Sunday, April 29, 2018

Advanced Allergy Clearing Technique

A New Service at Healing Arts

Accelerated Allergy Clearing Technique

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. And if you do have seasonal allergies, luckily for you, Nova learned this technique just in time for spring!


Allergies are versatile. They can show up just about anywhere in your body and provide a variety of issues. They can affect your nose, eyes, throat, lungs, stomach, skin and nervous system. They can give you a bellyache, 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 polution 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 the clearing plus vitamin supplementation. Some common changes with the allergy clearing include: elimination of lactose intolerance, reduction or elimination of IBS, 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.

If you think you may be a candidate for Advanced Allergy Clearing Technique (AACT) call the office, (866) 585-5999 to schedule an initial exam.  

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

How Stress is Effecting Your Health
Your body is hard-wired to react to stress in ways meant to protect you against threats from predators and other aggressors in life or death situations. Such situations are rare today, but that doesn't mean that life is free of stress. 
On the contrary, you undoubtedly face multiple demands each day, such as a huge workload, making ends meet and taking care of your family. Your body treats these so-called minor hassles as threats. As a result you may feel as if you're constantly under stress but the key is to not have the stress control your life or your health.
When you encounter a perceived threat — a large dog barks at you during your morning walk, for instance — your hypothalamus, a tiny region at the base of your brain, sets off an alarm system in your body. Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands, located on top of your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. 
Cortisol also curbs functions that would be a problem in a threatening situation. It alters immune system responses and suppresses the digestive system, the reproductive system and growth processes. This complex natural alarm system also communicates with regions of your brain that control mood, motivation and fear. 
The body's stress-response system is usually self-limiting. Once a perceived threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal. As adrenaline and cortisol levels drop, your heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline levels, and other systems resume their regular activities. But when stressors are always present and you constantly feel under attack, that fight-or-flight reaction stays turned on. 
The long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones — can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Digestive problems
  • Headaches
  • Heart disease
  • Sleep problems
  • Weight gain
  • Memory and concentration impairment
When we help patients with their stress our goal is to give them the right nutrition to calm the nervous system down, get them out of fight-or-flight response, and to rebuild the adrenal glands that have been producing adrenaline and cortisol for too long of a period.  Here are a few of my favorite supplements to use:
  • Drenamin supports adrenal function and helps maintain emotional balance and energy production
  • Vitamins C, E and all the B vitamins help regulate stress hormones.
  • Magnesium provides energy to the adrenal glands.
  • Calcium and trace minerals including zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine provide calming effects in the body.
Besides the right supplements it's important to learn healthy ways to cope with the stressors in your life. 
Your reaction to a potentially stressful event is different from anyone else's. How you react to stressors in your life is affected by such factors as: 
  • Genetics. The genes that control the stress response keep most people on a fairly even keel, only occasionally priming the body for fight or flight. Overactive or underactive stress responses may stem from slight differences in these genes. 
  • Life experiences. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to traumatic events. 
You may have some friends who seem laid-back about almost everything and others who react strongly at the slightest stress. Most reactions to life stressors fall somewhere between those extremes. 
Stressful events are a fact of life. And you may not be able to change your current situation. But you can take steps to manage the impact these events have on you and your health. 
You can learn to identify what stresses you and how to take care of yourself physically and emotionally in the face of stressful situations. 
Stress management strategies include:
  • Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise and plenty of sleep 
  • Practicing relaxation techniques such as trying yoga, practicing deep breathing, getting a massage or learning to meditate 
  • Taking time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music 
  • Fostering healthy friendships 
  • Having a sense of humor 
  • Volunteering in your community
  • Seeking professional counseling when needed
The payoff for learning to manage stress is peace of mind and — perhaps — a longer, healthier life.



                        
                               
       

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

A New Spin on Leaky Gut Syndrome

A New Spin on Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky gut syndrome is diagnosed when someone has a permeable intestinal wall that let's food or toxins leak through into our bloodstream. Our bodies then have to create an immune response to these food particles which can then lead to all sorts of health problems, including food allergies, mood disorders, chronic health challenges and autoimmune conditions. Digestive symptoms include bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea, but often presents itself as more complex symptoms like food allergies, eczema and rashes, migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight gain, blood sugar issues including Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Hashimoto’s thyroid syndrome, mood issues including depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia, infertility and a whole range of autoimmune conditions. To learn more about leaky gut and certain foods to eat that can help it heal, read here.  

When first understanding leaky gut syndrome I thought the problem was only in the gut.  But with more research I see now that the gut becomes leaky due to the liver weakening and becoming sluggish. The liver makes bile that moves from the liver and gets stored in the gallbladder to then be released in the large intestine to break down fats by moving through the gallbladder duct.  If this bile does not move through and reach the large intestine in adequate amounts then the blend of bile and hydrochloric acid required to break down fat and protein in the gut is not strong enough and you have undigested proteins and fats.  Once this undigested food reaches your lower intestine, it won’t be broken down enough for your cells to actually use the food as fuel. And instead the food will just lie there and rot.  This rotting food feeds pathogens that are sitting in the colon and intestinal tract. This gut rot creates ammonia gas and can result in symptoms of bloating, digestive discomfort, chronic dehydration, or oftentimes no symptoms at all until it does eventually get severe enough to cause discomfort.  So by the time there is discomfort know that the build up of undigested food as been going on for months to years prior and takes time to heal.

So with this new information not only do we want to heal the actual leaky gut but also the liver and gallbladder for that matter to make sure the bile is enough to break down food that body can actually use and not sit there causing more of a problem.  So here is another piece of the puzzle about leaky gut.  It's not only about the toxins that break through the intestinal wall to the blood stream but also about the undigested food that feeds bad gut flora.  To read more about how to repair and rebuild the gut, read here.  


                        

Monday, April 2, 2018

Health Benefits of Doing Castor Oil Packs

Castor Oil Packs for Liver and Digestion Support

Castor oil comes from the castor seed, native to India. It is extremely high in ricinoleic acid, which is thought to be responsible for its health-promoting abilities. I love to suggest the castor oil pack to patients for liver detox or digestion support.  It is really good for patients with the MTHFR mutation to do a castor oil pack once a week to keep the liver detoxing well despite the gene mutation.  
The idea is to keep castor oil on a piece of cloth on the skin for at least an hour with a heat source to stimulate lymph and liver function. I have had many accounts of patients who noticed better digestion, immediate better sleep, more energy, and clearing of skin symptoms.
NOTE: Check with me or your health care provider before doing a castor oil pack.  It should not be used if pregnant.

The beauty of a castor oil pack is by placing it on the right side of the abdomen or the whole abdomen  is thought to help support the liver and digestive system. It can also be placed directly on strained joints or muscles to reduce inflammation.  (Note: This is not as a substitute for medical care but to speed healing of minor injuries.  Also put on the lower abdomen to help with menstrual pain and difficulties.

What It Does

Castor oil packs harness the anti-inflammatory and lymph stimulating benefits of castor oil but allow safer external use. From a 1999 study:
With a minimal 2-hour therapy period, this study found that castor oil packs produced a “significant” temporary increase in the number of T-11 cells that increased over a 7 hour period following treatment and then returned to normal levels within 24 hours later.
The T-11 cell increase represents a general boost in the body’s specific defense status. Lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cell lymphocytes originate from bone marrow and the thymus gland as small lymphocytes that identify and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer cells. T-11 cell lymphocytes supply a fundamental antibody capability to keep the specific defense system strong.
In short, castor oil packs have been said to help detoxify the liver naturally, improve lymphatic circulation, and reduce inflammation.
There is some evidence that it can have a suppressive effect on tumors and a positive effect on arthritis.

How to Do a Castor Oil Pack

Castor oil packs are simple to do at home and I like them because they require me to be still and relax and read a book for at least an hour (not always easy to accomplish). They can be messy, but with proper preparation are not.

You’ll Need

  • high-quality castor oil (hexane free)
  • unbleached and dye free wool or cotton flannel – can be reused up to 30 times
  • a wrap-around pack (or large piece of cotton flannel) or plastic wrap 
  • hot water bottle or heating pad
  • glass container with lid – I use a quart-size mason jar for storing the oil soaked flannel between uses
  • old clothes, towels and sheets – castor oil does stain!

NOTE: I highly recommend carefully prepping the area where you’ll be doing the castor oil pack to prevent mess.  Try using an old shower curtain, covered with a sheet under you to make sure nothing stains. I don’t often have to wash the sheet, and I just fold and store in the bathroom cabinet for the next use.

How to Use a Castor Oil Pack

  1. Cut a large piece of cotton flannel and fold into thirds to make three layers. My original piece was 20 inches by 10 inches and when folded it was roughly 7 inches by 10 inches. Yours could be larger or smaller, depending on where you are planning to place it.
  2. Thoroughly soak (but not completely saturate) the flannel in castor oil. The easiest way I found to do this was to carefully fold the flannel and place in a quart-size mason jar. I then added castor oil about a tablespoon at a time (every 20 minutes or so) to give it time to saturate. I also gently shook the jar between adding more oil so that the oil could reach all parts of the cloth. Ideally, this should be done the day before to give it time to evenly soak. I save the jar since this is where I keep the flannel between uses (it can be used about 30 times).
  3. Carefully remove and unfold the castor oil soaked cloth.
  4. While lying on an old towel or sheet, place the cloth on the desired body part.
  5. Cover with the wrap-around pack or cotton flannel, and place the heating pack on top of this. Less optimally, a plastic grocery bag can be used prevent any oil from getting on the heating pad. A hot water bottle, electric heating pad, or rice heating pad can be used, but hot water bottles and rice packs may need to be reheated several times.
  6. Lie on back with feet elevated (I typically lie on the floor and rest my feet on the couch) and relax for 30-60 minutes.
  7. Use this time to practice deep breathing, read a book, meditate, or pray (or whatever you find relaxing).
  8. After the desired time, remove the pack and return the flannel to the glass container. Store in fridge.
  9. Use a natural soap or a mix of baking soda and water to remove any castor oil left on the skin.
  10. Relax and rest. Make sure to drink enough water and stay hydrated after doing this to support detox.

Other Ways to Use Castor Oil

Castor oil is handy to have around the house for other uses as well. Use castor oil externally to:
  • Apply to dry skin, rashes, boils, age spots, warts, and any undesirable skin defects
  • Treat toenail fungus
  • Soothe a sprain, injury, or sore joints
  • Apply to areas of back pain
  • To cleanse and soothe abdomen when having digestive or reproductive trouble
As a rule of thumb, when trouble begins, apply a series of castor oil packs for 60-90 minutes about 3 times a week for a 3 week period. Consult with a doctor to be exact on how many times a week is good for you.  
Have you ever used a castor oil pack?  Share your experience below!