Neck & Back Pain

The major underlying cause of musculoskeletal conditions involves the muscles and associated ligaments and tendons. This happens when the muscles become too tight, knotted, shortened, develop adhesions, become hypertonic, etc. This causes pain, inflammation and restricted ranges of motion.

Many patients come to our office after being diagnosed with some "condition" such as a herniated disc, sciatica, fibromyalgia or arthritis. In many cases, proper treatment of the muscles and related soft tissue results in great improvement or even elimination of these conditions. In addition, we can often eliminate the need for surgery.

Our approach is different because we utilize the latest techniques for correcting musculoskeletal problems in the context of treating the whole person. We utilize Chiropractic to restore proper bone and joint motion, Applied Kinesiology to balance the muscles, Active Release Technique and Graston Technique to break up the adhesions, Myofascial release to break-up trigger points, and a full Nutritional workup to make sure the musculoskeletal system is receiving the necessary nutrition.

Muscle & Joint Pain

The major underlying cause of musculoskeletal conditions involves the muscles and associated ligaments and tendons. This happens when the muscles become too tight, knotted, shortened, develop adhesions, become hypertonic, etc. This causes pain, inflammation and restricted ranges of motion.

Many patients come to our office after being diagnosed with some "condition" such as a herniated disc, sciatica, fibromyalgia or arthritis. In many cases, proper treatment of the muscles and related soft tissue results in great improvement or even elimination of these conditions. In addition, we can often eliminate the need for surgery.

Our approach is different because we utilize the latest techniques for correcting musculoskeletal problems in the context of treating the whole person. We utilize Chiropractic to restore proper bone and joint motion, Applied Kinesiology to balance the muscles, Active Release Technique and Graston Technique to break up the adhesions, Myofascial release to break-up trigger points, and a full Nutritional workup to make sure the musculoskeletal system is receiving the necessary nutrition.

Headaches

Headaches can result from a variety of causes, including spinal and cranial misalignments, food allergies, chemical sensitivities, stress/anxiety, hormonal imbalances, toxicity (various kinds), poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, TMJ, hypertension, sinus congestion, and leaky gut syndrome.

Imbalances in any of the 8 areas of a holistic approach contribute to headaches. Properly balancing these areas gives us great success. Very often, simply correcting structural imbalances, such as tight neck muscles or cranial faults is all that is necessary to eliminate headaches.

Allergies

We utilize the latest research showing allergies to be a "disharmonization" within the bodymind complex. We can pinpoint the specific offenders, whether it is food, chemicals, pollen, dust, dander, mold, etc. and "desensitize" the body so it no longer reacts to them. This often results in complete elimination of the allergy. This is an area where we have much success.

Conventional treatment of allergies is most commonly directed to block the immune response. While this approach can provide symptomatic relief, it does nothing to address the underlying causes of the problem. Patients often become dependent on their medications, they suffer from numerous side effects, and most importantly, they worsen their overall health by constantly suppressing their immune system.

Sinus Problems

Similar to our approach to allergies, we can usually find the underlying causes of sinus problems and eliminate them- rather than trying to suppress the symptoms with medication.

Digestive Problems

These are frequently caused by the cumulative effect of different "imbalances," usually a combination of microbes, food allergies, lack of sufficient digestive enzymes, accumulated toxins, intestinal blockages, improper diet, nutritional deficiencies, vital energy depletion, dehydration and reactions to medication.

Regarding microbes, the presence of parasites and yeast/fungus/molds are extremely common and often overlooked in conventional treatment. For more information, see "Microbes" under the section dealing with 8 areas of a holistic approach. Accumulated toxins, especially waste products from the breakdown of foods that remain too long in the intestines, as with constipation, result in irritation and inflammation and are extremely harmful to health.

Also, structural imbalances such as improper functioning of the ileocecal valve or the valve of Houston, often have a negative effect on digestion. Our holistic approach that addresses all of the areas mentioned above usually achieves very positive results.

Recurrent Colds/Infections/Flu

These are the result of lowered resistance or a malfunctioning immune system. The most important question here is "Why"? Why didn't one's immune system fight off the cold, flu or infection?

To a large degree, it is not the "germs" (i.e. virus, bacteria, etc.) that caused illness or disease, but rather lowered resistance. There are millions of germs all around, within our bodies and the environment. If "germs" or "something going around" truly caused illness, then everyone that was exposed to it would get sick. Yet, this is simply not the case; some get sick while others do not. The crucial factor is the strength of one's immune system. The cumulative effect of imbalances among the 8 areas of a holistic approach results in lowered resistance and immunity. Properly addressing these areas usually corrects this problem.

Fatigue/Low Energy

Fatigue is caused by the cumulative effect of different types of stressors that overcome the body's ability to effectively deal with them. The adrenal glands, one of our first lines of defense against stress, very commonly become depleted, weak or functionally exhausted. This is a major factor in fatigue.

Any of the 8 areas of a holistic approach, when out of balance, becomes a stressor. As imbalances among these 8 are removed, our ability to resist stress greatly increases, as do energy levels. Very specific nutritional support for the adrenal glands is also required. Our holistic approach usually results in elimination of fatigue in a relatively short amount of time.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fatigue is caused by the cumulative effect of different types of stressors that overcome the body's ability to effectively deal with them. The adrenal glands, one of our first lines of defense against stress, very commonly become depleted, weak or functionally exhausted. This is a major factor in fatigue.

Any of the 8 areas of a holistic approach, when out of balance, becomes a stressor. As imbalances among these 8 are removed, our ability to resist stress greatly increases, as do energy levels. Very specific nutritional support for the adrenal glands is also required. Our holistic approach usually results in elimination of fatigue in a relatively short amount of time.

Menstrual Cramps/PMS

None of these is normal and indicate that a hormonal imbalance is present. As always, the most important question is why? Why isn't the body regulating the hormones as it is designed to do?

The most common imbalance is the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, with estrogen usually dominating. This is usually because 1) estrogens are not being properly broken down, 2) accumulated toxins act as "estrogen imitators", and 3) lack of adequate progesterone production. A variety of factors can contribute to these imbalances, such as nutritional deficiencies, stress/anxiety, liver congestion, toxicity, lack of exercise, medications, pelvic misalignment, low thyroid or pituitary function, obesity, hypoglycemia, excess prostaglandin production, and others. To the degree these different areas can be assessed and balanced, improvement and often elimination of symptoms occur.

This is a very different approach from the conventional medical approach that frequently prescribes drugs such as hormone replacement therapy in an attempt to override symptoms. In addition to overlooking underlying causes, this approach often has harmful side effects, as recent research has confirmed as to conventional hormone replacement therapy, which significantly increases risk of cancer and heart disease.

Menopausal Symptoms

None of these is normal and indicate that a hormonal imbalance is present. As always, the most important question is why? Why isn't the body regulating the hormones as it is designed to do?

The most common imbalance is the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, with estrogen usually dominating. This is usually because 1) estrogens are not being properly broken down, 2) accumulated toxins act as "estrogen imitators", and 3) lack of adequate progesterone production. A variety of factors can contribute to these imbalances, such as nutritional deficiencies, stress/anxiety, liver congestion, toxicity, lack of exercise, medications, pelvic misalignment, low thyroid or pituitary function, obesity, hypoglycemia, excess prostaglandin production, and others. To the degree these different areas can be assessed and balanced, improvement and often elimination of symptoms occur.

This is a very different approach from the conventional medical approach that frequently prescribes drugs such as hormone replacement therapy in an attempt to override symptoms. In addition to overlooking underlying causes, this approach often has harmful side effects, as recent research has confirmed as to conventional hormone replacement therapy, which significantly increases risk of cancer and heart disease.

Yeast/Candida/Molds

Over-exposure to these mycological agents is a very prevalent problem today with extremely negative effects on health. They can result in a vast array of symptoms and interfere with our body's natural ability to heal and repair. The main causes of yeast/candida overgrowth are diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, antibiotic use, birth control pills and stress. Molds, to put it simply, are everywhere and especially in the air we breathe, certain foods we eat, ventilation systems and many apartments and houses.

We utilize advanced, natural techniques to discover and eliminate these problems. Very specific nutritional supplements, which differ from person to person, are required. What really differentiates our approach from so many others is our "desensitization techniques" which greatly increases the body's ability to both to eliminate these substances and resist their negative effects in the future. We have great success in this area.

Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition in which the bronchial tubes spasm and excessive mucous is secreted into the lungs, inhibiting breathing and creating a variety of symptoms. "Extrinsic" asthma is an allergy-induced reaction in which serum IgE's antibodies increase. "Intrinsic" asthma is a bronchial reaction triggered by stress, cold, exercise, environmental pollutants, or an infection.

There are anywhere from 15-20 possible causes for asthma and usually a number of them are present concurrently. Some of the most common and important are 1) allergies (including molds, dust, pollen and animal dander), 2) environmental pollutants and chemicals, 3) food allergies (a major culprit in childhood asthma), 4) lowered adrenal function, 5) emotional stress, 6) medications, and 7) nutritional deficiencies. We have considerable experience and expertise in identifying and correcting imbalances in all of these areas.

Skin Problems

Skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, hives, rashes, dry skin, intolerance to sunlight, etc. are caused by imbalances within the body and not by a deficiency in creams, lotions, and drugs so often employed to treat these conditions. This conventional medical approach, while sometimes helpful with symptoms, does not correct underlying causes, and very often if a person stops using them, the skin problems come right back, sometimes more severely.

The primary causes of most skin problems include dehydration, problems with fat metabolism (oils), accumulated toxins, hormonal imbalances, allergies, and all forms of stress. This is definitely an area where a comprehensive, natural approach should be utilized first, as it usually very effective. Only if one is still unable to achieve the desired results, should drugs, various topicals and over-the-counter medications be resorted to.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia, the inability to get to sleep or stay asleep has numerous possible causes. These include 1) stress and associated emotional factors, 2) poor diet, 3) drug and/or alcohol abuse (including caffeine), 4) poor adrenal function, 5) illness, 6) electromagnetic disturbances, 7) environmental sensitivities, 8) food allergies, 9) hypoglycemia, 10) chronic pain, 11) nutritional deficiencies, 12) endocrine problems, and 13) medications.

It should be clear from the above that the more these different causative factors can be identified and balanced, the better will be the results. Having our insomnia patients add a unique, light-energized water solution to a warm bath has dramatically increased our results.

Osteoporosis

We have long understood that the causes of osteoporosis are multi-factorial. We utilize the latest research and breakthroughs that recognize that bone health and maintenance is natural and spontaneous for those living a life of healthful balance. This advanced approach views osteoporosis as a "degenerative disease" which is preventable and can be halted once begun rather than an inevitable consequence of menopause.

Possible causes include: hormone imbalance (estrogen vs. progesterone), poor diet (prevents kidneys from absorbing calcium), insufficient weight-bearing exercise (builds bone mass), decreased digestive function (poor absorption of calcium), environmental toxins (leech calcium in order to bind toxins), dysbiosis or antibiotic use (decrease "friendly bacteria", needed to produce Vitamin K.), some medications (decrease calcium absorption), hyperthyroidism (decreases bone mass my pulling excess minerals out of the bones), decreased body fat (decreases progesterone), cigarette smoking (lowers estrogen levels), nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, excess alcohol, and kidney problems.

Addressing all of these areas, as we do, is extremely helpful in preventing or slowing the progress of osteoporosis. In some cases, bone mass can even be increased.

Environmental Illness

Environmental illness (EI) is defined as multifaceted complaints, both physical and emotional, triggered by a multitude of chemical substances, usually having a cumulative effect. Normally blood tests and standard physical exams show no irregularities and the person is often told that it is simply "all in their mind" due to their extraordinary head-to-toe complaints. Hypersensitivity to the environment increases as the EI person becomes more and more sensitive to "ordinary" items including fluoridated water, cosmetics, perfume, cigarette smoke, and polyester clothing. The person is more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections as well as yeast overgrowth, as smaller doses of the chemical insult triggers increased symptoms.

The list of signs and symptoms of environmental illness is virtually endless, and include almost any symptom one can think of. Our holistic approach is very effective in this area.

Weight Loss

Nowhere is a holistic approach more important and necessary then in the area of weight loss. When the body is out of kilter, it is hard to maintain the balance of many systems including the endocrine (hormone) system, which has a profound effect on weight. Any imbalance within the system will have an effect on weight loss. Nutritional deficiencies are especially crucial as lack of nutrients can impede the body's ability to burn fat for energy.

An image we use is that of a lock that requires a series of numbers to be lined up in proper sequence for the lock to open. There are anywhere from 5-8 factors which must all be "lined up" in order for "lock of weight loss" to open. If all of these areas are not lined up or balanced weight loss becomes extremely difficult, despite one's best efforts at changing diet, exercise, etc.

We also utilize a scientifically researched and proven "fat loss program" (as contrasted with loss of water or lean muscle mass involved in many diets), which involves cleansing toxins and rejuvenation as well as fat loss. Since the body tries to contain toxins by surrounding them with fat, when toxins are effectively removed, fat is also pulled out at the same time. This system along with our holistic approach results in fast fat loss, with the additional benefits of increased energy and decreased appetite.

We are well aware of the "hype" surrounding so many of the latest weight loss "solutions". Our program has to be experienced to be believed.