Holistica Care

Homeopathic hCG – Weight Loss Success!!

MARY SHACKELTON, MPH, ND — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:31:05 +0000

Trying to lose weight but feel that there is an obstacle in your way? Having difficulty identifying that obstacle? Many of you have heard about the hCG diet, and while I am not a huge fan of fad diets, calorie restriction, or near starvation for short term gain, I have to say that we have seen some amazing changes this week. I was skeptical of homeopathic hCG having only experienced the “real” hCG with patients before, but we are seeing a high success rate using the homeopathic version of its pharmaceutical counterpart.

Homeopathy is a science all on its own and uses infinitesimal “energetic” doses of a substance to cause a change in the patient. hCG is a hormone prescribed for weight loss that causes one to burn fat preferentially instead of sugar or carbohydrates. When it’s used along with a specific diet, patients often lose up to a pound per day. Homeopathic hCG is a new approach to weight loss, and it reduces any of my prior concerns about safety because you are using the “energy “ of the hormone and not the hormone itself. Combined with a specific hCG diet, this protocol is safe, effective, and costs less than using the hCG hormone itself!

The homeopathic hCG diet plan is ideal for patients who want to lose more than 20 pounds. We have added our “skinny shot” to this protocol and have seen over 10 inches lost in one week. The “skinny shot” is a combination of amino acids and B vitamins that increase energy production and metabolism. Recommended use is one shot every four days. Ask us about both the homeopathic HcG and the “skinny shot” and get on the path to your ideal weight!

Note: While the hCG diet is a great way to lose excessive weight in a shorter amount of time, we still highly recommend a daily exercise regimen along with balanced, organic (whenever possible), and colorful meals that include lean protein, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats.

When Cure Becomes Mere Fantasy

Damiana Corca LAc, DOM — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:08:13 +0000

Acupuncture Study Brings Hope For Parkinson’s Disease Patients

As an active health care practitioner, I am privileged to witness whole life stories and get to know people even more than their own families do.

There are times when, much as we try to stay grounded and neutral, our own stories get entangled. Memories come back and then you find yourself working on your issues too.

I love to say my work is very rewarding. And it is most of the time. Then, there are those times when you look at the person sitting next to you, telling their sorrows and pains, and realize that you are embarking on a journey that will most likely end with their life. And that can put one in a place where rewarding is not the most appropriate word. Working with people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, or Multiple Sclerosis will set the ground in such a different way than working with a mere cold.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine has brought much hope to people suffering from such life-changing diseases. Though it is not a promise for cure, the promise for moving along this path in a much easier way is there.

An important study that I want to bring to your attention is the research study funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which is concerned with currently determining whether alternative Eastern medicine, specifically acupuncture, can help alleviate symptoms of severe fatigue in those living with Parkinson’s. The study was started by Dr. Benzi Kluger, assistant professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Colorado Hospital in November 2010 and it is scheduled to end in 2013. Here is the article published in Acupuncture Today where you can learn more about this study.

While working with such cases brings back memories of my own father dying of Alzheimer’s disease, it also brings understanding, healing, humble thoughts and the drive to be an even better practitioner by truly listening to what the person coming to me is saying, and daring to be an exceptional practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

What’s the Scoop on Thyroid Medication and Morning Coffee Intake?

MARY SHACKELTON, MPH, ND — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:21:46 +0000

Do you already take your thyroid medication away from food? If so, good job! You’re doing that correctly. However, some patients drink coffee or their morning espresso while waiting for their medication to be fully absorbed. Recent studies have indicated that this may not be such a good idea.

In the journal Thyroid, researchers found that in addition to what is already known about thyroid hormone and absorption (e.g. calcium, iron, and food eaten at the time of taking thyroid hormone lowers medication absorption), coffee also interferes with the intestinal absorption of levothyroxine. According to the finding, there is approximately a 25% reduction in the absorption of the medication and can be as high as 55%. It is recommended that medication users avoid coffee or espresso for one hour before or after taking medication.

The good news for many of you is that: 1) you could be feeling much better on your current dose of medication if you were absorbing more of it and 2) you may not need an increase in your meds to improve how you are feeling on them.

This may be bad news for those of you who are already tired and the only thing that gets you out of bed in the morning is the thought of your cup of Joe. One suggestion is to consult with your doctor about taking your synthroid at night. Many patients can do this without affecting their sleep. If you are one of those lucky people who do not struggle with their sleep, try taking your meds at night before bed.

Note: Unfortunately, this study did not differentiate between regular and decaffeinated coffee or caffeinated or herbal tea.

How to Make a Tasty Green Detox Smoothie

MARY SHACKELTON, MPH, ND — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 01:47:39 +0000

How to Make a Tasty Detox Green Smoothie

7 Ways to Optimize Your Immune System

TERRI REBIBO FOX, MD, ABIHM — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:00:18 +0000

1. Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.

2. Exercise 3-5 times per week, ideally outside.

3. Wash your and your kids’ hands frequently.

4. Drink at least 10 glasses of water/day to stay hydrated.

5. Take a multivitamin, vitamin C (3000-5000mg daily), fish oils, and probiotics.

6. Double your zinc intake to at least 50mg (take w/ food).

7. Increase vitamin D3 intake for the next month: 4,000 ius/day for kids & 8,000 ius/day for adults.

Looking for the ULTIMATE immune boost? Come in for an IV Nutrient Therapy Drip. Call or email us at info@holisticacare.com to learn more!

Wishing you health and happiness now and in the new year!

Flu Prevention – Start Early and Stay Healthy All Season Long

TERRI REBIBO FOX, MD, ABIHM — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:00:51 +0000

You may be hearing Walgreens advertising their Flu vaccine. You may be seeing Flu vaccine flyers at your conventional medical doctor’s office. Are you fearful of the impending cold and flu season that will soon be upon us?? Don’t be! The flu has yet to hit for the 2011/2012 season, and we are here to help.

While there are certain populations of people for whom the flu vaccine may be indicated, Flu vaccines are not absolutely mandatory, and each person needs to consider their own risk, immune status, and variables that could influence their risk of infection.

At Holistica Integrative Care our goal is to get and keep you as healthy as possible so that you are not susceptible to getting Influenza A or B. We do that by reinforcing good dietary decisions, supplementation with a few key nutrients and our annual recommendation of Mucococcinum, a homeopathic Flu support.

1) Vitamin D status has been shown to act as a “seasonal stimulus” for the immune system and has been found to be associated with lowered risk for respiratory infections and lung infections. We recommend getting your Vitamin D levels tested. The optimal range is between 60-80 ng/dl. If your levels are suboptimal, consider taking 4000-5000 iu Vitamin D per day.

2) Avoid sugar as much as possible. Researchers confirm that sugar consumption decreases white blood cell function for 8 hours post ingestion. If you start your day with sugar, your immune system may be impaired all day long! Instead, try Stevia to sweeten your beverages and food.

3) BioVegetarian- 2 caps per day as preventative maintenance. If you begin to experience flu or cold symptoms, take 2 caps every 2 hours for 2 days. This will decrease viral replication and help your immune system fight the infection.

4) Mucococcinum is a homeopathic preparation for prevention and treatment of Influenza. Recommended dose is 1 tablet per week per person. If you feel you are coming down with the flu, we recommend a dose of 2 tablets per day until symptoms resolve.

5) Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Super Oxide Dismutase, and Green Tea are shown in some studies to be protective when taken together for the treatment of Influenza.

6) Black currant extract- Exciting research from Japan has found that this remedy was shown to eliminate 99% of viral activity for both Influenza Types A and B.

Of course, if you do contract the flu, call us immediately. We can help you shorten the severity and duration of the illness if we see you within the first 24-48 hours of the infection. Follow these tips to help stay healthy all season long. The supplements listed above are available through our office, and we ship anywhere in the US!

Wishing you a healthy, happy, and flu-free holiday season!

Acupuncture for Migraineurs

Damiana Corca LAc, DOM — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:58:11 +0000

“Alice: I simply must get through!

Doorknob: Sorry, you’re much too big. Simply impassible.

Alice: You mean impossible?

Doorknob: No, impassible. Nothing’s impossible.”

Some say Lewis Caroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” may not have been the same without his periodical attacks of migraine. It takes a superhuman resistance to pain to survive one. Then, miracles might as well come from such fierce pain.

As they come and go migraines leave an indelible mark on our lives. In fact, if there existed some kind of ranking for pain level, migraines would surely get the gold medal. People describe them as the kind of pain that makes you want to hit your head against the wall to have the pain go away. There is even a special name for us, the condemned, borrowed from French, and that is Migraineur. Now doesn’t that make you feel a little better?

Headaches can be split into two general groups, namely primary and secondary. Migraines belong to the primary one, along with tension, cluster, and trigeminal headaches. International Migraine Society (unfortunately, yes, there is such a society) further classifies migraines into common migraine, classic migraine, and specific migraine. They differ slightly but they all have in common repetitive attacks, gastrointestinal symptoms, certain visual disturbances, and may or may not have premonitory symptoms.

WHO (World Health Organization) recommends the use of acupuncture as one of the effective therapies in treating migraines. If combined with Tuina (Chinese medical massage) and herbs, results are greatly enhanced.

Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

The etiology of the disease should be assessed and the possibility of organic disease, such as tumors, vascular diseases, infection, etc. excluded.

Chinese Medicine will then make a diagnosis based on:

- What area the headache is located in, such as frontal, temporal, vertex or even the whole head.

- The nature of the headache such as throbbing, stabbing, distending, dull, or severe unbearable pain

- The duration of the headache, which can vary from minutes to hours, days, even weeks…

- All other associated symptoms

Treatments must necessarily take into account all the above factors rather than just the one symptom, which is migraine. What needs to be emphasized is that migraine is a symptom, not a disease, and when considered in relation with all the other symptoms present, it leads to a complex and all-embracing diagnosis. Depending on the pattern identified, treatments are tailored to the specific issues of each and every individual patient.

Here are some of the patterns most common in clinical experience:

- Hyperactivity of Liver Yang – distending headache, irritability, red eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, red complexion, etc.

- Syndrome of Phlegm Turbidity – heavy headache, nausea and/or vomiting, poor appetite, etc.

- Syndrome of Kidney Deficiency – empty headache, dizziness, low back and knee weakness or soreness, fatigue, etc.

- Syndrome of Blood Stasis – stabbing, constant pain, dark purple tongue, etc.

- Syndrome of Qi and Blood Deficiency – dull pain, aggravated by fatigue, poor appetite, fatigue, palpitation, etc.

These patterns are just examples and the symptoms presented are only brief presentations. There could be additional symptoms present that your practitioner will be able to asses. Besides, a patient does not need to experience all these symptoms to be diagnosed with a specific pattern. What matters more is the combination of these specific symptoms.

Diagnosis can also be made based on the different acupuncture meridians found in the human body. The above diagnosis, based on organs, is intrinsically related to meridians. A complex and complete diagnosis is born of the marriage between science and art.

One of the most effective folk remedies is dipping the hands in warm water for about 20 minutes. Add hot water periodically to keep the water temperature high for that specific amount of time.

Some tips on relieving headaches are offered in Safe and Effective Ways to Treat Migraine Headache.

In general, some sufferers may benefit from avoiding contraceptive and vasodilator drugs, and foods that have tryptophan, tyrosine, glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate, as well as some alcoholic and caffeine-containing drinks.

Here we are, back from what I trust was an informative journey in the world of migraines. I rest my case here, but allow me to leave you with some food for thought: If Alice sprang up out of a migraine, I wonder what amazing totally unheard of miracles lay ahead of YOU on the road to healing?

References:

Illustration of Migraine – Treated with Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina Massage, Cui Chengbin, Xing, Xiaomin, People’s Military Medical Press, 2009, China

Disclaimer

The information on this blog is provided for educational or reference purposes only and it is NOT a substitute for professional health care. No information obtained on this blog should be relied on as the basis for treating or diagnosing conditions, symptoms, or illness and all queries should be directed to your health care provider. No warranty or guarantee of a cure is expressed or implied with any information at this blog, nor does Damiana Corca make any representations regarding the use or the results obtained with the information. In no event shall Damiana Corca, her employees or associates be liable to any person or individual for any loss or damage whatsoever which may arise from the use of this blog or any of the information available on this blog.

Pain On A Slice Of Bread

Damiana Corca LAc, DOM — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:41:17 +0000

Approaching the subject of pain is as appealing as a root canal. But we can’t ignore it, so we might as well explore it down to the tiniest detail and show you that your pain is not only in your head. Unless you have a headache.

If we could simplify pain to one short saying, we would have the following saying from The Yellow Emperor (Han period): “when there is stoppage, there is pain, when there is free flow, there is no pain.” Just like when constipation gets a hold of you: no flow equals pain, while free flow leads to no pain.

A wide range of factors can cause body pain. Way beyond strictly muscle, nerve, or joint organic causes. Our body is interconnected which means that even anger can actually cause body pain.

Chinese Medicine has a very complex way of diagnosing. It takes pain from the blunt saying “it hurts” to mincing it down to various types of pain. The different types of pain offer various treatment protocols instead of the one-pill fits all magic bullet.

Let’s explore the 9 most common types of pain.

1. The aching annoying pain – we all know it, it comes by and never quite leaves, it’s not sharp enough to skip a day at work but enough to make your co-workers wish you would just stay at home. This type of pain is commonly associated with weakness. For example, aching pain in the lower back is relieved by pressure and rubbing it. It is generally caused by a weakness in the Kidney energy.

2. Distending pain – in plain English, if it’s in the abdomen, it can be felt like bloating, if it is a headache, breast or ribcage pain, more of a throbbing sensation. This kind of pain is often associated with menstruation and it may move from place to place making you wonder if the hormones are messing with your head. And they are, but your pain is pretty much real too, unfortunately. Qi stagnation can be the culprit here. Acupuncture and herbal medicine shine in this area. Your better half will be forever grateful for Chinese Medicine, as this syndrome is very often associated with irritability.

3. Dull pain – it might sound boredom and uninteresting but it’s not painless. It is usually relieved by pressure and better with warmth. Headaches that are dull might come together with a form of uneasiness and dizziness. It could be caused by Blood deficiency within the Chinese Medicine’s patterns.

4. Cold pain – the name itself tells you that it is the kind of pain which feels cold. It is oftentimes relieved by warmth, at least momentarily. However, herbs and acupuncture must be used so it can act from the inside out.

5. Gripping pain – no more, no less, this is the kind of pain experienced with a heart attack or kidney stones. No further explanation needed or reassurance that this is severe pain.

6. Heavy pain – it feels like something is dragging you down. Heavy pain type of headache is like bag-over-the-head sensation. Sciatica pain can also feel heavy, along the sciatic nerve path down the leg to the big toe.

7. Pulling pain – most commonly seen in sport injuries. This specific pain will feel like it is stretching from one point to another.

8. Scorching pain – Burning is a small word here, but trigeminal neuralgia pain or shingles might give you the hint.

9. Stabbing pain – commonly experienced in the heel, upon walking. Also, headaches and abdominal pain can have a stabbing nature. In Chinese Medicine, it is caused by blood stagnation. Its sharp nature makes it one of the most painful kinds of aches.

All of these types of pain when associated with different symptoms give an accurate diagnosis, which leads to a correct treatment. Consequently, it will treat the root of the problem and give you a different perspective in life, that of pain free and full of hope. An easier life for the people around you as well, for that matter.

To learn more about acupuncture read one of our articles called Acupuncture 101 and one of the studies published in Science Daily on Chinese acupuncture’s effectiveness to affect brain’s ability to regulate pain, an University of Michigan study.

References:

1. Riley, Dagmar. Treating Pain with Traditional Chinese Medicine. (2003). Paradigm Publications. Brookline, MA & Taos, NM. Pg 11-14.

Disclaimer

Heel to Run – A Guide to Plantar Fasciitis Recovery

Damiana Corca LAc, DOM — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:39:10 +0000

The plantar fascia is a piece of sheet that connects from heel to toes. It supports the arch of your foot which influences the whole human skeleton therefore affecting the way you walk, move, and can be a cause of pain of different parts of the body that might not seem related to the planter fascia in any way.

If strained, the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and then the heel or bottom of the foot hurts. It is worse upon wakening and after or during physical activity.

Common Causes

- tight Achilles tendon or calf muscles

- walk, stand, run for long periods of time

- high arches or flat feet

- excessive pronation

- obesity (especially of there is a rapid increase in weight)

Possible Misdiagnosis

- bone spurs; oftentimes heel pain can be caused by a bone spur which can be checked by doing an x-ray.

- tarsal tunnel syndrome; similar to the carpal tunnel syndrome which occurs in the hand, tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause heel pain and is due to the tibial nerve being trapped and pinched

Is running or just being active an important part of your life? (Don’t all shout at once.) Let’s then explore what are the best ways to move from an inflamed and painful foot to a healthy state

1. Stretching – this is crucial in recovery and prevention of reoccurring symptoms, no matter what additional therapy is employed for plantar fasciitis. Here is a video that shows a basic stretch. Note that this is a standard stretch, however, depending on which muscles are involved in the heel or foot pain, the type of stretch can vary dramatically. Your health care provider can assess and teach you the appropriate stretching for your particular case.

2. Homeopathic Injection Therapy – Homeopathic injections are performed in acupuncture and trigger points. A trigger point is a tender point under the skin where you may feel a “knot”. When pushed on those points there will be noticed local pain and pain that radiates out. The muscles there often have trouble relaxing, which in turn causes decreased blood flow to the area and increased nerve firing that triggers pain. Tight muscles in the calf for example, can cause pain in the heel or bottom of foot. An appropriate diagnosis will reveal if tight muscles, as opposed to a collapsed arch or other causes, cause indeed the plantar fasciitis. Here is one of our videos explaining more about the benefits of homeopathic injections as opposed to corticosteroids shots.

3. Acupuncture – Effective in reducing pain by releasing endorphins, acupuncture will also help heal plantar fasciitis by unblocking the acupuncture channels that run through your foot. Acupuncture can also be used to stimulate and release the trigger points, which is similar to the homeopathic injections. A course of 5-10 treatments is required for substantial improvement and relapse prevention.

4. Massage – different sport massage techniques can be used for both the heel and plantar area but also calf and low back area. The fascia throughout our body is one immense sheet that is intrinsically related. That is why an integrative approach and a tedious assessment are crucial especially in chronic and stubborn plantar fasciitis.

And remember, be kind to your feet. They are bearing the weight of your whole body. Every single day. Apparently for more than 2000 miles a year, depending if you let your dog walk you or walk to your mailbox instead of driving, it can be significantly more.

Allergy Relief…the Natural Way!

TERRI REBIBO FOX, MD, ABIHM — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:51:51 +0000

Allergies….ugh!

Pollen counts are high here in Colorado and predicted to get higher.

Did you know that chronic sinusitis is the most common respiratory condition in the world and in the U.S with with over 40 million sinus sufferers? Allergies are the 4th most common chronic condition in the U.S. with 27 million people affected.

Here are some natural, safe and effective ways for you to get control of your allergies this season and always!

Quercetin (1000-2000 mg/day)

Quercetin is an antioxidant in the bioflavonoid family that prevents the release of histamine when an allergen enters our body and attacks our cells. It can also be found in apples, red onions, and green and black teas. It is more highly absorbed in our bodies when taken in conjunction with Bromelain and Vitamin C. It is a strong and effective natural antihistamine and decongestant.
Bromelain 2400 GDU (1-4 caps, up to 3 times daily)

Bromelain is proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple juice and pineapple stem. It is one of the most bioavailable of all enzymes. When taken away from food, it acts as a mucolytic, thus reducing swelling (inflammation) in the nose and sinuses.
Vitamin C (4,000-5,000 mg/day)

One of the primary triggers for allergies is an impaired immune system, which substantially increases the risk of allergic reactions to food, environmental pollution, or airborne allergens. The immune system becomes distressed by this overload of toxins and consequently compromised. Vitamin C in high doses can have a dramatic effect in improving allergy symptoms, especially hay fever and asthma, because it counteracts the inflammatory response to the invading allergens. To get the desired antihistaminic response, large doses of Vitamin C are necesary. We recommend 4,000-5,000mg/day taken orally for optimal immune and tissue repair function. Be cautious however, as high doses taken orally can cause diarrhea in some people. Vitamin C IV’s bypass the gut and contain 25,000mg of Vitamin C. This large dose administered straight into the vein quicky reduces the overall histamine load! (We offer these at Holistica.)
Diamine Oxidase

Diamine Oxidase (DAO) is the enzyme that breaks down histamine in the body. This natually occuring enzyme is found in high concentrations in the intestinal mucosa of humans. Also known as Histoxyme, this is the strongest natural antihistamine on the market.
Eliminate Dairy

The most common food allergy is milk, which is often found to be the cause of chronic ear infections in young children. Not only can the frequent consumption of dairy products lead to asthma, strep throat, frequent headaches, gall bladder issues or diverticulitis later in life, it also increases the production of mucus in the body, thus exacerbating sinus inflammation. Do yourself a favor and stay away from dairy! There are other protein sources like beans, nuts, legumes and meat, and you can get calcium in leafy greens and broccoli.
Nasal Irrigation

Saline nasal irrigation clears out the allergens and inflammatory response in the nasal pathways allowing you to breathe through your nose again. We recomend nasal irrigation 3 times per day. Here are some of many methods for nasal irrigation. The Neilmed Sinus Rinse system includes isotonic pre-made packets that many people feel are soothing to their nasal passageways. A neti pot is a cheap and effective form of nasal irrigation. These are available at any pharmacy. The most effection nasal irrigation system is now felt to be pulsatile.
Indoor Air Quality

Humidifiers, hepa air filters, negative ion generators, and diffusing eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint essential oils are helpful to improve your indoor air quality. Make sure your furnace and air conditioner filters are changed frequently.
And remember…

As with all chronic health conditions, make sure to get 8 hours of sleep/night, exercise frequently, and drink 10 glasses of filtered water per day.

Holistica Care

Homeopathic hCG – Weight Loss Success!!

When Cure Becomes Mere Fantasy

What’s the Scoop on Thyroid Medication and Morning Coffee Intake?

How to Make a Tasty Green Detox Smoothie

7 Ways to Optimize Your Immune System

Flu Prevention – Start Early and Stay Healthy All Season Long

Acupuncture for Migraineurs

Pain On A Slice Of Bread

Heel to Run – A Guide to Plantar Fasciitis Recovery

Allergy Relief…the Natural Way!

Allergies….ugh!

Pollen counts are high here in Colorado and predicted to get higher.

Quercetin (1000-2000 mg/day)

Bromelain 2400 GDU (1-4 caps, up to 3 times daily)

Vitamin C (4,000-5,000 mg/day)

Diamine Oxidase

Eliminate Dairy

Nasal Irrigation

Indoor Air Quality

And remember…