women, ages 24-50, to take collagen for six months. Those who did demonstrated a clear improvement in skin texture.  Yet cellulite is incredibly common — an estimated 80 to 90% of women have it. It’s a natural part of aging and skin formation and not a cause for concern.

5. Improves digestive health

Collagen is in the gut’s connective tissue and can help support and strengthen the protective lining of your digestive tract. This is critically important because alterations in the barrier function of your intestine, also known as leaky gut syndrome, can allow particles to pass into the bloodstream. This may result in inflammation.
In fact, an older study from 2003 looked at 170 individuals with inflammatory bowel disease and found that they were more likely to have lower levels of serum collagen. So the current theory is that by increasing your intake of collagen, you could help build up the tissues that line your gastrointestinal tract and promote better gut health. 

Here are a few easy ways to kick up your collagen intake:

1. Experiment with bone broth

Bone broth is made by simmering bones to help extract the flavor and beneficial nutrients. Not only is it an excellent source of collagen, but it’s also tasty and easy to add to your diet by using it to make soups and stews, whole grains like rice and quinoa, and even to moisten leftovers. You can easily make bone broth at home, or save time by purchasing it in powder form. 

2. Try out powdered gelatin

Gelatin is essentially the cooked form of collagen, and powdered gelatin can be a quick and convenient way to bump up your collagen consumption. It can be mixed into any liquid, including soups, stews, and broths. You can also enjoy it to satisfy your sweet tooth by making homemade Jell-O or natural fruit snacks.

3. Supplement with collagen peptides

Collagen peptides are another easy option to get your fix of this important amino acid. Most brands sell hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which means that the amino acids in collagen have been broken down so that they’re more easily digested and absorbed. Collagen powder can also be added to smoothies, hot beverages, or baked goods to pump some extra protein into your day.

There is also ways to get collagen in through your daily diet. If you want to consume collagen naturally, eat a well-balanced, high-protein diet that includes animal products. Collagen is in beef, chicken, fish, and egg whites.

But you don’t want to eat too much protein, either. Your body doesn’t tell the collagen where to go. Instead, it distributes the collagen like it would any other nutrient. So taking collagen supplements works much like exercise — it’s difficult to target a specific need, but increasing your intake could still have benefits.

The Art of Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is the process of brushing your skin, preferably before a shower or bath with a dry brush.  When dry brushing you would stroke each area 5 times towards the heart starting at the feet. The question is, why would we want to do that?

Right below your skin is a network of blood vessels, capillaries, fat, and lymph nodes. They are working hard to circulate through the body, but sometimes our lifestyles and the toxins we have stored in our body will hinder our bodies from doing a really good job of circulating those fluids.

Dry brushing will . . .
1) Help drain your lymphatic system
2) Re-circulate old or stagnant blood 
3) Move toxins out of fat cells to be eliminated by the body
4) Exfoliate dead skin

Starting at the feet and legs, use small brisk strokes always moving TOWARDS the heart. Concentrate on areas on the back of the legs and butt as well as areas where your lymphatic system is concentrated such as the groin area, armpits and the glands on the neck.  For video demonstration: https://youtu.be/PlgJVAtgJTI

This only takes a few minutes and feels refreshing and rejuvenating, especially in the morning.

You can purchase a dry brush at the office, at any drug store for about $20 dollars or you can purchase one online. Make sure you get one with medium bristles. Too soft won’t do anything and to hard of a bristle may be too harsh on your skin. Dry brushing is best done right before showering or bath, once a day but can be done any time of day. Make sure you wash your brush once a week with soap and let it dry thoroughly.

The Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil pulling was first introduced in Ayurvedic medicine. Whether it's for oral healthcare, digestive health, to clear out the sinuses or an immune system booster I've seen it help many patients in many ways!

Oil pulling as we know it today, was introduced in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. He claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. Dr. Karach’s method of oil pulling emphasizes swishing, not gargling, the oil in the mouth. The oil is “worked” in the mouth by swishing and chewing it around the mouth and ‘swizzling’ it (pushing it through the teeth) for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal on an empty stomach.

Oil pulling instructions:

Use 1-1.5 spoonfuls of unrefined, high quality, organic sesame seed oil (non-toasted) and 'swizzle" in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Sesame seed oil is the best oil to swish with.  I love using Banyan Daily Swish 

Once completed, spit the oil out (we recommend spitting in the trash as it can clog your sink or toilet over time).

Follow it by a thorough mouth rinse with water.  Warm water with sea salt is best.

Never swallow the used oil because it is loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous. It is a good idea to brush your teeth afterwards to really clean out any leftover toxins and wash the sink afterwards as well if you don't spit it out into the trash.

Benefits:

Strengthens teeth
Can help reverse gingivitis
Prevents tooth decay/whitens teeth
Strengthen immune system
Improve digestion
Reduce skin problems (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
Reduce allergies
Lessen headaches
Help hormonal imbalance
Clear out sinuses

Tips:

Be sure you are using a high quality, organic, non-toasted sesame seed oil.
Set timer for 15-20 minutes because it's going to feel like a long time and I don't want you to guess that it's been 15 minutes when it's only been 5 minutes.

Precaution:

If you are allergic to a particular brand of oil, then change the brand of oil.

DO NOT SWALLOW.

One of the first cleansing symptoms you will experience is an increased flow of mucus from your throat and sinuses. Mucous drainage is one of the body’s methods of removing toxins. While you are oil pulling, mucus may build in the back of your throat. You may even have to expel the oil and clear the mucus from your throat before reaching a full 20 minutes. If so, take another spoonful of oil and continue swishing for a full 15-20 minutes.

I usually do oil pulling when I am feeling sick to help clean my lymphatic system and boost the immune system. Your lymph takes about 7 minutes to circulate through the body. It is important to do oil pulling for a minimum of 15 minutes so you can clean out all of the lymph at least twice. But if during the 15 minutes your mouth begins to tire or your stomach becomes sensitive, start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 15-20 minutes.

Best Coffee Alternative

At Healing Arts we customize nutrition programs by using the biofeedback of your body through muscle testing. Sometimes this includes giving up coffee and/or caffeine and since we don’t want you to feel deprived we went on a hunt for the best coffee alternative because we know as much as we love tea, herbal tea just doesn’t cut it when trying to find a substitute for coffee. 

Why would the body go weak on coffee?  Sometimes it is the caffeine and that’s why we test for caffeine in a separate vial.  Other times it is due to the acidity of the coffee or the mold that coffee contains.  Yes, mold is naturally occurring in coffee.  There is mold-free coffee that I highly suggest brewing yourself if coffee is allowed in your nutrition program.  If I drink coffee it is Life Boost Coffee, mold and toxin free. 

For coffee alternative I do like teccino which is a dark roast of chicory and barley.  It comes in many different flavors and is darker than any tea so that’s why it feels close to coffee.  Golden milk is a very healthy hot turmeric drink that could be another alternative.  I also like Mud/wtr that is turmeric based with black tea and healthy mushrooms.  You can only buy online.  It’s all organic ingredients with 1/7th the caffeine as a cup of coffee. With the caffeine you get energy.  With the mushrooms you get focus.  

I have recently tried another coffee alternative I am in love with called Joey it comes in powder form and all you have to do is mix with hot water.  The only caffeine in it comes from cacao.  It’s dark like coffee because of the cacao beans.  Not only does it have mushrooms in it to boost your immune system but it also has adaptogenic herbs that help with cognition and stress management.  There is no jitters or crash as there can be with coffee. 

Besides the cacao Joey has roasted chicory root which is good for gut health.  It contains dandelion root that is liver support.  It has cinnamon and cordyceps mushrooms for cognition.  Lion’s mane mushrooms for focus. Reishi mushrooms for memory and L-theanine and ashwagandha for stress reduction.  All of this healthy goodness in one hot cup of Joey.  Roasted, full-bodied, with a blend of sweetness and spiciness... it’s not coffee, and not quite tea, but it’s something else entirely.  Try it yourself at the office for $4 a cup or buy a package of 18 servings for $25. 

For better digestion

What we eat effects what we think and feel!  The digestive system is a 24/7 operation that impacts all parts of the body.  Whether you’re eating for pleasure, fuel, healing, or nutrition – our digestive system is on a constant cycle of breakdown food, absorbing nutrients, and releasing waste. This cycle repeats every time new food enters the digestive tract. The job of the digestive system may seem simply and straightforward, but along the 22-25ft digestive tract several complex processes are in action that effect each and every organ in the body.  One particular organ is the brain. The relationship between the digestive system and brain is called the Gut-Brain Axis. 

You may we wondering, how the heck does my stomach have anything to do with my brain?!   A simple way to think of the Gut-Brain Axis is a two lane highway between the gut and the brain where hormones, neurotransmitters, and our immune system travel to and fro.  An example of this is when we eat foods high in the amino acid tryptophan.  Yes, the sleepy and restful feeling you get after your eat turkey is because of tryptophan.  Other foods high in tryptophan are fish, meat, pineapples, bananas, nuts, spinach, chocolate, and eggs.  When are digestives system comes across tryptophan in food, the gut converts the amino acid into 5-HTP (5-hydroxytrotophan) and releases it into our circulation. When 5-HTP reaches the brain, it converts into serotonin – the feel-good and happy neurotransmitter.  Roughly 95% all serotonin is produced in the gut.  Serotonin also protects the digestive system from toxins, helps lets us know when we’re full, regulates fluid levels, and monitors normal bowel functions.  When some of the serotonin in our gut gets released in our circulation and can reach the brain.  Serotonin plays such a role in regulating our digestive system, and at times doctors prescribe antidepressants to patients suffering form IBS. 

Studies have shown that when we improve our diets, the better we feel and think.  An international prison study followed five prisons over a twenty-five-year span where inmates were given supplements and vitamins and found prison violence decrease by thirty percent (Bernard Gesch, 2002).  Research has also shown that improving the nutritional value of food in schools improve students learning aptitude and behavior (www.cdc.gov/healthyschools).  These studies and research show the Gut-Brain Axis connection how nutritional improvements positively impact mental health.

If you’re experiencing digestion distress, most likely you’re also experiencing some level of mental and emotional distress as well.   The good news is that our bodies love being healthy and balance is always working to achieve this internally.  Simple changes in diet and lifestyle easily aid the body in healing itself.  Come join me on Wednesday, February 15 at 6:30pm at Healing Arts NYC for a free How to Improve Digestion Workshop.  We’ll learn about the digestive system, easy tips on how to improve digestion, and foods that improve gut microbiome.  If you’re interested RSVP to info@healingartsnyce.com or email ingrid@healingartsnyc.com

A Toast to Avocados

In the 1800s avocado was known as ‘alligator pear’ due to it’s shape and pebble textured skin.  The love of avocados may be a trend but it is a healthy trend.  This low-sugar fruit  contains about 10 grams of fiber, has more potassium than a banana, and provides the body with lutein. 

Cholesterol-Lowering and Heart Healthy

The avocado is loaded with heart-healthy fats known as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).  Multiple studies have shown that these fats, if incorporated into a healthy diet, have the potential to lower LDL or the ‘bad cholesterol’  Phytosterols, also found in avocados, are known to decrease the absorption of cholesterol in the gut as well.  The high potassium and low sodium content in avocados may help keep blood pressure within the normal range.

Anti-Aging and Avocados

Lutein found in avocados may provide beneficial effects in the prevention of skin aging.  If you don’t like the taste you can still get some of their benefits by applying avocados to your skin.  The omega-9 and oleic content in avocados is highly moisturizing and well leave your skin looking and feeling smooth.  The combination of MUFAs and carotenoids found in avocados has the potential to boost cognitive function.  Studies indicate that diets rich in MUFAs may improve overall cognitive performance and prevent cognitive decline.  Avocados may help you stay smart for longer.

Vision

A single ounce of avocado contains 30 grams of lutein.  Lutein, along with vitamin A and E and zinc are essential for eye health.  All these nutrients are found in avocados.  A Tufts University study found that avocados can increase macular pigment density and may protect against visual decline in older adults.

Immune System

Half an avocado provides 19 milligrams of glutathione.  In fact, avocados are the fruit with e the most glutathione.  Spinach and asparagus are the only produce with higher levels of naturally occurring glutathione.  Glutathione is thought of as a giant among antioxidants.  It plays a central role in helping our liver detox and keeping our immune system strong.  

The fiber in avocados also promotes healthy digestion and can stabilize blood sugar.  Fiber offers probiotics, which are helpful to gut bacteria and digestion.  At the same time, fiber may reduce blood sugar spikes, helping to balance blood sugar.

With all these nutrients and the light nutty taste what’s not to love about avocados?  Simply smashing avocado on gluten-free toast is good for you and pretty tasty.  If you find the texture of avocado too mushy and you don’t like guacamole add it to your favorite smoothie instead of banana.  It will give your smoothie creaminess without the added sugar that is in bananas.  Try this smoothie.  It’s one of my favorites.

1 and 1/2 cups green leafy veggies (I usually do spinach)

1/4 cup organic wild blueberries (frozen from Trader Joe's)

half an avocado

2 Tablespoons cocoa

1 Tablespoon flax seed

1 1/2 cups water or nut milk

1 scoop protein powder (I love Kachava)

New Service at Healing Arts: Medisend

At Healing Arts as we research and our understanding of the human body continues to grow we are discovering new ways to help support and heal the body with energy. We are already getting great results with the Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency Therapy (PEMF).  It helps with reducing inflammation, improving circulation, pain relief and increasing energy especially in patients with chronic fatigue. I loved the results with PEMF therapy that we have also applied energy medicine to create personalized homeopathic tinctures that we now make at the Tea Bar.  

Having personally struggled with on and off again parasite infections for years knowing that herbal medicine and Nutrition Response Testing could kill it  but every 6 months or so they would come up again I felt like I wasn’t getting rid of the parasite infection completely but managing it well.  Having grown up on a farm I’m sure parasites were part of my daily life being around so many animals so wanting to get rid of the parasites that have been in my body for decades I turned to energy medicine and fell in love with the Medisend machine.

To understand how the Medisend machine works you have to understand that the human body has an electrical current running through it and this electricity creates a magnetic field around the body.  A strong magnetic field equals a healthy body. A weak magnetic field equals an unhealthy body.  A great example of how the human body has electricity running through it is that electricity is applied to a stopped heart to get it to contract again.  The common defibrillator uses high voltage of 200-1,000 volts to shock the heart and force it to resume its normal electrical activity.  

The Medisend uses electricity and magnetic voltage to give the cells healthy battery juice and not shock the system back to life like a defibrillator.  The magnetic field therapy device developed by Dr. W. Ludwig generates alternating electromagnetic fields which create biological resonance effects with the body. It resets the nervous system to regulate the body and activate the self-healing capacities. The device works with weak, rapidly changing electromagnetic fields in the low and high frequency range. As the energy goes into the body patients usually don’t feel anything.  The energy is that subtle to not disturb the body’s natural process as it goes into the cells. This type of energy medicine works because it directly interacts with the cells in your body. By offering treatment at the cellular level, your body can begin repairing itself at a deep level, a level that sometimes nutrition or chiropractic can’t get to by itself.  That’s how the use of the Medisend can really excel improvements.  

The Medisend technology was developed by Dr. W. Ludwig's (1927 – 2004). His ambition was to generate a device that created electromagnetic waves that the body would understand and use to heal. They have to be natural as in undisturbed nature to be able to cause a reaction in the body. Therefore he did research about the environmental signals that surround us naturally. (Schumann frequency, Geomagnetic and Solar frequencies). His doctoral research study was about the influence of electromagnetic fields to the nervous system. In the 1970s he designed his first magnetic field device in a plastic soap dish.

Because this type of energy medicine is relatively new, many people find themselves hoping to learn more. One of the most common questions people ask is, how can Medisend help the body?  I also hope this article helps you decide if the Medisend can help you.  We can also decide together at your next appointment.

Cells that have experienced an illness or injury will often not be able to hold their ideal magnetic charge. Consequently, these cells may become (and cause surrounding cells to become) inflamed. Inflammation is the result of cells “sticking” together and preventing blood flow from progressing as it needs to. With Medisend sessions the cells will can regain their proper charge and inflammation will decrease. There was a great study on Medisend and knee pain from osteoarthritis. 

As you might expect, healing is something that often begins at the cellular level. Whether you are experiencing hypertension, fibromyalgia, or various diseases, if you do not address the core problem—damaged cells—recovery will take much longer. Medisend helps assure that cells have their proper charges (both positive and negative). Healthy cells are able to accept the nutrients they need to perform at their very best. With Medisend sessions this enables tissues to heal faster.

Is Medisend Sessions Right for You?

As you can see, there are many different possible uses and benefits of Medisend therapy.  I recommend 15 min. once a week for 8 weeks helps with conditions like fibromyalgia, muscle pain, arthritis, depression, anxiety, tinnitus, PTSD, chronic fatigue and musculoskeletal pain.  I had one patient with constant muscle twitching for over 6 years that got amazing results just after 6 sessions.  Medisend sessions are a great option for natural, chemical free pain relief and overall wellness because magnetic field therapy helps the body to regulate. Stimulation at a cellular level helps boost the body’s natural ability to fight back against inflammation. The electromagnetic field helps fight back against cellular damage and inflammation, and create healthier cells.  As the cells heal, the blood vessels, nerves, and capillaries dilate.  The dilated capillaries enable better oxygenation and blood flow.  Lastly, the increase in oxygen and blood flow encourage a healing environment.

The development of energy medicine and the Medisend device has helped change the way many people address and recover from certain health conditions. The benefits of Medisend therapy are numerous and positive results can begin to occur quite quickly.  Know that you can use Medisend with other treatments. This means that you can continue using prescribed medications while undergoing Medisend sessions.  You can do Medisend sessions with joint replacements and any metal support in the body.  Do not do Medisend sessions with a pacemaker or if pregnant.  It is $55 a session.  

How to Soothe PMS

You may think that PMS symptoms subside with age. Unfortunately, cramps, headaches, and other premenstrual pain can get worse into your mid-30s and 40s.  While many of us have accepted these symptoms as “normal,” they’re anything but normal. Your symptoms could also be the result of something more serious.  It’s not healthy to be in pain every month or to experience mood swings, fatigue, irritability, or even acne regularly.

There are reasons you might experience hormone imbalance in your 30s and beyond, and it has nothing to do with PMS.  What a lot of people do not know is that chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental toxins all contribute to hormone imbalance. That's where we can really help.  With the muscle testing that we do we can identify those toxins, figure out what nutrients your body is missing and design a nutrition program just for you. One of the main toxins we find in women suffering from hormonal issues is plastic.

It’s great that the government recognizes BPA as a toxin that not only interferes with women’s hormones and fertility but also causes cancer among other health issues.  But BPA is not the only toxin in plastic and I don’t know how long it will take for the government to recognize it.  So we want to stay away from plastic whenever possible.  No plastic forks, spoons, straws.  If you love straws then you can buy stainless steel straws off Amazon.  No plastic water bottles.  I use a glass one called a flaska that I absolutely love.  You can use stainless steel water bottles too.  Do your best to avoid ziplock bags, saran wrap, tupperware.  To store leftovers, I use pyrex, glass containers with rubber tops and I just don’t let the food touch the rubber.  But if you buy a bag of frozen peas it is what it is, nothing you can do about it.  I always suggest to my patients to just do the best they can.  They will not be able to get rid of plastic 100%.  

The hormone disruptors in plastics even influence the way genes express themselves in people with reproductive disease and obesity to make it more likely that people pass the disorders onto their children. The study of how the cellular environment changes gene expression is called epigenetics.  I think it’s fascinating and for this reason we want the cellular environment to be as healthy as possible from all heavy chemicals, heavy metals and junk food so that the cell can create optimal gene expression for your health.  For more info on gene expression and epigenetics watch my video. 

Besides plastic other toxins that have been studied that cause hormone imbalance and can lead to PCOS and other issues are:

1. Pesticides - so eat as organic as possible

2. Phthalates (THAL-ates) are chemicals in plastic that make it soft and flexible. You can also find them in: Cosmetics and personal care products, from perfume, nail polish, and hair spray to soap, shampoo, and skin moisturizers.  To learn more about phthalates and how healthy your personal care products are go to ewg.org for more information.  The website is from the Environmental Working Group and it rates all personal care products and cleaning products on a scale 0-10, 0 being healthiest for you and 10 being the worst for you, meaning it’s researched to cause cancer.  It’s a great website with thousands of products rated so you can choose the healthiest ones and I love the research they use to determine the score they give each product.  

3. Phytoestrogens: a compound in plants that acts like estrogen in the body and if we eat too many then the hormones get imbalanced because the body thinks it has too much estrogen.  Foods that contain phytoestrogens include: soy and soy products, flax seeds, grapes, carrots, lentils, licorice, bourbon, olive oil, and oats.

4. Another big hormone disruptor we eat all the time is meat that contains hormones.  When animals are poorly farmed they are given hormones to grow and mature faster so they can reach the butcher faster and the farmer can have a higher turn around rate.  I think over the years farmers use more and more hormones with their animals is the reason why girls are hitting puberty faster.  It’s also a main cause of moodiness.  I think all women know what it feels like to be extra hormonal.  The last thing we want are extra hormones from the meat we eat so if you eat meat then do your best to eat quality meat without added hormones.

One particularly significant natural method of treating hormones is inositol, a type of sugar found in fruits, beans, grains and nuts.  The foods with the highest levels of inositol are cantaloupe and oranges.  Inositol influences the insulin response and several hormones, not just sex hormones but also several hormones associated with mood and cognition.  Multiple studies have shown that supplementation with inositol may not only improve insulin resistance but also decrease male hormones in the bloodstream, lower blood pressure and lower triglycerides which makes it really helpful for patients with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome). At your next visit you may want to get muscle tested for inositol.

Also inositol seems to promote ovulation, which, in turn, may support fertility. There was a study done where women who weren’t getting their period and then started supplementing with inositol, 86% got their period back whereas the control group who was taking a placebo only 6% got their period back. 

Another supplement that helps is vitamin D.  Between 67%–85% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome are thought to be deficient in vitamin D.  Adding vitamin D to a daily routine I have observed it to improve insulin sensitivity, increase weight loss success, slow the formation of ovarian cysts, regulate periods, minimize inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, lower cholesterol, lower high triglycerides and reduce male hormones in the bloodstream. 

Another thing people don't realize is that women of all ages are starting to experience the symptoms of estrogen dominance or estrogen deficiency—way before perimenopause or menopause begin.  Luckily, supplementing with the right nutrients can help.  That means fewer symptoms from PMS like headaches, cramping, and mood swings.  I love using red raspberry leaf to not only help with PMS but it's also great for perimenopause, menoapuse, infertility and ammenorhea too!  You can drink it as a tea or take it as a tincture.   The leaves of raspberry plant are believed to cure infertility in both men and women.  I also use red raspberry leaf tea to help regulate menstrual cycles when the cycle is too long or too short and it’s great while pregnant too because it helps tone the uterus, decrease nausea, and ease labor pains.  I also use it afterwards for breast feeding mothers because it helps increase milk production.

No matter what age you are I see time and again how hormone balance also means better health long-term.  It truly is that important.  For more info listen to our podcasts on Fertility Help and PCOS.

23 healthy things to do for 2023

New Year, New You!  Making changes to enhance your health and your life can be difficult but what better time than in the new year.  I made a list of 23 things that I do in my life and often recommend to my patients to help them make healthy changes.  I loved putting together a list for 2022 so much that here’s the list for 2023!  Even though it’s a list and the goal of any list is to accomplish each item as soon as possible know that you have all year to make these changes and stick to it.  So maybe the hard part is not making the changes but sticking with it.  Some days it may be easy.  Other days may be harder but every day is a new day so hold yourself accountable to always doing your best.  With enough momentum, over time, it will get easier and easier to stick to it until one day you realize you are making these healthier choices with very little effort. 

 I could think of so many different things that you may or may not be doing that could make a difference in your health.  Many of these things are not new but reminders of things you know are good for you that you may not be doing.  As you go through the list I recommend starting with an easy one and working towards the hard ones.  I also recommend making only one change a week.  This way you can make changes that last.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Do too many changes all at once and it won’t stick for the long haul.  The goal is to make changes that will last and over time it will be good to review this list to remind you of items that may have slipped through the cracks.  Healing is a journey and so are the changes that get you healthy and keep you healthy.  We are here on that journey to help you

1. Get muscle tested

If you haven’t tried it yet or it’s been more than 2 months your first New Year’s resolution should be to go get muscle tested This is definitely the right way to start a New Year.  Holidays are done with and everyone wants to be healthier. That’s why, all of a sudden, the gyms are full every January.  Instead of guessing on what to eat to be healthier, why not get muscle tested to see exactly what would be healthy for your body?  

Using muscle testing we can address your health concerns, help you detox heavy metals or chemicals from your body and put you on a personalized cleanse and tell you exactly what to eat or not eat for better health.  Make the new year about you and your health.  

2. Add bee pollen to your diet.

When muscle testing what foods to add into your diet bee pollen is one that can be very beneficial to a lot of people but no one seems to be eating it.  Bee pollen is a great brain booster, lifting brain fatigue, improving alertness and helping concentration levels over an extended period of time. Rich in the B vitamins; B1, B2 and B3 – these are essential for a healthy nervous system and powerful detoxifiers, especially to the brain. They are often referred to as “anti-stress” vitamins - when the nervous system is working optimally anxiety and stress can be greatly lessened.  Bee pollen can be eaten raw or can be added to your favorite cereals, smoothies, yogurt or hot drink. I see most people test for 1-2 teaspoons a day as a daily dose.

3. Drink herbal tea daily-I believe drinking tea is medicine. This is the reason why I built a tea bar in the office. Caffeine or no caffeine, all tea has medicinal value and can help with brain fog, fighting cancer, lower blood pressure, female hormone imbalance and so much more! We have over 25 different organic teas from around the world that we can muscle test you for to find out what herbs would be good for you to drink for better health. To learn more on what kind of teas we have what they can help with read our Tea Menu

4. Grow an herb

There is no way to beat the nutrition from a plant you just pulled out of the dirt yourself.  All the enzymes and nutrients are available.  Whether you have acres of land or no backyard at all, there is always a way to grow something for you to eat.  Start with a simple window bench herb garden.  Pick 3 of your favorite herbs and simply grow them on your windowsill. It’s the easiest way to go and requires very minimal maintenance or skill.  If you have more space consider taking a local gardening course to know which plants are most suited for your climate and some basic skills to ensure your garden is successful.  There’s also many community gardens to join if you don’t have a backyard.

5. Take deep breathes 

This should be the easiest habit of all to create this year!  Deep breaths can be done anywhere, at anytime.  Just 3 deep breaths can shift your mood and nervous system to be more calm when you are feeling out of sorts.  Besides helping your stress level and mood, if it’s one thing this pandemic has taught me it is the importance of strengthen your lungs.  Yes the lungs are an organ that you can exercise.  The stronger they are the healthier you can be even if you don’t have asthma, or other breathing issues.  There are tons of different breathing techniques out there so pick one and use it on a daily basis.  I personally love and use heart centered breathing from Heart Math, and coherent breathing which I probably use the most of. Coherent breathing is simply breathing in for 6 counts and breathing out for 6 counts.  I think there is something calming about the counting as well.  It gets you out of the emotional, upset right side of the brain and more into the logical, mathematical left side of the brain.  

6. Use an essential oil

Also for stress one can use an essential oil.  My favorite stress relieving oil is Lavender, .  One big inhale of lavender and I feel my whole body relax.  You can wear it on your wrists, put it in a diffuser or spray a dilution of it on your pillow case to inhale it as you go to bed for a deeper sleep.  Doterra makes a great relaxing blend with lavender called Peace.  They mix lavender in with other calming herbs: ylang ylang, frankincense and clary sage for the ultimate calming affect.

7. Dry Brush and Gua Sha daily

Gua Sha, also known as “coining”, “skin scraping”, or “pressure stroking” is an ancient lymphatic technique utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine using a stone to apply pressure to the body.  When done on the face, gua sha can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, restore firmness and elasticity, promote a brighter complexion, relieve jaw tension, promote lymphatic drainage, and decrease puffiness. It can also help with sinus congestion and headaches. I find that when I do it in the morning it helps with mental clarity and reducing brain fog too.

The flow of lymph only goes one way: towards the heart. So when you use the gua sha stone the strokes should be from the center of the face outward and moving down the face and neck.  The best way to learn how to do gua sha on the face is by watching a demonstration, so I posted this video on Youtube to show you: https://youtu.be/vaJiBU83tWo

One of the biggest positive cosmetic benefits I notice when I perform facial gua sha on myself is a reduction of facial puffiness, most notable in my cheeks. You could say that it sculpts my cheeks. Others may notice de-puffing of their eyelids, jawline, under their eyes, or in the forehead. The reason that facial gua sha reduces puffiness is due to the drainage of lymph out of the face and neck. The lymph’s job is to carry toxins so gua sha is a great way to detox.

To move the lymph and toxins from other parts of the body you need to dry brush.  Instead of a stone roller it is a specific bristled brush that you will use on the rest of the body.  Use the brush and start at your feet and brush each area 5 times towards the heart. For a video demonstration: https://youtu.be/PlgJVAtgJTI

8. Add collagen to your diet.

Collagen is a protein that’s naturally found in the body.  It makes up  25 to 30 percent of the proteins in your body and gives structure to connective tissue like your skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones and blood vessels.  I test for collagen supplements to help people improve skin elasticity, reduce appearance of skin wrinkles, increase skin hydration, reduce bone loss, improve brittle nails, boost hair health, support heart health, heal leaky gut, and improve weight loss.  Because collagen helps gives so much structure to the body it can be used for lots different reasons in the body.  When I test for collagen ! test for it in capsules or powder.  There are lots of different kinds out on the market and they are not all made the same so before you add it into your daily life I highly suggest getting muscle tested for it.  

Bone broth is the number one food that has collagen in it and the question is do you test better for chicken bone broth or beef? It is best taken on an empty stomach and just a little every day is better than a lot once or twice a week.  Sip on one cup daily for best results.  This way the body can absorb more nutrients from it.  If you are doing the capsule or powder that can be taken with food.  

9. Add micro movements

Exercise is always great for health and if you are not on a weekly routine that should be part of your New Year’s resolution.  But what I have learned this year from a great book called Quench by Dr. Dana Cohen is micro movements help too by keeping us hydrated.  Any type of movement including fidgeting actually helps push water into the fascia of the body instead of staying superficial.  From the fascia, the water then goes into the organs and muscles of the body so that the cells can absorb it.  What I found fascinating reading the book was that even  micro movements counted as helping move water into the body.  Micro movements can include turning of the head and shoulder circles but even little movements such as fidgeting can make a difference.  Studies show that fidgeting actually improves the longevity of a woman's life up to 43% by pushing water into the body.  The book specifies for better health you really want 360 degrees of movement, full range of motion, so every tissue in your body has in and out flow to remain supple and healthy. 

10. Drink Healing Arts Apple Cider Vinegar Tea every morning

Years ago I started suggesting to patients to drink apple cider vinegar to help with candida problems but when I found out that Hippocrates (the father of modern medicine) knew about apple cider vinegar’s antibiotic properties and recommended it to his patients for its healing properties centuries ago I started doing more research.

Apple cider vinegar has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Not only does it help kill all those microbes and boost up your immune system but it also helps with allergies, acne, high cholesterol, joint pain, weight loss, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, dandruff, chronic fatigue, candida, sore throat, gum infection, and acid reflux. It’s also used to help dissolve kidney stones, lower high blood pressure, and it’s also been shown to help with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.

Even though vinegar is acidic, when we drink apple cider vinegar it has an alkaline effect in our bodies. The fact that apple cider vinegar causes our pH levels to become more alkaline could play a large part in its healing abilities. It also reacts to some toxins in our bodies, converting them into less toxic substances. Our bodies need a slightly alkaline pH balance to be healthy. The typical Western diet creates an acidic pH in our bodies, and many health problems are attributed to this. Taking a tonic containing apple cider vinegar can help restore alkalinity, and therefore assist the body in getting rid of some of the health problems listed above.

The recipe I am about to give you has been perfected over the years for I have experimented with a variety of apple cider vinegar concoctions. 

1 Tbsp. organic apple cider vinegar

1/2 organic lime squeezed

1/4 tsp. baking soda

the baking soda will fizz, so wait for it to fizz out then add 1/2 cup warm water or more

a pinch of cayenne

a pinch of turmeric

a pinch of black pepper

Drink 20 minutes or more before breakfast every day.

Make sure the water is warm, not hot, for hot water will change the properties of the vinegar and lime juice.

The spices are added to the tea tincture because cayenne will increase circulation which is beneficial in healing and turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties.  The black pepper is added to enhance the turmeric.  Studies show that with black pepper, the ability for the body to absorb and use turmeric increases by 2000x. 

11. Boost Immune System 

Drinking the apple cider vinegar tea can keep your immune system boosted but so can lots of other things as well.  Once a month or more, even up to once a week, do something to take care of your immune system.  I built the Healing Arts Wellness Center based on this philosophy and that’s why I wanted one place that had all these healing services at your convenience.  To keep the immune system boosted we have the Himalayan salt booth and lymphatic therapy to help. Before COVID I was thinking the salt booth was great for 4 things: sinus and lung issues, skin issues, to boost the immune system, and to detox from crappy NYC air.  Now with COVID I think doing salt booth sessions is a must to stay healthy.  We can no longer just assume we are healthy but we need to take preventative health measures to ensure we really do stay as healthy as possible.  Just 10 minutes in the salt booth can boost your immune system. As you inhale deeply the salt goes into the body and breaks up inflammation and kills viruses, bacteria, parasites, candida and mold.  The lymphatic drainage therapy works differently, using electric bulbs across your skin to get your lymphatic system to move.  Your lymphatic system carries white blood cells to infections, in this way boosting your immune system.   

12. Stay Detoxed

Besides keeping your immune system strong it is important to keep your body detoxed.  I want you to do at least one thing a month that can help you detox on a deeper level.  It could be a liver flush where you take certain supplements for a week to break down what is stuck in the liver and then one night before bed you drink 1/4 cup of olive oil to get the toxins to move out of the liver.  At the office we have lots of different services that could help detox.  You could do a PEMF session, using energy to move out toxins or a detox foot bath that pulls toxins out of your body through your feet using an ionic charge.  The strongest detox we have is the Ozone Sauna where you sit in a personalized sauna pod from your neck down and heat builds as the pod is pumped with ozone.  Ozone is oxygen with an extra oxygen molecule. When you combine the wet and warm skin with the ozone gas the extra oxygen goes into the body and has such great detoxing and anti-inflammatory effects. Ozone therapy is a great detoxer because it breaks up lactic acid, increases cellular respiration in muscles, speeds up recovery of damaged tissue and accelerates growth of muscle for those who have tight, sore muscles. Ozone therapy improves blood circulation, improves vitamin and mineral absorption, fights inflammation, and is wonderful at killing mold, parasites, candida, viruses and bacteria. Because it’s such a strong way to detox we offer 10 minute, 20 minute and 30 minute sessions depending on how much detox you can handle.  

13. Drink Ozonated Water

Since ozone is so powerful another way to harness it’s healing abilities is to drink it.  I muscle test for how much ozonated water someone should drink but on average I get 16 ounces a day. Ozonated water has a clean, fresh taste. The health benefits are a result of the ozone breaking apart creating a single oxygen atom that the body can use.  The more oxygen in the body the better! Ozone adds oxygen to the blood stream and eliminates impurities. Increased oxygen in the brain heightens its function. Ozonated water also boosts the immune system making it stronger and better able to fight infections. This type of water has been shown in a number of scientific studies to kill bacteria and viruses.  That’s why I also use ozonated water to wash my fruits and vegetables.  Drinking cold ozone water on an empty stomach regularly can also detoxify your intestinal tract and give you energy. So there are a lot of health benefits to drinking ozonated water.  You will have to buy a machine that puts the extra oxygen in the water.  I use the Ozo-pod that you can buy online.

14. Add MCT oil to your diet

MCT oil which is a type of oil from coconut, is known for fueling your brain for more energy and focus throughout the day.  So, a few teaspoons in the morning or before a workout can fuel your brain and body for hours —better than any other food or coffee drink. And because the body metabolizes MCTs at a higher priority than carbs or other fats (and optimizes your metabolism for fat-burning), they’ll help you burn calories instead of packing them away as fat.

So what is this magical oil?  MCT oil or medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s) are unique fatty acids that are found naturally in coconut and palm oils.  They have a remarkable ability to stabilize blood sugar and enhance ketone body production.  This process makes MCT’s a powerful tool to reduce inflammation, improve metabolism and enhance cognitive function.

Most people tolerate MCT oil very well, however, too large of a dose too quickly can cause gastrointestinal problems such as nausea or diarrhea. If you have this problem, don’t panic and give up on MCT oil right away. You can easily reduce or eliminate these symptoms by starting with very small doses at a time. This would mean ½ tsp several times daily and slowly increasing the dosage as tolerated. Adding MCT oil can substitute for some of the oil in your diet but should not be used to replace all the fat in your diet. Begin using MCT 1 tablespoon per day and slowly increase over several days. 1-3 tablespoons per day is recommended. 

15. Have an anti-aging regimen

People don’t think the fountain of youth exists but I do.  Our fountain of youth is stem cells that our body makes in our bone marrow.  Stem cells are blank cells that once stimulated go anywhere and become any new cell.  The question is how do we stimulate our stem cells?  There is something called stem cell therapy that we do at Healing Arts.  We use Biocell Stem Cell supplements which are formulated to optimize cell function because if we have healthy cells we will be healthier every day.  Biocell supplements work together to promote energy production and cell growth.  

Another thing you can do to help stem cell growth is Intermittent Fasting which is a certain way of eating that can stimulate stem cells.  I do see most patients get the best results eating from 1pm-7pm.  

I think stem cell stimulation has something to do with pressure.  We have to use it to not lose it.  That’s why the number one treatment for osteoporosis (bone loss) is weight bearing exercises.  We need to apply pressure to the bones to stimulate the stem cells and get calcium into the bones. I believe bones can remodel and grow more dense into our 70s and likely longer.  Of course it’s easier if you are 25 years old or younger but it still can be done.  

To help the aging of the skin we use a stem cell supplement from Biocell called Dermal and then topically a frankincense roll on for dark aging spots which I see mostly on patients’ faces but I have seen them at times on back of hands and shoulders too.  65% of the time they will go away just with the frankincense roll-on but the combination is excellent for most aging dark spots.   

The most powerful free radical fighter you have is your lymphatic system. The body's lymphatic system holds 80% of your body's anti-oxidant capacity. To help keep the lymph system happy and your anti-aging ability up I highly recommend lymphatic drainage therapy.  

16. Do something for yourself every day 

Health is mind, body, spirit and if not addressed on a daily basis the stresses of life can get to us and our health.  When you are stressed it’s hard to take time for yourself but it’s when you need it the most.  It’s important to do this before you feel depleted in order to prevent the burnt out feeling.  When you feel burnt out know that your immune system is low too and so it’s easier to get sick which can further stress you out.  So the time it takes to take care of yourself is worth it to prevent getting sick.  To help with the stress of life all you need is 5 minutes any time during the day to reset.  It could be longer than 5 minutes but at least 5 minutes every day invest in yourself.  It could be a quiet moment of deep breathing.  It could be meditation, exercise, writing, foot rub, talking to a good friend, anything that fills you up and makes you feel good mentally or physically. 

17. Talk to yourself

Besides doing something for yourself every day to help your stress and your health, I want you to learn to talk to yourself.  This is a good way to manage stress and address underlying issues that you wouldn’t necessarily address unless they blew up in your face. This is a way of checking in with yourself. Think of it as free talk therapy.  You may not have the best advice for yourself but you can watch the negative self talk and choose to do less of it. You can also be your own sounding board. Check in with yourself and see how your body feels.  What does your body want to tell you that you need to listen to?  Is it the stomach ache, the stress headache or the trouble sleeping?  Listen to yourself and to your body before something becomes more of an issue.  The nice thing is this can be done anytime of day and no one needs to know.  

18. A relaxing bedtime routine

The body needs structure to signal that it’s time to unwind, relax and go to sleep so for the last 30 minutes of the day have the same routine.  A good night’s sleep is so important.  It’s only when you are sleeping the body is healing.  Even if you think you sleep well it’s a good habit to not have any electronics on at least 30 minutes before bed.  This includes phones, computers, tablets and TV. The blue light from the screens actually signal our body to stay awake.  I promise you if you do this you will feel like you get a deeper sleep. So what do you do with those 30 minutes before bed?  It’s like an unknown.  If I don’t have my electronics I don’t know what to do.  Find a healthy bedtime routine.  If you do about the same thing every night it helps signal the body to start winding down. Some ideas: take a hot shower or bath, read a good book, but not too exciting, do your deep breathing technique, meditate or listen to a visualization.  This is also a good time to practice gratitude.  As you are lying down in bed review the day and make a list either in a journal or just mentally of all the good things that happened that day that you are grateful for.  In this way, no matter how intense of a day it was, you go to bed only thinking of the positive things which is helpful to get a deeper night’s sleep and for your mental health. It is also helpful to start the 30 minutes bedtime routine at 1030pm at the latest and be asleep by 11pm.  Every organ has a circadian rhythm that it follows which means in a 24 hour cycle it has a 2 hour window where it is at it’s peak and performing strong and 12 hours later where it is at it’s weakest, most vulnerable stage.  So the reason for the 11pm bedtime is because that’s when the liver is at it’s peak dumping all the toxins from the day into the gallbladder duct where it travels to the large intestine to be excreted the next morning.  It is best to be asleep during this 11pm-1am time so the liver can easily do it’s job and move more toxins.  Again, the body only heals while it’s sleeping.  If you need help sleeping try our PEMF therapy or our Chakra Light therapy at the office to help.

19. Spend 14 days this year being vegetarian

Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride is an MD who wrote a great article on this topic called Feeding vs. Cleansing. This article explains the importance of a plant based diet for a temporary time in order to cleanse the body.

So pick any 14 days and go vegetarian as a way to cleanse the body. You can go longer too if you want but at least 14 days to get benefits.  Being vegetarian can be sustainable given your body type and that's why muscle testing is so important. Everyone’s biochemistry is different and the amount of animal protein needed is different as well. 

20. Do a 10 day sugar cleanse

Besides getting rid of meat for 2 weeks, do another cleanse this year to detox sugar or anything else that turns into sugar in the body. In my 10 day sugar cleanse the only carbs allowed are beans, brown rice, quinoa and sweet potatoes in limited amounts. This cleanse works by removing sugar from your diet which is the fastest way to lose fat and increase your energy. When your blood sugar is out of balance it causes depression, causes you to store sugar as fat instead of using it for energy, causing you to have highs and lows in your energy, and leads to diabetes.  In so many ways doing this sugar cleanse is healthy for you. I wrote the sugar cleanse to be a specific list of foods you eat for 10 days and if you mess up and eat something on the "Foods to Avoid list" then you have to start the 10 days over.  The sugar cleanse is also sustainable for months if you feel good on it and want to continue it for longer than 10 days.   

21. Use less plastic

Plastic products contain a variety of additives, some of which can be toxic. For example, plasticizers are often added to brittle plastics to make them pliable enough for use in food packaging, toys, and many other items. Traces of these compounds can leach out of the product more than just the known BPA. Due to concerns over the effects of such leachates, the European Union has restricted their use in some applications, and the United States has limited the use of them in children's toys. Some compounds leaching from food containers have been proposed to interfere with hormone functions and might cause cancer. Try to do your best to drink water from glass or stainless steel water bottles.  Don't use saran wrap or ziplock bags.  Instead of tupperware use Pyrex, glass containers, to store your leftovers in.  

22. Take corn out of your diet

Before you take corn out of your diet the best thing to do is get muscle tested for foods to see which foods your body reacts to and which ones are fine to eat.  But if you can’t get muscle tested then I do suggest eliminating corn from your diet for 3 weeks and then adding back in and seeing how you feel.  If you notice any negative changes when adding it back in your body is telling you it doesn’t like it and I would continue to stay away from it.  The reason why you would want to stay away from corn is that the body confuses its proteins with gluten. This wreaks havoc on your immune system. Also, corn can affect your gut walls and damage your digestive system. Corn also has a high glycemic content which converts to sugar easily. This, in turn, disrupts the insulin response in the body and weakens your immune system. Have you ever wondered why the corn’s yellow chunks appear in your stool? This is because corn contains the indigestible compound cellulose. Even though it mostly consists of starch, fiber, and prolamins (proteins found in all grains), it’s surrounded by a cellulose husk which is completely indigestible to our digestive system. Over time, this can result in constipation or a leaky gut

23. Eat only healthy fish

Fish can be extremely toxic depending on the oceans that they come from and the way they are farmed. Here is the top 3 fish to not eat. For a complete list, click here

Atlantic Salmon, Wild AND Farmed – Currently, all fish called “Atlantic salmon” comes from fish farms, which are highly polluted. Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration has approving GMO salmon to be sold without labeling it. Instead, choose wild Alaskan salmon.  To learn more about farm raised vs. wild caught salmon: https://healingartsnyc.blogspot.com/2021/01/farmed-vs-wild-caught-salmon-what-is.html

Atlantic Cod – It is nearly endangered due to chronic mismanagement by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Choose Pacific cod instead.

Imported Shrimp – 90% of the shrimp sold in the US is imported, and it is full of contaminants including e.coli, antibiotics, mouse hair, rat hair, and pieces of insects. EW! If you can find domestic shrimp or pink shrimp for Oregon, they are much safer choices. 

So there you have it, 23 things that will make a difference in your health to make sure you do for 2023. Start with the easier changes and work to the harder ones.  Keep this list on hand to refer back to because in a few months certain things may slip but your goal is to always get back on.  I know you are already looking forward to my 2024 list!  

How Salvestrols Save Lives From Cancer

I have been doing a lot of research lately on Salvestrols which are special compounds in plants (phytochemicals) that can help fight abnormal cell growth. In this way they are good for cancer patients and also cancer prevention. I am all about prevention! I am about healthcare not disease-care. May the next generation know cancer as we know the common cold.  

The most well known Salvestrol is resveratrol. Resveratrol is known to be found in the skin of grapes, blueberries and raspberries. Resveratrol hit the supplement world pretty big and patients will still come in with their antioxidant supplement that contains resveratrol but since 2014 there has been evidence that it has limited health effects in humans. This led me to do my own research and figure out if salvestrols really do help.

The human cell has enzymes that help it detox on a daily basis. These enzymes are called Cytrochrome P450 enzymes, otherwise known as CYP (pronounced as 'sip'). To date, there are 57 CYP enzymes. Of these 57 CYP enzymes the one you need to know about is CYP1B1 (pronounced 'sip one be one'). This one is special. This one is only found in cancer cells and not in healthy cells.  

Why is this important? Because all cancer treatment, chemotherapy and radiation, kill all cells and the doctors hope it kills all cancer cells and not all healthy cells and the patient lives. But if we find something that targets the CYP1B1 enzyme then it will only target cancer cells and the patient has a higher survival rate!

There is a compound, called Stilserene (developed by Gerry Potter PhD.), that is currently being worked on that targets the CYP1B1 enzyme. In laboratory testing Stilserene (think of it as synthetic Salvestrol) was effective in killing 95% of the cancer cells tested. This test included cancers that were resistant to other treatments including stomach, colon, lung, breast and brain cancer cells while having no damage to healthy cells!

When I first started reading about the CYP1B1 enzyme I thought it was only in cancer cells because it was something 'bad' the defective cell was making but Gerry Potter is a genius and figured out that the cancer cells were making the enzyme to try to protect itself and if you add resveratrol to CY1B1 you get piceatannol which is an anticancer agent! Yet studies were conducted that showed if you increased the amount of resveratrol given then the mechanism of producing piceatannol was shut off. This makes resveratrol of minimal use as cancer therapy because it would be difficult to determine how much is too much that would lead to shutting off the mechanism.  

But what Professor Potter did find was certain compounds in plants called phytoalexins. Phytoalexins are part of a plant's natural immune system. Phytoalexins that create anticancer compounds through their metabolism by CYP1B1 he coined 'Salvestrols'. 

Unfortunately there is not a good Salvestrol supplement out on the market yet.  I have muscle tested them all and I feel like this research has not been translated to the supplement world. But it does explain why the Gerson Therapy Diet works so well for cancer patients and why a diet high in fruits and vegetables is so healthy. So again, your mother was right, eat your vegetables! Powerful, salvestrols have been found in broccoli, cabbage, avocado, red and yellow peppers, and herbs such as basil, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Strawberries, tangerines and fresh cranberries also contain salvestrols.

Tea for Better Blood Sugar

I love getting muscle tested for a personalized tea blend at the Healing Arts Tea Bar. It is the holiday season and with that comes more treats so having a tea specifically to lower blood sugar can be helpful.  There are 8 specific teas we test for that can lower blood sugar.  When we make a personalized blend people usually test for 3 different teas that we then blend together before putting in the tea bag and serving.

If you don’t test for teas to help with blood sugar you may test for other ones.  We have over 25 different organic teas from around the world! Our tea menu is different than anything you have ever seen before.  We have the teas listed and you can pick one and enjoy it either stay at the tea bar or take it to go but what is different is on the back of the menu is a list of symptoms and you can choose the symptom you want to work on and then get muscle tested for which 3 herbs your body needs.  So you don't choose your tea but your body does!

Besides getting a cup of hot tea we can also make a container for you of your personalized blend that is 12 servings. Here is the list of teas we have that can help balance your blood sugar:

Black tea-Digestion, blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, brain health, heart health, improves blood pressure

Cinnamon- Blood sugar, anti inflammatory, lower cholesterol Robots

Nettle-Blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, pain relief 

Holy Basil/Tulsi - Digestion, blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, brain health, immunity booster, weight loss support, skin support, respiratory support, eye support, detox 

Marshmallow Root- Digestion, blood sugar, acid reflux, immunity booster, weight loss, women’s health, skin support, anti-aging, constipation, detox, liver support pain relief, heart support

Ginger  - Digestion, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, brain health, immunity booster, weight loss, women’s health, pain relief, heart support, blood sugar

Green tea  - Heart support, anti-aging, weight loss support, immune support, brain health, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar

INFOCEUTICALS

Energy Medicine in a Bottle

 Using the concept E=mc2 and energy medicine we can electronically transfer medicinal waves into a tincture made just for you. We can muscle test and create a personalized combination of waves to imprint a tincture with. These medicinal waves are called infocueticals (IC). When we transfer ICs of medicinal substances to the water we create homeopathic dosages - technically there is no active substance present in the IC water, but under the influence of an electromagnetic field with a specific spectrum, the technology makes water molecules organize in a certain way that mimics the energy signature of the original substance. The same thing happens when homeopathic remedies are created. The restructured water can interact with receptors in our body and cause a similar reaction as if it was the substance itself.

I love homeopathy and have used it in my office for 10 years. Now using ICs we can make a homeopathic tincture personalized to you which is the mission of the new Healing Arts Wellness Center.  We want to muscle test and make everything as personalized as possible, from the lotion you purchase to the tea you drink, and now homeopathic blends.  I also love how it's water based because a lot of homeopathy is alcohol based and patients don't always muscle test for it because of the alcohol content.  If you are not able to be muscle tested for a tincture we can make one based on symptoms for you.

The science behind structuring water comes from Dr. Masaru Emoto who was a scientist that discovered that water was a "blueprint for our reality" and not only could it hold a blueprint for medicinal substances but that emotional "energies" and "vibrations" could also change the physical structure of water. Emoto's water crystal experiments consisted of exposing water in glasses to different words, pictures or music, and then freezing and examining the aesthetic properties of the resulting crystals with microscopic photography. Emoto's studies show that water exposed to positive speech and thoughts would result in visually pleasing crystals being formed when that water was frozen, and that negative intention would yield "ugly" frozen crystal formations. 

FLASKA makes special glass water bottles that restructure water in 5 minutes.  We use Mountain Valley Spring water with this water bottle when making the tincture for you.  We truly believe the quality of the water makes a huge difference.  You can also purchase a Flaska water bottle at the office. It comes with a sleeve for protection so if you drop the bottle it doesn't break.  They are $35 each. 

The strength of the effect of the personalized remedy depends on how well the body can actually use or resonate with the information the water is holding, and whether the body has energy to make a change that the water wants.  Because it is energy medicine, the effect from ICs might be slower and much lighter, but that is probably why they don't have negative effects. I highly suggest using energy medicine in the form of ICs to help detox, reduce inflammation, support hormones, have better digestion and less pain.  The results I'm seeing in the office are amazing and I have loved Dr. Masaru Emoto's work for years and loved finding another application to help my patients get the health they deserve.

$20 for a 4 week supply.

Purchase yours now and let us know in the description what your health concerns are.