Coronavirus: How to Protect Yourself

At Healing Arts, we are closely monitoring the recent outbreak of a viral infection called the Coronavirus (COVID-19). There has been a lot of news coverage on the Coronavirus and it can be scary not knowing how rapidly it will spread and how it will affect us or one of our loved ones. With all the research that we have done we truly believe it is like any other flu virus but has a way of spreading faster.  The common winter flu infects millions of people every year and kills thousands.  We all have to be cautious but those who have to be extra cautious are the elderly and immune suppressed. Currently in New York there are more than 400 cases of the Coronavirus with one death of an 82 year old woman in Manhattan.  This woman already had emphysema which contributed to her death.  This is like how the flu works every year with the elderly and immune compromised making up the majority of the deaths.  Schools in NYC are to stay open whereas there are 12 cases of coronavirus in CT and schools are closing taking an approach of teaching online, even the elementary schools.  I am so grateful to the teachers who I know worked really hard to implement online teaching in such a short amount of time.   My daughter, in 5th grade, came home and said, 'Don't worry mom.  This is how you do it.' She then proceeded to show me how to log in and look at all her classes set up on a google classroom account.  I was amazed. I am grateful to have childcare so that I can go to work to continue servicing patients.  We will be open in NY and CT until the government mandates otherwise.  It is important now, more than ever, to stay healthy and that includes getting checked regularly for what supplements would be best for your health and having your immune system as strong as possible. However, we do want to take extra precautions at this time to avoid any undue exposure, so we are asking the following from our patients and our team: If you have: Flu-like symptoms, including fever, achiness or a cough Traveled abroad in the last 14 days Recently experienced a shortness of breath  Have come in contact with anyone who has these symptoms PLEASE refrain from coming in for treatment – we will gladly reschedule your appointment after a two-week waiting period.

Don't Weaken Your Immune System DO get sufficient sleep DO drink plenty of water DON'T eat sugar (sugar will weaken your immune system). This would be a good time to start the sugar cleanse. DON'T eat many carbohydrates (carbs turn into sugar, which weakens your immune system)

Avoid Possible Contact With Pathogens (Germs/Virus/Bacteria) DO wash your hands frequently with soap DON'T sneeze/cough into your hands/DO use a tissue or your elbow DON'T touch your eyes, nose or mouth  DO use hand sanitizer without rubbing alcohol (at office for purchase, rubbing alcohol is toxic)

Maintain A Healthy Immune System Chiropractic Treatments: Spinal adjustments have been shown to boost immune function because they serve to correct the spinal misalignments that cause neural dysfunction. Even one adjustment can bring about an immediate immune boost.  Chiropractors were key in 1917 during the Spanish Influenza.  To read more, click here.  Exercise: Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.

Boost Your Immune System Of course having a healthy diet supports your immune system, but adding key nutritional supplements will strengthen your immune system. I love using Standard Process's Immuplex and Antronex for viral infections and they can be used preventatively as well. IV Vitamin C is what they are using in China as a cure for those infected with the coronavirus.  Don't ask me why the media isn't talking about that.  So taking vitamin C can be a great preventative.  Not all vitamin C is the same quality so make sure your vitamin C comes from food or is liposomal vitamin C.  Zinc is also great for the immune system and because the coronavirus hits the throat first zinc lozenges are a great preventative too. Here is a powerful all natural antiviral recipe that became my favorite remedy during cold and flu season over the last 5 years. This immune boosting tonic recipe is quite easy to make. It’s a garlic, ginger, lemon, honey remedy that’s suitable for the entire family, including kids!  Aids digestion and promotes detoxification too. Ingredients: 2 small fresh lemons (~1/2 cup) – (with the skin or not, cut into large chunks) 1/2 cup fresh ginger – (peeled, cut into chunks) 1/2 cup fresh garlic cloves – (peeled) 1/2 cup raw organic Manuka honey Instructions:Add all ingredients roughly chopped in a blender, pulsing for a few seconds until everything turns into a paste. The mixture contains not only the juice but also the fibers from the whole fruit/vegetable which makes it even more beneficial for your gut microbiome. This immune boosting tonic is best taken on an empty stomach in the morning and/or half an hour before meals or before going to bed. As a preventive measure you can take one or two teaspoons per day based on personal requirement. If you are in the middle of fighting a cold or an acute infection take 1 teaspoon every 3-4 hours. The benefits of this tonic are best experienced if used regularly.  Storage: Store the immune boosting tonic in a seal-able glass container in the fridge. The longer its sits in the fridge the more potent it gets. Essential oils are great too!  They have a faster way of getting into the body and working at the cellular level.  We love doterra essential oils for they test the best and suggest putting oils in a veggie capsule to boost your immune system.  This is the recipe I like to follow if you can't be muscle tested for your specific essential oil formula. 2 drops Frankincense 2 drops Melaleuca (Tea Tree oil) 4 drops On Guard Blend 2 drops Oregano 6 drops Lemon Directions:  Place all drops into an empty Veggie Cap. Take one capsule every 4-6 hours. Be sure to fill each Veggie Cap immediately before ingesting as the essential oils dissolve the capsules very quickly.  Take capsule with food. Repeat daily as desired. Healing Arts has it's own Wellness Blend developed by Dr. Armitstead that contains a 'blend' of great immune boosters.  It has the garlic, oregano,  and liposomal C we already talked about along with echinacea, goldenseal, lysine and more!

Disinfect Commonly Used Areas Lastly, at Healing Arts we want to proactively provide details and transparency around our cleaning processes. We have implemented an increased protocol to regularly and aggressively disinfect counters, chairs, doorknobs, treatment rooms and other frequently used areas of the office. All staff are regularly washing their hands and all patients are welcome to continue using our already established hand sanitizer stations. Our patients have always been our number one priority. We will continue to closely monitor the CoronaVirus and update our practices as needed.

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Is Oxy Pulling Better Than Oil Pulling?

I love the health benefits I get from oil pulling and suggest it a lot to my patients.  Whether for oral health, cleaning the lymph, or detox support oil pulling is helpful in so many ways.  I have just recently come across oxy pulling thanks to one of my patients who brought it to my attention and so I have something new to add to my daily health routine!   Good news is oxy pulling only takes 30 seconds to do.  Oxy pulling was developed to replace oil pulling and that's what my patient wanted to do, stop her oil pulling and do oxy pulling instead but when I did my research I actually had her do both.  It is more beneficial to do the oxy pulling first and then the oil pulling, then brush your teeth.

While you sleep and throughout the day, your mouth is producing live organisms that are not only harmful to your overall oral health, but to your body as well. These organisms can cause a plethora of disease within the body if swallowed. Therefore it is very important that these organisms are not allowed to accumulate and thrive in your mouth. The most opportune time for these organisms to develop and grow is when we are asleep and after we eat.
Similar to what happens during the oil pulling process, swishing the oxy pulling oral rinse around in your mouth will activate enzymes, allowing toxins and bacteria to be drawn out from the body.  The only Oxy Pulling solution I know of is Garner's Garden.  

The following are the key ingredients that are used to make oxy pulling so effective:

1% or 2% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2: Helps by inhibiting the reproduction of bacteria and also kills fungal spores. H2O2 is also able to penetrate periodontal areas between the teeth and gums by its foaming action; this is how oxygen is released to inhibit the growth of bacteria while creating a whitening/bleaching effect for the teeth. Another benefit is the ability to remove and repel plaque from the surface of the teeth for prolonged periods of time. Think of how wax is applied to a car. When water touches the car’s surface that has had wax applied to it, water will bead up and roll off of the car. This is along the same premise of H2O2 and plaque – there will be some accumulation of plaque over a couple of hours of daily activities, but a large majority of the plaque will be repelled and not accumulate on the surface of the teeth.

Other Ingredients that can be in Oxy Pulling Solutions -

Activated Charcoal: Assists with the whitening of teeth and it also traps and removes toxins that are present in the mouth.
Peppermint Essential Oil: Kills germs, helps with pain, and highly effective at preventing bad breath.
Cinnamon Essential Oil: has the greatest antimicrobial potency against streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for tooth decay, and lactobacillus plantarum, one of the bacteria responsible for gum disease.
Tea Tree Essential Oil: Contains terpinen which is responsible for giving this oil its healing properties. Tea tree is known to kill fungus and bacteria.