Benefits of Massage

·         Relieves stress and promotes an overall feeling of relaxation, helping you breathe and move more easily

·         Alleviates pain and tension, and helps you manage pain better

·         Decreases inflammation

·         Promotes speedy recovery from injuries (work, trauma, accident or sports-related)

·         Increases mobility and provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion

·         Improves circulation

·         Improves and strengthens immune system

·         Relieves musculoskeletal problems and improves posture

·         Reduces anxiety and promotes an overall feeling of well-being

·         Increases lymphatic  fluid movement

My suggestion is to find a massage therapist that has a good reputation and a few different styles of massage that they utilize.  Try them all and you will find what you enjoy and what feels best to you. One of my favorites is called "Raindrop Therapy" which utilizes essential oils during the massage, it is very relaxing and therapeutic.

In reference to not  “BEING RUBBED THE WRONG WAY” many people, including myself, have gone to a therapist and requested a deep massage only to wake up the next morning very stiff and sore.  I suggest a light to moderate pressure at first, until you get to know the therapist and how they work.

Enjoy the experience of massage and use it, as I do, in my arsenal of tools to keep my body healthy.  You will find it extremely beneficial to your Health.

Blessings to You and thanks for stopping by .... see you again soon!

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. ~ Buddha

You may not be very familiar with essential oils or you may have heard of lavender or maybe frankincense or myrrh.  I want to familiarize you with the benefits of using oils.  They have been used for centuries dating back to 4500 B.C.. We use them as colognes, perfumes and even in cooking but the medicinal uses are the ones that are overlooked the most.  I use them for many conditions within my practice.

1. Peppermint - used for weight loss and appetite suppressant.
2. Lavender - Great for burn healing, insomnia, nervous tension.
3. Ginger - Arthritis, digestion, expectorant
4. Geranium - Hepatitis/fatty liver disease, eczema, ringworm, herpes infections.
5. Lemon - Improves memory, immune stimulant, circulation problems.
6. Melaleuca Alternifolia(Tea Tree) - Candida, ringworm, tooth/gum disease

 You can use essential oils to clean your house and even for natural pest control.  Peppermint sprayed around the edges and corners repels spiders.

The list goes on and on with the types and benefits of the oils.  When asked how do they work?

I refer them to an excerpt from the Essential Oil Desk Reference ...The sense of smell is the only one of the five senses directly linked the limbic lobe of the brain, the emotional control center.  Anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and joy all emanate from this region.  The scent of a special fragrance can evoke memories (grandmas apple pie)and emotions before we are even consciously aware of it.  When smells are concerned, we react first and think later.  All other senses, (touch, taste, hearing, and sight) are routed through the thalamus, which acts as the switchboard for the brain, passing stimuli onto the cerebral cortex (the conscious thought center) and other parts of the brain.

There has been extensive research done on the efficacy and benefits of essential oils.  The above excerpt only talks of the sense of smell, it does not include the application to various parts of the skin.

There are many brands of oils available, many of them are cut with impure products and contain additives, I choose not to put them into my body.

I encourage you to try essential oils for your self, whether it is some lavender for a stressed moment or my favorite is YL's Joy oil, it is remarkable.  Experiment with some different kinds or if you have a specific ailment let me know and I will make a recommendation for you.

Enjoy the oils and the Health that you deserve.

~"Pick happy thoughts to meditate on"~

Let me explain, it is now known that as cells die normally they are replaced with new cells.  I think everyone can understand that, but I believe what is missed is that we have the ability and power to alter our state of health due to this.  Take a look at this;

• We grow a new stomach lining every four days

• The surface stomach cells that come into contact with digesting food renew themselves every five minutes

• Our skin is completely new every five weeks

• Our livers are completely regenerated every six weeks

• We rebuild our entire skeletal structure every three months; and

• The entire body completely recreates itself, down to the last atom, every four or five years.

These numbers are estimates and vary slighty per individual but occur none the less.

Lets think about this for a minute, if 10,000 cells die each day from various parts of the body AND 10,000 new ones are there to take there place, how do we effect those new cells?  Thats right! Through diet and lifestyle changes.

So today you are somebody completely different than yesterday, and even though aging is inevitable we can alter and slow down the effects very simply.  Build better CELLS!   Thats it, end of story! 

What will you change to ensure that you make Healthier cells?  Now, there is a topic for future posts, for now, use your common sense and only put foods and drinks into your body that will build healthy cells.  I have faith in you.

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world. . . as in being able to remake ourselves. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

It is inevitable that I get asked, "is it okay if I eat just a little of this or that food"?  I tell them that there are consequences for all of our choices, good or bad.  You must start with a goal in mind, then set up the plan to achieve that goal.  It doesn't matter how small the goal is, whether you want to alleviate allergies or you want to cure your Irritable bowel disease, you have to eliminate foods that are poisoning your system and replace them with healthier snacks and meals. 

"But Doc", I hear, "why can't I have just a few chips or fries, it isn't going to kill me". I reply that "you are right, it is not going to kill you, TODAY anyway".  I encourage you to check out this link which may have you think twice before eating any chips, fries or fried potatoes again.

We are living in a society where we are flooding our systems with toxic chemicals in our food, drink(including water) and air. It is no wonder we have the staggering disease processes we have and are considered unhealthy as a nation. 

We have to make changes, don't put these chemicals in your body, no matter how "acceptable" the limits.

Most chemicals are stored in our tissues as a process of ridding them from our digestive tract or respiratory system.  They then accumulate until the tissue gets over burdened and it becomes sick.  Then we look for a quick fix for the symptoms, such as sinus problems, heartburn, digestive problems, even elimination problems.

It's time to make better choices, starting with our food and drink, a good thing to remember is, "If man made it, don't eat it". More on this later, as always if I can answer any questions for you please comment below.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution of a vegetarian diet"   ~   Albert Einstein

The pain killer has worked temporarily, now it is time to find the cause of the problem.  In cases such as these there are a couple of  devices that can help you find the cause.  I recommend that my parents have a home otoscope to look in the child's ear to determine if there is any redness or swelling of the ear drum.  If you are not comfortable with that device, an ear check monitor, helps to determine if there is an ear infection or not.  Both of these devices are easy to use to detect a problem, now lets look at how to treat it, naturally.

Most ear infections do not need antibiotics and yet that is the first thing parents ask for when their child is sick.  The infection is an organism that is has taken up residency in the ear canal(usually middle ear).  It may be bacterial, viral or even fungal.  If you jump to antibiotics and it is not a bacterial infection you could make the infection worse(especially if it is fungal).  Monitor their temperature,(the bodies natural response to a foreign invader) if it is between 101 and 102 degrees let the body do its thing.  Which is raise the temperature to kill the organism. (If the fever persists or the child is not responding to home care, it is time to call your doctor)

Here are a few things you can do with a child with an ear infection:

1)  Warm herbal ear drops and place in the ear canal to relieve pain and inflammation
2)  Ice compress around ear can help decrease pain and inflammation.
3)  Use natural preparations made for ear infections from your Natural Health care Provider.

In Chinese Medicine, the ear relates to the kidneys, so keep them very hydrated.  I find that there is a correlation the large intestine and ileo-cecal valve(right lower abdomen above the appendix).  So getting them to eat watermelon or other fiber rich fruits can help.

Acupuncture needle and non-needle are very effective when treating ear infections. Chiropractic manipulation is also beneficial as it restore the flow of nerve energy to the head and ears.  In my office this is a non-force technique so kids do not mind it at all.

One more thing, sugar in the diet feeds the bacteria in the body, so if a sweetener is required use xylitol as it has antibacterial properties to it.

As always Prevention is the Key here, so that you avoid being woke up in the middle of the night with a screaming child.  Give your a child a good child's multivitamin, and a omega 3 oil(children's flavored) daily and be sure to feed them a diet rich with fruits, veggies and lean meats.  Avoid the excess sugar and fat foods that weaken their little systems.

Good Luck and as always if you have any questions you can post them here or email me.

Blessings,
Dr.T.

There are many reasons for this, first, the kids have spent all summer eating all kinds of sugary foods, which lowers their immune function. 

Second, the air-conditioning units in the schools, that have been off all summer are turned on, and all the dust, mold and other debris is blown into the air for our children to breathe.  I believe that the best defense is a good offense, so now's the time to help prepare our kids for this onslaught of symptoms. 

These symptoms, range from   runny noses, itchy eyes, cough, sore throat, asthma, along with extreme fatigue. Some kids even experience ADD and ADHD when introduced into this environment. Most parents just assume that their child's allergies are flaring up due to outdoor pollens. There's been lots of research done on sick school syndrome, if you would like more information on this topic, I encourage you to visit Dr. Doris Rapp's website.

So what can we do to assist our kids so that they don't have to be plagued by the symptoms?  As I mentioned, the best defense is a good offense. 

Now is the time to start doing things to stimulate their immune function such as:

1. Decrease the amount of sugar, dairy-including milk, cheese, and ice cream, refined flour products, greasy foods, along with foods containing chemicals, dyes, and artificial coloring.

2.  Increase their water intake to half their body weight in ounces, per day.

3.  Start them on a basic nutritional program, if they're not already on one.  This would include a multivitamin/multi-mineral, vitamin C, calcium/magnesium and I recommend our mangosteen product.

If your child is prone to allergies, in addition to the above mentioned supplements, I would also include:

1. A natural antihistamine such as antronex( standard process), D-Hist, or consult your natural healthcare provider for a product that they utilize.

2. A probiotic to re-establish healthy bacterial flora in the gut, due to excessive sugar in the diet.

3. A broad spectrum, digestive enzyme, may also be helpful if the above-mentioned products only partially relieve the symptoms.

4.  If sinuses are problem, the use of a Neti pot, nasal irrigation treatment may also prove helpful.

If you take the time to make these changes now, take the stress off their bodies before they are put into that toxic environment, you can save yourself and them a lot of grief later. 

If you wait too long, and your child does come home with any of the above-mentioned symptoms, I recommend that you take them to your natural healthcare provider. They will help diagnose the cause of the allergy and provide you with a specific treatment plan.

I would be happy to answer any questions for you regarding this topic or any other health issue that you have a question about.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and let's proceed into the fall, allergy and symptom-free.

~Speak truthfully with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope.~

Of the people I asked the question, " How do we get sunburned?"  the majority of them simply say "too much sun". 

What most of them don't realize is that it is the radiation from the suns rays(UVA and UVB) that create the burns.  I have been told that description sounds pretty harsh.  It is suppose to be harsh!  It is an important topic for the summer months especially. 

When you think about it as radiation burns, it drives home the point of the importance of protection, not to mention prevention.  There is a lot of controversy about the types of sunscreens to use.  Many of the commercially prepared products are full of chemicals that react in the skin and cause an increase in sensitivity and burns.

In chemical sunscreens, there are some chemicals that pose potential human health risks including benzophenone, octinoxate, octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC), and oxybenzone. These chemicals can seep into your skin, potentially altering how your body processes the sun's rays and could upset your body's normal hormone balance.

This A - Z list is just a partial list of some of the products and drugs that are suspected.(I was amazed at what was on this list, check it out)

With the incidence of skin cancer on the rise, nearly a million people per year, its time to take this more seriously.  I have to admit, I enjoy being in the sun and getting a tan.  There are some specific things I do to protect myself  from sunburn and skin cancer.  Using the right type of sunscreen is important, we will talk about that in a moment.

The sun creates a lot of free radical damage, so it is imperative to consume a lot of antioxidant rich fruits and veggies.  I also take about 6,000 mg of omega 3 oils per day which are anti inflammatory in nature.  You have to do this early enough, so that you build up your store house of these nutrients.  If you don't, they burn up too quickly in the sun.  I just returned from a weeks vacation at the lake, without too much trouble.  As the week went on, my kids and I increased the fruit and veggies intake to combat the accumulation of the suns effects.  I also take about 5000 iu of vit D3 daily to help prevent cancers.

So lets get specific on what to do if you get sunburned...

Sunscreen is important, but be sure that it is all natural and contains either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to protect against UVA and UVB rays.  Read the labels thoroughly as some of these products need to be applied 30 mins. prior to the sun.

The chemicals found in most sunscreens are not biodegradable and may have damaging environmental effects in the water. By using natural ingredients instead, we keep both you and the environment safe.

These are some of the herbs that work to heal sunburns:

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is one of the most frequently recommended to reduce inflammation.

• Comfrey is also very beneficial for the sun burnt skin, as it contains allantoin, a natural compound that is an excellent anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, allergenic and skin cell regenerative.

• Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rose hips and Buckthorn essential oils are also beneficial for the inflamed skin. They can be applied directly to the skin or added to the bath water.

This is a link to my favorite after sun lotion that I found while vacationing in Mexico.

Also, try taking a bath in lukewarm water in which you should pour a cup of baking soda or apple cider vinegar as this will cool down the skin. Compresses with cold green, black, calendula or St. John’s Wort will have the same cooling effect on the damaged skin.

So lets THINK before we take our families out into the sun, the cancer you prevent may be your own!

If you have any questions or comments, I encourage you to submit them below.  Happy and Healthy  Sunning!

"Each moment you are alive is unique. Appreciate and make the most of it!"

For those of you who already know that you suffer form this condition and aren't sure what to do about it, take heart, I am about to explain it to you. As I discussed in previous posts, sugar is a big problem in our diets today.  It is the excess sugar or even the undigested sugar that turns to acid in our bodies. 

It is these acids that propagate the yeast overgrowth. Now sugar isn't the only culprit, but anything that turns to sugar or acid will also be a problem. Thats right, acid, so coffee, soda, sugar, protein, even many fruits and veggies turn to sugar in the bloodstream.  The question then comes up what to eat? I have seen many people starve themselves(which creates acid and feeds the yeast). There is a better way! 

Instead of consuming a diet that is full of acid causing foods, switch to an alkalizing diet.  More greens and green foods, there are products such as green drinks and alkalizing drops that help too.  When you take this approach, you can modify your diet, eating alkalizing foods, along with green drinks and your symptoms will not only get better but go away.  This is done by changing the acid pH to a more alkaline one.

Stress, emotions and a busy lifestyle also add to the acidity level of our body. That my friends is a topic for another post. 

This takes the phrase "going green" to a whole new perspective If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

headaches & migraines                  anxiety
incapacitating fatigue                     conc./focus problems
short term memory                        panic attacks
painful joints                                 high blood pressure
muscle aches                               athlete's foot
acid reflux                                    chronic nail fungus
white coated tongue                      low sex drive
chronic sinusitis                           jock & rectal itching
frequent urination                          irritable bowel
diarrhea                                       menstrual problems
chronic constipation                     jerky-leg syndrome
sensitivity to light                         gluten intolerance
eye pain                                      sensitivity to foods
depression                                  skin rashes

These are just a few of the symptoms caused by yeast overgrowth. If you think yeast may be a problem in your life, you can take the following quiz to see if you have an overgrowth problem.  Here is another test you can do in your own home.

This is a simple test you can do at home at no cost.  We will discuss how to combat this condition very easily and quickly, no matter what your previous results may have been in future posts. If you have specific questions please enter them in the comment box below.

Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance. ~ Dr. Samuel Johnson

Since that time, I have reread the book and actually have the CD version on my iPod.  I recommend it highly to everyone who wants to experience a new sense of freedom, true happiness, and love.  The four agreements are as follows:

    1. Be impeccable with your word - speak with integrity.
    2. Don't take anything personally - nothing others do is             because of you, it is a projection of their own reality.  
    3. Don't make assumptions - find the Courage to ask                 questions and to express what you really want.
    4. Always do your best - your best is going to change from         moment to moment, simply always do your best.

Don Miguel Ruiz will take you on a journey, based on ancient Toltec wisdom, explaining these four agreements, and how they apply to your life.

Here is what a dear friend of mine, Laurie Hays, the creator of The Complete 12-Step Guide To Starting A Home-Based Business, had to say after she read the book. She also included the video version of the prayers that are in the back of the book.  Check out what Laurie had to say about the book and watch the short video, I know you will enjoy it.

You can find a link to this book at the lower right side of this page.  After you read the book, come back and comment on your thoughts about the book.

This book has been a blessing to me and I know it will be to you also.

"Every good teacher hopes to give his students so much of his own learning that they will one day no longer need him."  This is the one true goal of the teacher.