|
|
Our team at Remedies is focusing on Fibromyalgia this week. It is a problem that can be genetic or can affect your muscles with no obvious cause. Pain from Fibromyalgia is serious to the point where it can render its victim disabled. The diagnosis of Fibromyalgia is at least eighteen specific “tender points” from the base of the skull to behind the knees.
Some of the root causes are:
-Sleep disorders
-Allergies or sensitivities to certain chemicals
-Poor digestion and detoxifications
-Toxic metals
-Blood-sugar imbalance
-Emotional stress
-Overexertion
At Remedies we can provide you with a massage to loosen up those muscular adhesions (knots), and can also provide you with supplements that help with inflammation. Two supplements that we recommend to help with Fibromyalgia are Magnesium 250mg (twice a day) and Malic acid 1,200mg (twice a day). Both are for cellular energy reproduction, which will relax nerves and muscles.
Hope to see you soon,
Everette Cormier, LMT
info@remediesforlife.com
337-504-2827
So you have finally made the life changing decision to stop allowing your nagging neck or back pain ruin your daily enjoyment of life both at home and at work? If this is truly the case, please read on. If you are not quite there yet, still – read on.
First, for those whom have not had the well-deserved benefit of having some basic information about their neck or back pain taught to them, some basics about neck and back pain are offered here.
According to Michael M. Fuselier, an advanced public health registered nurse and health and fitness expert who works with Remedies™, Lafayette, neck and back pain are two of the most common musculoskeletal ailments in the United States. Though the causes are as many and diverse as the people living with nagging neck or back pain, the primary cause of neck and back pain is injury to the muscles supporting the neck or back or to the small boney structures housing the nerves of the spinal cord running through or to the neck and back. The stress of everyday living from lifting, driving, bending, twisting, sitting or standing for long periods and other daily life and work activities typically add to the injury over time or make symptoms worse.
Pain in the neck or back region can sometimes be traced to some sudden event such as an automobile accident or sports injury, or to a constant, repetitive activity such as using a computer at work or constant lifting or bending. Consequently, one of the most important aspects of treating neck and back pain is to avoid sudden or long-term injury from these activities.
Unfortunately, this may not be your case. You have neck or back pain – daily or almost daily, and you have had it for years. It has gradually eroded away your spirit, your energy and your drive and life is now a chore, maybe even a burden. You are not alone.
The difference today is that you have decided to try to make a change – “try” because you are unsure of where to begin, and guidance and answers are both easy and very difficult to come by. You read, you ask questions, and nothing seems to connect. Try as you may, you find yourself consistently falling back into your normal routine of suffering, depressed mood, a feeling of dread and hopelessness and drudgery.
We asked Michael who concentrates his clinical practice in the areas of health and wellness, fitness and pain management to offer some insight into how those living with nagging neck or back pain should best take advantage of their new found inspiration to “not let their pain ruin their enjoyment of living”. He offers a few important pointers that we believe are very helpful.
According to Michael, the most important and critical first step is to “make that decision” to change. This, he says, is critical in any life change decision whether it be to lose weight, stop smoking, or exercise. Further, the decision to “take back your enjoyment of life” is an empowering decision that can only be made by the person. No one can make the decision for you or on your behalf. Lastly, the decision is made with the understanding and acceptance that it involves a “life style and behavior change” says Michael, a commitment to make some “significant changes in living” that will require “patience, persistence, fortitude and courage”.
Once this personal decision is made, it is crucial for the person living with chronic neck or back pain to find someone to help with the journey to change. Few people can get started by themselves and require a motivator or guide to keep them focused and on track.
People who experience sudden neck or back pain should consult a physician as soon as practicable to identify the cause and severity. Many times, evaluation and treatment will be delayed for fear of surgery being necessary. Often, these fears are unfounded if the cause can be identified early enough and further injury prevented by change in behavior or by special exercises prescribed by a qualified professional. For those occasions where surgery is necessary, guidance from a surgeon is important and a second opinion should be sought if concerns or unanswered questions remain.
Research shows that complementary and integrative therapies may provide benefits to those living with neck or back pain, either before or after surgery when necessary or when surgery is not indicated as determined by a physician. The pain from injured nerves and muscles can be minimized through the use of such therapies as massage therapy, acupuncture, acupressure and chiropractic medicine. Clients are encouraged to ensure that the use of manual therapies like massage and chiropractic medicine are proceeded by a consultation from a qualified physician to check for injuries or damage that could be worsened by manual therapy or manipulation of the muscles, spinal column or both.
Therapy and counseling are also very important parts of living well with chronic neck and back pain. A qualified counselor or therapist is able to provide guidance and direction for better decision-making. In addition, your counselor or therapist can assist developing critical coping skills when anxiousness, sleeplessness or depressed moods take over. Having this support mechanism is very important.
As an adjunct to therapy and counseling, certain herbals and supplements may provide some relief for neck and back pain by assisting the body’s natural coping and healing properties. According to Shawn Johnston, D.C., a chiropractor with Remedies™ Lafayette, supplements like MSM for inflammation, Wobenzym N for immune support, glucosamine, chondroitin for joint support and white willow bark for inflammation may be helpful in supporting medical treatment. You should discuss with your doctor all herbals and supplements you are taking as some may interact with some medications you may take.
Lastly, heat, cold and structural support from braces and other devices and gadgets available may provide temporary relief for mild to moderate neck and back pain. You should consult a qualified practitioner who can teach the safe, effective use of hot and cold therapy and braces and supportive devices.
Remedies™ is a health and wellness center specializing in life’s aches and pains. Remedies™ offers a wide variety of comfort solutions, comfort aides and comfort therapies targeted to relieving neck and back pain discomfort. Remedies™ works with clients to ensure safe use of natural remedies and coordinates therapeutic services with medical professionals to ensure effective, safe outcomes for those living with recurring neck and back pain. Working with their clients, Remedies™ Comfort Consultants will refer clients to a qualified medical practitioner to assist with the management of their pain.
Interested persons are encouraged to visit Remedies™, located in River Ranch behind CC’s Coffee Drive Thru at 110 Rue Promenade, or to call (337) 504-2827. They can also visit Remedies™ online at www.RemediesForLife.com. Appointments can be arranged for acupressure, acupuncture, psychosocial counseling, massage therapy, yoga, chiropractic and Reiki.
Michael Fuselier, RN, APHN-BC, MSN can be reached for additional questions at michael@michaelfuselier.com. Shawn Johnston, D.C. can be reached for additional questions at info@bodyinmotionhealth.com.
Remedies™, a health and wellness center specializing in life’s aches and pains, will host Breakfast at Remedies™ on Thursday, February 25th. This event will take place at Remedies™ on the last Thursday of each month and highlight a different problem and solution.
Breakfast at Remedies™ is a morning of education and massages. Breakfast will be provided for all free of charge. Educational presentations will be focused on yoga and massage therapy. Take this opportunity to meet your comfort therapists who can help you live a more fulfilling life!
To RSVP to this event, visit them online at, RemediesForLife.com. Remedies™ is located in River Ranch next to CC’s coffee drive thru on Rue Promenade.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or “ADHD” has long been a popular and confusing condition in children and, more recently, adults. According to Michael Fuselier, RN, APHN-BC, MSN, an advanced public health registered nurse for Remedies™ located in Lafayette, “the high rate of incidence and prevalence places ADHD as one of the most common behavioral conditions treated by pediatricians, primary care physicians and psychiatrists throughout the United States.” Because ADHD is a lifespan disorder diagnosed in early childhood and progressing usually into adulthood, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classify ADHD as a major public health concern.
According to information published by the National Resource Center on ADHD (www.help4adhd.com) (2010), research has demonstrated that the causes of ADHD have a very strong neurobiological basis. More specifically, evidence suggests that a chemical called catecholamine may be deficient in the brains of those living with ADHD. Also, scans of the brains of children and adults living with ADHD show differences in brain sizes as compared to those not exhibiting symptoms of ADHD. Lastly, some researchers have found that the brain’s ability to coordinate activities may be impaired leading to the symptoms of inattention, impulse control problems, poor memory and complex problem solving difficulties.
The Resource Center goes on to state that “although precise causes have not yet been identified, there is little question that heredity makes the largest contribution to the expression of the disorder in the population”. Non-hereditary factors may contribute to the development of the condition. The incidence of these causes is relatively low.
More importantly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that little evidence in the published research supports the view that ADHD is caused by
“excessive sugar intake, excessive television viewing, poor child management by parents, or social and environmental factors such as poverty or family chaos”. These co-existing circumstances may make ADHD symptoms worse or more pronounced, misleading many to believe them to be causes.
The treatment for ADHD most commonly consists of medication therapy through the carefully managed prescription of stimulants and/or non-stimulant medications by an authorized prescriber, usually a medical doctor. Behavioral and psychosocial therapy is another commonly used treatment therapy prescribed in conjunction with
medications.
Other therapies, commonly termed “complementary” therapies, may be used as part of the overall treatment plan by a medical doctor or other qualified practitioner. Although less research has been conducted on these available therapies, many, even medical doctors, believe that combining complementary therapies under the careful guidance and direction of qualified providers does show some improvement when compared to the use of medications and behavioral therapy alone. Many families of children with ADHD attest to the benefits of using complementary therapies in conjunction with medication and/or behavioral therapy under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Complementary therapies include behavioral modification techniques such as biofeedback, music therapy, and yoga meditation, along with other therapies and treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, aromatherapy, diet and nutritional therapy and exercise programs, all of which require specialized training and experience to be safe and effective. Under the proper guidance and supervision, biofeedback and meditation may provide therapeutic benefits when combined with medical treatments and other forms of behavioral therapy. Furthermore, according to Julius Goebb, M.D. evidence suggests that medication and behavioral therapy may be made more effective by the addition of certain nutritional supplements such as omega-3, magnesium, melatonin and zinc among others. Other natural dietary supplements such as St. John’s Wort, ginkgo and ginseng and pine bark extract may have some benefit according to Dr. Goebb in an article published in 2006 in Life Extension. Lastly, a structured program of exercise and increased activity has been shown to provide positive benefits for those living with ADHD.
Parents of children living with ADHD or adults living with ADHD should consult their physician prior combining complementary therapies with medication and behavioral therapy. Their physician can best provide recommendations on which are most safe and effective based upon individual needs – especially concerning the addition of dietary and natural (herbal) supplements.
Remedies™ provides complementary and integrative solutions to minimize the effects of life’s little aches and pains. Offering a variety of comfort aides and gadgets, dietary and natural herbal supplements, comfort consulting and comfort therapies, Remedies™ provides clients with a personalized plan in collaboration with the client and other healthcare providers.
According to Michael Fuselier, APHN-BC, MSN, advanced public health registered nurse with Remedies™, Lafayette, headaches are a common disorder among adults. Generally caused by tension in the muscles of the shoulders, neck and head, headaches are typically classified as “tension” or “stress” headaches. Other types of less common yet more severe types of headaches include migraines and cluster headaches. Migraines are caused by changes in blood flow to the head and are routine, sometimes as frequent as weekly or monthly. Cluster headaches most commonly occur on one side of the head and appear in clusters of several headaches within an identifiable period of time. Sometimes weeks or months may pass between episodes of cluster headaches.
Regardless of the type of headache, headaches have been shown to be a nuisance to people trying to meet their daily obligations at home and work. More severe headaches may incapacitate to the point that daily activities are severely impaired.
Michael points out that in many instances, headaches may be caused by a variety of triggers such as allergies, stress, anxiety or chemicals like caffeine and alcohol. Avoiding triggers is usually the best form of prevention for these headaches. Dietary changes are commonly suggested to control headaches for which triggers can be identified.
For those suffering with routine headaches for which a trigger cannot be identified and avoided, methods for temporarily relieving the pain and related symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light must be used. A comprehensive plan of care and management includes medical interventions and medications and complementary, integrative therapies and products. Patients are encouraged to speak to their doctors about lifestyle changes, behavior and dietary modifications and other integrative therapies that have been shown to be effective in managing the frequency, severity and disabling effects of headaches.
Lifestyle and behavioral modifications include increasing daily activity by building a routine exercise program into the daily schedule. Routine exercise at a moderate level for thirty minutes a day has been shown to relieve tension and stress, improve blood flow and oxygenation and increase the feeling of well-being overall. Another benefit to routine daily exercise includes improved sleep quality that may decrease the frequency of headaches or at a minimum decrease the perceived severity of headaches.
Dietary changes include staying away from processed foods containing preservatives as much as possible. Limiting the intake of artificial preservatives may remove some of the headache triggers. Also, limiting the intake of sugar and caffeine has been shown to reduce the occurrence of headaches for some.
When headaches do occur, complementary therapies may offer temporary relief. These include heat and cold therapy; facial, head, neck and shoulder massage; acupressure and acupuncture; behavioral modification techniques such as biofeedback and guided imagery; chiropractic care, Reiki therapy and yoga meditation. Aromatherapy using essential oils has also demonstrated some benefit for temporary relief.
Natural (herbal) remedies that may help provide temporary relief include eucalyptus and menthol in a humidified mist for headaches related to sinus problems or allergies, peppermint and lavender. Vitamin and mineral supplements may provide some support for those predisposed to headaches due to dietary deficiencies. Typically, dietary and nutritional changes can correct these deficiencies without the need for pills or capsules. For some, however, pills or capsules are required. Lastly, homeopathic remedies may provide some benefit for some living with chronic, recurring headaches. A wide variety of homeopathic preparations are available.
Those choosing to supplement their diet with herbals and supplements, or adding homeopathic preparations should consult a qualified professional for guidance especially when combining herbals and supplements with prescription medications.
Remedies™ is a health and wellness center specializing in life’s aches and pains. Remedies™ is located in River Ranch behind CC’s coffee drive thru on Rue Promenade. Through their Headache Solutions™ line, Remedies™ offers a wide variety of comfort solutions, comfort aides and comfort therapies targeted to relieving headache discomfort.
Remedies™ works with clients to ensure safe use of natural remedies and coordinates therapeutic services with medical professionals to ensure effective, safe outcomes for those living with recurring headaches of the non-migraine type. Working with their clients, Remedies™ Comfort Consultants will refer clients to a qualified medical practitioner to assist with the management of recurring headaches.
According to Michael Fuselier, an advanced public health registered nurse with Remedies™, complementary therapies should be considered as part of an overall plan to manage the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Citing an article published by EverydayHealth.com, Fuselier reports that a wide variety of therapies are available that provide effective short term relief from the joint aches and pains associated with RA.
Remedies is an All-In-One Wellness Center that integrates both holistic and traditional medicine to help minimize life’s aches and pains.
According to Dr. Shawn Johnston, “Over 45 million people suffer from headaches. Chronic tension headaches are the most common among Americans. Stress triggers headaches, and the practitioners at Remedies specialize in creating a personal plan for minimizing your aches and pains.”
Remedies has a variety of disciplines that help deliver you relief from headaches and stress including: chiropractic, acupressure, acupuncture, aroma therapy, massage therapy, reiki, and yoga. 25 – 50% of people who practice these techniques at Remedies gain instant relief. “We believe in a holistic approach to health and wellness, while offering relief therapy for the body, mind, & Spirit,” says Dr. Johnston. Remedies has developed their own line of supplements like the Relaxation Pack, which is used as solution for most everyday aches and pains.
|
|
