Hormones Play a Huge Factor In Weight Management

Are you having trouble losing those unwanted pounds?  Diet and exercise not enough?  It may be that your hormones are out of balance.  We can help.

There are many factors that go into our weight gain such as:

• Emotional stress
• Physical stress
• Poor Diet
  • Diet filled with fast and  processed foods – 9 ways process food are harming you
  • High calorie low nutrient foods
• Hormone imbalance
  • Estrogen Overload
• Low metabolism
• Low physical activity
• Toxicity
• Chronic Pain

Thinking that it will just go away is a common mistake.  The cause of chronic sleep disturbances is complex and often require a multi-approach that might include:

• Homeopathic herbal remedies
• Aromatherapy
• Dietary supplements
• Prescription and Over-the-Counter drug evaluation consultation
• Thyroid Function testing and therapies
• Hormone testing and therapies
• Nutritional Counseling
• Acupuncture
• Massage Therapy
• Mental and/or Family Counseling
• Stress Management Guidance
• Increase Physical and Relaxation Activities
  • Yoga
  • Run, Jog, any physical activity you enjoy that gets the body moving
  • Meditation
• Effective Rest and Sleep

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and Depression are symptoms we often shy away from talking about.  We shouldn’t!  There is nothing to be embarrassed about.  Natural Medicine Center cares for thousands of individuals every year and many of our clients struggle with these symptoms.  You are not alone.  We can help.

Most people feel anxious or depressed at times. Life situations such as losing a loved one, getting fired from a job, going through a divorce, and other difficult situations can lead a person to feel sad, lonely, scared, nervous, or anxious. These feelings are normal reactions to life’s stressors.

Some people experience these feelings daily or nearly daily for no apparent reason, making it difficult to carry on with normal, everyday functioning. These people may have an anxiety disorder, depression, or both.

It is not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The good news is that these disorders are both treatable, separately and together.

For some, restoring their mood is as simple as eliminating the physical pain that is frustrating the individual.  This is something we specialize in this at the Natural Medicine Center of Lakeland (NMC).  For others who struggle with clinical depression, anxiety or compulsive disorders, the challenge may be greater to treat.  Rest assured that NMC is eager to help you overcome these challenges through:

• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Hormone therapy
• Nutrition
• Professional mental health counseling
• Prescription Drug counseling 

Understanding the facts of anxiety and depression is a great first step.

Please contact us today and get started on the road to better health.

What is Sleep Disturbances?

Sleep Disturbance is anytime you break the natural sleep cycle with a period of being awake.  Sometimes you may be aware of it and others you may believe you slept soundly when in fact you may have experience many times throughout the night.  Everyone experience sleep disturbance.  It happens.  It is a problem when it becomes continual and chronic affecting your quality of much-needed rest.  There are over 40 different types of sleep disorders and are all categorized in three areas:

• Lack of sleep
• Disturbed sleep
• Excessive sleep

Lack of Sleep and Sleep disturbances can go hand in hand.  Lack of Sleep leans more to the inability to fall asleep such as insomnia whereas Disturbed Sleep is the lack of maintaining a consistent and constant sleep period.  Some people experience both together.  Sleep Disturbance can occur throughout the night without you even knowing it when you only partially wake or momentarily wake to adjust your position for example.  Disturbance of Sleep can be caused by many different problems.

Disturbance of Sleep can be caused by many different problems such as:

• Nightmares
• Night Sweating
• Sleep Walking
• Sleep Talking
• Need to go to the restroom
• Stress, Anxiety and Worry – Overactive Mind “Chatter”
• Allergies and Respiratory Problems
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Chronic Pain
• Muscle Stiffness
• Persistent Headaches
• Inadequate Matress or Pillow Support

The lack of sleep can have a negative impact on energy, mood, concentration, and overall health.

In some cases, sleep disorders can be a symptom of another medical or mental health condition. These sleeping problems may eventually go away once treatment is obtained for the underlying cause. When sleep disorders aren’t caused by another condition, treatment normally involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.

There are stages in your sleep that your body must go through to achieve a good night sleep, in fact there are 5. This cycles over and over throughout the night.

Stage 1 – Light sleep and relaxation of the muscles. ( can wake up)
Stage 2 – Activity in the brain slows and eye movement stops.
Stage 3 – Brains waves become slow (delta waves) and small quick waves occur.
Stage 4 – Brains waves are all delta wave.
Stage 5 – (REM) Rapid Eye Movement – dreams occur.

This usually takes about an hour and a half to complete 1 cycle. Sleep is needed for your body to function properly, so take care of yourself and do what it takes to achieve a good night sleep.

Thinking that it will just go away is a common mistake.  The cause of chronic sleep disturbances is complex and often require a multi-approach that might include:

• Homeopathic herbal remedies
• Aromatherapy
• Dietary supplements
• Prescription and Over-the-Counter drug evaluation consultation
• Thyroid Function testing and therapies
• Hormone testing and therapies
• Nutritional Counseling
• Acupuncture
• Massage Therapy
• Mental and/or Family Counseling
• Stress Management Guidance
• Increase Physical and Relaxation Activities
  • Yoga
  • Run, Jog, any physical activity you enjoy that gets the body moving
  • Meditation
• Mattress and pillow support

Do You Suffer from Chronic Headaches?

Tension Headaches, Sinus Headaches or Migraines

More than an occasional headache, chronic headaches often interfere with the ability to live your life and can be caused by many things.  Conditions that may cause non-primary chronic daily headaches include:

• Chronic Emotional, Environmental, Family or Work Related Stress
• Lack of sufficient sleep
• Lack of proper hydration – not drinking enough pure water
• Consuming too much caffeine, sugars or alcohol
• Lack of proper nutrition
• Lack of physical activity
• Inflammation
• Infections

Many people take over the counter medications on a daily basis, others rely on migraine medications just to survive.    Some are surprised to hear that there are natural approaches to treating headache issues. Our clients often experience profound improvements in their symptoms.

Thinking that it will just go away is a common mistake.  The cause of chronic headaches is complex and often require a multi-approach that might include:

• Homeopathic herbal remedies
• Dietary supplements
• Prescription and Over-the-Counter drug evaluation consultation
• Thyroid Function testing and therapies
• Hormone testing and therapies
• Nutritional Counseling
• Acupuncture
• Massage Therapy

Medication overuse headache

This type of headache usually develops in people who take too much pain medication. If you’re taking pain medications — even over-the-counter analgesics (which include Acetaminophen / Tylenol) — more than two days a week (or nine days a month), you’re at risk of developing rebound headaches.

Please contact us today to learn how we can help you with your headaches.

Allergies got you down?

Allergies occur when the immune system mounts an aggressive response to a harmless substance.  Determining the offending substance or allergen can be very valuable, allowing you to avoid that substance as much as you are able.

Here at the Natural Medicine Center, we offer Allergy Testing.

Complete elimination isn’t always possible, like in the case of many environmental allergies, but there are allergens that can be eliminated, and if done, can greatly improve one’s life.  Though there is no cure to allergies, Natural Medicine Center offers acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional counseling and medical thermal imaging (Thermography) to help aid in the reduction of allergy symptoms.

Please contact our office today and learn how we can help you manage allergies.

Benefits of Sports Massage Therapy

Sports massage therapy is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The therapy focuses on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements of the client’s choice sport.  Athletes and trainers have discovered that specially designed sports massage promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries and prepares their body and mind for optimal performance.

One of the key benefits of Sports massage therapy compared to other modalities is its ability to target muscle-tendon junctions. A 2010 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that even a 30-second massage improved hip-flexor range of motion. According to Health and Fitness Magazine, several new studies conclude that the massage encourages venous blood flow back to the heart enhances blood flow, which delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and promotes the removal of waste products and toxins.  Thanks to the relaxed state you’re in during and after the massage, your heart rate lowers.

Benefits of Reflexology Massage

Foot Reflexology massage (Click on Image at right for a larger view) can be a deeply relaxing and therapeutic modality for those suffering from plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries or even everyday work and play. Reflexology Massage will incorporate Swedish and sports massage techniques to the foot, calf and upper leg. This will not only help relieve toe pain, ankle pain, plantar fasciitis and common forms of arthritis but can also decrease stress and anxiety in the entire body. In addition, a variety of stretches can be beneficial. With pain and sensitivity in the foot, heel and calf areas, be sure to communicate your pain levels with your massage therapist during your treatment.

Foot Reflexology for Diabetes

Diabetes restricts blood flow to the feet, which can cause problems including numbness, tingling, calluses, and foot ulcers. Many diabetics are unable to find relief from these symptoms. Reflexology can help by improving circulation and reducing the risk of neuropathy. Some patients are so relaxed during a session that that their blood sugar drops.

Benefits of Cranial Sacral Therapy

Cranial sacral therapy (also known as craniosacral therapy) is a gentle, noninvasive form of bodywork that addresses the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum. The goal is to release compression in those areas which alleviates stress and pain.

Cranial sacral therapy seeks to restore the natural position of the bones and can decrease  stress from chronic injuries as well as provide relief from migraine headaches, neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (the inflammation of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) and more.

According to the National Headache Foundation, approximately 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Often, migraines are triggered or exacerbated by stress and poor sleep. In a study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, researchers found that participants who received bodywork like Cranial Sacral Therapy had better quality sleep and fewer migraines than participants who didn’t. Effects even lasted up to three weeks after therapy ended.

What is Hot Stone Massage Therapy?

Hot stone massage therapy melts away tension, eases muscle stiffness and increases circulation and metabolism. Each 1 ½ -hour hot stone massage therapy session promotes deeper muscle relaxation through the placement of smooth, water-heated stones at key points on the body.

Everyone who has had a sore muscle has likely been told to “use a heating pad” to sooth the muscles and increase blood flow to flush the muscles with fresh blood bringing needed oxygen.  The hot stones work on the same premise with a more localized approach incorporating the gentle massage to access deeper muscle layers and release trigger points. The hot stones have a sedative effect that can reduce chronic pain and stress as well as promote deep relaxation.

Benefits of Geriatric Massage Therapy

Geriatric massage therapy is designed to address the specific needs of the elderly population. This type of massage for the elderly uses gentle and light application of massage techniques and a light oil or lotion to permit the muscles to be worked on without causing excessive friction to the skin.  These techniques can help increase joint mobility, improve posture, combat depression, improve blood circulation; balance and flexibility, and reduce the pain of arthritis.

Geriatric massage can be especially helpful for maintaining and improving overall health as we age. It also has been shown to relieve anxiety and provide comfort, especially to touch-deprived elderly clients.